How to recruit the best health and safety people
Guide for recruiters, employers and recruiting managers
Good health and safety can help your business thrive. But how do you recruit the right people with the relevant expertise?
The world of work is changing rapidly and so we’re updating our membership grades structure. This is to ensure IOSH remains the ‘gold standard’ for health and safety professionals around the world. It is also designed to clarify what each level of membership means.
This guide will help you understand how to recruit competent and accredited health and safety professionals.
Why you should recruit accredited professionals
IOSH is the leading global chartered body for the health and safety profession. When you recruit an IOSH member, you can be sure their membership grade is a true reflection of their career level and professional competence.
That’s because our member grades are mapped to our competency framework, which covers the technical, core and behavioural skills today’s professionals need.
Our continuing professional development (CPD) programme is mandatory from TechIOSH up. Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows must complete IOSH’s Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and assessment. This way, members keep their skills and knowledge fit for purpose and demonstrate their value to an employer.
There are sanctions for those who don’t comply, so you can be sure IOSH candidates are upholding our rigorous standards.
Our membership grades
From 22 November 2023, we will have six levels of membership. This is what they look like.
A Student Member is studying for a career in health and safety.
Experience and qualifications: studying for an IOSH-accredited qualification or a safety, health and environment (SHE) technician apprenticeship.
We support Student Members in building their network and developing soft skills from communication to problem-solving. They may not have much practical health and safety experience but check out their transferable skills, which can make them a great fit for your organisation.
They may also be transitioning to a second career in health and safety, bringing with them a wealth of skills gained in a previous area of work.
Consider how you pitch roles that will really get the most out of health and safety’s fresh talent and check how they’ve applied their abilities in different ways, eg volunteering or an interesting hobby.
Job type: generally suited to apprenticeships, health and safety trainee/graduate and health and safety administrator roles.
An Affiliate Member is actively engaged in or considering a career in health and safety.
Experience and qualifications: anyone can join at this level, including those with an interest in the sector. It can also be a stepping stone to a higher grade. No qualification required.
Job type: generally suited to jobs that include health and safety as part of a wider role, eg business managers, personal assistants, executive assistants.
A Technical Member is moving into or working in an operational health and safety role.
Experience and qualifications: an accredited level 3 qualification (or equivalent) plus one year’s relevant experience.
Membership requirements: CPD
Job type: generally suited to health and safety co-ordinator or adviser roles. TechIOSH is our minimum requirement to be a health and safety training provider.
A Certified Member (formerly Graduate Member) has a degree-level qualification or significant health and safety leadership experience and is working towards Chartered status.
Experience and qualifications: an accredited level 6 (or equivalent) qualification plus two years’ relevant experience OR five to 10 years of relevant health and safety leadership experience.
Membership requirements: CPD
Job type: generally suited to a more senior role, such as manager.
A Chartered Member aligns with Chartered status in other professions. IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered status to health and safety professionals.
Experience and qualifications: Certified status OR five to 10 years’ relevant health and safety leadership experience. Progressed via an IOSH professional development route.
Membership requirements: CPD and IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and assessment.
Job type: generally suited to senior manager or board-level roles. CMIOSH is also a requirement to be included on the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register.
A Chartered Fellow is a foremost role model for other members, their organisations and communities. They demonstrate outstanding dedication to the profession and are influential in this space.
Experience and qualifications: IOSH Chartered status for five years plus a minimum of five years’ relevant senior health and safety leadership. Progressed through an IOSH professional development route.
Membership requirements: CPD and IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and assessment.
Job type: generally suited to senior manager, director or consultant roles.
Why health and safety?
Investing in health and safety can help prevent workplace accidents and work-related ill-health. In turn, this can cut absence rates and increase productivity. It also demonstrates to stakeholders you are a organisation that is supporting the sustainability agenda.
Social sustainability is not just ‘nice to have – it’s the backbone of resilience. And your organisation’s people are your most valuable asset. Health and safety professionals can lead the way in protecting your people and securing your organisation’s sustainability.
By recruiting an IOSH member, you’re getting the ‘gold standard’ of the profession.