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NEBOSH general certificate - health and safety training for managers and supervisors
NEBOSH

NEBOSH National General Certificate

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From £1345 + VAT

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From £1145 + VAT

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From £745 + VAT

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What is the NEBOSH National General Certificate?

The NEBOSH National General Certificate (or NEBOSH NGC) is a widely recognised professional qualification in occupational health and safety. The awarding body – NEBOSH – is a globally recognised organisation that creates and accredits training in the field of health and safety.

This qualification is designed to provide you with a broad foundation of understanding fundamental health and safety concepts and how to apply them in the workplace. During your study on The NEBOSH National General Certificate course, you will cover a wide range of topics, which include risk assessment, identifying hazards and how to control them, workplace safety, fire safety and health and safety management systems.

NEBOSH have focused the National General Certificate on giving you everything you need to know and do to make your workplace safer. Relevant to all workplaces, the NEBOSH National General Certificate will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to assess, control and minimise risks.

NEBOSH National General Certificate - Key Information

Course duration

The NEBOSH National Certificate course is a total of 10 days. Sometimes this is split over 2 weeks with a break in the middle. As per NEBOSH’s guidance, you will have a minimum of 68 taught hours in the classroom. In addition to the 10 days, you will also need to reserve a day to complete your open book exam. Find more information on this under ‘Assessment’.

What will I learn?

By the end of your NEBOSH National General Certificate course, you will be able to:

  • Assist in the planning, implementation and review of an organisation’s health & safety policy
  • Understand the requirements of HSE legislation, codes of practice and the prosecution process
  • Confidently undertake risk assessments and recommend suitable action
  • Develop and implement a detailed action plan
  • Investigate accidents and prepare reports in line with HSE legislation
  • Identify common hazards in the workplace and recommend suitable corrective measures

Why should I study for a NEBOSH National General Certificate?

This qualification is beneficial whether you have a health and safety responsibility at work or are trying to expand your knowledge to gain a job in the health and safety industry. Gaining this certification will demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of health and safety principles and best practice. In addition, having someone at your workplace with a NEBOSH National General Certificate shows that you are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for employees.

If you are thinking of studying the NEBOSH National General Certificate as a stepping stone to a career in health and safety, you may be interested to know that most health and safety job roles in the UK require this NEBOSH qualification, along with a membership to a health and safety body such as IOSH. You can read our blog about IOSH membership and the benefits to gain a deeper understanding of the advantages it offers for your professional development and career progression in the field of health and safety.

Choose a course option

All of our courses are delivered with the same level of information and support, so you can choose the style of training that best suits your environment.

Our prices include:

  • Certificates

  • Exams

  • Course materials

Open courses

Traditional Classroom

From £1345 + VAT

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  • 6 courses available

  • Face-to-face learning

  • Interactive group activities

  • Immediate results and feedback

  • Meet others in your industry

Virtual courses

Trainer-led course on Zoom

From £1145 + VAT

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  • 6 courses available

  • No travel costs

  • Same accredited course content

  • Interactive group activities

  • Immediate results and feedback

E-learning

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  • Self-paced learning

  • Course material access 24/7

  • Revisit modules and materials

  • Knowledge checks throughout

  • Online support available

Group / Onsite

Trainer comes to you

From £745 + VAT

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  • Bespoke to your team

  • Tailored scenarios

  • Familiar learning environment

  • Cost-effective team training

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NEBOSH National General Certificate Unit NG1 - Management of Health and Safety

See below the course syllabus for the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. The virtual NEBOSH General Certificate online course follows the same syllabus as a classroom delivered courses and you will gain exactly the same certificate whether you complete the course virtually or in the classroom.

Element 1: Why we should manage workplace health and safety

  • 1.1 Morals and money
  • 1.2 The force of law – punishment and compensation
  • 1.3 The most important legal duties for employers and workers
  • 1.4 Managing contractors effectively

Element 2: How health and safety management systems work and what they look like

  • 2.1 What they are and the benefits they bring
  • 2.2 What good health and safety management systems look like

Element 3: Managing risk – understanding people and processes

  • 3.1 Health and safety culture
  • 3.2 Improving health and safety culture
  • 3.3 How human factors influence behaviour positively or negatively
  • 3.4 Assessing risk
  • 3.5 Management of change
  • 3.6 Safe systems of work for general work activities
  • 3.7 Permit-to-work systems
  • 3.8 Emergency procedures

Element 4: Health and safety monitoring and measuring

  • 4.1 Active and reactive monitoring
  • 4.2 Investigating incidents
  • 4.3 Health and safety auditing
  • 4.4 Review of health and safety performance
NEBOSH National General Certificate Unit NG1 - Management of Health and Safety

Element 5: Physical and psychological health

  • 5.1 Noise
  • 5.2 Vibration
  • 5.3 Radiation
  • 5.4 Mental health
  • 5.5 Violence at work
  • 5.6 Substance abuse at work

Element 6: Musculoskeletal health

  • 7.1 Hazardous substances
  • 7.2 Assessment of health risks
  • 7.3 Occupational exposure limits
  • 7.4 Control measures
  • 7.5 Specific agents

