New route makes good Fellows

First members reach top grade since assessment updates

Date posted: 13 May 2024; •
Type: News; •
Author: Graeme Mair; •
Estimated reading time: 2 minute read

Richard Bate and Haridas Nambiar are the first IOSH members to complete the new assessment journey to Chartered Fellowship.

The new route to Fellowship sees applicants provide evidence of their excellence in practice and contribution through an online portfolio on Blueprint.

Richard, who runs an events-focused consultancy and is an IOSH Vice-President, reflected on his journey through the membership grades.

"It took me a while to get started because of my work commitments, but also because I feel that the competency test for our profession is to achieve CMIOSH," he said.

"I was very clear that Fellowship evidences recognition of the work the applicant has done to further the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession; this as tested by the applicant's peers. This was key for me – peer recognition of my commitment as a volunteer by writing papers, speaking at conferences, and supporting fellow members through mentoring."

Richard Bate CFIOSH

"It is an affirmation of the time I have contributed to the profession and the work I have done in my area of professional expertise. "

You are eligible to progress to our highest level of professional membership if you have:

held Chartered membership for five years or more
a minimum of five years’ relevant leadership experience in a senior-level role with responsibility for occupational safety and health (OSH)
an up-to-date continuing professional development (CPD) record in Blueprint.

"You likely already have some great supporting evidence within your CPD; look back through your CPD submissions and consider if these will support your Fellowship application," added Richard.

"Use the resources IOSH makes available, including mentoring, and this is really important - also, consider joining informal support groups run by Fellows, who are an incredible source of knowledge, information, and support.

"Your application is about you, your contribution to OSH and not necessarily about what you do for IOSH. At least 50 per cent of my submitted evidence related to my volunteer work with other organisations, opinion pieces I wrote for magazines and blogs, speaking at conferences, and participating in podcasts.

"Remember, it’s about you, who you are, your passion, your contributions - your OSH journey."

Interested in going for our top level of membership? Use our online form to begin the journey.