Courses Available Online, Virtually and Classroom
Fully Certified NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA Accredited
7-Day Customer Service
Sian Thomas

How Can I Take On More Responsibility At Work?

October 2018

Career development usually goes hand-in-hand with increased responsibility. Climbing the career development ladder means often facing bigger demands at each stage. This hypothetical ascent is true of driven bankers, retailers, marketeers and labourers. In fact, it is a maxim that underpins almost all workplaces.

On the surface of course, obligations will differ according to the sector in question. Nobody is expecting a trainee vet to oversee planning applications for instance. That said, there are universal means to prove you are shouldering more in the way of responsibility. One such method is focusing on health and safety.

Indeed, taking a vested interest in the well-being of those around you demonstrates leadership qualities by the bucket load. Many health and safety managers, advisors and directors started their career in a different role and assumed a basic level of safety responsibilities for example as a representative but developed their responsibilities.

Career Development

Taking on health and safety responsibility at work should signal the start of further career development and of course, taking on more responsibility. A career in health and safety demands many core management qualities and skills to effectively carry out your responsibilities. These qualities are relevant and transferable to any management role in any sector.

Not only this, but becoming further qualified in the field will build confidence. Increased knowledge of processes will have an effect on the way you carry and conduct yourself, leading to greater assertiveness.  An understanding on exactly how to isolate an incident and control it thereafter will increase your importance and value to the company.

Those with limited health and safety knowledge wrongly presume the management of incidents is straightforward. Not so. It is easy to forget just how varied hazards can prove, ranging from fire to equipment-based accidents, electrical to transport crises and musculoskeletal to physical and psychological issues. Being the only member of the team to have in depth knowledge on these will prove your value and responsibility even further.

NEBOSH makes a point of covering legal requirements for health and safety. Such worries traditionally plague those in a position of authority but few else. Graduates can buck that trend however and shoulder that extra responsibility themselves. A good MD will not only appreciate the helping hand but recognise it accordingly. Assuming control of health and safety may soon lead to its own promotions and pay-rises.

Taking on more responsibility at work through health and safety is also a means of enhancing communication skills. As dubious as it sounds, saddling yourself with the health and safety of a department or business necessitates some coordination on your part.

There is the distinct possibility you will have to instruct colleagues from a management level down. Exerting such influence will hold you in good stead as you seek to progress through a company. Building connections with influential people is, unquestionably, crucial to personal development. Having established the initial relationship, you can use it to your advantage – asking if you could shadow those in authority and learn from them even further.

Similarly, your skillset will soon develop. To be charged with overseeing health and safety is not simply to clean-up an accident. Those taking the role seriously will appreciate the importance of pre-planning, not to mention evaluations and regular reporting. Handling these demonstrates clear management, sometimes without the title. Leaders emerge and deploying those skills will ensure you do likewise.

In summary, taking an interest in the company’s health and safety efforts will bring confidence, management skills, communication skills and knowledge to name only a few. Ultimately, with these increased skills, your employer will begin to value you to a higher level.

The NEBOSH General Certificate: An Introduction To Health & Safety

At a headline level the NEBOSH General Certificate is designed to give people a better understanding of health and safety processes, effective risk management and give them the skills to take on additional responsibility. Ultimately, it educates them on how to implement those same processes to improve the company performance.

NEBOSH training is very flexible, with learning tailored to the individual and their circumstances. Some opt to be taught in a classroom environment across the space of a fortnight. Others prefer to digest it digitally and will duly undertake 80-120 hours’ worth of learning online.

Accessible to all, no prior knowledge of health and safety is required beforehand, yet the course provides a great way of stepping up and taking on the responsibility of the safety of those around you.

To date, no less than 750,000 people have acquired NEBOSH certification. Significantly, 70% of those are in a managerial capacity, as opposed to one specific to the safety industry itself demonstrating the courses value to all manner of job titles. If you were seeking a job where the safety of others is integral, 90% of employers will expect you to have this qualification.

Further Learning

As touched upon earlier in this article, the learning of health and safety procedures need never stop. Indeed, you can regularly tap into additional resources, attend events and unearth further courses, as you seek to excel further.

