Posted By Tony Lawton Hello :] I am aiming to make a start in the health and safety field. I am 40 this October, currently work as a supervisor for Manchester Airport covering a wide range of shift times, making it near enough impossible to take time to attend any college / course. I passed my NEBOSH General cert in 1998 while in-between jobs, through attending a local college for 2 days a week over 6 months, which was very worthwhile. However, i have not had to put any of that knowledge to use in the career choices made since then, so unfortunately a lot will be forgotten. From suggestions i have read, it seems I should aim for the NEBOSH diploma through a distance learning course, which seems logical as i can study in the free times that i do have. I would like some feedback as to any particular course that people here have taken, as i am aware the financial cost is quite high and prefer to take advice on any specific course that people found worthwhile. Secondly, is any literature that I should be reading with this aim in mind? I have ordered Ian Coombes Study Book for Unit A as well as Strak's H&S Law, is there any other material i really should be getting? Lastly, I have approached the H&S department at the airport to see if i can arrange for some practical 'shadowing' experience, however this does not look too promising as it would involve time away from my current work role, unlikely to be granted in all honesty. I have also approached my current employers with a view to developing and training me in this direction; I do not hold much hope of support here, therefore any progress will have to be done without such support. The main doubt i have is naturally my age, and ask the question 'am I too late to start studying for this, when at the end of the day I lack real health and safety experience in the workplace in such a role?' Any advice would we welcome to help guide this career change. Thanks Tony

Posted By Philip McAleenan Tony, As a Supervisor you are in an excellent position to make “Health & Safety” work in a concrete and practical way than you would be working in the abstract. Health and safety is not an adjunct to work but an integral part of it. As a supervisor, awareness of and guidance on H&S matter to those whom you supervise is part and parcel of what supervision is about. Likewise with regards to your NEBOSH studies several years ago, regardless of what job you have, the lessons learned from that program are to be applied in the workplace and not held in abeyance until you become a “safety person”. These courses, and other similar programs, are not for health and safety “practitioners” but for all people at work, and are to be applied in all appropriate circumstances. Consider this; is it not contradictory to seek a career path whereby you will advise supervisors on H&S if you yourself have not yet applied that knowledge as a supervisor? You are at the coalface of H&S now. Review your previous learning. Review what your are doing at present (maybe you are “doing” H&S without realising it). Get an appreciation of what H&S is (rather than what an H&S career is) before embarking on higher-level courses. Consider also supervisory and management courses as ultimately (and correctly so) management has a greater impact on safety than safety advisers. Regards, Philip

Posted By lyn ellis There is a health and safety officer post advertised in the Safety Practitioner this month at Manchester Airport. Why don't you approach the department again. It does state that you should be CMIOSH but you may be considered..... It's worth a try. Good Luck. Incidentally, I trained as a nurse originally and after studying further, became a health and safety advisor at the age of 37.

Posted By jonr I changed direction at age 50 and landed my first health and safety role aged 51, ten months ago (with limited h and s experience during my fire service career). I recommend the diploma (currently awaiting results), although the assignments must be very difficult to complete without being occupied in a h and s role. I suggest applying for jobs (40 is nothing nowadays and h and S is one area in which experience and wisdom ,which don't always go hand in hand, are valued). An alternative might be to shadow your people in your own time, perhaps an hour before or after your shift starts a few times a week. You learn most from other people, not from books so in interviews this added knowledge would come across, plus your commitment in doing this in your own time should you choose to mention it. If you build a relationship with your H and S people you would also gain priceless help for your Diploma assignments, as they focus on workplace issues, policies etc. Hope this helps