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Exam Review

Key Facts: NEBOSH National Diploma Exam

RQF Level 6, 43 credits

Qualification Level

NEBOSH / Ofqual

3 units (DN1, DN2, DN3)

Assessment Structure

NEBOSH 2023 Specification

50% per unit

Provisional Pass Mark

NEBOSH Diploma Learner Guide

226+ Distinction

Top Grade Boundary

NEBOSH Grading

80 / 85 dB(A)

Noise Action Values

Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

2.5 / 5.0 m/s2

Hand-Arm Vibration EAV/ELV

Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

5-year enrolment

Completion Window

NEBOSH

The NEBOSH National Diploma (Level 6, 2023 spec) is the UK's leading professional OHS diploma, taken by people building a career as health and safety practitioners. It is assessed not by multiple choice but through three units: DN1, a workplace-based assignment (simulation, reflective and research tasks, approx 40 hours, 300 marks); DN2, a scenario case study on workplace health issues (approx 20 hours, 175 marks); and DN3, a case study on workplace safety issues (175 marks). DN1 covers UK H&S law and HSWA 1974 duties, enforcement, leadership and safety culture, competence, human factors, risk management strategy, loss causation, monitoring/auditing, change and contractor management. DN2 covers COSHH and Workplace Exposure Limits, toxicology, asbestos (0.1 f/cm3), noise (80/85/87 dB(A)), vibration (2.5/5.0 and 0.5/1.15 m/s2), radiation, musculoskeletal and stress. DN3 covers fire and DSEAR, work equipment/PUWER, electricity, work at height, construction (CDM 2015) and transport. The provisional unit pass mark is 50%; combined marks give Pass (150-195), Credit (196-225) or Distinction (226+). It is the recognised academic route toward IOSH Certified membership (formerly GradIOSH) and Chartered status.

Sample NEBOSH National Diploma Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NEBOSH National Diploma exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which section places the primary general duty on an employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all of its own employees?

A.Section 2

B.Section 3

C.Section 4

D.Section 7

Explanation: Section 2(1) HSWA 1974 imposes the general duty on every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees, including safe plant, systems, information, training and supervision.

2A self-employed window cleaner is injured by falling masonry while working on the outside of a factory. The factory occupier had failed to maintain the building. Which provision of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is most directly relevant to the occupier's duty towards the window cleaner?

A.Section 2

B.Section 3

C.Section 6

D.Section 8

Explanation: Section 3 HSWA 1974 requires employers (and the self-employed) to conduct their undertaking so as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment who may be affected are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.

3Which of the following best describes an employee's statutory duties under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974?

A.To carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of their work

B.To provide adequate welfare facilities for colleagues

C.To take reasonable care for their own and others' safety and to co-operate with the employer

D.To indemnify the employer against any civil claims arising from their work

Explanation: Section 7 HSWA 1974 requires every employee, while at work, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others affected by their acts or omissions, and to co-operate with the employer so far as is necessary to enable duties to be performed.

4During an inspection an HSE inspector observes an unguarded power press in use that presents a risk of serious personal injury. The inspector wants the activity to stop immediately. Which enforcement action is most appropriate?

A.A Crown Notice

B.An improvement notice with a 21-day compliance period

C.A simple caution

D.A prohibition notice

Explanation: A prohibition notice (Section 22 HSWA 1974) is used where an activity involves, or will involve, a risk of serious personal injury; it can take immediate effect and requires the activity to stop until the contravention is remedied.

5An employer wishes to appeal against an improvement notice served by an HSE inspector. Within what period must the appeal be lodged with an employment tribunal, and what is the effect on the notice?

A.Within 21 days; lodging the appeal suspends the notice until the tribunal hears it

B.Within 21 days; the notice continues to have effect despite the appeal

C.Within 28 days; the notice is automatically withdrawn

D.Within 40 days; the notice is suspended only if the tribunal so directs

Explanation: An appeal against an improvement notice must be made to an employment tribunal within 21 days; for an improvement notice the act of lodging the appeal suspends the notice until the appeal is disposed of or withdrawn.

6The phrase 'so far as is reasonably practicable' was interpreted in Edwards v National Coal Board (1949). Which statement best reflects that interpretation?

A.The duty is absolute and cost is never a relevant consideration

B.A computation must be made weighing the quantum of risk against the sacrifice (cost, time, trouble) needed to avert it, with a gross disproportion test

C.The employer need only do whatever is physically possible regardless of cost

D.Risk only needs to be controlled where it is more likely than not to cause death

Explanation: Edwards v NCB established that 'reasonably practicable' requires a computation in which the quantum of risk is placed on one scale and the sacrifice in money, time or trouble on the other; the measures are not reasonably practicable only where the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

7Which regulation of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 imposes the explicit duty on an employer to make a 'suitable and sufficient' assessment of risks to employees and others?

