M505 – Control of Hazardous Substances
BOHS Advanced Module – Occupational Hygiene
M505 develops the advanced knowledge required to design, evaluate, and implement effective control strategies for hazardous substances in the workplace.
This module focuses on understanding how exposures arise, how risks should be assessed, and how robust engineering and organisational controls can be applied to achieve “adequate control” under COSHH.
With a strong emphasis on ventilation systems and practical control design, M505 bridges the gap between theory and real-world implementation.
Who Should Attend
- Occupational hygienists progressing toward the Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (CertOH)
- LEV professionals expanding their competence into broader control strategy
- Health & Safety professionals responsible for control implementation
- Engineers and technical specialists involved in ventilation and process design
Course Duration
5 Days (including examination)
Delivered via Live Interactive Webinar or Face-to-Face training.
Course Overview
The programme provides in-depth coverage of:
- How hazardous substances are generated within industrial processes
- Workplace control principles and the Hierarchy of Control
- Process and plant design considerations
- Engineering control systems, including Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
- Performance evaluation of ventilation systems
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programmes
- Administrative and management controls
Ventilation systems form a significant component of the module, including design principles, hood effectiveness, system limitations, optimisation techniques, and performance assessment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:
- Identify how workplace processes generate airborne contaminants
- Select appropriate control strategies based on risk and hierarchy principles
- Define and interpret the meaning of “adequate control” under COSHH
- Evaluate the effectiveness of LEV systems and recognise system limitations
- Integrate PPE programmes appropriately within overall control strategies
- Adopt a holistic approach to control design that considers secondary risks
Assessment
The assessment comprises:
- Practical assessment conducted during the course
- Written examination (Open Book)
- 40 Short Answer Questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Pass mark: 50%
Evening self-study and structured revision are required throughout the week.
Professional Progression
M505 is one of the core modules within the BOHS M500 series and forms part of the most common pathway toward the:
Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (CertOH)
Successful candidates progressing through the CertOH pathway may use the post-nominal letters CertOH.
This module is particularly valuable for professionals seeking deeper competence in engineering controls and ventilation-based risk reduction.
Pre-Requisites
There are no formal academic pre-requisites. Delegates are expected to have familiarity with COSHH requirements and key HSE guidance relating to exposure control.
Fees
£1795 + VAT
BOHS examination fee: £165 + VAT (reviewed annually by BOHS)
Invoices are issued approximately 5–6 weeks prior to the course start date.
Success with OXYL8
OXYL8 delivers BOHS Occupational Hygiene modules with a clear focus on professional competence — not simply examination preparation.
Our programmes are led by experienced practitioners with extensive industry, regulatory and technical expertise. We combine structured academic delivery with practical interpretation, ensuring delegates understand how to apply knowledge confidently within real workplace environments.
Delegates receive comprehensive course materials, structured revision guidance, and ongoing tutor support throughout the programme.
Optional one-to-one mentoring sessions are available following the course, providing additional support for revision, professional development planning, and progression toward CertOH or CoC pathways.
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