IOSH Working Safely Course Syllabus

Part one: Introducing working safely

• Why it is important to work safely
• Who is responsible for safety and health in the workplace
• An organisation’s responsibilities for safety and health
• Who has responsibility for worker actions

Part two: Defining hazard and risk

• The six hazard groups:
  • mechanical
  • physical
  • chemical
  • environmental
  • biological
  • organisational
• Hazards that are not easy to identify
• What is meant by the terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’
• What is meant by the term ‘risk assessment’
• What is meant by the terms ‘likelihood’ and ‘consequence’
• Deciding on what actions to take to control risk
• What is meant by the term ‘reasonably practicable’

Part three: Identifying common hazards

• An overview of the following common hazards, including how they can cause harm
  and what can be done about them:
  • aggression and violence
  • asbestos
  • bullying
  • chemicals and harmful substances
  • computer workstations
  • confined spaces
  • drugs and alcohol
  • electricity
  • fire
  • getting in and out
  • heights
  • housekeeping
  • lighting
  • manual handling
  • noise
  • personal hygiene
  • plant and machinery
  • slips and trips
  • stress
  • temperature
  • vehicles and transport
  • welfare facilities

Part four: Improving safety performance

• What an organisation can do to manage and improve safety and health in the
  workplace
• Worker responsibilities for improving safety and health in the workplace
• How attitude and behaviour can affect safety and health in the workplace
• What a safe system of work is
• What a ‘permit to work’ is
• How safety signs can play an important part in communicating safety and health
  information
• Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• The safety and health of other people who may come on site, including contractors,
  visitors and members of the public
• The role of safety committees and worker representatives in safety and health
• Types of workplace inspections
• Emergency procedures
• What is meant by the terms ‘incident’, ‘accident’ and ‘near miss’
• Reporting incidents, including near misses and accidents
• First aid provision
• The role of the safety and health enforcement inspector
• Health surveillance and monitoring