When it comes to workplace safety, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has got your back…
Health and safety is important in every industry, from logistics to construction. Whether you’re a health and safety professional looking to progress in your career, or you’re interested in moving into a health and safety role, an IOSH qualification will help ensure you (safely) tick all the boxes.
Here’s everything you need to know about IOSH, and how you can start studying:
What is IOSH?
IOSH is a globally recognised professional body dedicated to promoting health, safety, and well-being in the workplace.
They offer a range of certifications, training courses, and resources focused on enhancing workplace safety standards.
What IOSH training courses are available?
IOSH certifications are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and mitigate workplace hazards effectively.
There are three main IOSH qualifications:
- IOSH Working Safely. Designed for employees of all levels, this certification covers the basics of health and safety, providing a fundamental understanding of workplace hazards and risk mitigation.
- IOSH Managing Safely. This course is suitable for managers and supervisors across all industries. It focuses on risk management, incident investigation, and promoting a safety-first culture.
- IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors. Aimed at senior management, this course emphasises the strategic aspects of health and safety, helping leaders integrate safety into business operations.
Why do I need IOSH?
IOSH is the benchmark for health and safety in the workplace. By getting certified, you’ll:
- Gain essential skills in health & safety management. From understanding risk assessment to incident investigation, an IOSH course will teach you everything you need to know about maintaining a safe working environment.
- Be able to reduce workplace risk and maintain legal compliance. Keeping up with IOSH standards ensures legal compliance and reduces workplace incidents, creating a safer environment for yourself and others.
- Improve your career prospects in a range of fields. Health and safety skills are important across every industry, making IOSH qualifications extremely versatile and highly valued by employers.
- Become globally recognised and respected. As IOSH certifications are accredited all over the world, you’ll be able to use your skills on an international scale.
Can I study IOSH online?
IOSH courses can be taken online, in a classroom, or through blended learning.
You can also choose to study full-time or part-time, enabling you to fit your course around other commitments.
How does it take complete IOSH?
An IOSH course will take around 1 to 5 days to complete, depending on the level of certification and the method of study you choose.
Here’s how long you can expect each IOSH course to take:
- IOSH Working Safely – 1 to 2 days
- IOSH Managing Safely – 3 to 4 days
- IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors – 1 to 2 days
What jobs can I do with an IOSH qualification?
From construction and manufacturing to hospitality and healthcare, IOSH is vital across various sectors. Here are a few of the most common roles for IOSH professionals:
- Health and safety officer
- Quality control technician
- Operations manager
- Risk manager
- Project manager
- Supervisor or team leader
- Compliance officer
- Environmental health officer
What’s the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH?
IOSH and NEBOSH are both respected organisations in the field of health and safety – but offer slightly different certifications. Here’s what each qualification covers, and how they differ:
- IOSH provides practical and role-specific health and safety skills. It specialises in hands-on workplace safety certifications tailored to various roles, with an emphasis on risk management and safety culture.
Perfect for: People who are looking for role-specific health and safety skills.
- NEBOSH provides a broader understanding of health and safety. It focuses on a wide range of health, safety, and environmental management topics, allowing you to develop in-depth skills and expertise.
Perfect for: People who are looking to gain a broader understanding of health and safety.
Whether you choose IOSH or NEBOSH will depend on your career goals, the level of depth required, and your specific industry requirements.
Is IOSH hard to pass?
The difficulty level of an IOSH course will vary based on your background and the specific course level.
Basic courses like Working Safely are generally accessible to anyone, while higher-level ones like Managing Safely and Safety for Executives and Directors may be more challenging, especially for those without prior experience in health and safety.
Choosing the course that suits your experience level best and making the most of the materials provided will ensure you’re able to pass IOSH successfully.
How can I get started?
With a number of IOSH courses advertised on Reed.co.uk, there’ll be something to suit your learning style, experience level, and schedule.
Whether you’re a health and safety employee looking for a Working Safely course, or you’re a manager or supervisor interested in taking a Managing Safely course, we’ve got you covered.
Can’t decide which course is right for you? Get in touch with the course provider using our Q&A section to find out more details about a particular course, including the length and method of study and available learning materials.
Ready to work on your health and safety skills? View all IOSH courses now
