Posted By Allan St.John Holt Place a call to Norman Walton for the membership query, or to Hazel Harvey's team for the accreditation! Allan

Posted By Jim Walker As a matter of interest, have IOSH ever identified any such fraudsters? What did they do about it? To get back on an old hobby horse of mine: might IOSH publicise this service. And highlight (to potential employers) the requirement for suitably qualified (competent) persons in H&S posts?

Posted By Jeff Manion I am aware of an "safety organisation" that states -our staff are members of the institute of occupational safety and health - when they are not - Jeff Manion MIOSH RSP

Posted By Paul Bellis I recently became suspicious about a contractor applying for inclusion onto our approved list of contractors, the risk assessments and method statements were somewhat lacking and in some cases incorrect which raied my suspicions as to the competence of their safety advise recieved. It turned out, on investigation, that a Consultant engaged by them who purported to be MIOSH, on checking with the membership department, was in fact not. I believe IOSH are taking action on this case. What concerns me is that employers are being duped into believing that they are employing competent consultants who are purporting to have qualifications that they hav'nt got and worse are being allowed to give incorrect and potentially dangerous advice. I dont know what can be done to stop this practice. Needless to say I will be checking credentials of some applicants more closely where necessary, but we cannot be ringing up the membership department every 5 minutes. I wonder if it would be possible to publish a list or be able to readily access a database on the IOSH website which would give details of Membership levels of practitioners. I would presume in the days of data protection this would have to be with their consent. I also know a a few others in my area who have also, whilst not signing MIOSH afer their name, put Members of IOSH on their stationary - being tech SP's and associates etc. I am uncertain as to the ethics of this practice either.

Posted By Robert K Lewis Ethne Interesting one this. As an institution we verify and accredit service providers for courses over which we as an institution have a great deal of control on the syllabus. Does this make for an accreditted course course when we are not directly involved in the day to day provision. Even with the CPD programme I am hesitant about the word accreditted for the course. It is a constant worry however that bogus claims are continually made for significant numbers of courses and their status. How do NTU operate with the provision of their Diploma? Do they regard it as accreditted or simply as a Licenced syllabus? As an aside to this I am wondering whether we have the right to confirm or deny any information we hold. Certainly if there is no record we cannot breach the Data Protection Act but if there is one is it Personal Information in the context of the Act. Do we need to obtain permission from members, or others, for the provision of such information on an overall or ad hoc basis? Bob

Posted By Jim Walker Can IOSH staff respond to Paul's suggestion that a membership data base be placed on the web? So long as it is limited to full name, membership number and level, I can't see why anyone would object. These fraudsters (however few) must be damaging to IOSH. I can't see that there is a problem with data protection, if IOSH are already giving out the info over the phone.

Posted By Keith Archer. I would agree why not have a database with name and membership status, we are virtually identified by posting resonses. In view of Paul’s response. Couldn’t IOSH review the membership card format, as this can be misleading? Yes it does give your membership grade but that is only of use to persons who are aware of the IOSH grading system. Further the cards states “Please use this card as proof of your current membership of IOSH” which could be easily interpreted as corporate membership to all cardholders. Keith Archer.

Posted By Robert K Lewis Ethne Strictly in line with dictionary definitions the verb to accredit refers to the action of giving a person or organisation power to act or similar or recognition in an official capacity, normally on behalf of another. Thus the organisation is accredited to provide a course agreed at a standard or syllabus, which is thus accepted or believed Be happy if Colin could pick up on this. Certainly I think it is a reason for not putting the information on line. Bob

Posted By Geoff Burt You will always get people purporting to be something they are not - its a fact of life. What purpose would such a list serve? If you want to find out if a person is a member of any professional institute, whether it be a solicitor, engineer or h&s, you ring up the organisation and ask. It's the accepted way of doing it and always has been. I don't really understand what this discussion is about. Geoff

Posted By PatrickT Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those of you who took the time to respond to my request for information. I have been in contact with Jacoba, from membership services 0116 257 3198, Whom has addressed my query (in the positive) and correctly reviewed my IOSH status. Can all members say the same? Regards Patrick Teyhan Proud to be a TechSP but looking to progress!