Posted By Anders Molko
Hi, i recently just finished a BSc in Environemtnal Health in Ireland. The main areas covered were food hygiene, Public HEalth, Environmental science and HEalth and Safety.

I did 8 months placement at an EHO office. Here in Ireland the job of the EHO is enforcing Food hygiene legislation. This was the only aspect of my course that i wasnt crazy about, whereas i enjoyed both the environmental and health and safety side. Therefore after college I got a job as a health and safety co-ordinator, my role is basically the assistent to the health and safety manager and i carry out risk assesments, deal with safety incidents, carry out traing etc. Its a junior role but im gaining good experience into the way health and safety works.

Im now not sure what to do next. I think if i want to pursue a career in Health and safety i will have to further my education, i have been looking into doing an Msc in ENvironemtnal Health aand Safety or RIsk Managment.

WOuld companies look for people that have diplomas in safety health and welfare at work, NEBOSH etc or would my degree and masters but more desirable? I feel i would be much more educated after the masters, but dont want to do it if it counts for nothing and potential employers want that specific diploma and certs.

Can anyone give me advice on anything else, or your opionion as to what would be my best course of action to be health and safety professional? Is it a good career choice? Potential salaries look good :-)

Posted By AHS
Anders


Try the SHP online and hsejobs.proboards92.com

Posted By AHS
Anders

Firstly you need to check that any degree you have is acceptable to IOSH for Graduate membership which it may not be as you took it in Ireland.

If its not then consider your options the NEBOSH diploma being one and probably the most well known.

Obviously I think it is an interesting career but to check the variety of jobs and renumeration you will need to have a look at recruitment type sites.

All the best.

Jerry

Posted By Dave Wilson
Its interesting that and EHO who is trained to enforce H&S law cannot get recognised by IOSH!

As an ex EHO myself I did the Diploma straight after qualifying as I did not work in a LA and it became apparent very quickly that I did not have a scooby about H&S except how to enforce it, it is not the EHO job to tell you how to comply but to let you know you don't!

If you are intereset in the Private Sector do a qualification which get you CMIOSH and that can be NEBOSH, NVQ etc or you can venture into the private sector as an EHO Consultant etc

Posted By Dave Wilson
Trust me mate the NEBOSH certainly covers a lot more than the stuff you would get on an EH BSc, although management and law do come into it and this part should be a doddle.

Posted By Anders Molko
How does one go about following this cognate route?

NEBOSH isnt really an option for me, as I live and work in Ireland it would have to be a course in Dublin, as other commitments mean i cant move to ENgland for the time being.

After doing some research i think the best option for me is the post graduate diploma in Safety health and welfare at work in DCU. This course is also recognised with IOSH and can be carried out part time so i can continue to work as a health and safety officer and gain experience while being educated.

Thoughts?