IOSH Managing Safely Course Explained: What It Is, Who Should Take It & How It’s Structured

Health and safety management is a vital aspect for all businesses. All workers have a right to work in an environment where risks to their health and safety are kept to a minimum and one of the best ways of ensuring this in a business is to make managers and team leaders aware of their responsibilities.

What Is the IOSH Managing Safely Course?

The IOSH Managing Safely is a globally recognised health and safety training programme designed for managers and supervisors across all industries. Developed by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the course equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to manage health and safety effectively within their teams.

Ensuring the health and safety of the workforce is an integral part of a manager’s role and allows productivity to be maximised through reducing the disruption caused by accidents and sickness.

As a widely recognised approved certificate, the IOSH Managing Safely is a thorough course that provides management staff with the foundation of knowledge to lead their workforce effectively while also ensuring employees’ health and safety is prioritised.

It covers essential topics such as risk assessment, incident investigation, legal responsibilities and performance monitoring, helping organisations build a strong safety culture and comply with UK health and safety legislation.

Who Should Take the IOSH Managing Safely Course?

This course is ideal for:

• Managers and supervisors responsible for workplace safety
• Team leaders looking to step into a safety-focused role
• HR professionals involved in compliance and wellbeing
• Business owners aiming to reduce risk and improve safety standards

There are no formal entry requirements, making it accessible to anyone in a leadership or supervisory role. If you're not yet in a managerial position, the IOSH Working Safely course is a great starting point to build foundational knowledge before progressing to Managing Safely.

IOSH Managing Safely Course Structure & Topics

The course is split into two key components:

• Taught Module – Delivered via online, virtual, classroom or in-company formats
• Practical Assignment – A workplace-based risk assessment project

Core Topics Covered

1. Introducing Managing Safely 

Managers will gain a basic understanding of what is meant by ‘Health and Safety’ in leadership and their responsibilities and accountabilities.

2. Assessing Risk

This section will demonstrate the correct risk assessment process and sensible risk management.

3. Controlling Risk 

Learn how to apply the legal framework for risk management and the required levels of control.

4. Understanding Managers' Responsibilities 

A crucial part of the course which covers health and safety law, the enforcement of health and safety and the Plan, Do, Check, Act methodology.

5. Common Hazards 

This section will cover the most common hazards in the workplace including electricity, slips, trips and falls, working at height and aggression, bullying and violence as well as many more.

6. Investigating Accidents and Incidents

Techniques for analysing incidents and preventing recurrence.

7. Measuring Performance

The last section of the course allows managers to gain insight into active and reactive health and safety monitoring and health and safety auditing so they are able to understand where improvement can be made within the company.

8. Human Factors: an Astutis Exclusive Bonus Module: 

Identifies organisation and individual factors and how to promote a health and safety culture within a business, as well as understanding the human failures and violations which can cause risks and accidents.

Benefits of the IOSH Managing Safely Course

For Employers

The IOSH Managing Safely course provides employers with numerous benefits, including improved workplace safety, reduced risks, and enhanced productivity. It also helps businesses stay compliant with health and safety regulations, reducing the chances of legal issues.

The IOSH Managing Safely course has many benefits for employers looking to upskill their workforce. These include:

• Improved Reputation: Organisations with a strict approach and attitude to health and safety receive more consumer trust. Naturally, consumers will be more comfortable and interested if a business is safer. 
• Legal Compliance: The IOSH Managing Safely course gifts organisations with enhanced employee safety and legal compliance, preventing fines as well as criminal and civil charges.
• Staff Development: Employees who pass the IOSH Managing Safely can become proactive leaders within your organisation, helping to embed safer practices and cultures. 
• Risk Prevention: Risks materialise in every workplace; the key is understanding how to minimise their probability and impact. The IOSH Managing Safely is the first step to establishing a risk management programme. 
• Increased Productivity: If the workplace is safer, employees will require fewer days off sick, resulting in higher production. The IOSH Managing Safely course will also advise managers and supervisors on the best practices surrounding employee sick days so they implement the best system in your organisation. 

For Managers & Supervisors

• Leadership Development – Empowers managers to lead safety initiatives.

• Confidence in Compliance – Understand legal responsibilities and best practices.
• Career Progression – Enhances CVs and opens doors to advanced safety roles.

How Is the IOSH Managing Safely Course Assessed?

Assessment includes:

• A 45-minute multiple-choice test
• A practical risk assessment project based on your workplace

Both components must be passed to receive the IOSH Managing Safely certificate. For tips on passing the practical assessment, explore everything you need to know about passing your IOSH Managing Safely practical risk assessment with flying colours. 

For further information on how IOSH assess learners, our Exam Hub houses all the latest information.

Course Duration & Learning Methods

The IOSH Managing Safely course offers flexible learning methods, including online learning, virtual training, classroom training and in-company, allowing you to complete the course at your own pace. The duration ranges from 21 hours for online learning to 3 days for classroom training.

The length of time required to complete the IOSH Managing Safely course will depend on the type of learning method chosen for the person(s) taking the course.

These are the different ways you can take the course:

• Online Learning - 21-hours of self paced learning completed within 6 months. Target completion dates for staff can be agreed and additional features such as webinars, class training, progress reports to ensure that everybody completes the course.
• Virtual Classroom Training - 3-day infusing the traditional structure of classroom training with the flexibility and control of digital learning. Led by a industry-leading HSE tutor.
• Classroom Learning -  3-day course which would need to be completed at one of 15 classroom locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Alternatively, if you are looking to train your workforce in-company, a qualified tutor can teach staff at your site on agreed dates.
• In-Company Training - if you have numerous staff within your company that need to be trained you can choose the best method to suit your objectives and employees.

Entry Requirements for the IOSH Managing Safely 

Anyone in a management or supervisory role can take the IOSH Managing Safely course. There are no minimum qualifications or experience required.

However, as the content has a strong focus around managing safely and a manager’s responsibilities, we would recommend that only managers and supervisors take this course. If you would like further information on topics around IOSH Managing Safely we have linked a few helpful blogs as well as the course page itself. There you can trial a demo of the course and view our answers to the most frequently asked questions about the course.