Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE)

1. Principles of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Management : Introduces QHSE concepts, organisational responsibilities, quality objectives, workplace health, occupational safety, environmental responsibilities, stakeholder expectations and the purpose of integrated management systems.

2. Quality Management and Continual Improvement : Develops knowledge of quality planning, quality objectives, process control, customer requirements, quality indicators, non-conformities, corrective action, internal improvement activities and continual improvement principles.

3. Occupational Health and Workplace Safety : Covers workplace hazards, risk assessment, hierarchy of controls, personal protective equipment, safe systems of work, workplace inspections, incident prevention, emergency arrangements and responsibilities for maintaining safe working conditions.

4. Environmental Management and Sustainability : Examines environmental aspects and impacts, waste management, resource efficiency, pollution prevention, energy use, environmental objectives, legal responsibilities, sustainability practices and environmental performance monitoring.

5. QHSE Risk Assessment, Incident Investigation and Corrective Action : Develops competence in identifying QHSE risks, evaluating potential consequences, investigating incidents and non-conformities, identifying root causes, establishing corrective actions and monitoring their effectiveness.

6. QHSE Auditing, Documentation and Compliance : Covers QHSE procedures, controlled documentation, inspection records, legal and regulatory requirements, internal audits, audit evidence, findings, reporting, compliance verification and management-system records.

7. Integrated QHSE Management and Workplace Improvement Project : Requires learners to integrate quality, health, safety and environmental knowledge through an applied workplace project involving risk identification, quality improvement, environmental controls, compliance review, corrective actions and measurable QHSE improvement recommendations.

• Develops a broad foundation in Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Management.

• Builds practical workplace risk-assessment skills.

• Develops knowledge of quality management and continual improvement.

• Strengthens occupational health and safety awareness.

• Develops understanding of environmental management and sustainability.

• Builds competence in incident investigation and corrective action.

• Develops QHSE auditing and compliance documentation skills.

• Supports integrated management-system thinking.

• Provides a practical foundation for progression into higher-level QHSE qualifications and roles.

The qualification is suitable for:

• QHSE assistants and coordinators.

• Health and safety personnel developing broader QHSE responsibilities.

• Quality-control and quality-assurance staff.

• Environmental and sustainability support personnel.

• Supervisors and team leaders responsible for workplace compliance.

• Construction, engineering, manufacturing, logistics and facilities personnel.

• Learners seeking entry-level or developing careers in QHSE and integrated management systems.

Assessment Format: Written examination, QHSE case studies, risk-assessment activities, incident-investigation assignments, audit and compliance exercises, environmental-management tasks and an integrated QHSE improvement project.

Total Questions: 40 questions, consisting of multiple-choice, short-answer and scenario-based questions, supported by coursework and project evidence.

Passing Score: Minimum 50% in the written examination and successful completion of all mandatory assessments and the integrated workplace project.

Duration: 90 minutes for the written examination, with additional assessment time allocated to assignments, practical activities and the project.

Certification: Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE)

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) qualification may progress to:

• HiQual UK Level 4 qualifications in QHSE, Occupational Health and Safety, Quality Management, Environmental Management or related disciplines.

• Further professional development in ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety, internal auditing, risk management and incident investigation.

• Specialist training in QHSE auditing, environmental compliance, workplace safety, quality assurance, emergency management and integrated management systems.

• Employment or career advancement in roles including QHSE Assistant, QHSE Coordinator, HSE Assistant, Quality Assistant, Environmental Assistant, Safety Coordinator and Compliance Assistant.

• Continuing professional development toward QHSE Officer, QHSE Engineer, HSE Manager, Quality Manager, Environmental Manager and Integrated Management Systems roles.

Progression and employment claims should be appropriately supported within the approved qualification specification. HiQual UK's framework requires such claims to be evidence-based and accurately described.