NEBOSH International Diploma 2015 syllabus compared to 2011 syllabus

This document details the content of the 2015 syllabus. Where the content of each section is
unchanged from the 2011 syllabus its location in the 2011 syllabus is indicated in the right hand
column (see for example Section 1.3).
Where the content is broadly the same as in the 2011 syllabus but a section title has been amended
this is indicated next to the new section title (see for example Section 2.1).
Significant new material that has been added for the 2015 syllabus is noted under the section title
(see for example Section 1.2). Significant deletions and amendments are also noted under the
section title (see for example Section 7.3).
Please note that new material for 2015 syllabus and deleted material from 2011 syllabus is not
examinable during 2017. For more detail of what will not be examined in 2017 please see our PDF
‘NEBOSHIntDiploma_2017ExamNotExaminable’.
Element and section title 2011 syllabus
location
IB1 Managing occupational health IB11
1.1 Nature of occupational health 11.1
[*The ESRC definition of wellbeing has been added*]
1.2 The principles and benefits of the management of return to work and 11.2
vocational rehabilitation [*Amended title*]
[*Material on NICE public health guideline PH19 – managing frequent
sickness absence added*]
1.3 Managing occupational health 11.3

IB2 Identification, assessment and evaluation of hazardous IB1

substances [*Amended title*]
2.1 The routes of entry and the human body’s defensive responses to *1.2 & 1.3*
hazardous substances [*Amended title*]
2.2 The identification, classification and health effects of hazardous *1.3 & 1.4*
substances used in the workplace [*Amended title*]
Specific workplace examples of Specific workplace examples of
hazardous substances removed: hazardous substances added:
Trichloroethylene Silica
Siliceous dusts Wood dusts (hard and soft)
Lead (and compounds) Metal working fluids
Sulphuric acid Used engine oil
Sodium hydroxide Carbon monoxide
Chromium compounds
Hard wood dust
2.3 The assessment and evaluation of risks from hazardous substances *1.2 & 2.1*
[*Amended title*]
2.4 The role of epidemiology and toxicological testing [*Amended title*] *1.5*

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 Element and section title 2011 syllabus
location
IB3 Control of hazardous substances [*Amended title*] IB2 & IB3
3.1 Prevention and control of exposure to hazardous substances *2.2*
[*Amended title*]
3.2 Working with asbestos and lead [*Amended title*] *2.3*
3.3 Ventilation *3.1*
[*Material on LEV roles and responsibilities has been added*]
3.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) *3.2*

IB4 The monitoring and measuring of hazardous substances IB4

[*Amended title*]
4.1 Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) [*Amended title*] 4.1
4.2 Strategies, methods and equipment for the sampling and measurement 4.2
of airborne contaminants
4.3 Biological monitoring 4.3
[*Material on the HSE’s health surveillance cycle has been added*]

IB5 Biological agents IB5

5.1 Types and properties of biological agents 5.1
Selected diseases removed Selected diseases added
Farmer’s lung Animal influenza
E. coli Hepatitis C and D
MRSA Malaria
C. diff
Emerging health issues
5.2 Assessment and control of risk 5.2

IB6 Noise and vibration [*Amended title*] IB6

6.1 Noise – basic concepts 6.1
6.2 Effects of noise on the individual 6.2
6.3 Measurement and assessment of noise exposure 6.3
6.4 Controlling noise and noise exposure 6.4
6.5 Vibration – basic physical concepts 6.5
6.6 Effects of vibration on the individual 6.6
6.7 Measuring and assessing vibration exposure [*Amended title*] 6.7
[*Material on vibration risk assessment added*]
6.8 Overview of HAVS and WBVS including risk factors and controls 6.8
[*Amended title*]

IB7 Radiation [*Amended title*] IB7

7.1 Types of ionising and non-ionising radiation 7.1
7.2 Non-ionising radiation 7.2
7.3 Ionising radiation 7.3
[*Deleted material on stochastic and non-stochastic effects and dose
response and dose effect*]
7.4 Lasers [*New section based on end of Section 7.2*] *7.2*
[*Material on BS EN 60825-1 updated to 2014 including Class 1C*]

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 Element and section title 2011 syllabus
location
IB8 Mental ill-health and dealing with violence and aggression at work IB8
8.1 The extent, effects and causes of mental ill-health at work 8.1
[*Amended title*]
[*Deleted material on PTSD*]
[*Material amended to change the emphasis from ‘stress’ to ‘work-
related mental ill-health’*]
8.2 Identification and control of work-related mental ill-health 8.2
[*Amended title*]
8.3 Scope and effects of work-related violence/aggression [*Amended 8.3
title*]
8.4 Identification and control of workplace violence/aggression 8.4
[*Amended title*]

IB9 Musculoskeletal risks and controls IB9

9.1 Types, causes and examples of musculoskeletal hazards 9.1
9.2 Assessing the risks from repetitive physical activities, manual handling 9.2
and poor posture
[*Deleted material on QEC assessment tool*]
[*Material on V-MAC assessment tool has been added*]

IB10 Work environment risks and controls IB10

10.1 Temperature and thermal environment 10.1
[*Deleted material on all heat stress indices other than Wet Bulb
Globe Temperature (WBGT)*]
10.2 Lighting 10.2
10.3 Welfare facilities and arrangements in fixed and temporary 10.3
workplaces
10.4 First-aid provision 10.4

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