What Is IOSH? A Complete Guide to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

What Is IOSH? A Comprehensive Overview

IOSH is the world's largest chartered Health and Safety organisation, with over 46,000 members across 130 different countries.

The body itself is a British based institute founded in 1945. It was set up in a bid to promote excellent Health and Safety standards and achieves that through a combination of methods.

What Does IOSH Stand For?

IOSH stands for The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - a leading Health and Safety membership organisation and Chartered body. IOSH leads the way when it comes to Health and Safety practices in the workplace with over 100,000 HSE professionals looking to become IOSH qualified every year.

In the first instance:

• IOSH offers Health and Safety courses that support employees of all levels and sectors, no matter their location. 
• The IOSH courses are designed to help businesses improve their Health and Safety culture.
• Qualified IOSH members are able to improve workplace processes, all whilst IOSH introduces new legislation to the government and shapes relevant Health and Safety policies.

The IOSH Code of Conduct is considered to be the industry's bible when it comes to facilitating a ‘safer and healthier world of work’.

What is IOSH Training?

IOSH provides health and safety training courses for all levels, as well as sector specific equivalents. While core content remains largely consistent, the certificate a learner takes depends on their level of responsibility. This means all IOSH training courses encompass both theory and practical learning.

At a high level, learners will be asked to identify risks in a similar way to the hazard perception segment of a driving test. In this case, however, the dangers will be biological, environmental or physical in nature. They'll be asked to assess the potential health and safety challenges in their workplace against an outlined scoring system.

IOSH courses also provide information on procedures to help keep those around them safe, all of which contribute to the ongoing protection of the workforce – these include:

• Regular Inspections
• Clear Signage
• Emergency Drills.

On completion, passers achieve an internationally recognised health and safety course.

Take a look at our blog to discover which IOSH courses can help enhance your organisation.

IOSH Courses: Which Training Is Right for You?

IOSH Working Safely Course

IOSH Working Safely provides a basic guide to health and safety in the workplace and is aimed at all workers. It provides learners with an awareness of hazards and risks and how their everyday behaviours contribute to the overall health and safety of others. 

This IOSH course can be completed online, in a single day or within 6-9 hours. The IOSH Working Safely is favoured by members of staff, regardless of their role. It is also equivalent to a Level 1 Award for Health and Safety in a Construction environment, making this course widely accessible. 

The assessment takes the form of ten multiple choice questions and three hazard spotting exercises, amounting to 30 minutes in total.

IOSH Managing Safely Course

The IOSH Managing Safely course is designed for individuals with management or supervisory responsibilities. The course is designed to help professionals tackle their Health and Safety responsibilities. 

Available as a 3 day Virtual or Classroom course and Online as a 16-24 hour learning course, this IOSH course offers flexibility and can be delivered anytime and anywhere in the world. Astutis also supports companies with multiple licenses for the entire workforce to take the course and work with you to set goals and time frames to ensure all members of staff pass. Discover more about the IOSH Managing Safely course and the options available to you.

The assessment includes a 45-minute multiple choice test, made up of 30 questions. Learners must also complete a workplace-based practical risk assessment.

Completing the course upskills managers with the required knowledge and confidence to implement positive changes to their working environment.

In addition to IOSH Working Safely and Managing Safely, the institution delivers sector-specific training – including the likes of IOSH Managing Safely in Aviation and IOSH Managing Safely in Construction.

IOSH courses themselves are delivered by recognised providers, of which Astutis is one and we are proud to train thousands of employees every year.

For convenience, training can be delivered at a centre or in your workplace. Those who prefer online learning are also catered for, with immediate access to course material merely a few clicks away.

Pricing will vary depending on the provider and your preferred method of learning.

Do IOSH Issue Certificates for Courses?

Those who successfully complete an IOSH training course will be presented with a certificate within two months. The certification is valid for life and is evidence that the individual – and by extension their employing business – are taking health and safety seriously.

Visit our blog to find out how long your IOSH certificate is valid for.

IOSH Membership Categories

These are the IOSH membership categories. To move to another category of membership it will depend on your experience, course and your goals:

1. Affiliate Member
2. Associate Member AIOSH
3. Technician Member Tech IOSH
4. Graduate Member Grad IOSH
5. Chartered Member CMIOSH
6. Chartered Fellow CFIOSH

Take a look at our blog for an in-depth rundown of the IOSH Membership tiers.

Long-Term Benefits of IOSH Membership

Anyone who becomes an IOSH member is granted access to:

• Conferences,
• Exhibitions, 
• Networking Events,
• Online Forums and
• Telephone Helpline.

All benefits are designed to support professionals in promoting the best universal health and safety standards in the workplace. Refreshingly, advice and encouragement are readily available for all who seek it.

Why is IOSH Important for Your Organisation?

On a broader scale, IOSH are known for far more than their training courses. Members are revered for organising high-profile campaigns that shed light on issues relating to safety in the workplace. In recent years efforts have been made to draw attention to potential causes of cancer, as well as the debilitating effects of dust.

Such movements often lead to the IOSH petitioning governments from all corners of the globe. Interestingly, those in power are typically receptive, calling upon members to advise or commission research on their behalf. 

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is in summary, a hugely significant body and one fundamental to the upholding of health and safety standards for organisations all over the world. The IOSH Managing Safely is the preferred course for organisations looking to embed a strong safety culture and ensure compliance across multiple departments.