Written by Steven Mullan 05/01/2025
The IOSH Managing Safely exam is part of the internationally recognised IOSH Managing Safely course, designed to equip managers and supervisors with the skills needed to manage health and safety in the workplace effectively. The exam is a crucial step in earning the IOSH Managing Safely certificate, demonstrating a participant's understanding of the course content and their ability to apply health and safety principles in a practical setting.
What Does the Exam Involve?
The assessment consists of two key components:
1. Multiple-Choice Exam
You will be required to undertake a 60-minute multiple-choice test comprised of 30 questions.
For classroom learning, this is taken in person at the end of the course, or for virtual or online learners, this is taken online.
A score of at least 36 marks out of 60 is required to pass.
You must also conduct and submit a skill-based workplace risk assessment within two weeks of completing your learning materials. A template is provided for you.
You will need to score at least 23 out of 38 to pass.
Once your IOSH assessment is completed and your marks have been verified by IOSH, you will have immediate access to download your digital certificate through the IOSH portal
The questions cover the core modules of the course, such as
Identifying hazards and risks
Controlling risks effectively
Understanding health and safety responsibilities
Investigating incidents
Measuring performance
2. Practical Risk Assessment
The practical assessment tests your ability to apply the knowledge you've gained during the course in a real-world context. You will be required to:
Conduct a risk assessment in your workplace or a simulated environment
Identify hazards systematically
Evaluate and rate risks based on severity and likelihood
Propose appropriate control measures
This assessment is completed outside the classroom and must be submitted within a specific timeframe after the course.
Example of the IOSH Risk assessment.
Related topics, a guide to IOSH Risk Assessment: https://www.smsafetytraining.com/post/guide-to-iosh-risk-assessment.
How to Prepare for the IOSH Managing Safely Exam
Review Course Materials: Ensure you are familiar with the workbook, handouts, and key concepts discussed during the course.
Practise Sample Questions: Many training providers offer sample questions that mimic the exam format.
Understand Risk Assessments: Pay particular attention to the practical elements, as they make up a significant portion of the assessment.
Stay Organised: Plan your time effectively to complete both the multiple-choice exam and the risk assessment.
Examples of Multiple assessment questions.
1. Insert the most appropriate word from the options below into each of the two
statements:
financial | moral | legal | social | strategic |
Reducing the likelihood of fines and personal injury claims are __________________
reasons to manage safely.
It is not acceptable for workers to suffer injury and ill health as a result of doing their job.
This is a _________________ reason to manage safely.
2. Think about reducing risk in terms of likelihood and consequence. Which statement is correct? (Select one answer only from the following.)
a) you should only look at reducing the consequence of the hazardous event |
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b) reducing the likelihood of the hazardous event happening will reduce the risk |
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c) reducing both the likelihood and consequence will have no effect on reducing the risk |
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d) it is always possible to reduce risk to zero |
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3. Look at the incomplete diagram of the health and safety management system (shown below). Insert into each of thefour spaces the number of the most appropriate label from the four listed.
1. collect data | 2. review performance | 3. planning | 4. do |
4. Which two of the following are true?(Put a ✔ opposite the two statementsyou think are correct.)
a) if your work brings you into contact with the public, you are at a lower risk of attack |
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b) Manual handling activities are a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders |
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c) a fire can be started when only oxygen and heat are present |
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d) falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injury |
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5. Give one example of how chemicals can enter the body:
What Happens After the Exam?
After successfully passing both components, you will receive an IOSH Managing Safely certificate, which is internationally recognised and demonstrates your competence in health and safety management.
This certification enhances your professional credentials and empowers you to contribute to a safer, healthier workplace.
Are you in the forces, why not use your Standing Learning Credits (SLC) to offset the costs drop us an email or call.
Link to course page. https://www.smsafetytraining.com/health-safely-iosh-managing-safely
Call: 07540057755.
Related reading why IOSH Managing Safely course is essential for soldiers and service leavers. https://www.smsafetytraining.com/post/why-an-iosh-managing-safely-course-is-essential-for-soldiers.
Great post