A.Regulation 1

B.Regulation 5

C.Regulation 3

D.Regulation 7

Explanation: Regulation 3 of the MHSWR 1999 requires every employer to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees and of persons not in their employment arising from the conduct of the undertaking.

8What is the legal status of an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) approved by the HSE in a criminal prosecution?

A.It has the same binding force as an Act of Parliament and breach is automatically an offence

B.It is purely advisory and cannot be referred to in court at all

C.It is for information only and is overridden by HSE guidance

D.If a defendant is proved not to have followed the relevant ACoP, they must show they complied in some other equally effective way or a court may find against them

Explanation: An ACoP has special legal status: failure to follow it is not in itself an offence, but if it is proved that a defendant did not follow the relevant ACoP provisions, a court may find them at fault unless they can show they satisfied the law in another, equally effective way.

9In a criminal prosecution brought under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, what is the standard of proof that the prosecution must meet?

A.On the balance of probabilities

B.Beyond reasonable doubt

C.Clear and convincing evidence

D.Prima facie evidence only

Explanation: Criminal cases, including health and safety prosecutions, require the prosecution to prove the case 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Civil claims (e.g. negligence) use the lower 'balance of probabilities' standard.

10To succeed in a civil claim of negligence following a workplace injury, the injured worker (claimant) must generally establish three elements. Which set correctly lists them?

A.A duty of care was owed, that duty was breached, and the breach caused reasonably foreseeable harm

B.A criminal conviction, an enforcement notice, and a financial loss

C.Intent to harm, a written contract, and a witness statement

D.A breach of statutory duty, a guilty plea, and a fixed penalty

Explanation: Common-law negligence requires the claimant to prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, and that the breach caused harm that was reasonably foreseeable (the 'neighbour principle' from Donoghue v Stevenson).

About the NEBOSH National Diploma Exam

The NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (2023 specification) is the UK's flagship professional diploma for aspiring and practising health and safety professionals. Accredited by Ofqual at RQF Level 6 with 43 credits, it builds on the NEBOSH National General Certificate and develops the knowledge and skills to manage health and safety strategically. It comprises three units: DN1 (workplace health and safety principles), DN2 (controlling workplace health issues) and DN3 (controlling workplace safety issues). Holders may use the designatory letters DipNEBOSH and meet the academic requirements for IOSH membership.

Exam sponsor: NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), delivered through accredited Learning Partners. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

DN1 assignment approx 40 hours; DN2 and DN3 case studies approx 20 hours each, completed in timed digital windows

Passing Score

Provisional 50% pass mark per unit; combined unit marks give Pass (150-195), Credit (196-225) or Distinction (226+)

Exam / Certification Fees

Typically GBP 2,500-4,500 overall through a NEBOSH Learning Partner, depending on course and assessment fees

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

46%

Workplace Health and Safety Principles (DN1)

The UK legal framework and Section 2/3/7 HSWA 1974 duties, the 'reasonably practicable' test (Edwards v NCB), enforcement notices and appeals, criminal and civil liability and corporate manslaughter, MHSWR 1999 risk assessment, leadership and safety culture (Bradley curve, HSG65, ISO 45001), competence and human factors (HSG48, Reason's error/violation taxonomy), loss causation (Heinrich, Bird 1:10:30:600, Swiss cheese), HAZOP/FMEA/FTA, ALARP, active and reactive monitoring, auditing, change management and contractor/supply-chain control

14%

Hazardous Substances, Toxicology and Biological Agents (DN2)

COSHH 2002 assessment and the Regulation 7 control hierarchy, Workplace Exposure Limits as 8-hour TWAs and 15-minute STELs, skin notation and routes of entry, dose-response and acute/chronic/local/systemic toxicology, asbestos diseases and the 0.1 f/cm3 control limit, biological agent hazard groups and leptospirosis, local exhaust ventilation, RPE assigned protection factors and face-fit testing, and health surveillance

13%

Physical and Physiological Health Hazards (DN2)

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (80/85 dB(A) action values, 87 dB(A) limit, 135/137/140 dB(C) peak values) and noise-induced hearing loss, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (hand-arm 2.5/5.0 and whole-body 0.5/1.15 m/s2) and HAVS, ionising radiation dose limits (IRR 2017, 20 mSv/year) and time/distance/shielding, manual handling (MHOR 1992 avoid/assess/reduce, TILE) and DSE, the HSE Management Standards for stress, and welfare

Fire, Explosion and Dangerous Substances (DN3)

