An Introduction to IOSH Working Safely
IOSH Working Safely is one of the most widely taken health and safety courses in the UK, and for good reason — it gives every employee, regardless of role or industry, a solid grounding in workplace health and safety in a single day or less. It's often the first health and safety qualification an employee will take, and is a popular choice for induction programmes.
Why Send Employees on IOSH Working Safely?
As an employer, you have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide whatever information, instruction and training is necessary to keep your employees safe. Working Safely is a cost-effective way to meet that duty for your wider workforce — not just managers and supervisors, but everyone from new starters to long-serving staff who've never had formal training.
Employees who complete the course gain an accredited certificate from IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), the Chartered body for health and safety professionals and the largest health and safety membership organisation in the world, with more than 50,000 members across over 130 countries.
What Does the Course Cover?
IOSH Working Safely is built around five core modules, covering:
- Why health and safety matters, for individuals and organisations
- Defining hazards and risks
- Identifying common workplace hazards
- Improving safety performance
- Protecting our environment
The course can be delivered in a classroom over a single day, or via e-learning at the learner's own pace.
How Is the Course Assessed?
To gain the certificate, learners complete a closed-book multiple-choice test — typically around 20 minutes — along with a hazard-spotting exercise based on a workplace scenario. No course materials can be referred to during the assessment, so learners need to engage with the content as they go through it.
Building a Stronger Safety Culture
Beyond meeting your legal obligations, Working Safely helps build a genuinely stronger safety culture. Employees who understand basic risk concepts are more likely to spot hazards, raise concerns, and follow safe working methods — supporting the work of your managers and health and safety team in keeping everyone safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is IOSH Working Safely for?
It's designed for all employees, particularly those with no previous health and safety training — making it ideal for new starters, but equally valuable for existing staff who've never completed a formal course.
How long does IOSH Working Safely take?
The classroom course typically runs for one day. The e-learning version can usually be completed in around 6–8 hours, spread across multiple sessions over a longer access period.
What qualification do learners receive?
Successful learners receive an IOSH-accredited certificate, recognised by employers across the UK as evidence of basic health and safety awareness training.
Does Working Safely replace the need for job-specific training?
No — it provides general awareness, not training on the specific hazards of a particular role or piece of equipment. Job-specific training (such as manual handling, working at height, or COSHH) should be provided in addition, based on your risk assessments.