IOSH Course Directory: Which Qualification Is Right for You?
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is 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. IOSH courses are recognised across every industry — but with several qualifications covering different roles and needs, it helps to know what each one is for.
IOSH Working Safely
IOSH Working Safely is the entry-level course for all employees, giving a foundation in workplace health and safety in a single day or less. Read our full guide to IOSH Working Safely.
IOSH Managing Safely
IOSH Managing Safely is aimed at managers and supervisors, covering risk assessment, control measures and incident investigation over three days, with a practical workplace-based assessment. Read our full guide to IOSH Managing Safely.
IOSH Managing Safely Refresher
For those who've previously completed the full Managing Safely course, the IOSH Managing Safely Refresher updates knowledge on legislation and best practice in a shorter format — helping keep skills current without repeating the full course.
IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
The IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course gives managers practical tools to support a healthy, productive workplace — covering both physical and mental health, and how management decisions affect employee wellbeing.
IOSH Managing Safely in Social Housing
A sector-specific version of Managing Safely, the IOSH Managing Safely in Social Housing course covers the health and safety responsibilities that come with managing or supervising in the social housing sector — including the particular hazards and tenant-facing considerations that arise in this environment.
IOSH Safety for Senior Executives and Directors
Designed for board-level audiences, IOSH Safety for Senior Executives and Directors covers the legal, financial and moral responsibilities of leadership — including the implications of corporate manslaughter legislation. Read our full guide to IOSH Safety for Senior Executives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IOSH course should I start with?
For most employees, IOSH Working Safely is the natural starting point. Anyone with management or supervisory responsibility should look at IOSH Managing Safely, while board-level leaders benefit most from Safety for Senior Executives and Directors.
Do IOSH qualifications expire?
IOSH recommends refresher training to keep knowledge current, particularly for Managing Safely, where the refresher course is specifically designed for this purpose.
Are sector-specific IOSH courses worth choosing over the general version?
If a sector-specific version exists for your industry — such as social housing — it can provide more directly relevant examples and context than the general course, while covering the same core syllabus.