The NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) is a widely recognized qualification

that equips individuals with essential knowledge and skills to manage health and safety risks in a
variety of workplaces. Below is a detailed breakdown of the course notes for the NEBOSH IGC.

NEBOSH IGC Structure

The NEBOSH International General Certificate is divided into two main units:

 Unit IG1: Management of Health and Safety

 Unit IG2: Risk Assessment (Practical Application)

Each unit contains specific elements that cover different aspects of health and safety
management and application.

Unit IG1: Management of Health and Safety

Element 1: Why We Should Manage Workplace Health and Safety

 Key reasons for managing health and safety:

o Moral reasons: The duty of care to protect employees and others from harm.
o Legal reasons: Legal obligations and the consequences of non-compliance with
safety laws.
o Financial reasons: Costs associated with accidents and incidents (e.g.,
compensation, legal fees, and lost productivity).
 Health and safety culture:
o Definition of health and safety culture and its influence on behaviors and
practices.
o The importance of leadership, communication, and involvement in promoting a
positive culture.
 Influencing health and safety behavior:
o Understanding why people behave unsafely and the psychological, social, and
environmental factors involved.
o Behavior-based safety approaches and how they can improve safety performance.

Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and What They Look Like

 Health and safety management system (HSMS) models:

o Overview of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
o The importance of integrating health and safety management into an
organization's overall management system.
 Policy, organizing, planning, and implementation:
 o What a health and safety policy should include: statement of intent, organizational
responsibilities, and arrangements.
o How to organize for health and safety: roles and responsibilities, competence, and
communication.
 Monitoring, audit, and review:
o The difference between proactive (e.g., inspections, audits) and reactive (e.g.,
accident investigations) monitoring.
o Auditing and reviewing the management system to drive continuous
improvement.

Element 3: Managing Risk – Understanding People and Processes

 Principles of risk assessment:

o Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause harm.
o Risk: The likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of the outcome.
 Key steps in risk assessment:
1. Identify hazards.
2. Identify who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on control measures.
4. Record findings and implement controls.
5. Review and update the assessment.
 Hierarchy of control:
o Analyzing the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls,
administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Element 4: Health and Safety Monitoring and Measuring

 Why incident investigation is important:

o The role of accident and incident reporting in learning from mistakes and
preventing reoccurrence.
o Root cause analysis and the key steps in an incident investigation.
 Active and reactive monitoring:
o Active: Inspections, audits, health surveillance.
o Reactive: Accident reports, sickness absence data, and near-miss reports.
 Recording, reporting, and investigating accidents and incidents:
o The role of incident reporting systems and compliance with local legislation on
accident and incident reporting.

Unit IG2: Risk Assessment (Practical Application)

Unit IG2 is the practical application of the theory learned in Unit IG1. It requires you to conduct
a risk assessment of a workplace and make appropriate recommendations to manage risks.

Key Steps in Conducting a Risk Assessment

 1. Identify the Hazards:
o Walk around the workplace to observe potential hazards.
o Consider hazards such as slips, trips, machinery, hazardous substances, and
manual handling.
2. Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How:
o Identify employees, contractors, visitors, and others who could be exposed to the
hazards.
o Consider vulnerable groups like pregnant workers, young workers, or those with
disabilities.
3. Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Control Measures:
o Assess the level of risk associated with each hazard.
o Use the hierarchy of control to determine the most effective control measures.
o Consider whether existing controls are adequate or if more needs to be done.
4. Record the Findings:
o Document the hazards, who is at risk, the control measures in place, and further
actions required.
o Ensure the findings are shared with those affected, and assign responsibility for
implementing further controls.
5. Review the Risk Assessment and Update If Necessary:
o Regularly review the assessment to ensure it remains valid and up-to-date,
especially after any significant changes in the workplace or after an accident.

Types of Hazards to Consider in Risk Assessments:

 Physical hazards: Noise, vibration, radiation, and extreme temperatures.

 Chemical hazards: Exposure to harmful substances (e.g., asbestos, solvents).
 Biological hazards: Exposure to bacteria, viruses, or other biological agents.
 Ergonomic hazards: Repetitive strain, poor workstation design, or manual handling
tasks.
 Psychosocial hazards: Stress, harassment, and violence in the workplace.
 Electrical hazards: Faulty wiring, exposed cables, or overloaded circuits.

Assessment Structure of NEBOSH IGC

 Unit IG1: Written examination (open-book exam), which requires in-depth answers to
scenario-based questions.
 Unit IG2: Practical assessment where students conduct a risk assessment in a real
workplace and prepare a detailed report, including recommendations for improvement.
Who Should Take the NEBOSH IGC?

 Supervisors, managers, or employees who need to ensure that their organizations meet
global health and safety standards.
 Those looking to pursue a career in occupational health and safety.
 Employees responsible for health and safety duties within their organization.

Key Benefits of the NEBOSH IGC

 Global Recognition: It is recognized worldwide, making it an excellent qualification for

those seeking careers in health and safety management.
 Career Progression: It provides a solid foundation for those aspiring to become safety
practitioners or professionals.
 Practical Skills: The course emphasizes real-world application, especially with the risk
assessment component.
 Pathway to Further Qualifications: The NEBOSH IGC can be a stepping stone to more
advanced qualifications like the NEBOSH International Diploma.

These detailed course notes provide a solid overview of the NEBOSH IGC, covering all the
essential aspects of health and safety management, risk assessment, and control measures.