Posted By steve jones
Hi,

wondered why you want to change? i moved from retail health and safety to full time health and safety and now find it very challenging and in a field where you will always be in demand.

Posted By ITK CMIOSH
I suspect most, if not all of us have thought of throwing it all in for "something better".

Some days when I feel as though I am seen only as some rule based bureaucrat I wonder why I bother.

Then other days when I really feel as though my actions may have prevented someone having an accident or suffering ill health at work I think it is the best job in the world.

Posted By TBC
Had enough? It just depends on the company as others have said. I have worked with some who take it seriously and try very hard. I have also worked for some who think they take it seriously, but just don't get around to getting on with it and others who just want paperwork in place. Maybe I should have stuck to training in H&S - I really like that.

I have just been given redundancy yet again (third time). Why? Internal changes etc. I had given clues that I wouldn't mind going in this instance though. Where am I going at a young age of 58 - South of France.

Had I been with a company that took H&S seriously I would probably have thought twice about it, but you takes your chances.

I often thought that I had been around a long time when I see the same or similar threads appearing in the forum.

I will still look at forum on occasions though to help and give where I can.

Regards

Posted By TBC
Thanks Ian but what rest? - We've just bought the farm, two vintage cars (a Citroen and a Chenard Walcker)in running order to be used as wedding cars etc. We're also buying a gites to let out. But yes the weather will help my old creaking bones.

Regards

Posted By MetalMan
Thanks all for the responses. I have to say that my initial request for responses was more down to frustration with the seemingly endless ridiculous requests that employers or LA's are making of us as a profession rather than any problems I am having personally at work. I have to be honest though and say that perhaps I do question whether this is really the sort of profession I could continue to work in long term. Does anyone else have these thoughts or am I the only one?

Posted By MAK
Metalman,

No, youre not the only one, been in the role of PS for 5 years now and initially took the job, possibly in niavety, to "make a difference". I dont think anything Ive done has done that as I seriously feel that I've been in a position more to prevent prosecutions from ensuring paperwork says what its supposed to, than to reduce accidents and prevent injury i.e by creating and offering H&S solutions, despite modestly thinking im good at what i do and heavily investing in this career, resource-wise.
Essentially I have no authority, and my input to a construction project if you think of involvment being equal in terms of costs can amount from less than 1% to approx 3% depending on construction costs and framework agreements.


I cant see myself being in this job for the next 20 years or so because of endless changes in legislation and years of ensuing industry confusion becaue of it, constantly changing and more expensive hoops to become percieved as competent are equally frustrating and depressing.

I do however retain my niavety to some extent as written above, there are other postions/industries out there with other more rewarding and fulfilling possiblilities.

Perhaps I have just succumbed to complacency for an easy life?!!


Footnote: this is not intended as yet another debate on CDM, just a personal response to Metalmans post

Posted By Steve Cartwright
Most people get fed up with their job after a while what ever their profession. If you are on £15000 year its not a very good job, but if you are on £40000 a year then its a good job. An ex colleague used to be a solicitor. She studied late on in life, got her law degree and became a solicitor. Stuck it for 3 years and could not waite to pack it in. She is now working in HR and loves it.

Most companies see H&S as a necessary evil, so you are not on your own. I used to be a Team Leader managing 18 people. It was the worst job I've ever had. Stuck it for 10 years because the money was quite good. All I have to do now is observe, report and advise management on what they have to do. I've also just won an award for the company for the smoking cessation project I am running. I am now looking at my next project arranging for the blood tub to come on site so staff can give blood. Not only is it very cheap it is good PR for you and your company.

My advice would be to stick at it. Trust me when you've worked in 100 degrees of heat, sweat running down your forehead and dripping onto your glasses and manually handling large plant around a factory or working on a building site in all weathers, being a H&S Advisor/Manager is a doddle.

Posted By Richard Beevers
Metalman,
I wouldn't give up unless you've tried H&S in at least 2 companies. I was all up for quitting in December. I thought I hated safety, but really I just hated a boss who never gave me credit, stole my ideas, and wasn't going to retire soon.

All it took was a look in SHP, saw a job, applied, got it, and am now working even longer hours, but with a SMILE ON MY FACE :-).

Don't give up. Think of it as employment ergonomics -make the job fit you.

Posted By MetalMan
Good replies, thanks. As I have said I have a good job, well paid, little stress,people listen to me most of the time,no travelling, quite cushy in fact,and I'm pretty good at my job, that's not the problem. Dare I say it? I just find it all a little bit boring.I do enjoy making a difference and potentially saving lives, don't get me wrong. I maybe need to find an area of Health and Safety that is a little bit more dynamic for my own tastes.

Posted By Beau
As EVERYBODY has said its up and down. There has to be nothing more frustrating than beating the 'Safety First' Drum then having the rug completely pulled from underneath you in favour of production or whatever.

Then of course having to rebuild trust within the workforce when your management weight has meant nothing in terms of protecting them - and they know it!! (Bitter from very recent experience!!)

Whether it is industry, company or individual managers that make the difference Im not sure and Im sure it varies. Maybe experience and variation is the key to find out!!!

Posted By Philby'
Metalman,

haven't been here for a while so only just read your thread....

to answer your last question, go on the job centre website, on the search criteria there is a tickbox section where security is lumped in with safety (or viceversa)....have a look at what they want from you...from experience with looking for 'alternatives' some of the safety/security jobs are combined...you could go for one of these and then move further into security when you have more experience.

In answer to your original question...YES, and so is my wife, not that I bore her with H&S, more to do with getting bored at my moaning about H&S, or more accurately, moaning about the daily grind with managers who want paper and no action....I always thought of myself as the other way round so am now exploring 'other avenues'!

all the best with your search for Nirvana and Karma, and long may your boredom be just a memory....

Philby'

Posted By Philby'
Thanks Metalman...

may just have found a role...completely different and will hopefully get me less stressed and fit again!

2 friends, one with small-holding, one with RHS qualification and experience, and now with the will to go it alone, are starting a new landscaping business....I've been enlisted to advise and have been offered waged role with equal share in business (safety/management/hard landscaping, variety, the spice of life)...big step but something tells me that I may well jump ship...possibly!?!

Philby'

Posted By Descarte
MetalMan, it sounds to me like you are after a new challenge in a different area in a more exciting or rewarding sector. I enjoyed a years stint as a police safety advisor for a large constabulary, would certainly recommend it. A responsability where training can mean life or death, people WANT to wear their PPE and many many exciting challanges and opportunities. Noise exposure in firing ranges, dog vans and helecopters, everyday questions like we have found a dead body in the actic of a building but believe theres asbestos in there what shall we do, safety inspections of cell and holding areas for ligature opints for prisoner safety, checking suicide kits instead of first aid kits, it goes on, please feel free to email if you would like more information.