IOSH
Chartered and changing lives
Muhammad Danish Khan on his path to credibility, connections and career success
Muhammad Danish Khan levelled up his career by achieving Chartered membership. Taking the professional development assessment (PDA) route to CMIOSH, he tells us about what it means and how it’s opened doors.
“My journey into occupational safety and health was inspired by a strong desire to make workplaces safer and more sustainable," said Mohammad.
“Early in my telecoms career, I saw first-hand how lapses in safety and planning could impact people, projects, and reputations.”
Mohammad Danish Khan
- Job role
- CMIOSH
“I wanted to be part of the solution by creating systems that protect people, add value and drive continuous improvement.”
Muhammad has spent over 15 years leading on safety, quality and compliance in the industry. With an impressive range of experience delivering improvements and transformations, including across multi-site operations, his CV reflects an attitude of continuous learning and excellence.
Muhammad saw becoming a Chartered member as an accolade that helps tie together his previous success and brings another level of achievement.
“Becoming Chartered provides recognition of the years of learning, leadership, and improvement work I’ve undertaken.”
“More importantly, it demonstrates to my colleagues and stakeholders that safety is a profession rooted in competence, ethics, and continuous development not just compliance.”
“For me, Chartered membership represents professional excellence, credibility, and trust.”
Challenge worth taking on
“I expected the process to be highly challenging and rigorous. It was, but it was also structured, fair, and a great opportunity to reflect on my career achievements.”
“The route allowed me to showcase not only technical competence but also leadership, strategy, and the softer skills that make a true safety professional.”
Muhammad found the process of reflection lengthy, but it gave him a deeper appreciation for the IOSH competency framework.
“The most demanding part was condensing years of varied experience into concise, evidence-based reflections that mapped clearly against IOSH competencies.”
“The exercise showed me the real value of competencies they are not just tick-boxes but a framework for what good practice in safety leadership looks like.”
And what impact did this reflection have on his practice? “It’s sharpened my ability to evidence and articulate impact, not just activity. I now approach safety improvements with a stronger focus on measurable value, outcomes, and leadership.”
Top tips
Muhammad has some advice for members looking to take on the challenge of Chartership:
- break tasks into smaller goals and share them with your family and employer
- schedule dedicated time, and don’t underestimate the amount of time needed
- embrace the self-reflection and refine your practice, it’s not just a hurdle to cross.
“Networking with other safety professionals was particularly helpful, as sharing experiences gave me reassurance and perspective.”
Network of possibilities
Muhammad aspires to continue maturing integrated management systems and safety cultures across high-risk industries, while mentoring the next generation of professionals.
He sees Chartered membership as a “platform for progression” into more strategic roles, and a way of strengthening his voice.
“It adds credibility when engaging with directors, regulators, and clients, and helps open doors for wider opportunities both in the UK and internationally.”
Professional development never stops for Muhammad, and “Chartership is not the end point, but a new platform for growth.”
Professional Development Assessment
Find out more about our route to Chartered status for Certified Members.
