Level 4 Diploma in Process Safety Management

This qualification is divided into 10 comprehensive units, each designed to build advanced competence in process safety management and leadership.

1. Process Safety Leadership
   Understanding the role of leadership in developing, promoting, and maintaining a positive process safety culture.

2. Process Hazard Identification
   Learning systematic methods for identifying potential hazards in process systems and operations.

3. Process Risk Management
   Applying advanced risk assessment and mitigation strategies to control process-related risks.

4. Legislation and Regulatory Compliance
   Studying international and national laws, standards, and regulations governing process industries.

5. Chemical and Process Hazards
   Understanding properties of hazardous chemicals and their impact on process safety and the environment.

6. Process Plant Design and Engineering Controls
   Integrating safety principles in plant design, layout, and engineering control systems.

7. Operational Control and Safe Work Practices
   Implementing safe operating procedures and permit-to-work systems for process operations.

8. Emergency Response and Crisis Management
   Developing robust emergency response, crisis control, and business continuity plans.

9. Human Factors in Process Safety
   Exploring the influence of human behavior, communication, and ergonomics on process safety performance.

10. Incident Investigation and Learning from Accidents
    Conducting detailed incident analysis, identifying root causes, and applying lessons learned to improve safety systems.

• Builds strategic leadership and technical expertise in process safety

• Improves understanding of compliance and risk management frameworks

• Enhances ability to design, implement, and monitor safe operational systems

• Strengthens capacity for leading investigations and preventing future incidents

• Process safety managers and supervisors

• Engineers and technical professionals in high-risk industries

• HSE officers and safety auditors

• Individuals aspiring to senior process safety or risk management roles

• Written Examination: Structured essay and scenario-based questions

• Practical Assessment: Case study analysis and process safety project

• Passing Criteria: Minimum of 60% overall score

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.