Element 8: General workplace issues

  • 8.1 Health, welfare and work environment
  • 8.2 Working at height
  • 8.3 Safe working in confined spaces
  • 8.4 Lone working
  • 8.5 Slips and trips
  • 8.6 Safe movement of people and vehicles in the workplace
  • 8.7 Work-related driving

Element 9: Work equipment

  • 9.1 General requirements
  • 9.2 Hand-held tools
  • 9.3 Machinery hazards
  • 9.4 Control measures for machinery

Element 10: Fire

  • 10.1 Fire principles
  • 10.2 Preventing fire and fire spread
  • 10.3 Fire alarms and fire-fighting
  • 10.4 Fire evacuation

Element 11: Electricity

  • 11.1 Hazards and risks
  • 11.2 Control measures
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Benefits of becoming NEBOSH Qualified

Benefits of becoming NEBOSH qualified for Delegates

  • If health and safety is important to an employer your qualification can help to set you apart from the competition for a job role
  • The minimum standard for a role in health and safety (92% of positions ask for a NEBOSH qualification or IOSH Membership)
  • Internationally recognised qualification
  • Career progression
  • Gain IOSH membership

Benefits of NEBOSH Qualified Staff for Employers

The candidates will learn that the vast majority of occupational injuries, incidents and ill-health are avoidable by good health and safety management. Furthermore, a successful and effective management strategy results in saving money, improving productivity and raising workforce morale.

Assessment and Certification

The Assessment process for the NEBOSH National General Certificate is split into two parts: the open book examination and the practical assessment. Read about these two parts in detail below.

NG1 - NEBOSH Open Book Exam

In 2020 NEBOSH introduced open book examinations (where you can take a NEBOSH reference book into the exam with you) as a permanent replacement for the invigilated, paper-based examinations. Along with the NG2 project, this allows the NEBOSH National General Certificate qualification to now be completed remotely, without attending a classroom or exam venue.

The open book examination is designed to test your knowledge and ability as it would be used in a real-world scenario. Rather than testing your memory, using a open book exam style will test your application of health and safety knowledge.

You’ll have 24 hours to complete your open book exam and you can structure your time as you see fit. NEBOSH suggest you should allow 4-5 hours in total for the exam.

Download the Open Book Examination Learner Guide from NEBOSH’s website. It has helpful tips and information on the digital assessment.

NG2 Practical – Risk Assessment

The second part of the assessment process is your practical assessment. The aim of the practical assessment is to show you now have the skills to complete a risk assessment of your workplace. Perfect to show off your new skills and apply them right away in a real-world situation.

To help complete your assessment you’ll be provided with a thorough guidance document, a checklist you can use to make sure you include everything in your submission and an example submission. Before starting your risk assessment you should complete the NEBOSH syllabus, elements 1 to 11.

During your course, your tutor will spend time discussing the project with the group using homework and activities to get you thinking in practical terms.

So how long should the risk assessment take? NEBOSH advise it should take around 3 hours to complete, but this can vary. Keep in mind the practical is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, much like in the real world it’s about identifying realistic and sensible measures to control risks in the workplace.

NEBOSH Closing Interviews

Closing interviews must be attended by every NEBOSH Candidate with their Learning Partner Project Skills Solutions via Zoom, within 2-3 weeks of completing your exam.
The interviews are not assessed but if you do not attend your scheduled closing interview NEBOSH will not publish your results.
NEBOSH use the Closing Interview as a key part of their malpractice procedures and have set up multiple steps:

NEBOSH Closing Interview Requirements

During the interview you will be required to:

– Show your identification to check you are who you say you are. This is the same as an invigilated examination
– Show the room you are in to make sure you are alone
– Answer questions about your examination

NEBOSH provide Project Skills Solutions with a list of interview questions that are bespoke to the examination paper and designed to check you have the underpinning knowledge and understanding behind your answers.
Project Skills Solutions will ask the questions in a random sequence so not every learner will be asked the same combination of questions.
Project Skills Solutions will complete a Closing Interview Record Sheet for every learner.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. However, the assessments are only offered and must be answered in English. Part of the qualification is a written report based on the delegate’s own workplace and must also be in English.

If you have any questions please contact the training team. Project Skills Solutions have a dedicated NEBOSH learning advisor that you can speak to about the NEBOSH General Certificate.

Read more about the NEBOSH National General Certificate

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Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the questions we frequently get asked about our NEBOSH National General Certificate Course.

Can I do the NEBOSH General Certificate training on my mobile phone?

We do not allow you to complete this training course on a mobile phone. We recommend a computer or laptop, or as a bare minimum, you will be allowed to use a tablet, but this is not recommended. This is because a larger screen will allow you to interact with the group and activities meaningfully and follow the trainer and resources more accurately. If you do not have access to a device other than a smartphone, a classroom course may be a better alternative. Contact our team to discuss your options.

How many training days are there for the NEBOSH General Certificate courses?

