What is IOSH Managing Safely? A Complete Guide

IOSH Managing Safely is a three-day, internationally recognised health & safety qualification designed to support organisations in improving the safety, health and wellbeing of your workforce. Suitable for employees at all levels - from frontline staff to managers and senior leaders - these courses provide extensive, accessible training that helps reduce risk, prevent incidents and strengthen workplace compliance.

Whether you're looking to build essential safety awareness or develop leadership capability in managing workplace risk, Kentec Training’s IOSH training courses will deliver measurable improvements in competence, confidence and safety culture across your organisation.

This guide takes an in-depth look at what IOSH Managing Safely involves, who it is intended for, and how the course compares with IOSH Working Safely and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Health and Safety Awareness course, covering progression routes, benefits, and content.

What Is the IOSH Managing Safely Qualification?

Our IOSH Managing Safely Course develops an in-depth understanding of the legal, moral and social duties of sector supervisors, managers, directors and business owners. It also provides clear guidance on how to control their workforce in accordance with current health & safety regulations and best practice.

The course will also give individuals and organisations peace of mind from training that's flexible, efficient and effective. Memorable and thought-provoking facts and case studies from across the globe help drive the points home over the whole course. Each module is backed by crystal-clear examples and recognisable scenarios, and summaries reinforce the key learning points.

IOSH Managing Safely differs from entry-level courses, which are based around awareness, by teaching how to apply good health and safety practices, from analysing and managing risks to investigating incidents and improving workplace safety. The course is normally a three-day programme combining theory with practical exercises.

Who Is IOSH Managing Safely For?

The IOSH Managing Safely course is ideal for managers and supervisors in any sector, and any organisation worldwide. They won’t suddenly become safety experts – but they’ll get up-to-speed on the practical actions they need to take and gain the knowledge and tools to tackle the safety and health issues they’re responsible for. Importantly, Managing Safely makes a powerful case for safety and health being an integral part of day-to-day management and business.

While IOSH Managing Safely is designed for those in managerial roles, it’s also accessible to all participants, even if they don’t have any pre-existing health and safety knowledge or qualifications.

What Does IOSH Managing Safely Cover?

The IOSH Managing Safely course provides delegates with the knowledge and practical skills to manage health and safety effectively in the workplace.

Delegates will learn how to identify hazards, assess and control risks, understand their legal responsibilities, investigate incidents, measure health and safety performance, and minimise environmental impacts. The course concludes with a multiple-choice assessment and a practical, work-based risk assessment project, enabling learners to apply their knowledge in real workplace situations.

This wider scope is the differentiating factor between one-day courses like IOSH Working Safely and the IOSH Managing Safely course.

What Are the Differences Between IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Working Safely and CITB Health and Safety Awareness?

Here’s how IOSH Managing Safely compares with IOSH Working Safely and the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course:

The ideal course will depend on your responsibilities and the type of organisation or business you work within – we’ve summarised the scenarios where each of these syllabuses might be most suitable.

IOSH Managing Safely is the right option if:

• You manage or supervise staff
• You have responsibilities for safety at work
• You’re tasked with carrying out or reviewing risk assessments
• You need to improve safety performance within your team or department

IOSH Working Safely may be preferable if:

• You’re an employee without managerial duties
• You need an introduction to workplace safety
• You don’t supervise others within your role

The CITB Health and Safety Awareness course could be more appropriate if:

• You work within the construction sector
• You need to apply for a CSCS card
• Your role involves access to live development sites

Should you need more advice about the courses that will best meet your needs, you can contact the Kentec Training team on 0333 666 0555, and we’ll be happy to advise.

Why Take the IOSH Managing Safely Course?

For companies, enrolling managers in IOSH Managing Safely is a way to reduce risks, improve efficiencies and protect workforces. Businesses see fewer accidents, a stronger safe working culture, compliance with UK health and safety legislation, and often improved productivity.

The benefits for individual attendees include:

• Having the confidence to manage safety responsibilities
• Gaining an improved understanding of the legal obligations of managers
• Learning practical skills that can be applied straight away
• Improving long-term career prospects within supervisory or management roles

Steve Booker, Kentec Training Managing Director & Senior Training Instructor says: “IOSH Managing Safely is often a turning point, where teams stop perceiving health and safety as a box-ticking exercise, and recognise that it’s a key part of how their business operates day to day. Managers are equipped with the confidence to act on their training, and ensure their teams and staff are well looked after in a safe workplace setting.”

What Comes After IOSH Managing Safely?

IOSH Managing Safely can be part of an ongoing progression in health and safety training, with next steps that include:

• More advanced IOSH or sector-specific training
• Moving into dedicated health and safety roles 
• Completing the NEBOSH National General Certificate

The NEBOSH qualification is considered the professional standard for those pursuing a career within health and safety management, and it builds on the foundations taught within IOSH Managing Safely.

Why Choose Kentec as your IOSH Training Provider?

We’ve detailed above the scenarios in which each course will be most suited to your requirements, but it’s also important to consider the provider who delivers your workplace training, with the following aspects essential:

• Experienced instructors with an understanding of your sector or industry
• Small class sizes to support an active and inclusive learning environment
• Options to learn both in-person and online with e-learning courses
• The ability to issue formal accreditations and certifications

Kentec Training delivers IOSH Managing Safely at our purpose-built training centres in Tonbridge, Ashford, and Glasgow, as well as privately on-site at any location of your choosing. Our highly experienced trainers ensure each participant is engaged and supported throughout.

Get training you can trust with Kentec!

Related Guides and Courses 

• IOSH-Approved Managing Safely eLearning Course
• IOSH Working Safely
• IOSH Managing Safely
• CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course

References

IOSH Training Courses: https://iosh.com/qualifications-and-courses/courses

IOSH Working Safely: https://iosh.com/qualifications-and-courses/courses/awareness-courses/

IOSH Managing Safely: https://iosh.com/qualIOSHns-and-courses/courses/managing-safely

CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course: https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/health-safety-and-environment-test/