How Hard is IOSH Managing Safely?

This blog was updated in March 2023 to reflect the latest course changes and updates

If you are thinking about doing a short health and safety course for team leaders such as IOSH Managing Safely but you are worried about how hard it will be to pass, read this post to reassure you that you can do it!

IOSH Managing Safely is a is a basic risk management course and used by employers globally to get their managers and supervisors trained with the practical skills to make sure their teams are working safely and effectively.

Here are the answers to the most popular questions about how difficult IOSH Managing Safely really is and all the facts abut the assessments.

What Level is the IOSH Managing Safely?

Anyone can take and pass the IOSH Managing Safely course. The IOSH Managing Safely is a Level 2 course, is suitable for team leaders, managers and supervisors. No prior knowledge of health and safety is required, but a good standard of English is recommended. The knowledge from the course can be applied to any sector making the course extremely useful and applicable.

Providing you put effort and time in to learn your course materials, there is nothing stopping you from passing the IOSH Managing Safely course. It is essential that you dedicate time for studying. If you are an online learner leave yourself enough time to complete the course and assessments before your access to the course runs out!

How Difficult Are the Course Materials?

One question we often get asked from those thinking about the IOSH Managing Safely course is how dense or difficult are the course materials? 

Fundamentally, the are seven core modules (Astutis offer an exclusive bonus module) which occupy the majority of the learners time. The modules are as follows;

1. Introducing Managing Safely
2. Assessing Risk
3. Controlling Risk
4. Understanding Responsibilities
5. Common Hazards
6. Investigating Accidents and Incidents
7. Measuring Performance
8. ASTUTIS EXCLUSIVE BONUS MODULE: Human Factors

The modules are designed to be understood and recognised, as long as learners are motivated and put in time to understand the concepts inside them. 

Successfully completing these modules should take anywhere from sixteen hours to three working days, depending on the chosen learning method. 

If you are a learner who prefers more vocational training with a human presence dictating the materials, we suggest the Virtual Classroom format. Learners will have a dedicated tutor taking them through the course with scheduled sessions that cover the materials in a collaborative and engaging fashion. 

If you are a independent learner, the Online format allows for complete flexibility and control in your learning. Learn when and how you want, with no restrictions. 

Learners will need to account for the exam/assessment phase as well as the course materials, so let's cover that!

IOSH Managing Safely Exams: Are They Difficult?

When it comes to challenges of a health, safety and environmental training course, learners often jump to the assessment/examination phase. 

When it comes to the IOSH Managing Safely course, learners should consider the exams as more of an assessment made up of an online test and practical risk assessment project.

So, at the end of the course, there is a 45-minute multiple-choice/short answer test consisting of 30 questions. We advise that, as long as learners put effort into their revision and set aside time to learn the knowledge, they should not worry about passing the course. The multiple choice only covers topics covered in the course.

There is also a risk assessment project, which has a practical application in the form of a risk assessment that must be carried out in your workplace. This project must be completed within two weeks of sitting the written test.

For the risk assessment project, learners are required to carry out a risk assessment of a workplace of their choice. They need to identify four separate hazards from the categories covered in the IOSH Managing Safely syllabus: 

• Mechanical
• Physical
• Chemical
• Environmental
• Biological
• Organisational

For each of your identified hazards, you need to decide:

• The likelihood of an event occurring
• Who might be harmed
• Control measures 
• Actions
  
  For more detailed advice on the risk assessment project read our guidance on how to study effectively on the course and how to complete the Risk Assessment Project successfully.

IOSH Managing Safely Pass Marks

In order to pass the IOSH Managing Safely and get your certificate, you will need to pass both the multiple-choice/short answer test and the practical work-based risk assessment.

Provided you have understood the concepts and examples in the course materials and you follow them in your test and practical risk assessment, there is no reason why you cannot join thousands of Astutis' learners and achieve well above 90%. It is important to ensure learners maximise their time and effort. If you can, try to create a study plan to give yourself revision structure and peace of mind when the assessment/examination phases comes around.  

IOSH Managing Safely Examination

Where and How Can I Take My Exam?

If you are enrolled on a classroom course, you will take the test in the classroom after the tutor has covered all of the course content. However, if you are an online or virtual learner, you will take the test online after you have completed all the modules of your course.
 

When Can I Expect My Exam Results?

You will know if you have passed by receiving your Certificate eight to ten weeks after completing the course and the workplace assessment. For those taking the test online, you will be notified of your mark immediately after you finish the multiple choice test.