What Is IOSH?

This blog was updated on August 2023 to reflect the latest IOSH course updates and changes

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 setup 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 lead 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 legislations 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 top 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 asking 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 qualification.

The 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 hazard and risk and how their everyday behaviours contributes 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 qualification widely accessible. 

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

The IOSH Managing Safely Course

The IOSH Managing Safely course is designed for individuals with management or supervisory responsibilities. The course's aim 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 qualification offers flexibility and can be delivered anytime and anywhere in the world. Astutis also supports companies with multiple licenses for entire workforce to take the qualification, 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 25 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 train thousands of employees every year.

For convenience, training can be delivered at a centre or in your own place of work. 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.

Certificates

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.

IOSH Membership

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

• Affiliate Member
• Associate Member
• Technician Member
• Graduate Member
• Chartered Member
• Chartered Fellow

Wondering what the different membership levels mean? find out what they mean and more here

Long-Term

Anyone who becomes an IOSH member is granted access to the likes of conferences, exhibitions, networking events, online forums and a telephone helpline – all with a view to promoting universal health and safety in the work place. Refreshingly, advice and encouragement are readily available for all who seek it.

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 Hazards is in summary, a hugely significant body and one fundamental to the upholding of health and safety standards all over the world. Without it, you could argue many of us would be far more vulnerable to workplace accidents.

To view our full range of IOSH courses click the left button below! Alternatively, you can find more information on what course is right for you or your staff by taking a look at our IOSH Career Progression Guide, via the button on the right.