We have been providing IOSH Managing Safely training to a wide range of clients over a number of years, through both open courses and in-house delivery.  These training sessions continue to show us the importance and value of the IOSH course, as many supervisors and managers have a limited knowledge before attending.

The importance of well trained personnel cannot be over emphasised because it’s people that make health and safety systems work –  this is especially important at manager and supervisor level.  So what does the IOSH course provide that works so well?

• Firstly it’s an internationally recognised qualification that is seen by the HSE as being a benchmark for managers and supervisors.
• Additionally, the course provides an effective interactive approach that keeps the interest of the delegates.
• When well delivered it should also challenge the thinking of the attendees.

Generally we would suggest that for this to work well it needs to be delivered by trainers with a hands-on practical health and safety background.  Unfortunately we see many trainers who just deliver the IOSH course and fail to add value and experience into the training.

Some time back we were asked by a large paper manufacturer to deliver IOSH across all of their managers and supervisors.   They had come to MESH because we had the practical knowledge and experience mentioned above ,and other trainers they talked to were just all theory and no substance (in what they had to offer).

We realised these guys were well versed in completing risk assessments and developing safe operating procedures but wanted to be challenged on what could be improved.  The delivery of in-house sessions at their training facilities over the last 20 months has helped in challenging their thinking and way of approaching health and safety.  Only last month a session with 11 managers in Somerset looked at how the findings of risk assessments could be better communicated to their workers.

We recommend that any business would benefit from the IOSH training; it won`t make managers and supervisors health and safety experts but it will help to improve the way they approach health and safety.