Posted By John Webster With respect to Health & Safety service provision, I am trying to influence change in a management structure which I "inherited", and which to me is illogical. Whilst in an ideal world the H&S adviser would report to the chief executive/MD, for various administrative reasons this isn't going to happen. However, I do not believe the post can be effective at a strategic level if reporting to any tier less than an executive director - ie the "policy makers" as defined by HSG 65. Presently, Occupational Health is regarded (not by me) as a clinical activity, reporting to a clinical directorate. I report to the Director of Finance (overall responsibility for risk management!), whilst our Moving and Handling adviser and trainer reports to nursing management. Training dept is under the Director of Human Resources. I want all to be working together under the same (Human Resources?) Director, with a co-ordinatd and cohesive Occupational Health & Safety function. I have many strong arguments for my case, but would also like to hear how H&S is organised within other organisations, particularly Healthcare. Hopefully this will add weight by demonstrating that my view is generally shared by my peers and betters! Thanks John

Posted By Gareth Bryan Hi John I manage an Occupational Health and Safety Unit for a local Authority. The Unit comprises of Safety Advisers/trainers, