IOSH Working Safely vs. Managing Safely Course Comparison

Choosing the right health and safety training course is essential for building a safer, more competent workforce. IOSH offers two widely recognised courses: Working Safely and Managing Safely.

While both aim to improve safety performance, they serve very different purposes and are designed for different levels of responsibility.

Understanding how these IOSH training courses compare can help you choose the most effective training for your teams, whether they need a simple introduction to everyday hazards or a deeper programme focused on leadership, legal duties, and risk management.

This blog details the differences between the Working Safely and Managing Safely courses, and will help you choose the right course for your employees.

IOSH Working Safely vs Managing Safely

To start, let’s look at the differences between both courses. Below, is a comparison table highlighting key aspects of the IOSH Working Safely and IOSH Managing Safely courses:

Category	IOSH Working Safely	IOSH Managing Safely
Course Duration	1 day	Around 3 days
Target Audience	All employees; frontline staff; newcomers	Managers, supervisors, team leaders
Focus	Basic hazard awareness and personal responsibility	Managing risks, legal duties, incident investigation, leadership
Course Depth	Entry-level, practical overview	More detailed, covering management processes and decision-making
Learning Style	Simple, engaging, activity-based	Scenario-led, applied learning with group discussions
Assessment	Short test + hazard-spotting exercise	Exam + workplace-based project
Outcome	Understanding of safe behaviour and everyday risk	Ability to manage health and safety within a team or department
Certification	IOSH Working Safely certificate	IOSH Managing Safely certificate
Progression	Good foundation for further training	Strong basis for advanced courses like NEBOSH

If you’re still unsure of which course is best suited for your employees, below are detailed descriptions of each course to help you pick the best option.

IOSH Working Safely: what it is and who it’s for

Employee working in hard hat and high vis vest

IOSH Working Safely is a short, practical course designed to give people at any level a solid understanding of the essentials of workplace health and safety.

Rather than focusing on complex legislation, it introduces the core principles of risk, hazard awareness, and individual responsibility in a simple, engaging way.

The course helps participants recognise common workplace dangers, understand why safe behaviour matters, and learn how their actions can prevent accidents and support a healthier working environment.

It’s ideal for newcomers, frontline staff, temporary workers, or anyone who wants to build a strong foundation before progressing to more advanced IOSH or NEBOSH qualifications.

Here are some key points about IOSH Working Safely:

Course duration: Typically delivered in one full day, making it quick, accessible, and easy to fit around work schedules.

Focus: Emphasises the essentials of health and safety, including hazard spotting, risk control, and personal responsibility.

Course depth: Designed as an entry-level course, it avoids technical jargon and complex legislation, focusing instead on practical understanding.

Learning style: Uses interactive activities, and real-world examples to reinforce safe behaviour and build confidence.

Assessment: Includes a short multiple-choice test and a hazard-spotting exercise, ensuring learners can apply what they’ve learned.

Outcome: Provides a solid foundation in workplace safety, helping participants understand their role in creating a safer environment.

Certification: Successful participants receive an IOSH Working Safely certificate, recognised by employers across sectors.

Best suited to: Employees at any level, especially newcomers, frontline staff, or those needing a basic understanding of health and safety before further training.

IOSH Managing Safely: what it is and who it’s for

IOSH Managing Safely is a widely recognised course designed to give managers and supervisors the knowledge and confidence to handle health and safety responsibilities effectively.

The course goes beyond basic awareness, providing a deeper understanding of risk assessment, incident investigation, legal responsibilities, and how to implement practical safety controls within day-to-day operations.

Its focus is on developing proactive leadership behaviours that help reduce risks, improve workplace culture, and ensure teams work safely and responsibly.

This course is best suited to managers, team leaders, supervisors, and anyone with responsibility for people or processes, particularly in environments where consistent safety management is essential.

Here are some key points about IOSH Managing Safely:

Course duration: Typically delivered over three days, either consecutively or spread across several weeks, depending on the provider.

Focus: Designed to help managers and supervisors understand, manage, and improve workplace health and safety, with emphasis on leadership and accountability.

Course depth: More detailed than entry-level training, covering risk assessment, incident investigation, performance measurement, and legal responsibilities.

Learning style: Combines practical exercises, real-world scenarios, interactive modules, and group discussions to build applied competence.

Assessment: Includes a formal exam and a workplace-based project, ensuring participants can translate their learning into practical improvements.

Outcome: Equips leaders to make informed decisions, reduce risks, and contribute to a positive safety culture within their teams.

Certification: Successful learners receive the IOSH Managing Safely certificate, widely recognised by employers and industry bodies.

Best suited to: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and anyone with responsibility for people, processes, or safety performance, especially in medium- to high-risk environments.

Learn more about our courses

Both these courses strengthen workplace safety, but each serves a different purpose. By matching the right training to the right roles, organisations can build safer behaviours, stronger leadership, and a more positive safety culture across the business.

You can learn more about both these IOSH courses on our IOSH FAQs page.

Why choose British Safety Council for IOSH training?

When booking one of these courses with British Safety Council, students benefit from using an established, globally recognised training provider trusted in more than 95 countries.

Our Pass Promise means we continue to support anyone who does not pass first time. With high pass rates, a Trustpilot score of 4.7 and an NPS rating of 66, British Safety Council is recognised for strong learner outcomes and trusted delivery. As a charity, we reinvest our surplus into improving workplace health, safety and wellbeing. By choosing us, you’re also supporting positive change beyond your training.

We offer flexible ways to learn, including self-paced digital learning, virtual classrooms, face-to-face classroom training, in company training or a blended approach. Courses can fit around different roles and schedules, and unlike many providers, all study materials and resources are included.

We are also one of the only providers to offer both parts of the IOSH assessment completely online, with instant results and feedback for both the multiple-choice test and the risk assessment project. Learners have access to our digital Learning Zone for course materials and resources. They also benefit from our interactive Study Support Hub. This provides structured study support, including tutor feedback and access to dedicated study support advisors.