When it comes to workplace health and safety, getting the proper training for your team is more than just ticking a compliance box — it’s about protecting people, improving productivity, and building a stronger business. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) offers globally recognised courses that help managers and supervisors develop the skills to keep workplaces safe and healthy.
At River Training Services, we deliver two key IOSH courses: IOSH Managing Safely and IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing. Both are highly valuable, but they focus on different aspects of safety and health. This guide will help you understand the difference so you can choose the course that best suits your team’s roles and responsibilities.
Why IOSH Training Matters for Your Business
Every business has a legal and moral responsibility to protect employees, contractors, and visitors. But beyond compliance, there’s a strong business case for investing in safety and health training:
- Reduce accidents and sickness absence – Fewer incidents mean less downtime and fewer lost working days.
- Boost productivity – Healthy, well-trained staff work more efficiently and with greater engagement.
- Enhance your reputation – Demonstrating a commitment to safety strengthens relationships with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Increase staff confidence – When employees feel safe and supported, morale improves.
IOSH courses give your managers and supervisors practical skills they can apply immediately, ensuring safety and health are part of everyday business practice.
Course 1: IOSH Managing Safely
Best for: Managers and supervisors in any sector who need a practical understanding of workplace safety and risk management.
Duration: 3 days
Cost: £450.00 + VAT
Location: Oberoi Business Hub, Derby (all 3 days must be completed at the same location)
What It Covers
IOSH Managing Safely equips managers and supervisors with the knowledge and tools to handle the safety and health issues they’re responsible for. While it won’t turn them into safety experts, it ensures they’re confident in taking practical actions to keep people safe.
The course covers:
- Assessing risks – Identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and deciding on control measures.
- Controlling risks – Understanding how to eliminate or reduce risks effectively.
- Understanding responsibilities – Legal and organisational duties for safety and health.
- Understanding hazards – Spotting workplace dangers and knowing how to address them.
- Investigating incidents – How to find the root cause of accidents and prevent recurrence.
- Measuring performance – Tracking and improving safety performance in the workplace.
Benefits for Your Business
- Globally recognised certification – Reassures clients and stakeholders that your management team is competent in safety leadership.
- Improved safety culture – Managers who lead by example inspire safer behaviours throughout the workforce.
- Fewer incidents and absences – Less disruption, more productivity.
If your managers oversee teams, supervise projects, or have any responsibility for workplace safety, this is the course they should take. Find out more here.
Course 2: IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
Best for: Managers, HR professionals, or team leaders looking to promote and manage employee health, wellbeing, and workplace productivity.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: £160.00 + VAT
Location: Flexible options
What It Covers
This course focuses on the health and wellbeing side of workplace safety — an increasingly important area for modern businesses. With sickness absence due to mental ill health alone costing the UK economy more than £8 billion per year, employers can’t afford to ignore the impact of wellbeing on performance.
The course includes:
- A healthy company – Why health and wellbeing management makes good business sense.
- Health risk management – Identifying and mitigating risks to employee health.
- Fitness for work – Managing fluctuations in people’s health status effectively.
- Wellbeing programmes – Designing initiatives that support staff and add value to the business.
Benefits for Your Business
- Happier, healthier staff – Boost morale and engagement by showing you value your team’s wellbeing.
- Reduced absenteeism – Proactively managing health risks means fewer sick days.
- Enhanced productivity – Healthy employees perform better, think more creatively, and contribute more effectively.
This course is an ideal choice if your business wants to improve employee well-being and reduce health-related productivity losses. Find out more here.
Choosing the Right Course for Your Team
The right IOSH course depends on the roles and responsibilities of your staff:
| Role | Recommended Course | Why? |
| Operational Managers | IOSH Managing Safely | Ensures they understand risks, responsibilities, and day-to-day safety management. |
| Supervisors/Team Leaders | IOSH Managing Safely | Gives them the skills to lead safely and prevent accidents. |
| HR Managers | IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing | Equips them to develop policies and programmes that support mental and physical health. |
| Wellbeing Champions | IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing | Helps them promote and monitor effective wellbeing initiatives. |
| Small Business Owners | Both | Managing Safely for legal compliance and risk management; Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing for a healthier, more productive workforce. |
Why Choose River Training Services for IOSH Courses?
- Expert trainers – Our tutors have real-world industry experience and understand the challenges businesses face.
- Flexible delivery – We offer training in a way that works for your schedule and business needs.
- Proven results – Our delegates consistently report improved confidence, knowledge, and ability to apply what they’ve learned.
- Quality assurance – Courses are quality-controlled by IOSH, ensuring you get the highest training standards.
Final Thoughts
Workplace safety and wellbeing aren’t just compliance requirements — they’re essential for building a successful, sustainable business. Choosing the right IOSH course for your team ensures you give your managers and supervisors the tools to lead confidently, protect your people, and boost productivity.
Whether you need the practical safety skills from IOSH Managing Safely or the health-focused approach of IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing, investing in training today will deliver measurable benefits for years to come.