Minimum Age: 18+PESS accepts applicants who are 18 years of age or older at the time of admission.
OTHM Approved Centre • DC2508936
Start Your Safety Career with the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in OHS
Build a strong foundation in occupational health and safety through a UK-regulated qualification delivered by PESS. Study three mandatory units, complete coursework-based assessment and receive structured tutor and LMS support. PESS admission is open to learners aged 18+ with good English communication and writing ability.
- Ofqual-Regulated
- Coursework Assessed
- Minimum Age 18+
- Good English Required
18+
Minimum Admission AgeApplicants must be 18 years or older.
Good English RequiredConfident reading, writing and communication.
34Total Credits
3Mandatory Units
220Guided Learning Hours
340Total Qualification Time
Before You Enrol
Check Eligibility & Apply
Is This the Right Safety Qualification for You?
Good English RequiredLearners must read, write, understand and communicate effectively in English.
Coursework AssessmentComplete authentic assignments and learning activities rather than a traditional final examination.
PESS Learner SupportReceive induction, LMS access, tutor guidance and structured assessment support.
Course Overview
Understand the Qualification Before You Enrol
Review the qualification level, credits, learning hours, assessment method and official OTHM information before making your admission decision.
About the Qualification
The OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety has been developed to help learners understand health and safety practices within a working environment. It introduces the workplace issues, responsibilities and management activities commonly encountered in health and safety roles.
Learners explore safety and welfare requirements, organisational safety management systems, communication, risk assessment, workplace hazards, incident management and performance monitoring. The programme connects academic understanding with real workplace application.
Successful completion can support entry into employment or further study. Progression to higher OTHM occupational health and safety qualifications remains subject to relevant experience and the admission requirements of the next programme.
QualificationOTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in OHS
RecognitionOfqual-Regulated UK Qualification
EquivalenceLevel comparable to GCE AS/A Levels
GradingPass / Fail
English RequirementGood Written & Spoken English
PESS DeliveryFlexible Tutor-Supported Learning
Qualification Information You Can Trust
The credit value, GLH, TQT, unit titles, entry requirements and assessment information on this page follow the published OTHM qualification specification. PESS confirms current intake and delivery arrangements before registration.
What Do 34 Credits Mean?
Credit value reflects the volume of learning achieved. Under the qualification framework, one credit represents ten hours of Total Qualification Time, giving this programme a total value of 340 hours.
220 Guided Learning Hours
GLH represents learning time when a tutor, lecturer or appropriate member of staff is available to provide immediate teaching support or supervision.
340 Total Qualification Time
TQT combines guided learning with directed preparation, independent study, research, assessment activities and other learning needed to achieve the qualification.
Professional Value
Skills You Will Build for a Safety Career
Build a balanced foundation across safety responsibilities, workplace systems, communication, risk control and incident learning.
Safety Responsibilities
Understand the roles and responsibilities of employers, employees and others within a healthy and safe working environment.
Management Systems
Explore how policies, procedures, audits, reviews and performance information support effective safety management.
Hazard & Risk Control
Develop understanding of hazard identification, risk assessment, control methods and safe systems of work.
Professional Communication
Learn how to communicate safety information, consult with stakeholders and contribute to constructive workplace decisions.
Incident Management
Understand reporting, investigation, root causes, corrective action and monitoring after workplace accidents and incidents.
Career Progression
Gain underpinning knowledge for entry-level safety work, workplace development and progression towards advanced study.
What You Will Learn and Be Able to Apply
The programme objectives bring together workplace responsibility, management systems, communication, risk assessment and incident management. These capabilities create a broad technical foundation for developing health and safety professionals.
10core programme objectives
Roles & Responsibilities
Understand different health and safety duties within the working environment.
Safety & Welfare Rules
Recognise workplace arrangements that protect health, safety and welfare.
Safety Management Systems
Understand the organisational role of structured safety management systems.
Procedure Review
Develop the ability to review safety procedures across an organisation.
Effective Communication
Contribute clear and suitable information for a healthy and safe workplace.
Collaborative Working
Understand why cooperation with others is essential for maintaining safety.
Risk Assessment Principles
Build knowledge of structured approaches for assessing workplace risk.
Hazards & Controls
Understand workplace hazards and the methods used to control risk.
Accident & Incident Effects
Know how organisations manage the consequences of unwanted events.
Monitoring & Improvement
Understand how risk and incident performance is monitored and improved.
Who Should Enrol?
Who Should Enrol in OTHM Level 3?
This programme is suitable for learners beginning an OHS pathway and people who already support workplace operations and want structured safety knowledge.
