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Health and Safety Advisor available (for free).
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Posted By Gregg
I have recently passed the NEBOSH Certificate in Construction Health and Safety and have already gained the following qualifications: European Computer Driving Licence (Level 2), First Aid at Work (HSE Rec), Literacy and Numeracy Level 2 and a CSCS card. I also have a full clean driving licence.
An impressive list for a new modern day Health and Safety Advisor.
I have 5-6 years experience in the construction industry, doing various jobs, Labourer, Storeman, Chainman, Groundworker and Gateman. But I have very little experience of being a Health and Safety advisor.
All I need is for a company to give me a chance of establishing myself or helping me build up my experience of dealing with Health and Safety issues.
I am ideally looking for a Trainee/Assistant role but would be more than happy to work Mon-Fri for free to help me build up experience. I have spoken to the Inland Revenue and they said this would be no problem.
I reside in Birmingham but I am willing to work away from home.
If I sound like I could be needed in your company, or you will give me the chance to build up experience please contact me. I can be reached on the following E-mail address greggleeward@hotmail.com
I look forward to the response.
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Posted By Andrew Doyle
Hi Gregg,
When you do become involved in the Health & Safety field you will see that one does need to be financially compensated for the work they do.
At a Safepass course here in Irelnd recently, 20 attendees were asked who was at fault when a Crane became overloaded and falling debris hit members of the public.
18 People blamed the Safety Officer on site, yet not one of them sought to question the crane driver who was trained and aware of SWL etc..
It is worth noting that the other 2 people attending were both safety consultants.
People frequently try to blame Safety Consultants whilst refusing to acknowledge their own personal responsibility, thus making this a dangerous industry to operate within.
If a company was to take you on for "free", I would question how important Health & Safety is
within that firm, Good companies spend money on Health & Safety and in turn are rewarded.
Don't rush yourself and make sure you are financially rewarded for your work, Someone who takes you on for free, may be to be blunt a "cowboy" and as a result of their work practices may endanger you and your future career prospects.
Every best wish.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Gregg
I understand the need to get paid for doing work but when you have limited experience your options are in turn limited. I can adequately survive while I gain experience.
Regarding the above scenario. I am not into a blame culture, rather highlighting any deficiencies in the Health and Safety management system, and correcting (reactive) any deficiencies. My priority though will always lie with proactive management.
I don't mind people trying to blame Health and Safety advisers (me) because as long as I had the appropriate systems in place, and as a company I fulfill all legal obligations, I would not have anything to worry about.
I am not expecting to be taken on by a 'cowboy' company, I want a company who really values Health and Safety and is willing to give me the opportunity to gain much needed experience. But if it is a 'cowboy' company that allows me to gain experience then they can expect an overhaul of the Total Health and Safety management system.
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Posted By TK
Gregg
Why don't you offer your services to a charity. And I don't mean the large well established charities, more the smaller and newly formed ones.
I had dealings a while back with a charity aimed at helping asylum seekers resettle and integrate. They had funding from central and local government agencies to run an office and day centre for families but had absolutely no provision or support for H&S advice.
I've no doubt there are other groups in a similar position. I'm sure your help would be valued and your CV would read better too.
Thomas
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Posted By Gregg
That is a terrific piece of advice Thomas, thank you.
There is a centre close to me that is carrying out construction work and as far as I know they have no Health and Safety advisor so I might try to get involved with the work and help them at the same time.
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Posted By Philip Beale
only problem i see from that idea is that you are not learning from someone as to the best practices and if something did go wrong then this could come back on the charity as you lack experience (practical)
I Don't see anything wrong with offering to work for free (or reduced wage) to gain experience with a reputable health and safety company. Can't you look at using your contacts from the building trade.
How long would you be willing to work for free? as you would need to spend a reasonable amount of time with a company to gain the experience. Have you looked at undertaking a diploma (nebosh) or nvq part time. to show you are committed to H&S.
Phil
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Posted By Gregg
Hello Phil,
I agree with what you are saying about not being able to learn from someone but I have a good foundation of qualifications, experience and personal characteristics to adequately help the company out, lets not forget they have no sense of health and safety so for someone to come in and help them out would be better than having nobody at all.
I am willing to work for free for the foreseeable future because working for a company in a health and safety role will put me in a better position when applying for jobs.
I have been in touch with a contact I have within the construction industry and I am waiting to see if a job starts because he said he will get me on it if they get the contract, but I can't wait and rely on this.
I have looked at a Diploma and other NEBOSH qualifications and this is something I will certainly do, I do not feel it's the right moment to start studying for these so I will start studying at a later date. As for NVQs I do not know much about these so any information would be greatly appreciated.
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Posted By Philip Beale
Not sure what size of construction work they are undertaking but someone must be responsible for the H&S on site either the builder or the client. I've also completed the General certificate my view is this doesn't turn you into H&S manager. the general just gives you an overview of H&S and makes you aware of what, who is responsible.
How long do you spend on each topic 1/2 day at most out of 16 different subjects. I believe it may make you aware of when something is not right (hazardous) but it's everything else that goes into managing health and safety on a site. And being the sole person responsible for health and safety on a site and not being paid in any way and just completed your general would raise alarm bells in my mind from the view of a HSE inspector
Phil
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Posted By Gregg
I will have to talk with the people and discuss their health and safety arrangements.
You are right, the NEBOSH certificate does not automatically make you a competent person under the MHSW regs. It gives you a broad base of knowledge on which a basic level of competence in health and safety can be developed.
I did not do my course at a centre I spent 500+ hours of studying by myself.
It would be disastrous not having anyone in place let alone a new health and safety advisor.
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Posted By Gregg
I would like to thank everyone for the response I have received from this thread I started.
I am delighted to announce that I have accepted a job offer today and I am no longer looking for work.
Once again, thanks to everyone.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Well done, Gregg!
Paul
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