NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice Level 3

Introduction

There are no examinations involved, and unlike some awards, the NVQ actually encourages candidates to open books and use reference material. There is a whole unit in the NVQ on sources of information.

All NVQ's are made up of Units which when taken as a whole add up to the full award. There is no time scale for completion, and with there being no examinations, the amount of pressure placed on candidates is significantly reduced.

NVQ's are based on nationally defined occupational standards that:

A.
Identify the main roles and responsibilities within the area;

B.
Take the form of units based on the occupational roles and responsibilities identified;

C.
Show the outcomes of competent performance including the essential knowledge and understanding required;

D.
Show the standard of occupational competence to be reached for the stated outcome.

These standards can also be used to develop action plans, and set further targets, as well as assist in setting future business objectives.

When undertaking an NVQ, initially you will be given a brief induction, setting out the roles of various individuals in the assessment process.

Very briefly, these individuals are as follows:

The Candidate - You will often be in a position to:
A. recognise when you are ready for assessment;
B. identify opportunities to collect evidence, in discussion with the assessor;
C. arrange observations by colleagues;
D. collect witness testimonies from clients, colleagues etc;
E. make provisional judgements on your own evidence;
F. decide how to present evidence;
G. identify gaps in opportunities to collect evidence in your assessment plans;
H. request formal assessments;
I. identify suitable ways of meeting your own development needs;

The Assessor - The assessors role will include:
A. one to one discussions with the candidate;
B. discussions with the internal and external verifier to ensure consistent standards are maintained;
C. making decisions on the type of evidence needed, within the constraints of the evidence requirements;
D. identify opportunities for evidence collection;
E. make arrangements for judging evidence;
F. make arrangements for reviewing the candidates progress and the assessment plan;
G. offer support and advice to the candidate on matters relating to the on going assessment process;

The Internal Verfier - Their role is:
A. to advise assessors, and maintain the quality of the assessments throughout the centre;
B. sample assessments systematically, confirming the quality and consistency of the assessors decisions;
C. liaise with candidates, assessors and the external verifier to ensure standards are maintained, and any new developments are implemented as soon as possible;

The External Verfier - Their role is to:
A. check the quality and consistency of assessments both within the centre, and between centres, by systematic sampling;
B. make regular visits to centres to ensure they still meet the criteria for approval;

Evidence can be presented in various forms, both verbal and recorded. As well as hard copy evidence, witness testimonies and photographic evidence can be used, which will all be placed into the candidates portfolio of evidence, and will go towards proving they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be accredited with an NVQ. This portfolio remains the property of the candidate at all times, though in may need to be taken away for sampling from time to time. As well as this evidence, candidates will have their knowledge on the subject tested by the assessor either verbally, or in some cases via a small written exercise. This again will form part of the portfolio of evidence, and will go towards proving your competence.

To achieve a full NVQ you must complete the following units:

LEVEL 3 consists of the following units: 5 Mandatory Units
1. HSS1 Make sure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety.
2. HSS2 Develop procedures to safely control work operations.
3. HSS3 Monitor procedures to control work operations.
4. HSS4 Promote a health and safety culture within the workplace
5. HSS6 Conduct a health and safety assessment of a workplace
7. H&S H Ensure your own actions aim to protect the environment

2 Optional Units from the following:
1. HSS5 Investigate and evaluate health and safety incidents and complaints in the workplace
2. HSS7 Make sure your own actions within the workplace aim to protect the environment.
3. HSS8 Review health and safety procedures in workplaces.
4. HSS9 Supervise the health, safety and welfare of a learner in the workplace.