Unitised from March 2008

The key difference between the National Certificate and the International Certificate is in the reference to legal requirements. The international syllabus omits specific reference to UK legal requirements and focuses on international standards, in particular ILO codes of practice. Otherwise, the syllabus is structured in common with the UK National Certificate. Candidates are likely to be employees of large organisations operating outside the UK, or of multinational companies already working to international standards but needing to adapt these to accord with local needs and practice.

The International Certificate is designed for managers, supervisors, worker representatives, and others who require a knowledge and understanding of health and safety principles and practices. It provides an appropriate breadth of knowledge for non-specialists, enabling them to discharge effectively their organisational duties with respect to workplace health and safety.

The syllabus is divided into the following units:

1. Health and safety foundations
2. Setting policy for health and safety
3. Organising for health and safety
4. Promoting a positive health and safety culture
5. Risk assessment
6. Principles of control
7. Movement of people and vehicles hazards and control
8. Manual and mechanical handling hazards and controls
9. Work equipment hazards and controls
10. Electrical hazards and control
11. Fire hazards and control
12. Chemical and biological health hazards and control
13. Physical and psychological health hazards and control
14. Construction activities hazards and controls
15. Investigation, recording and reporting of events
16. Monitoring, review and audit

Assessment comprises of two 2-hour written papers and a practical assessment. Each written paper consists of one 'long answer' question and ten 'short answer' questions. All questions compulsory.