Health and safety may not be appear obvious route in which to further your career but there is no doubting its importance, nor the subsequent doors it can open. Make the most of the opportunity.

If you want more information on the NEBOSH General Certificate click the button below!

Related Blogs

  • Common Causes of Air Pollution and How to Eliminate Them | Legal Requirements Image
    Kathryn Jenkins PIEMA, MSc, BSc (Hons), LLB (Hons)

    Common Causes of Air Pollution and How to Eliminate Them | Legal Requirements

    Find out the most common causes of air pollution and how to prevent them including a guide on UK legal requirements for businesses.
    17.06.25
  • 5 Takeaways from the Latest UK Fire Incident Statistics Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    5 Takeaways from the Latest UK Fire Incident Statistics

    Find out our biggest takeaways from the latest fire incident statistics for England, with practical expert advice on how businesses might use them to develop their own fire safety protocols.
    13.06.25
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Sustainability for Businesses Image
    Enock Ebbah

    Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Sustainability for Businesses

    Take a sneak peek into our IEMA Pathways to Net Zero course by finding out what environmental KPIs you need to be tracking to ensure success in your sustainability goals.
    11.06.25
  • How Businesses Can Reduce Their Plastic Pollution | UNEP World Environment Day Image
    Kathryn Jenkins PIEMA, MSc, BSc (Hons), LLB (Hons)

    How Businesses Can Reduce Their Plastic Pollution | UNEP World Environment Day

    Find out how businesses can reduce plastic pollution and the key policies and legislation that governs them.
    02.06.25
  • The Truth About AI & The Environment: Pros and Cons Image
    Enock Ebbah

    The Truth About AI & The Environment: Pros and Cons

    Discover the positive and negative effects of AI on the environment, and understand the future implications of it's increased use in our day-to-day lives.
    30.05.25
  • Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics for Health and Safety Image
    Tom Lea BScHons, GradIOSH, AIEMA

    Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics for Health and Safety

    Discover the most important Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics for health and safety in the workplace, that every department needs to measure progress.
    29.05.25
Section Curve
Case Studies

Real Life Stories

Find out how learners look back on their training with Astutis. Our case studies give our learners, both individual and corporate, a platform to share their Astutis experience. Discover how training with Astutis has helped past learners and delegates make the world a safer place, one course at a time.
More Image
Bottom Curve
What People Say

Hear What Our Learners Have To Say

We're always there for our customers. 98% of our learners rated their overall experience as good or outstanding. We will always pride ourselves on our customer service. But don’t take our word for it, here is what our customers have to say
  • "This was my first online only course and I was quite apprehensive as my preferred method of learning is in the classroom. I am converted, the engagement and interaction I enjoy was all there, delivered excellently by a very professional and knowledgeable tutor. All the course material was delivered to my home address and communication with Astutis throughout was 1st class."

    John
    16.06.2025
  • "I went on the course with the bare minimum subject knowledge and the least experience in the group. The course delivery was very well balanced and I had no issues grasping the subject, thanks to excellent tuition."

    John
    16.06.2025
  • "Great service, with everything very clear. Quick answer to any doubs."

    11.06.2025
  • "I loved this course. Having previous experience in LCA I already knew some of the concepts. Still, this course allowed me to broaden my horizons on how companies report their carbon footprint, the places where you can find the best emission factors, and how to address some of the most common problems when accounting for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Both instructors were very clear in their explanations and always ready to clear any doubts."

    11.06.2025
  • "Course materials arrived well in advance. Rhys was great answering all my queries and chasing up on my behalf and always very courteous. All in all the staff I dealt with at Astutis were very professional."

    Miranda Palmer
    11.06.2025
  • "I've been in EH&S for over 20yrs and dealt with many different topics throughout my career, but it was great to revisit some of those areas and to hear others experiences though virtual learning."

    Miranda Palmer
    11.06.2025
  • "It was a hreat experience throughout"

    02.06.2025
  • "It was a great learning experience and add value"

    02.06.2025
  • "Astutis always give great customer service, and from the 3 course I've completed with yourself I've always had great knowledgeable tutors. I recommend Astutis to all my colleagues."

    21.05.2025
  • "Great course, lots of areas some may find not the most interesting, however, the tutor made sure it was delivered in a fun way!"

    21.05.2025