If you’re new to the world of Health and Safety (H&S), you’ve probably come across IOSH, but may not fully know what it is or how it can help with your career. In simple terms, IOSH stands for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and it’s the largest professional body for health and safety practitioners worldwide. IOSH is all about helping you grow in the field of H&S and giving you the tools, support, and recognition you need to succeed.
In this post, we’ll explain how you can get started with TechIOSH—the first milestone in your IOSH membership—and what you need to do to get there.
What is IOSH and Why Should You Care?
IOSH is all about promoting health and safety at work and ensuring that professionals like you can make workplaces safer. It’s not just a badge you wear—being a member gives you access to valuable resources, a professional network, and recognition within the industry. Plus, IOSH members are kept up to date with the latest changes in safety regulations and best practices.
For those entering health and safety, IOSH membership is a solid foundation. It shows that you’re committed to developing your career and that you understand the seriousness of health and safety in every workplace.
Understanding the IOSH Membership Grades
IOSH offers several membership grades, depending on your experience and qualifications. As a newcomer to the field, your goal will likely be to achieve TechIOSH—which is the first professional grade. Here’s a quick rundown of what each membership level means:
- Affiliate Member (AIOSH): This is the starting point. If you’re just getting into health and safety, you’ll join as an affiliate member. It doesn’t require formal qualifications yet, but it gives you access to IOSH’s resources and events.
- Technical Member (TechIOSH): This is the first professional level and the goal for many new H&S professionals. To achieve TechIOSH, you’ll need to demonstrate a certain level of knowledge (Usually IOSH approved Level 3 in Health and Safety such as ProQual NVQ Level 3 or NEBOSH Certificate, etc.), and experience in the field. It’s all about showing you can identify risks and understand health and safety procedures at a basic level.
- Certified Member (CertIOSH): After gaining more experience or completing a higher qualification (Usually IOSH approved Level 6 in Health and Safety such as ProQual NVQ Level 6 or NEBOSH Diploma, etc.) – Visit our blog for ProQual and NEBOSH journey, you can apply for GradIOSH. This represents a deeper knowledge of H&S and is the stepping stone toward full chartered status.
- Chartered Member (CMIOSH): This is the level most senior health and safety professionals aspire to. CMIOSH is a mark of expertise and is often required for leadership or high-level management roles in health and safety.
- Chartered Fellow (CFIOSH): This is the highest level of membership. Fellows are recognized leaders who have made significant contributions to the field.
How to Achieve TechIOSH
So, how do you reach TechIOSH? It’s the perfect starting point for new professionals who want to be recognized in the industry. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do to qualify:
1. Educational Qualifications
To apply for TechIOSH, you’ll need a recognized qualification. This could be something like:
- The NEBOSH National General Certificate—this is one of the most common qualifications for beginners in health and safety.
- Or, you could have a level 3 qualification in health and safety (like an NVQ or similar qualification). If you don’t have formal qualifications, don’t worry—experience can also count.
2. Relevant Experience
You don’t need to have years of experience under your belt, but you should be able to show that you understand health and safety practices and can apply them to real-world situations. Even if you’ve been involved in safety management in a non-official capacity, that’s helpful experience.
3. Show Competence
To qualify, IOSH needs to see that you can manage basic health and safety tasks—like identifying hazards, assessing risks, and following safety regulations. This can be demonstrated through your qualifications or practical work experience.
4. Submit Your Application
Once you’ve got the qualifications and experience, you can apply to IOSH for TechIOSH membership. The process is mostly online, and you’ll need to provide details about your education, job experience, and any other relevant information. Don’t worry; it’s a straightforward process.
5. Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
IOSH takes ongoing learning seriously, and once you’re a member, you’ll need to keep working on your development. As a TechIOSH member, you’ll be encouraged to take part in CPD (at least 30 hours a year), which will help you stay on top of the latest trends, safety standards, and regulations.
Applying for TechIOSH Membership
Once you meet the requirements, you can apply for membership online. Here’s how:
- Start as an Affiliate: If you don’t yet have the qualifications or experience, you can join as an affiliate to start networking and learning while you work towards meeting the TechIOSH criteria. Remember everyone joins as an Affiliate and later get approved to higher grades via application (i.e. category change form) submission.
- Pay the Membership Fee: Membership isn’t free, but it’s well worth it for the benefits you get. Once accepted, you’ll pay the annual fee.
- Submit Your Application: Once you’re ready, you’ll fill out an online form with your qualifications and experience. Be sure to double-check everything before submitting!
- Get Your Application Reviewed: After submitting, IOSH will review your application. If everything checks out, they’ll approve your membership,
- Commit to CPD: Once you’ve joined, you’ll need to stay active in your CPD. This ensures you keep learning and growing throughout your career.
Why TechIOSH Matters for Your Career
Achieving TechIOSH opens up many doors for you as a health and safety professional. Here are just a few reasons why it matters:
- Credibility: Being a TechIOSH member signals to employers and colleagues that you are serious about health and safety and have met industry standards.
- Resources and Networking: Membership gives you access to an array of resources, training events, and professional networking opportunities that help you grow.
- Career Development: As a member, you’ll get access to job opportunities, events, and learning materials that will help you progress in your career.
Good luck on your journey, and remember, every step you take brings you closer to becoming a respected professional in health and safety!
If you need further advice, one joined as a member, IOSH provide a free opportunity for members via IOSH Mentoring Platform to learn from senior members.