Adult Learners Aged 18+
Applicants who meet the PESS age requirement and are ready to begin a vocational health and safety qualification at Level 3.
Technical & DAE Learners
Technical learners seeking a formal foundation for industrial safety development.
Site & Construction Personnel
Workers and junior supervisors who support site safety and operational controls.
Safety Assistants
Existing safety support personnel seeking broader knowledge and academic progression.
Industrial Employees
Employees in manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, utilities and related sectors.
Career Changers
Professionals preparing to move into health, safety or HSE support responsibilities.
Qualification Structure
Three Mandatory Units You Will Study
Complete all three units to build a connected foundation in workplace safety principles, safe working environments, risk and incident management.
Mandatory Unit 01
Unit Ref: L/618/6932
Health and Safety Principles in the Working Environment
Develop knowledge of safety and welfare requirements, workplace responsibilities, health and safety management systems, performance monitoring and improvement planning.
- Safety, health and welfare requirements
- Employer and employee responsibilities
- Training, competence and communication
- Safety management system principles
- Performance monitoring and review
- Improvement planning and practice
Assessment format: Short Answer Questions (SAQ) covering all learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the unit.
Mandatory Unit 02
Unit Ref: R/618/6933
Maintaining a Healthy and Safe Working Environment
Explore how organisations manage safety, apply policies and safe systems, communicate effectively, work with stakeholders and improve workplace standards.
- Reasons for effective safety management
- Policies, procedures and safe systems
- Cooperation, consultation and teamwork
- Research and reliable safety information
- Professional communication and support
- Leadership, priorities and performance
Assessment format: Assignment tasks and Short Answer Questions (SAQ) covering all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Mandatory Unit 03
Unit Ref: Y/618/6934
Principles of Risk and Incident Management in the Working Environment
Build practical understanding of hazard identification, risk assessment, risk controls, incident response, investigation, corrective actions and performance monitoring.
- Risk assessment principles and process
- Workplace hazards and control methods
- Risk recording and documentation
- Accident and incident consequences
- Investigation and root cause learning
- Monitoring and continual improvement
Assessment format: Assignment tasks and Short Answer Questions (SAQ) covering all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Three Units • 34 Credits • Coursework Assessed
You Have Reviewed the Course Structure. Take the Next Step.
Ask PESS to check your eligibility, current intake, timetable and registration requirements.
How Entry, Assessment and Completion Work
The qualification uses coursework rather than a traditional final examination. Learners must demonstrate achievement of every learning outcome and assessment criterion for each mandatory unit.
- Assignments and short-answer assessment activities
- Internally assessed by the approved centre
- Externally verified by OTHM
- Criterion-referenced Pass / Fail grading
- Academic guidance without compromising learner authorship
Feedback & Reassessment
If a learner has not achieved a Pass, the centre provides clear feedback and suitable support before reassessment in the required areas.
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPL may be considered for individual units where valid evidence meets the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. It cannot be used to claim the entire qualification.
Equality of Opportunity
Delivery should promote equal opportunity and address identified barriers where reasonable and practicable, in line with approved-centre responsibilities.
Authentic Learner Evidence
Learners must produce their own assessment evidence, acknowledge sources correctly and follow PESS academic integrity and malpractice requirements.
Your Complete PESS Learning Journey
A transparent pathway helps learners understand what happens from their first enquiry through assessment, quality assurance and progression planning.
Admissions Review
Age 18+, good English, learner capability and learning needs are checked.
Induction & LMS
Receive policies, study guidance, resources and platform access.
Guided Learning
Join structured teaching, discussion and tutor-supported study.
Coursework
Complete authentic assignments and short-answer assessment tasks.
Assessment & IQA
Receive assessor decisions, feedback and internal quality assurance.
OTHM Verification
External verification supports certification and progression planning.
Career Direction and Further Study
The qualification can strengthen your profile for junior and support-level safety work while preparing you for further occupational health and safety study.
Important: A qualification supports employability but does not guarantee a specific job, salary, visa or professional title. Employers also consider experience, competence, communication skills and role-specific requirements.
Safety Assistant
Support inspections, records, toolbox activities and day-to-day workplace safety coordination.
HSE Assistant
Assist HSE teams with documentation, follow-up actions and workforce safety communication.
Site Safety Representative
Help monitor site rules, report hazards and encourage safe practices under competent supervision.
Safety Coordinator Support
Contribute to schedules, safety meetings, records and communication between work teams.
Junior Inspection Support
Assist competent personnel with workplace observations, checklists and corrective-action tracking.
Industrial Safety Support
Apply foundational safety knowledge in manufacturing, utilities, logistics and maintenance settings.