The fire triangle and classes of fire A-F, extinguisher selection, means of escape and compartmentation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the responsible person, DSEAR 2002 and hazardous-area zoning (Zones 0/1/2 and 20/21/22), flashpoint and flammable range, and the dust-explosion pentagon

10%

Work Equipment and Electrical Safety (DN3)

PUWER 1998 duties and the machinery guarding hierarchy (fixed guards first, PPE last), mechanical hazards such as entanglement and crushing, LOLER 1998 thorough-examination intervals (6 months for lifting persons/accessories, 12 months for other lifting equipment), the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, electric shock factors, 30 mA RCD protection, and safe isolation/lock-off-tag-out

Construction, Work at Height and Transport Safety (DN3)

CDM 2015 duty holders and the principal designer/principal contractor split, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy and fragile roofs, excavation collapse prevention, the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 (avoid entry first), workplace-transport segregation and lift-truck stability, and permit-to-work systems for high-risk non-routine tasks

Preparing for the NEBOSH National Diploma Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Provisional 50% pass mark per unit; combined unit marks give Pass (150-195), Credit (196-225) or Distinction (226+)
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: DN1 assignment approx 40 hours; DN2 and DN3 case studies approx 20 hours each, completed in timed digital windows
Exam / certification fees: Typically GBP 2,500-4,500 overall through a NEBOSH Learning Partner, depending on course and assessment fees Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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NEBOSH National Diploma: Suggested Study Strategy

1Learn the headline UK exposure values precisely: noise lower/upper action values of 80 and 85 dB(A) with an 87 dB(A) limit, and hand-arm vibration EAV 2.5 and ELV 5.0 m/s2 (whole-body 0.5 and 1.15 m/s2)

2Be able to explain the 'reasonably practicable' computation from Edwards v National Coal Board, weighing the quantum of risk against the cost, time and trouble of control, and link it to the ALARP triangle

3Practise applying loss-causation models in DN1 case study answers: Heinrich's domino theory, Bird's 1:10:30:600 ratio and accident cost iceberg, and Reason's Swiss cheese model of active failures and latent conditions

4Memorise the control hierarchies you will be asked to apply: the COSHH Regulation 7 hierarchy, the PUWER guarding hierarchy (fixed guards first, PPE last) and the Work at Height hierarchy (avoid, prevent, mitigate)

5For DN3, know key legal cites and intervals: the RRFSO 2005 responsible person, DSEAR zones (0/1/2 for gas, 20/21/22 for dust), LOLER thorough examination at 6 months for lifting people and 12 months for other lifting equipment, and CDM 2015 duty holders

6Because the assessments are open-book scenario tasks, build a concise reference of legislation, ACoPs and HSE guidance, and practise writing applied, justified recommendations rather than recalling lists

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NEBOSH National Diploma and what level is it?

It is the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (2023 specification), accredited by Ofqual at RQF Level 6 with 43 credits. It is the UK's flagship professional OHS qualification and lets holders use the designatory letters DipNEBOSH.

Is the NEBOSH Diploma a multiple-choice exam?

No. It is assessed through three units: DN1 is a workplace-based assignment with simulation, reflective and research tasks (about 40 hours), while DN2 and DN3 are scenario-based, open-book case studies (about 20 hours each) completed in timed digital windows, not by multiple-choice papers.

What is the pass mark and how are grades awarded?

The provisional pass mark for each unit is 50%. The percentage marks of all three units are combined and the overall grade is Pass (150-195), Credit (196-225) or Distinction (226 or higher). You must pass all three units, and you can re-sit within the 5-year enrolment period.

What do the three units (DN1, DN2, DN3) cover?

DN1 covers health and safety management principles, including UK law, leadership, culture, competence, risk management and monitoring. DN2 covers controlling workplace health issues such as hazardous substances, noise, vibration, radiation and musculoskeletal risks. DN3 covers controlling safety issues such as fire, work equipment, electricity, construction and transport.

How much does the NEBOSH Diploma cost and how long does it take?

Fees vary by Learning Partner but typically total around GBP 2,500-4,500 for the course plus assessment. Study time is roughly 415 hours, and most learners complete all three units within 12-24 months, within a maximum 5-year enrolment period.

What professional membership does the Diploma lead to?

The Diploma meets the academic requirements for IOSH membership. It is the recognised route to IOSH Certified membership (CertIOSH, formerly called Graduate/GradIOSH) and on to Chartered Member status (CMIOSH) through IOSH's professional development assessment or experiential routes.

Do I need the NEBOSH General Certificate before the Diploma?

There is no formal entry requirement, but the syllabus assumes prior knowledge, so NEBOSH recommends that learners hold the National General Certificate or an equivalent RQF Level 3/4 qualification, and have English to an IELTS 7.0 standard before starting.

Free Practice Questions for NEBOSH National Diploma

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