Ultimate Guide to Studying for the IOSH Managing Safely Qualification

For several years, the IOSH Managing Safely has been the flagship course for line managers looking to lead their teams safely in their day-to-day work in any sector. It is an accredited course that has been adopted by the world’s most recognised brands for its wide range of applications and ability to embed a safe working culture in the workplace. If you plan to progress in your career, the IOSH Managing Safely will be a necessary step on that ladder for you to complete.

Introduction to IOSH Managing Safely

What is IOSH Managing Safely?

IOSH Managing Safely is a market-leading course for workers in leadership positions. It delivers essential learning about the identification, evaluation, and control measures associated with workplace risks. Furthermore, it’s designed to build comprehension and enthusiasm about health and safety in the workplace. For these reasons, it’s considered an absolute necessity for any supervisory position in any sector. 

Why is IOSH Managing Safely Important?

The course is vitally important to employers and employees alike. It provides innumerable benefits to the workplace and helps to keep employees safe and healthy while they perform their daily work. Not only that, it protects businesses and delegates from the devastating ramifications of workplace accidents, securing the jobs and safety of everyone in the organisation and ensuring the continued success of the collective. Its importance cannot be overstated. 

In a wider context, over 561,000 people suffered non-fatal workplace injuries in 2022/23, which indicates there is clearly a need to educate organisations about the health and safety responsibilities of employees and employers and best practices. The IOSH Managing Safely has a pivotal role to play in this endeavour.

Who is IOSH Managing Safely for?

Simply put, the IOSH Managing Safely is designed for anyone in any sector, anywhere across the globe. So, you’ll be unsurprised to know that, according to IOSH, over 60,000 people completed their IOSH Managing Safely certification in 2023 alone. The IOSH Managing safely is essential learning for those in positions of responsibility. Managers looking to safeguard their employee's wellbeing and embed a safe culture in the workplace will encounter this course as a necessary step on that ladder.

Astutis’ Multi-Language Availability

The IOSH Managing Safely is an internationally recognised qualification developed by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), a globally chartered body that provides qualifications that promote high health and safety standards in workplaces worldwide.

The course being recognised globally was the primary reason, we have made sure to provide our innovative course in multiple languages. We understood how essential it was to provide the course in multiple languages as our innovation and approach to online learning has been recognised the world over, and we wanted to provide learners with the opportunity to learn in their first language. This initiative came out of respect for our international customers plays a big role in our efforts, but it also helps improve learners' retention of information.

Understanding the Syllabus

Overview of the IOSH Managing Safely Syllabus

The current syllabus is a veritable library of what line managers need to operate efficiently and safely in any workplace. It will help managers get up-to-speed on their responsibilities and the accountabilities placed on the organisation by law and health and safety management systems. Practical takeaways and actions are also a key feature of our course specifically.

Key Topics Covered in the Qualification

The IOSH Managing Safely syllabus is split into the following modules.

• Introducing Managing Risk
• Assessing Risk
• Controlling Risks
• Understanding Responsibilities
• Common Hazards
• Investigating Accidents and Incidents
• Measuring Performance
• Exclusive Astutis Bonus Module: Human Factors

For further information about the course syllabus, visit our IOSH Managing Safely course page. This page also includes answers to the most frequently asked questions and a free demo of the course.

Breakdown of Modules and Learning Outcomes

Each of the modules is then broken down into several subtopics, which are as follows:

Introducing Managing Risk: 

• The principles that underpin good safety and health performance.
• The moral, legal, and financial reasoning behind managing health and safety.
• Managers responsibilities and accountability.

Assessing Risk: 

• Sensible risk management.
• The risk assessment process.
• Specific cases for risk assessment.

Controlling Risks: 

• The legal framework for Risk Management.
• Hierarchies of control.
• Required levels of control.
• Safety Systems of Work (SSW) – A method of work which puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment.
• Permits to Work (PTW) – A documented procedure authorising certain people to carry out specific work within a specified time frame.
• Emergency arrangements.