Professional Learning Pathway
01
OTHM Level 3
Build underpinning OHS knowledge.
02
Workplace Experience
Develop practical competence and evidence.
03
Developing Safety Role
Support operational safety responsibilities.
04
OTHM Level 6
Progress subject to entry requirements.
05
Advanced Study
Continue towards Level 7 and further progression.
Construction
Oil & Gas
Manufacturing
Power & Utilities
Logistics
Warehousing
Engineering
Healthcare
Facilities
Infrastructure
PESS Learner Experience
Support Included with Your PESS Learning Journey
PESS combines academic guidance, digital learning resources and quality assurance to help learners understand expectations and progress confidently.
Learner Induction
Clear guidance on the qualification, assessment expectations, academic conduct and learner responsibilities.
LMS Access
Organised learning materials, announcements, assessment resources and submission guidance in one place.
Qualified Tutor Support
Scheduled teaching, clarification, formative guidance and feedback aligned with centre procedures.
Quality Assurance
Internal quality assurance and OTHM external verification support fair and consistent assessment decisions.
Study OTHM Level 3 with PESS in Pakistan
Study with PESS in Hyderabad, Sindh, or enquire about tutor-supported online learning for Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Peshawar, Quetta and learners across Pakistan. Current intake, timetable and delivery arrangements are confirmed during admission.
Official OTHM Resources
Check the Official OTHM Qualification Information
Use these official external resources to review the awarding organisation’s published course information, regulatory facts, qualification structure, entry requirements, assessment model and detailed unit specification.
Official OTHM Qualification Page
Review the OTHM webpage for the Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, including the programme overview and current qualification information.
Open OTHM Course PageOfficial Qualification Specification
Read the full published specification containing the Ofqual reference, objectives, entry rules, delivery and assessment requirements, unit details and indicative content.
View Official PDFThese links open external pages managed by OTHM. Because awarding-body information may be updated, learners should review the official course page and confirm the current PESS intake arrangements before enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Learners Ask Before Enrolling
Get clear answers about entry, assessment, online study, learning hours, progression, RPL and PESS learner support.
What is the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety?
It is an Ofqual-regulated Level 3 qualification designed to develop understanding of workplace health and safety practices, safe working environments, risk assessment and incident management.
How is the qualification assessed?
The programme is assessed through coursework. Units are internally assessed by the approved centre and externally verified by OTHM. Learners must meet all learning outcomes and assessment criteria to achieve a Pass.
Is there a traditional final examination?
The OTHM specification identifies coursework as the assessment method. Learners complete assignments and short-answer activities rather than a traditional final written examination.
What are the entry requirements?
For admission through PESS, applicants must be aged 18 or above, have good written and spoken English, demonstrate suitable capability for Level 3 study and be ready to complete coursework in English. Previous workplace safety knowledge is helpful but not mandatory.
How many units, credits and learning hours are included?
The qualification consists of three mandatory units worth 34 credits in total. It includes 220 Guided Learning Hours and 340 hours Total Qualification Time.
Can I study online with PESS?
PESS offers flexible tutor-supported learning through scheduled online delivery and its learning management system, subject to current intake and timetable arrangements.
Can this qualification make me a Safety Officer?
The qualification develops underpinning knowledge relevant to entry-level health and safety work. Appointment as a Safety Officer depends on employer requirements, practical experience, competence, communication skills and any additional role-specific qualifications.
Can I progress to OTHM Level 6 after Level 3?
Learners can aspire to progress towards the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety with appropriate experience and subject to the applicable Level 6 admission requirements.
Is the qualification useful for Gulf employment?
A UK-regulated health and safety qualification can strengthen a professional profile, but Gulf employment, visa eligibility and role acceptance are determined by individual employers and local requirements. PESS does not guarantee employment.
Why choose PESS for OTHM Level 3?
PESS is OTHM Approved Centre DC2508936 and provides learner induction, structured teaching, LMS access, academic guidance, assessment support and internal quality assurance throughout the programme.
Can Recognition of Prior Learning be considered?
RPL may be considered for individual units where suitable evidence demonstrates achievement of the relevant learning outcomes and assessment criteria. The full qualification cannot be claimed through RPL, and all decisions remain subject to the applicable PESS and OTHM requirements.
Where can I verify the official OTHM qualification information?
Use the Official OTHM Resources section above to open the OTHM qualification page and the published qualification specification.
Begin Your OHS Journey
Ready to Start Your OTHM Level 3 Safety Journey?
Begin with a clear foundation in workplace health and safety, risk assessment and incident management. Submit your registration and let PESS guide you through the next intake.