For many Health & Safety professionals becoming a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) is the ultimate goal as they achieve professional recognition for their skills, knowledge and experience which is recognised internationally.
SVT caught up with some of our previous candidates (after having achieved their Health & Safety Diplomas through SVT) who have since gone on to achieve this prestigious Chartered Membership, and have kindly agreed to answer some questions about the process.
We hope that this will be of interest to any of our candidates or prospective candidates who wish to gain this level of membership with IOSH in the future.
David Cant, Safety Consultant/Asbestos Surveyor/CDM Coordinator, Veritas Consulting
1. How long after you achieved Graduate membership was it before you applied for the Open Book Assessment?
It was approx 3 months after achieving GRAD that I applied for the IOSH Open book assessment.
2. How long did you have to complete the Open Book Assessment?
The OB assessment had to be returned within 14 days, at first this seemed such a short period of time to answer the questions in such precise detail but once I got my head down with the resources available I found process reasonably straightforward.
3. How did you prepare for it?
I studied various related mediums on the internet, past Examiners reports were very helpful indeed they gave me a flavour on what the panel expected in terms of detailed answers and during the review. The IOSH forum amongst other forums available on the web offered a wide range of help of which was all beyond my expectations once I explored the different avenues of resources.
4. Were the questions like NEBOSH exam questions?
The questions are very similar to that of NEBOSH so that side of things was expected, if I'm honest. The only difference, you researched in your own time at your own pace making the process a whole lot easier.
5. When you found out you were successful with the Open Book Assessment, how long was it before you were invited for your Peer review?
I can’t really remember that bit but I’m sure it was about 6 weeks or so, not too long afterwards.
6. What was it like being sat in front of the panel – were there any surprises?
Sitting in front the of panel was very daunting at first I didn't know what to expect however, they made me feel very welcome, relaxed and reassured once they explained the process - no surprises other than it seemed not as hard as I originally envisaged.
7. How long did the interview last and when did you find out you were successful?
I had to deliver a presentation which lasted approx 10 minutes or so and the overall interview lasted no longer than 1hr - I was informed of the outcome 5 days later which was quicker than expected.
8. If you could give fellow professionals a top tip on achieving CMIOSH what would it be?
2 tips I’m afraid 1) be yourself, 2) use real examples of your work, demonstrate your breadth and length of experience and knowledge, it helped me great a deal when I explained how I managed a particular topic such as Auditing and provided a formatI designed and used myself in the Workplace.(Only by chance I had with me at the time so I presented that to the Panel).
9. What difference has it made to you, your career and company now you have gained CMIOSH?
The CMIOSH professional status gives you that competitive edge with employment opportunities of which employers favour obviously experience does matters which comes with time and further involvement with seminars and similar industry events.
10. Are you planning on working towards Chartered Fellowship and do you have any tips?
Yes Chartered fellowship is my aspiration I believe it's a continuous journey for all Chartered Practitioners. Network with fellow practitioners and be recognised for your efforts, hopefully that will help me achieve the prestigious highly recognised status for the industry.
Laura Street, Internal Regulation Manager, RSRL
1. How long after you achieved Graduate membership was it before you applied for the Open Book Assessment?
Straight away I think.
2. How long did you have to complete the Open Book Assessment?
I can't remember but it says on the IOSH website.
3. How did you prepare for it?
Read my NeBOSH book.
4. Were the questions like NEBOSH exam questions?
Fairly similar.
5. When you found out you were successful with the Open Book Assessment, how long was it before you were invited for your Peer review?
You have to phone up and book and fit into the next available session it was a month or so for me.
6. What was it like being sat in front of the panel – were there any surprises?
No except one of the panel wasn’t very good at asking questions and so found it hard to get me to say what he was trying to get me to say. They had no experience of Nuclear Sites so couldn’t quite understand why some of their questions weren’t relevant.
7. How long did the interview last and when did you find out you were successful?
About a week or so later but then it has to be ratified.
8. If you could give fellow professionals a top tip on achieving CMIOSH what would it be?
Just keep moving forwards and don't give up.
9. What difference has it made to you, your career and company now you have gained CMIOSH?
None really but it does help me to look credible.
10. Are you planning on working towards Chartered Fellowship and do you have any tips?
No not really.
Michael Morrisroe, SHEQ Manager, AlphaGary Limited
1. How long after you achieved Graduate membership was it before you applied for the Open Book Assessment?
I applied almost immediately. I didn’t want to sit on the work I’d already done and my goal of reaching chartered status was still strong in my own mind-set.
2. How long did you have to complete the Open Book Assessment?
Can’t remember. I think it was about two weeks, give or take.
3. How did you prepare for it?
Difficult to prepare for because at the level required, the questions could be wide ranging. I did look at some of the previous papers and examiners reports on the IOSH website, and these were very useful, not because the answers were there but the style of response the examiners were looking for. I found it a good source for research.
4. Were the questions like NEBOSH exam questions?
I don’t think so, apart from the fact some of the questions were harder to decipher than the research was into the question!!
5. When you found out you were successful with the Open Book Assessment, how long was it before you were invited for your Peer review?
Almost immediately, primarily because I had been doing my CPD from TechIOSH stage and therefore I had completed some of the criteria already for peer review.
6. What was it like being sat in front of the panel – were there any surprises?
Nerve wracking. These guys are (or will be) your peers. There were no surprises, the criteria for questioning was already supplied, the length of the session was known, but, it was still nerve wracking.
7. How long did the interview last and when did you find out you were successful?
The interview in my case lasted about 45 minutes, but it can be up to an hour. It was about three to four weeks later I got the letter. Strangely enough, my MyIOSH page was updated to CMIOSH before I got the letter!!
8. If you could give fellow professionals a top tip on achieving CMIOSH what would it be?
Research, Research and Research. If it is advice in regard to the peer review panel, relate everything to what you/I have done, not WE. All they are interested in is you. Furthermore, if you cannot answer a question straight away, pause before answering otherwise it will sound like you are ‘waffling’. More importantly be yourself. The guys on the panel do not work for IOSH and were in the same boat as you at one time.
9. What difference has it made to you, your career and company now you have gained CMIOSH?
I suppose the overall difference relates to a respect ‘thing’ from my peers and those I give advice to. I now give advice to the whole group (US Based) not just to my colleagues here in the UK. Maybe it’s just me, but I also feel a confidence in myself when giving advice. I would also suggest the research required for the open book assessment has taught me a whole new way of doing things in regard to advice being given verbally or in writing. Going forward, I have sat on a panel as a trainee member, and hopefully in the future after further training, I can sit as an actual panel member.
10. Are you planning on working towards Chartered Fellowship and do you have any tips?
No plans currently. However, I start a two year programme with Strathclyde University to study for an MSc in Risk Management.
For more information about IOSH please visit the official website: http://www.iosh.co.uk/