NEBOSH has collaborated with Great Britain’s Health and Safety Regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to develop the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management.

This process safety management qualification is the result of the unique collaboration which combines the advanced technical ‘high hazard’ expertise of HSE with NEBOSH’s ability to deliver strong vocational OSH qualifications.  

This qualification is designed to equip delegates with a broad understanding of the accepted principles and recognised industrial practices for the management of process risk. This will ensure that they can recognise and contribute to the control of process safety hazards.

Our qualifications are developed based on extensive research with health and safety professionals, employers, professional bodies and regulators to ensure they are relevant and rigorous as well as achievable and practical.

Chris Austin, Head of Training and Events at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with NEBOSH on the evolution of the Process Safety Management certificate. We hope that by combining our strengths, the qualification will continue to significantly help improve understanding and further reduce health and safety risks in the process industries.”

Process Safety Management, a course book created by NEBOSH, it is not only helpful for learners studying the qualification, but also an invaluable reference source. The book covers process safety leadership, management of process risk, process safety hazard control and fire and explosion protection. You can purchase the book via the NEBOSH Shop. Learners studying for this qualification may be provided with a copy of this book by their Learning Partner.


Who is it for?

Individuals

People from all around the world who work in process industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Ideal for managers, safety representatives and health and safety advisors working within the process industries, both inside and outside the UK. 

It is not designed for chemical and process safety engineers experienced in the specification, design and maintenance of process plant. 

It is recommended that learners should already have an underpinning knowledge of health and safety issues, and many will have gained another NEBOSH qualification.

Employers

The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety management benefits companies working in the process industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals who are seeking to implement effective process safety management.

It is used effectively by industry to help keep people safe from injury and help prevent loss of life. For employers this also means protecting valuable assets and avoiding prosecution, litigation and loss of reputation.

People who hold the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management have practical knowledge that brings real value, wherever they operate. This can help employers achieve international standards and can even help win new business.

Cert HSE PSM

“I started to look at safety at my facilities differently and made it my mission to increase everyone else’s knowledge of process safety.”

Nicola Curtis, Head of Health and Safety, Biffa


What you will learn

What does the course cover?

The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management is designed to cover a range of issues affecting process industries.

 Key topics covered by this qualification include:

  • Establishment of process management systems
  • Asset management and maintenance strategies
  • Safe start-up and shutdown of process plant
  • Performance standards for safety critical systems and equipment
  • Hazards and controls for:
    • Chemical reactions
    • Bulk storage of dangerous substances
    • Fire and explosion
  • Purpose and features of emergency plans

The PSM1 unit is divided into the following four key elements:

  • Process safety leadership
  • Management of process risk
  • Process safety hazard control
  • Fire and explosion protection

Further details can be found in the syllabus guide which can be downloaded in the Resources Section below

How is the qualification assessed?

Learners will complete a multiple choice question assessment. The assessment is completed online.

Read more about online multiple choice question assessments: Online Multiple Choice.

A qualification parchment will be sent following successful completion of the examination.


Entry requirements and exemptions

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification, but’ it is recommended that learners should already have an underpinning knowledge of health and safety issues, and many will have gained another NEBOSH qualification, such as the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. 

It is also important that learners have a suitable standard of English language in order to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus.

NEBOSH recommends that learners undertaking this qualification should reach a minimum standard of English equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher in IELTS tests.

Learners wishing to assess their own language expertise may consult the IELTS website for information on taking the test. Your chosen Learning Partner may also be able to recommend a method of pre-learning assessment of language. 

Exemptions

No exemptions are allowed for Unit PSM1.


How to study

Choose a Learning Partner

Every learner must register with a NEBOSH accredited Learning Partner and undertake the relevant learning before taking an assessment and gaining a qualification. It is not possible to self-study for a NEBOSH qualification.
Our global network of Learning Partners provide excellent learning and support and will help you prepare for your assessments. You can search for Learning Partners in our Where to Study section, and can filter the results by multiple factors, such as location and mode of study.

You should ensure that the Learning Partner you choose offers the qualification in the way you want to study. We recommend that you explore your options before selecting a Learning Partner as it is an important personal choice.
The factors you may wish to consider include:

  • Mode of Study – Options available include face to face, distance learning, in-company training and eLearning. Has one method of learning been more effective for you in the past?
  • Course Structure – If you opt for classroom training, would you prefer day or evening classes, block release or a modular course?
  • Location – Being able to study and sit your examinations locally may be an important consideration for you. NEBOSH examinations are taken in over 130 countries.
  • On-going support – Will the support provided during your qualification and in the run up to your assessments match your expectations?

FIND A LEARNING PARTNER

Cost

Each Learning Partner sets their own fees to reflect the service offered. We recommend you contact several Learning Partners to establish what their fees are and what is included in the fee. Costs can vary depending on the mode of study, the level of support given, and the inclusion of examination registration fees, for example.

Read more about our Learning Partner Programme and how to choose the right Learning Partner for you: Choosing a NEBOSH Learning Partner.

 


What does it cost and how long does it take?

Course fees are determined by individual learning partners and vary depending on the format of the course. 

You should plan your study around a minimum of 28 taught hours and approximately 20 hours of private study.


Professional recognition and SQA accreditation

Maintaining professional standards

In the UK – and, increasingly, worldwide – regulatory accreditation is recognised as a badge of quality, allowing our qualifications to retain their highly regarded professional status.

UK accredited qualifications provide you with certain guarantees that the qualification:

  • Meets specific quality criteria that ensure it is fit for its purpose
  • Includes relevant content
  • Uses appropriate assessment methodology
  • Is mapped to relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS)
  • Is supported by relevant stakeholders including employers

 

The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management is not accredited by SQA Accreditation. However, it has been credit rated by SQA Awarding against the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at SCQF level 7. This is comparable to RQF Level 4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and equivalent to A-level standard in England.

See the Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries chart issued by the UK regulators.

Valued by Employers

NEBOSH qualifications can play an important part in ensuring that the health and safety provision businesses have in place is effective.  This may explain why so many organisations choose to include NEBOSH qualifications on their competency matrices.


Examinations

Examination registration

Learners must be registered before they can take an examination. All examination registrations must be completed by an accredited learning partner.

Examination entry confirmation

Once your learning partner has registered you to an examination, they will send you an Examination Entry Confirmation that includes your learner number, and important information relating to your examination and results process. Please ensure that you check your name is spelt correctly and report this to your learning partner and NEBOSH if any changes are required.

The Examination Entry Confirmation is essential to gain entry to the examination room, you will need to show a form of photographic identification to the invigilator and then sign the Examination Entry Confirmation. Please contact your learning partner if you have not received your Examination Entry Confirmation.

Examination dates

PSM1 - multiple-choice question assessment.  

This assessment is now be completed online, see Multiple Choice Question Assessments page for more information and available assessment dates. 

Examination Results

You will receive your results within 15 working days of sitting the examination. Once you have achieved a pass a qualification parchment will be issued. This is normally within 20 working days of the confirmation of the successful unit.


What next?

If this is your first NEBOSH Certificate level qualification, you may be interested in taking another NEBOSH Certificate qualification, such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or the NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management.

The connections between our qualifications are illustrated in more detail in the Qualifications Progression Leaflet found in the Resources section below.


Resources

This section provides guidance and useful information in support of this qualification.

If you would like any further information please get in touch through our Contact Us page - our Customer Enquiry Team will be happy to help.

Syllabus Guide

Policies and Procedures

NEBOSH HSE Process Safety Management Course Book

Learner Terms and Conditions

Learner Fees List

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