Ten days of training are spread over two weeks. Sometimes, the course is a block of two weeks, Monday to Friday, for each week. Depending on demand, there can be a week or two between the first and second week. If you are unsure of your course dates, contact a member of our team on 0800 0213 263.

What memberships can I apply for once I have passed my NEBOSH National General Certificate?

You can gain membership of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management as an Associate member with designated letters AIIRSM and you can gain membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as an Associate or technical member with designated letters AIOSH or Tech IOSH, respectively.

What is the pass mark for NG1/Open Book Exam?

The pass mark for the NG1 is 45. If you do not meet this mark, you have failed. However, the NG1, the OBE (Open Book Exam) part of the NEBOSH course, follows these grade criteria: pass 45 – 64 marks, credit 65-74 marks, and distinction 75+. The mark is only from your NG1 exam result. 

What is the pass mark for NG2/Risk Assessment?

You can only achieve a ‘Pass’ or ‘Refer’ for the assessment. If you are referred NEBOSH will provide you with a Unit NG2: Risk Assessment: Examiner Feedback, which will highlight what has and has not been met allowing you to resubmit your revision.

Do I get a workbook for my NEBOSH course?

If you are completing the NEBOSH National General Certificate virtually, you will receive a physical copy of your workbook. 

Can I sit the NEBOSH exam as external student?

We do not allow learners to sit exams only; learners must have sat the course with us to be able to sit the exams with us. 

What happens if I miss a day during the 10-day NEBOSH course?

It is expected that learners attend all ten days with the tutor and be punctual. Missing one day can have a detrimental impact, as the course covers a vast amount of content. The tutor is not able to provide a one-to-one catchup for information missed.

What is NEBOSH?

NEBOSH is the National Educational Board in Occupational Health and Safety and is recognised worldwide

Can my paper be re-marked if I did not receive a pass mark of 45?

If you didn’t receive the pass mark of 45 but believe that you should have, you can contact NEBOSH for a remark on your paper. This is completed directly with NEBOSH by completing an EAR form (enquiry about results). You can find further details from NEBOSH by clicking this link.

How does the NG1 Open Book Exam work?

The Open Book Exam is a digital assessment, so it needs to be downloaded, completed, and submitted on the NEBOSH Online assessment platform, this can be on a computer or tablet. Learners are given 24 hours to complete and submit it. About a week before the NG1 exam, NEBOSH emails learners with details of how to access the NEBOSH platform.

How does the NG2 Practical Risk Assessment work?

The NG2 is the second part of the NEBOSH National General Certificate assessment process, which consists of a practical risk assessment and developing an action plan for the learner's workplace. It is pass or fail. NEBOSH suggests that around 3-4 hours are needed to complete the four stages of the practical risk assessment. You have two weeks to complete it and a strict submission date via email to the PSS Learning Advisor.  

When will I get my NEBOSH results?

Learners are emailed their results directly from NEBOSH; results are published 50 working days (around 10 weeks) after the exam.    

How long does it take to get the NEBOSH Certificate?

Once you have successfully completed your course, roughly 20 working days after finding out your result, we will receive your NEBOSH certificate. We will then post this out to you. 

Do NEBOSH candidates require to attend a Closing Interview?

Closing Interviews must be attended by every NEBOSH Candidate via Zoom; these are carried out the week after the NG1 exam and take about 15 minutes.  Learners will be able to schedule the closing interview closer to the NG1, and a link will be emailed to them directly to book an appointment.

Who marks the NEBOSH NG1 and NG2?

NEBOSH will mark both the NG1 and NG2 and issue your results, which are emailed directly to you within 50 working days of the examination.

How long do NEBOSH suggest that it will take to do the OBE?

5 hours (allow more as it could take a lot longer depending on the individual). You have a 24-hour period in which to take the OBE from your start time. The start time varies, and you will be notified in advance of the start time to make sure you are ready. 

How many words is the NEBOSH OBE restricted to?

3000 words but with a 10% allowance of 3300, which you should aim for  

What support information do I get for the NEBOSH NGC course?

The RMS ‘A Study Book for the NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE’. This study book has 11 sections covering the entire content of the course. Sections 1 – 4 are covered in the first week Sections 5 to 11 are covered in the second week

Will there be homework during the NEBOSH course weeks?

Yes, you will have work to do most evenings, which is marked by the tutor the next day. You will also do a mock OBE based on a previous exam paper.

What is the NEBOSH OBE like?

It has a scenario (around 2 pages) on which you must answer 10 questions based on that scenario. Each question has a score shown against it. For each point, you need to give an answer, usually around 2 to 3 sentences. For example, if the score indicated is 15, you should aim to write at least 15 answers, each of 2 to 3 lines. Do not cut and paste, and ensure your answer relates to the scenario.

What happens if you cheat during the NEBOSH exam i.e. work with others to write answers?

Your exam will be voided, and you could end up with a lifetime ban. NEBOSH runs all exam papers through a program that compares answers with other candidates to identify comparable submissions.

Can you use AI to help with NEBOSH exam answers?

No, you cannot use AI to help you with your exam answers.