Level 1 Award in Ergonomics

This qualification is divided into 10 essential units, each focusing on key areas of ergonomics and workplace design:

1. Introduction to Ergonomics
   Understanding the concept of ergonomics and its importance in workplace health, safety, and efficiency.

2. Principles of Human Factors
   Learning about human capabilities and limitations that influence task performance and workplace design.

3. Workstation Design and Assessment
   Exploring proper workstation setup, posture, and the use of ergonomic furniture and equipment.

4. Manual Handling and Ergonomic Risks
   Identifying ergonomic hazards related to lifting, carrying, and repetitive tasks.

5. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Awareness
   Understanding the causes, prevention, and management of musculoskeletal problems in the workplace.

6. Environmental Factors in Ergonomics
   Assessing how lighting, noise, temperature, and vibration affect worker comfort and productivity.

7. Visual Display Units (VDU) and Computer Ergonomics
   Learning safe and efficient computer workstation setup for office and remote work environments.

8. Ergonomic Risk Assessment
   Conducting basic ergonomic evaluations and identifying areas for improvement.

9. Workplace Design for Comfort and Safety
   Applying ergonomic principles to design safer and more user-friendly work environments.

10. Promoting Ergonomic Awareness
    Encouraging safe habits, training, and awareness among employees to maintain ergonomic standards.

• Provides foundational knowledge of ergonomic principles and applications

• Helps reduce workplace injuries and improve employee wellbeing

• Promotes awareness of posture, workstation setup, and manual handling risks

• Supports compliance with workplace health and safety standards

• Offers a recognized qualification useful for career entry into occupational safety and health

• Office and industrial workers

• Entry-level health and safety professionals

• Supervisors and team leaders

• Students interested in occupational health and ergonomics

• Individuals seeking to prevent workplace injuries and improve comfort

• Assessment Type: Written examination and practical observation

• Evaluation Method: Multiple-choice questions and short written tasks

• Mode of Assessment: In-class or online testing environment

• Passing Criteria: Minimum 60% required in both theoretical and practical components

• Certification: Level 1 Award in Ergonomics awarded upon successful completion of all units

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.