The IOSH Managing Safely course online gives managers, team leaders and business owners the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead and manage health and safety effectively. In this guide we discuss what is covered in the IOSH Managing Safely course and the benefits for your organisation.
IOSH Managing Safely is an internationally recognised qualification from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Chartered body for health and safety professionals.
Why is managing safely important?
Managing safely is crucial in any workplace to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all employees and to enable the organisation to thrive.
Here are some key reasons why it is vital that health and safety is well managed:
Prevents workplace accidents and illnesses
135 workers and 68 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23. In the same year, 1.8 million workers reported suffering injuries that were caused by work or made worse by work, and 561,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work.
As well as causing human suffering, accidents at work cost UK employers billions of pounds every year. This astronomical sum is due to lost working time, sick pay, damage to equipment, production delays, investigation time, fines, legal costs, loss of contracts and other factors.
Proper health and safety training, like the IOSH Managing Safely course online, can reduce the risk of workplace accidents and support employees’ wellbeing.
Supports legal compliance
Every organisation must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as well as other regulations, including::
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended 2002)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 2002
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
Managers trained in IOSH Managing Safely play a crucial role in ensuring compliance, helping their organisations avoid fines and protecting their reputation.
Enhances reputation
Organisations that are known for strong safety records and good management practices are more attractive to potential employees, customers, and investors.
Highly skilled professionals often seek out employers who prioritise safety and wellbeing, viewing these factors as indicative of a supportive and responsible workplace culture.
A strong safety record enhances an organisation’s standing in the marketplace, building trust among customers who prefer to engage with businesses with happy employees and a commitment to high standards and ethical practices.
Investors, too, are more likely to be drawn to sustainable companies with solid safety and management records, perceiving them as lower-risk and more stable investments. This positive perception can lead to increased funding opportunities and better terms of investment.
Improves productivity
A well-implemented health and safety strategy reduces workplace injuries and illnesses. This means employees are consistently present and able to perform their duties.
When employees feel safe at work they are more motivated and able to focus on tasks without the anxiety of potential hazards. Employees are more likely to invest effort into their roles when they feel their employer values their safety.
By minimising the risk of accidents and ill-health, organisations reduce associated costs. These savings can be reinvested into the business, enhancing resources, training, and development opportunities which contributes to a more innovative and productive environment.
What level is IOSH Managing Safely?
The IOSH Managing Safely qualification is equivalent to a level 2 qualification which is the equivalent to a high-level GCSE. The course is suitable for managers, team leaders, supervisors, and business owners. No previous knowledge of health and safety is required.
How long is the IOSH Managing Safely course?
The length of time the course takes to complete depends on the chosen method of study. All our IOSH courses can be delivered as eLearning, via a virtual classroom or face-to-face in a classroom style setting.
Learning face-to-face or through our virtual classroom takes 3 days. eLearning takes around 24 hours to complete at the participant’s own pace.
What is covered in the IOSH Managing Safely course online?
This comprehensive course inspires managers to implement and uphold safety practices that comply with legal standards and improve their organisation’s overall safety culture.
Here is what is covered in our IOSH Managing Safely course:
1. Introducing Managing Safely
The introduction focuses on the importance of managing health and safety at work, emphasising the human, legal, and financial reasons for fostering a safe working environment.
This section underlines the critical role managers play in ensuring the wellbeing of their teams and their moral and legal responsibilities. It prepares managers to take proactive steps to safeguard employees and the organisation.
2. Assessing Risks
Managers learn about the core aspects of risk assessment and how to conduct an effective risk assessment. They learn how to identify potential hazards, evaluate the associated risks, and implement appropriate measures to control or mitigate these risks.
This section equips managers with the skills to approach risk assessment systematically, ensuring a thorough evaluation of workplace dangers and the establishment of robust safety protocols.
3. Controlling Risks
Here managers learn methods for assessing and managing risks, with a focus on applying the hierarchy of risk control to eliminate or minimise risks. This section covers different control measures and strategies to reduce a wide range of workplace risks, enabling managers to select the most effective solutions to enhance safety.
By understanding the principles of risk control, managers can implement safe systems of work that significantly lower the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries.
4. Understanding Responsibilities
This section is about legal obligations and responsibilities for health and safety management. It covers the regulatory framework governing workplace safety and details the key components of an effective health and safety management system.
By the end of this section, managers understand legislative requirements and their role in maintaining compliance and promoting a culture of safety in their organisation.
5. Understanding Hazards
Managers explore the various types of hazards that can exist in a workplace, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors. The module provides methods for identifying, assessing, and managing these hazards to prevent accidents and injuries.
By recognising the diverse nature of workplace hazards, managers can implement comprehensive strategies to safeguard employees and create a safer working environment.
6. Investigating Incidents
This section emphasises the importance of promptly reporting and investigating workplace incidents. It covers the procedures for reporting and investigating accidents, focusing on identifying the root causes of incidents and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Managers are equipped with the skills to conduct thorough investigations and develop effective solutions to enhance workplace safety and prevent future incidents.
7. Measuring Performance
The final section teaches managers how to evaluate and monitor the health and safety performance of their organisation to ensure safety standards are maintained. It covers the key performance indicators (KPIs) that should be measured to gauge the effectiveness of health and safety measures.
This module enables managers to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure continuous enhancement of the organisation’s safety practices.
How long does the IOSH Managing Safely qualification last?
The IOSH Managing Safely certificate does not expire. It is advisable to take the IOSH Managing Refresher course every three years to make sure knowledge is current and fresh.
Praxis42 IOSH Managing Safely course online
The IOSH Managing Safely course online has been created by our learning development team in collaboration with our experienced health and safety experts. It is engaging, interactive, and thoroughly comprehensive.
At Praxis42, we believe that when learning is enjoyable and purposeful people retain knowledge and feel inspired to lead a positive health and safety culture in their organisation.
To learn more about what is included in the IOSH Managing Safely course, contact our team at 0203 011 4242 or email us at info@praxis42.com
Tom Escobar
Director of Services & Training
