Safety, Health & Environmental Management Qualifications 25th Anniversary

For over 25 years, Philip Brain Associates Ltd has been at the forefront of advancing competence in the UK mineral extraction & processing industries. Our commitment to raising standards in safety, health, and environmental management has shaped the industry’s approach to professional development and regulatory compliance. As our sector has evolved, we have consistently led the way, creating qualifications that have become the foundation for safety. Our innovation was awarded the Institute of Quarrying National Excellence Award in 2019.

In the late 1990s, the quarrying industry was grappling with emerging regulatory demands and the need for a formalised approach to vocational competence. At that critical juncture, The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) recognised the pressing need for qualifications that would ensure Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (SHE) professionals were not only compliant with legislation but equipped with the knowledge and skills to operate safely in a high-risk environment.

Given our industry experience and technical expertise, Philip Brain Associates Ltd were approached by IQ to develop three qualifications for supervisors, managers, and senior managers. We were uniquely placed to undertake this critical task, and in 1999 this resulted in the creation of what are now the three standard qualifications for regulatory roles—specifically 8.1.C and 8.1.D appointments.

These qualifications established a framework for competence that remains the benchmark in the industry today, ensuring that supervisors, quarry/plant managers, senior managers and SHE professionals are equipped to manage risk, safeguard operations, and meet stringent regulatory requirements.

Overcoming Inertia and Driving Change

At the time of their development, the mineral extraction & processing sector was largely unprepared for the concept of vocational qualifications (VQs). Many professionals and employers were uncertain about the value of formal qualifications and how they would integrate into existing structures. However, through persistent education, advocacy, and demonstration of their importance, Philip Brain Associates Ltd worked to improve industry perception and explain the value of VQs which eventually brought about the widespread adoption of VQs by collaboration with major employer organisations.

Today, these qualifications are essential for those in regulatory appointments across the industry, and they play a critical role in ensuring the competence and safety of quarrying operations.

 While Philip Brain Associates Ltd was responsible for writing & developing these qualifications, The IQ at the time felt it in the best interests of the sector to transfer the certification and awarding of these qualifications to EPIC (now MPQC). The shift in ownership had no bearing on the original creation, structure, or content of the qualifications. This transfer simply aligned with the political landscape of the time, and the SHE qualification’s relevance continues to this day.

Building the Backbone of the Industry’s Assessment and Training Professionals

Our impact doesn’t stop solely at the development of these qualifications. Over the years, Philip Brain Associates Ltd has also played a key role in training and assessing professionals who now deliver vocational competence assessment & verification across the industry, meaning our legacy is embedded in every corner of the mineral extraction & processing sector. This enduring effect ensures that the high standards of safety and competence that we set continue to shape the industry at every level.

Innovating Through EMPI Awards

While our legacy is strong, we continue to look to the future. Through EMPI Awards, an independent Awarding Organisation formed by Philip Brain Associates Ltd and regulated by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Accreditation, we are advancing a new generation of competence solutions tailored to the mineral extraction & processing industry and beyond. With Philip Brain CEnv IEng FIMMM FIQ as Chair of Governors and Gavin Brain BA(Hons) FIQ ASET as the Responsible Officer, EMPI Awards is committed to developing innovative, flexible, and bespoke qualifications that meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Our work at EMPI Awards as a regulated Awarding Organisation explores how digital platforms, modern assessment techniques, and practical frameworks can drive the future of vocational competence. This forward-thinking approach ensures that tomorrow’s professionals are better equipped than ever to navigate the complexities of safety, environmental management, and regulatory compliance. This has recently resulted in the launch of a suite of qualifications regulated by SQA Accreditation, for drivers of specialised transport & logistics vehicles, the EMPI Awards Site Vehicle Competence Assessment (SVCA).

Shaping the Future of Competence

For over two and a half decades, Philip Brain Associates Ltd have worked to promote competence and excellence in the mineral extraction & processing industry. Our qualifications and the professionals we have trained continue to set the standard. As we move forward, both Philip Brain Associates Ltd and EMPI Awards will remain dedicated to delivering innovative, practical, and future-proof solutions that keep the sector safe, sustainable, and competent.

To those we’ve worked with over the years, we thank you for your trust and partnership. Further innovations are currently under development.

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