A popular question we are often asked is, “What is the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH? Which one should I take?”
As organisations vary in size and structure, there is no definitive answer to this question and the choice depends very much on you and your needs.
In this article you will find all the information you need to choose the most suitable health and safety courses for yourself, your employees or your business.
A Little Background on IOSH and NEBOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) are the two most widely recognised HSE accreditations in the world.
Both IOSH and NEBOSH do not actually provide training courses. Rather, they design programmes, syllabuses, assessments and examinations for accredited training providers, such as Cortex Training & Development, to deliver.
IOSH is the Chartered membership body for health and safety professionals that also offers qualifications. It is based in the UK but is the largest health and safety organisation in the world with 48,000 members and growing.
It is self-regulating and governing, which means it is widely trusted and highly respected. Every year, nearly 180,000 people from a range of different industries attend IOSH training courses.
NEBOSH is an awarding body that is also based in the UK but offers internationally recognised qualifications designed to ensure health, safety and environmental management standards in the workplace. Every year, more than 50,000 people enrol onto NEBOSH courses.
It has some of the most sought-after health and safety qualifications in the world and learners come from all types of backgrounds, industries and sectors, as well as national and local government organisations.
Difference Between IOSH and NEBOSH Courses
IOSH and NEBOSH qualifications are both accepted and highly-respected in the field of health and safety and those who wish to further their education in this area, whether or not they work specifically in this field, could benefit from achieving them.
For many in Brunei, these qualifications are the springboard to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become more qualified in the field of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).
While IOSH courses focus on delivering valuable information in more modular content blocks, NEBOSH courses tend to be more ‘academic’, requiring longer periods of study with more rigorous examinations. Our IOSH Managing Safely is a 4-day course, and our NEBOSH International General Certificate (NEBOSH IGC) is 10 days – so there is an obvious difference in the depth of what is covered in the training.
When to take IOSH courses
If you have no or minimal health and safety responsibilities, work in a low-risk environment or are just taking your first steps in health and safety, IOSH courses are designed to help you develop an understanding of HSE and give you the tools you need to start assessing and controlling risks and hazards and investigating incidents.
For many managers and supervisors, the IOSH Managing Safely is sufficient to meet key requirements as it covers the same legal and practical fundamentals as the NEBOSH IGC.
A good rule of thumb is that if you are a working professional responsible for the activities and management of a team of people in your job and are essentially responsible for their performance and well-being, then IOSH Managing Safely is for you.
When to take NEBOSH courses
NEBOSH courses emphasise management topics that include safety management systems and risk assessment, as well as identification of common hazards and their control. This includes dealing with work equipment, electricity, fire, chemicals, etc.
It involves a deeper dive into the roles and responsibilities of a health and safety professional and provides a solid foundation for managers and supervisors, as well as those entering the health and safety profession.
Many large companies and governments around the world consider NEBOSH qualifications to be the gold standard and many employers seek the NEBOSH IGC when recruiting health and safety professionals.
If you have health and safety management responsibilities, want to pursue a career or expand your knowledge in health and safety, then the NEBOSH IGC is definitely for you.
Value of Certification in Brunei Darussalam
Certifications obtained from either IOSH or NEBOSH are considered to be of the highest quality and are certainly a very good addition to any CV. The course content is of a high standard and ensures that delegates acquire the right skills and knowledge to assess and implement health and safety standards in their organisations across a range of industries and in compliance with relevant legislation.
Upon completion of the IOSH Managing Safely course, you will receive a certificate directly from IOSH. This certificate fulfills the minimum qualification requirement for an individual to be approved by SHENA to act as a Workplace Safety and Health Co-cordinator.
Upon completion of the NEBOSH IGC, you will receive a qualification parchment directly from NEBOSH. This qualification fulfills the minimum qualification requirement for an individual to be approved by SHENA to act as a Workplace Safety and Health Officer.
In addition, the NEBOSH IGC is accredited by Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council (BDNAC).
Summary & Key Points
Even though there are no absolutes when it comes to health and safety and there are many ways you can learn and gain experience, it is important to get certified.
Remember that the primary objective is to ensure that you, your employees, contractors and the public are not exposed to undue harm as a result of your organisation’s activities. IOSH and NEBOSH have been proven to improve HSE standards worldwide when the lessons learnt in their courses are implemented in the workplace.
- IOSH is a Chartered body with a membership framework, while NEBOSH is an awarding body and examination board.
- If you want to pursue a career in health and safety, you should consider taking the NEBOSH IGC. However, if you are not in the health and safety field, but would like to heighten your hazard perception and risk assessment know-how, IOSH Managing Safely may be just what you are looking for.
- Health and safety management in the workplace is crucial for any organisation, as employees need to be confident that they will be safe at work. While there are many ways to gain knowledge and experience to do this, getting properly certified in health and safety is a legal requirement in many countries.
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Why Choose Cortex Training & Development?
- We are accredited by SHENA and Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council (BDNAC) Ref. KP/MKPK/B/139(1a).
- Highly rated and dedicated in-house tutors who are active members of IOSH and NEBOSH.
- Quality training with interactive quizzes, group activities, syndicate exercises, daily revision tests and model exams.
- Effective and results-oriented learning environment.
- Latest pass exam question banks to be explored with our experienced trainers.
- Unlimited training and support from tutors until you pass the exam.
- FREE pre-registration and HSE career advice from our tutors.