Understanding Responsibilities: 

• Health and safety law; civil criminal and levels of legal duties.
• Enforcement of health and safety.
• Health safety management systems.

Common Hazards: 

• Access and Egress.
• Aggression, bullying and violence.
• Asbestos.
• Chemical and substances.
• Confined spaces.
• DSE.
• Drugs and alcohol.
• Electricity.
• Fire.
• Housekeeping.
• Lighting.
• Manual handling.
• Noise.
• Radiation.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Stress.
• Vibration.
• Welfare facilities.
• Work equipment and machinery.
• Workplace transport.
• Workplace temperature.
• Work at height.

Investigating Accidents and Incidents: 

• The difference between accidents and near misses.
• Accidents ratios / accident triangles.
• Accident causation theories.
• The reasons for investigating an accident.
• The accident investigation process.
• Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

Measuring Performance

• Active and reactive monitoring systems.
• Health and safety auditing.

!! Astutis Exclusive Bonus Module !! Human Factors

• Organisation factors, including safety culture and managers.
• Individual factors: attitude, personality, abilities, training and development, motivation and perception of risk.
• Human failure.
• Job factors.
• Violations.
• Errors.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to understand the importance of managing health and safety and how the law impacts it. Not only this, they will be able to accurately spot workplace hazards and risks, their impact and how to manage them - evaluating and responding to incidents. Their communication skills will drastically improve also as they will have the ability to list the benefits of an effective health and safety management system and describe the principles that underpin good health and safety performance. All this invaluable knowledge will be at their fingertips.

How Much Does the IOSH Managing Safely Course Cost?

The cost that organisations pay for the IOSH Managing Safely very much depends on the method they choose for studying the course. Not only are certain methods inherently more expensive, but there are also hidden costs that employers should be aware of.

Choosing to study via our Astutis Online Learning platform is by far the most cost-effective and budget-friendly option. Thanks to our excellent learning development team, we have ensured that learners have an innovative, comprehensive, and effective learning experience. At the 2023 NEBOSH Graduation, our online NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma learners gave us feedback on the online learning method and how they found the experience.

At the other end of the spectrum, the classroom training method is typically the most expensive option available. The course costs cover the venue, lunch, refreshments and, of course, our expert tutors to guide you through the course. Customers should also be aware of the hidden costs they will have to pay. Expenses such as travel costs (petrol, tickets, etc.) and overnight accommodation can begin to tally up, and when purchasing for a large number of employees, this effect compounds even further. Loss of productivity should also be a consideration, as employees miss three entire days of work for the course when they could work on the course over a long period of time for the online method, breaking it up over quiet periods to allow for minimal disruption.

A halfway house for costs exists between online training and the classroom. Virtual training bridges the gap and allows learners to study online while being guided by a tutor through the course material. This method removes many of the previously mentioned costs and hidden costs but maintains much of the rigorous structure required for a classroom that might pull employees away from their daily duties.

On-site training is also a viable option for companies that would like to conduct the training in an environment that is familiar to employees. This would eliminate the need for employee travel arrangements and potential accommodation costs. This option is offered at varying price points depending on the needs of the customer.

Additionally, we offer a variety of discounts for purchases of multiple IOSH Managing Safely courses, and we would like to invite you to get in touch with us over the phone or via email if you have any questions regarding this.

For further information on specific prices and how they can vary, we have written about the different costs associated with each IOSH course. 

Learning Methods Available

We offer the IOSH Managing Safely through an eclectic range of different methods that cover exactly how you wish to be trained. The IOSH Managing Safely can be delivered via:

• Online: Our interactive and multimedia-rich courses are designed for staff to fit in around their commitments. They are delivered via our innovative, industry-leading Online Learning Campus, which maximises productivity and cost-effectiveness.
• Virtual: The Virtual Learning Academy is the most modern approach to delivering tutor-led training online without the need to travel.
• Classroom: Expert tutor-led delivery, hosted in a professional training environment across 6-sites within the UK. Alternatively, classroom training can be delivered on-site at your premises for multiple learners.
• On-Site: Professional HSE training delivered at your premises.

