IOSH Frequently Asked Questions
Commodious is an IOSH approved training provider and we often receive questions about IOSH and their qualifications. We have created a list of these questions, along with their answers, below:
What does IOSH stand for?
IOSH stands for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
IOSH stands for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), a Chartered body and leading membership organisation for safety and health professionals. IOSH has over 47,000 members worldwide, working in a diverse range of organisations in around 130 different countries
IOSH offer professional development programmes, events, helplines, and up-to-date technical advice. IOSH provide training and skills products and other IOSH approved courses that provide valuable knowledge, skills and qualifications for their members and colleagues.
What is IOSH?
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the Chartered body and largest membership organisation for health and safety professionals. They work with its members to help create safe, healthy and sustainable workplaces. IOSH was formed in 1945, a Chartered Membership of IOSH is recognised worldwide as the hallmark of professional excellence in workplace safety and health. Commodious are proud to be associated with IOSH and have associate partners who are chartered members of IOSH, furthermore Commodious are licensed by IOSH to provide online courses such as Working Safely and Managing Safely.
What is an IOSH qualification?
IOSH accredits several qualifications, such as its Working Safely and Managing Safely certificates. These are designed to provide IOSH members, and their colleagues, with the knowledge and skills they need to protect their health and safety at work.
What level is IOSH Managing Safely?
While it does not have an official level, the IOSH Managing Safely course is largely equivalent to a level 2 qualification. This is higher than the IOSH Working Safely course, which is similar to a level 1 qualification.
How long does it take to get an IOSH certificate?
It should take around 10 working days for successful completion of the final assessment to receive your IOSH certificate.
This is because we need to pass on your results to IOSH, who will create your certificate and send it to us. We will then send you a scan of the certificate and forward it to you.
How do I verify an IOSH Managing Safely certificate?
All IOSH certificates can be verified using their online checker tool. They will need the name, certificate number and course name listed on the certificate in order to do so.
Commodious also provides a certificate validation tool, which can be used to verify the IOSH Managing Safely receipt, as well as any other certificates we have issued.
Do you need a CSCS card if you have an IOSH certificate?
CSCS cards are used as a way of proving that you are suitably skilled and have the necessary training to work on a construction site. Depending on your workplace and employer, they may be required before you can access a site.
IOSH certificates are a great way of developing your skills and knowledge of health and safety in the workplace, but they cannot be used as a replacement for the CSCS card if you require one for your job. However, IOSH does provide a course called 'Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers' which can be used to apply for a CSCS Labourer card.
How do I get an IOSH membership?
You can get an IOSH membership by visiting the IOSH website. There are several different types of membership, which can be viewed using the same link, that are designed to suit people with different qualifications and levels of experience.
How long does an IOSH qualification last?
IOSH certificates do not have an expiry date. However, IOSH recommends that a person receives refresher training every 3 years to make sure that their health and safety knowledge is up-to-date.
Which is better: OSHA or IOSH?
OSHA and IOSH are both concerned with health and safety, but are significantly different organisations.
OSHA is the body that regulates health and safety in the USA, making it similar in role to the HSE, while IOSH is a Chartered body for health and safety professionals.
How is IOSH Managing Safely assessed?
The IOSH Managing Safely assessment is split into two parts:
- A multiple-choice question paper, which is completed online.
- A risk assessment project, which is completed in the workplace.
Which IOSH course is best?
No one IOSH training course is better than another, they are just designed for different roles and workplaces. If you are a manager or supervisor responsible for managing the health and safety of others, the IOSH Managing Safely course will be the most appropriate for you.
For all other employees, and those that are interested in workplace health and safety, the IOSH Working Safely course will be more appropriate.
If you would like more information about the IOSH courses we provide, click here to visit our IOSH page.
What are the benefits of doing IOSH Managing Safely?
The IOSH Managing Safely course has a significant number of benefits:
- Provides managers with the knowledge they need to better protect their staff.
- Increase productivity.
- Improve their organisation's reputation and safety awareness culture.
- Provides learners with a great foundation on which to enrol in further study and pursue a career in health and safety management.
What is the pass rate for IOSH Managing Safely?
The pass rate for Commodious' IOSH Managing Safely course is 100%! This is because our price includes two exam attempts and any additional enrolments required.
How long does it take to complete IOSH Managing Safely?
How long it takes to complete IOSH Managing Safely will vary depending on the provider and how the course is delivered. Our online IOSH Managing Safely course takes approximately 22 hours to complete. The IOSH managing safely course consists of 7 modules, with a theory exam and then a practical project that has to be submitted for marking. To study the 7 interactive modules and take the theory exam will take most people a good 8 hours (less if you have some health & safety knowledge), the practical project should take no more than 2 hours.
What can you do with IOSH Managing Safely?
IOSH Managing Safely is a health and safety course, which means that the knowledge and skills gained from it can be used to protect your employees and improve the safety of your workplace. It can also be used as a foundation for further health and safety training.
Who should attend IOSH Managing Safely?
IOSH Managing Safely is a training course designed for managers, supervisors, and anyone involved in an organisation's health and safety management process.
How many resits are learners allowed?
Learners taking any of our IOSH-approved courses can re-enrol as many times as they need to pass the course.
What are the different levels of membership for IOSH certification?
There are several different levels of IOSH membership, including Affiliate, Associate and Graduate. A person's membership level is determined by their qualifications and experience.
For more information on the different levels of IOSH membership, click here to visit the IOSH website.
Do you need IOSH before NEBOSH?
No, an IOSH certificate is not required to be able to complete a NEBOSH course. However, completing an IOSH course will provide learners with an understanding of health and safety that they can build upon when completing a NEBOSH qualification.
Is the IOSH exam difficult?
The IOSH exams are designed to test learners on the knowledge that they have gained during the course, so it should not be too difficult for those that have fully engaged with the material. However, if a learner does fail an IOSH course provided by Commodious, they can re-enrol as many times as required until they pass, which reduces the pressure of the exam significantly!
Can you do IOSH online?
Many IOSH courses can be completed online, including their Managing Safely and Working Safely courses. This is ideal for those who cannot attend a classroom course, or who need the flexibility to complete the course in their own time and at their own pace.
Where is IOSH recognised?
IOSH is an awarding body that issues internationally recognised certificates. This means that holding an IOSH qualification will demonstrate your knowledge of health and safety in almost every country worldwide.
