IOSH Ethical

Practice in OSH
e-learning and
Assessment
Summary guidance
IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and Assessment
Train in the ethics for our profession
Ethical practice is extremely important in ensuring public trust and upholding the reputation
of our profession.
The new IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and Assessment provides up-to-date
content on ethical considerations that affect organisations and the health and safety
profession in the widest sense. And it’s available free to all members in Blueprint.
We are making this a requirement for our Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows, as we
expect them to lead the profession by demonstrating the highest standards of professional
conduct at work and in their dealings with the public. But we would encourage all members
to do this and keep their knowledge current.
Here’s why.
IOSH’s vision is a safe and healthy world of work – and we are dedicated to promoting the
highest standards in our profession.

Central to this is our commitment to uphold ethical behaviour. The way in which we go about
our work and the decisions we make are important, because the wrong decision, or a
decision implemented badly, can have a significant impact on people’s lives.

Individually and collectively as occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals, we can
help to improve the lives of others by:
• behaving ethically in our decision-making
• challenging others on their decisions
• being transparent about what we are doing and why
• being role models for our professional values.

Our expected standards of ethical behaviour are described in the IOSH Ethical Practice in
OSH e-learning and Assessment.

Read on for more information and check out our accompanying FAQs in the Blueprint help
and support section.

What is ethical practice?

Ethical practice is about:

While the focus of ethical behaviour and practice is broad, it is expected that OSH
professionals are able and willing to “influence, support and implement strategies and plans
that will be beneficial to the organisation, employees and the environment” – as described in
our competency framework.

Ethics is the application of ethical values to business behaviour. It goes beyond the legal
requirements for a company and is about discretionary decisions and behaviour guided by
values.
What might constitute ‘professional standards and behaviours’ is subject to debate. So it’s
important that as much subjectivity as possible is removed, because the implications of
failure can lead to personal harm or environmental damage, as well as potential loss of
revenues, profit and reputation.

Ethics is relevant both to our conduct as individuals and the conduct of our organisations as
a whole. It applies to all aspects of business conduct, from boardroom strategies and how
employees and contractors are treated to how the organisation conducts and delivers its
business.

Why is ethical practice important to OSH professionals?

Ethics underpins everything we do as OSH professionals, whether we’re just starting out or
have many years of experience.

Facing an ethical dilemma is never easy, so a good and current understanding of ethical
issues will help. Sometimes, dilemmas can be full of grey areas, where it is not clear what
the next steps should be. Reminding ourselves of our ethical code and applying this to a
situation as it arises can help us take the right course of action.

Behaving ethically is at the heart of what it means to be a professional – it distinguishes us

Why is ethical practice important to organisations?

Organisations are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate ethical behaviour. Those that
do reap the benefits, which go beyond an enhanced reputation.

An organisation that is perceived to act ethically by employees can realise positive benefits
and improved business outcomes. The perception of ethical behaviour can increase
employee performance, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and trust. Responsible
businesses that are socially and environmentally responsible generally have an edge over
others.

What does this mean for IOSH members?

At its most simplistic level, ethical practice is about behaving and doing things in an ethical
way. All IOSH members are encouraged to undertake our e-learning and A
ssessment to keep up to date with current practice. And it’s mandatory for Chartered
Members and Chartered Fellows to maintain their professional status.

As OSH professionals, our expected standards of behaviour have been prescribed in IOSH’s
Code of Conduct, which is built around four pillars.
Integrity – being honest, applying the law as a minimum standard and avoiding conflicts of
interest.
Competence – possessing the right levels of knowledge, skills, experience and, where
appropriate, qualifications. Undertaking and recording CPD.
Respect – abiding by the IOSH Charter, Byelaws and Regulations. Always acting
reasonably and being considerate of the rights and privacy of others.
Service – carrying out work in a professional manner in all respects. Ensuring that advice
provided is accurate and adequate professional indemnity insurance is maintained when
providing consultancy services.

Our IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and Assessment is regularly reviewed and
updated to maintain currency in changing times.
IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With over 48,000
members in more than 130 countries, we’re the world’s largest professional health
and safety organisation.

We set standards and support, develop and connect our members with resources,
guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession and campaign on
issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.

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Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

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