Health and safety professionals play a vital role in every industry; protecting employees, preventing accidents, reducing organisational risk, and ensuring compliance with legislation. If you’re interested in developing these essential skills or exploring a future career as a Safety Practitioner, this Level 9 Certificate offers the perfect starting point.
Designed for part-time study, the Certificate in Health and Safety Practitioner Skill Development provides a practical, accessible, and career-focused introduction to the duties, responsibilities and competencies required in modern workplace health and safety roles.
Through real-world case studies, practical assessments, and industry-informed learning, you will gain the confidence and capability to understand risks, support compliance, and contribute effectively to safer working environments.
Why Choose This Programme?
Explore the role of today’s Safety Practitioner
Gain a clear understanding of what the profession involves—from risk identification and accident prevention to safety audits, emergency planning and training delivery.
Build skills that employers value
Develop practical capabilities in hazard assessment, safety communication, incident investigation, data management, and legislative interpretation.
Stay up to date with key legislation
Understand how health and safety law has evolved, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, EU directives, codes of practice, and their application in workplace policies.
Learn through real-world, applied practice
Through case studies, problem-based learning, practical skills evaluation and fieldwork, you will apply theory directly to workplace scenarios.
Study flexibly while you work
Delivered part-time with online learning supports, virtual classrooms and tutor interaction, the programme is ideal for busy professionals seeking to upskill or pivot into the field.
Course Highlights
Occupational health, illness prevention and workplace wellbeing
Accident causation, emergency planning and risk control
Evolution of Irish and EU health and safety legislation
Safety culture, safety management systems and audit techniques
Communication, negotiation and change-management skills
Economic impact of accidents, insurance considerations and cost-effective safety solutions
Data collection, epidemiology, and evidence-based decision making
Assessment is 100% coursework and practical evaluation—focused on developing authentic, workplace-ready competencies.
Who Is This Course For?
This programme is ideal for:
Individuals interested in pursuing a career in health and safety
Employees who have recently taken on H&S responsibilities
Managers or supervisors seeking greater confidence in safety compliance
Organisations looking to upskill staff in risk management and safety best practice
Anyone who wants to better understand how to create safer, stronger, more productive workplaces
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Plan and support the review of workplace health and safety management systems
Identify hazards, assess risks and recommend suitable control actions
Interpret and apply legislation and codes of practice
Communicate and deliver effective health and safety training
Understand how human factors influence safety performance and absenteeism
Conduct safety audits, accident investigations and prepare professional reports
Recognise how employment law intersects with health and safety responsibilities
Maintain accurate safety records and communicate effectively with management
The entry criteria for the following Awards at level 9 is that applicants progress from L8 major qualification with a minimum 2:2 or an equivalent professional qualification such as ACCA or CIMA.
All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a 2.2award level and who have relevant work experience and or other certificates and qualifications may also be considered through the University's RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience may be considered and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through RPL procedures.
South East Technological University reserves the right to require applicants to attend for interview to determine their suitability for the programme.
This is a 10 credit course and can be used towards the completion of our IOSH accredited MSc in Environmental, Health and Safety Management
Explore our Postgraduate Prospectus to view the full range of postgraduate study options, including course details, entry requirements, and progression routes. Download the prospectus to help you choose the programme that best suits your goals.
