Posted By Paul Craythorne Dear All, I wonder how many of you are in a similar position? This week the company I work for paid an expensive consultant from our Insurance Brokers to come in an carry out an independant H&S audit (this was at my request to try another method of raising the profile). The day was a disaster!!! The Plant Manager (top dog) never bothered to turn up for the opening or closing meetings and only 2 out of 6 senior managers turned up for the closing meeting. One of the auditees who is responsible for maintenance, contractors and facilities informed us thsat he could not spare any time for an interview that had been arranged and communicated 2 weeks earlier and he passed us on to a maintenance technician who did not have all the answers and had no records on file. To top it all, 2 of the senior managers openly admitted to the auditor that they only pay 'Lip Service' to H&S. Now we are not talking about a back street employer with a few employees, we are talking about a factory of 350 employees that is part of a worldwide corporation employing well over 100,000 employees in about 30 different countries (the 5th largest automotive component supplier in the world). What chance have I got? Anyway, I am leaving at the end of September (had enough now) so if anyone is thinking about taking my place, and wants a warning shot, please contact me via e-mail. I would hate to think that some other poor sod was going to end up working here!!! Sorry about the moan. Regards, Paul

Posted By Andy Paul, Similarly not an SME and that meeting scenario is very familiar. Senior management making exagerated/noisy exclamations of their intent towards H&S, arranging an emergency meeting, not turning up, and asking, "how did the meeting go?" I often feel that H&S is just tolerated, but the end is in sight for me, no.. I am not retiring!!....things are progressing for us, but quickly enough? no! I feel that you can only do your best, cover your own 6, learn and then move on. Good luck with the new position Regards Andy.

Posted By Bob Randall Paul, If you think that's bad try making a living by advising SME's. At least you get a salary for being ignored! Bob R

Posted By Raymond Rapp Interesting observation from a H&S professional, as an ex H&S Rep 'paying lip service' to safety by managers was a frequent moan from me and my colleagues. I am currently doing a MSc in Health and Safety Management and have often wondered when I turn professional how I might respond to apathetic managers. Last year my organisation and an individual manager was convicted of serious breaches under HASAW. The Judge accused LUL of "paying lipservice to health and safety issues" - source HSE Press Release E122:01. I shall be posting a question regarding a similar issue and looking for some interesting responses. Recently the HSE have had a blitz on construction sites across the country, in order to improve safety. In the London area 223 sites were inspected and 110 Prohibition Notices served - but, not one prosecution resulted, what kind of message does this send to the industry - break H&S laws with impunity!

Posted By Robert K Lewis All I think I am glad to work in the proactive construction industry!!! Bob