Benefits of Obtaining IOSH Managing Safely

Advantages for Employers and Employees

There are numerous benefits for both employers and employees when there is a mass adoption of the IOSH Managing Safely in an organisation.

The most obvious benefit is the improved culture of safety awareness where employees will actively participate in keeping their workplace safe. This collective effort will significantly reduce accidents and provoke staff involvement, creating a shared sense of responsibility. This course is internationally recognised and will enhance the organisation’s reputation within the supply chain.

The employee benefits are apparent from the syllabus. Being able to assess and control risks and hazards builds confidence and allows employees to protect themselves and understand their own responsibilities for health and safety.

Employees will experience a rise in productivity as they can proceed with their daily duties without worrying about their health, knowing that every effort has been made to keep them safe. In conjunction with this, organisations will also notice a reduced number of accidents and sickness and, therefore, a reduction in absences. This will also benefit the organisation as the increase in productivity and morale will increase company profit and customer satisfaction.

Career Opportunities with IOSH Managing Safely Qualification

The career opportunities from the IOSH Managing Safely are apparent from the get-go. Completing this course signals to organisations that employees are ready to take charge of their health and safety responsibilities and are interested in growing their skillset in the workplace. Naturally, this opens up more opportunities for increased responsibility and promotion to a supervisor or management level if it hasn’t already been achieved. This foundational knowledge also opens learners up to more training to further develop their skillset and knowledge of key health and safety concepts.

IOSH Membership

IOSH membership levels reflect an individual's experience and investment in their careers as well as the Occupational Health and Safety profession. IOSH has broken down their memberships into the following tiers:

• Student: Members who are currently studying for their burgeoning career in health and safety.
• Affiliate: Anyone currently active or considering a health and safety career. All members start at this level.
• Technical: Those working in an operational health and safety role and have a Level 3 qualification. For context, IOSH Managing Safely is classified as a Level 2 qualification.
• Certified: Professionals with a more senior role in health and safety who are working towards the goal of ‘Chartered’ status. You can move to ‘Certified’ status if you have a recognised and relevant degree-level qualification plus an additional two years' experience.
• Chartered: IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered membership to health and safety professionals.
• Chartered Fellow: The very highest level of professional membership available to practitioners who demonstrate an exceptional dedication to the profession by going above and beyond and are exemplars for others in the community.

For further information about IOSH membership tiers and what you need to achieve them, you can visit their official website.

Preparation Strategies

How Difficult is the IOSH Managing Safely?

At its core, the IOSH Managing Safely course provides learners with a foundational knowledge of health and safety concepts. Considering this, anyone can complete the qualification, and no prior experience in health and safety is needed. The same can be said for the final exams and assessments. 

We have previously detailed what it takes to complete the IOSH Managing Safely and the level of difficulty learners can expect.

Creating a Study Plan

For online learners, it is imperative that you establish a study plan for yourself. The luxury of being able to complete the course also means it comes down to you to make time for your learning in your schedule. We recommend that learners think about how they would like to study, whether that be breaking it up into bite-sized chunks for an hour a day or chewing through long study sessions. 

Recommended Study Materials and Resources

We recommend using the course notes provided and noting any specific areas you find challenging. Make notes as you progress so you know what areas to revisit and revise. The primary materials and resources you will have available to you include webinars, example risk assessments,, mock exams and further revision guides.

Additional resources available to you from Astutis include our dedicated Customer Support team, who can connect you with one of our expert tutors to clarify any questions you may have.

Understanding Exam Format and Requirements

For the IOSH Managing Safely course, learners should consider the ‘exams’ as more of an assessment made up of the:

• 45-minute multiple choice test.
• Risk assessment practical.

At the end of the course, there will be a 45-minute multiple-choice test consisting of 30 questions. In order to pass, learners must achieve a score of 36 out of 60. The practical risk assessment project will be carried out in your own workplace. This project must be completed within two weeks of sitting the written test, and you must score at least 23 out of 38 in order to pass.

Tips for Success

Effective Revision Techniques

Those undertaking the course from the online route will notice a number of benefits for studying immediately, and we recommend they run through the course in its entirety and pay attention to how they do in the Astutis Learning Checks. Online learning is one of the most effective study methods for IOSH Managing Safely, and it will give you a good understanding of where the gaps in your knowledge may be. For some practical advice, we gave some tips on best practices for the practical risk assessment, which will guarantee your success.

The course design ensures you will retain the information and pick up the necessary elements as you go along, making effective use of your revision time. Following on from this, you can then work through the course notes for all the modules you found more challenging and tread back over them on the Online Learning Campus.

Often times, strategies for passing the IOSH Managing Safely exam are quite simple. We give you all the necessary tools to pass during the course, it will be down to you to do your due diligence and you will succeed as a result.

Managing Exam Anxiety

Everyone has different ways of coping with exams. Some general advice we have is to spread your revision time out for as long as you can. Studies have shown that smaller doses of learning are more effective for information retention in the long run, and trying to revise everything the night before is a sure-fire way to stress yourself out.

On the day, make sure you have had plenty to eat and drink. You should be fully fueled for both assessments and this will make you more focused throughout. And remember, no matter the result, we will be there to assist you afterwards. Do your best. That’s all you can ask of yourself.

Utilising Practice Questions and Mock Exams

Practice makes perfect, as they say! As a part of the course, we offer mock exams to familiarise yourself with the structure of the exam and simulate what it would look like. Completing them a few days before the exam will give you a much-needed confidence boost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Common Queries

With a course as popular as the IOSH Managing Safely, there are always a few questions that our customers want to know about our version of the course:

What is included in the IOSH Managing Safely course? – After enrolling in the IOSH Managing Safely course, learners will have access to comprehensive, engaging, and thought-provoking course materials that will guide them on their training journey. They will also have access to tutors' support to cement their understanding and assist them as they near the end of the course. Examination fees are also included in the course price.

When will I receive my results and my IOSH Managing Safely certificate? – You should receive the results and, provided you have passed, your IOSH certificate up to 6 to 8 weeks after completing the IOSH Managing Safely course.

What is the bonus ‘Human Factors’ module? – The Astutis exclusive Human Factors module looks at how human errors can influence risk. This covers the effects on personality and attitude, and the drastic effect it can have on risks and risk perception.

Clarifications on Eligibility and Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for completing the IOSH Managing Safely and everyone is eligible to study it. Also, as long as learners make the time to commit to their studies, they have everything they need to complete the course and do not require any prior knowledge of health and safety.

Our course page has even more answers to the most frequently asked questions, as well as a course demo.

IOSH Managing Safely Refresher

Why Take It?

Once you've acquired your certificate, giving your health and safety knowledge a tune-up is essential to your development as a professional. New research and more effective methods are being developed every year, and the IOSH Managing Safely Refresher will ensure you stay ahead of the curve.

When Is It Recommended?

Even though IOSH Certificates never expire, IOSH strongly recommends that a training course should be refreshed at least every 3 years. This gives employers confidence in their employees and means that should any new legislative changes come about, they will be ready for it.

Case Studies and Success Stories

We have worked with prestigious brands such as Barbour, Muller Group and Mondelez to deliver the IOSH Managing Safely course for well over a decade. We have developed an innovative learning platform that has trained over 100,000 individuals, and we encourage everyone considering the IOSH Managing Safely below to reap the rewards of acquiring the certificate and transform their workplace into a shining example of health and safety excellence.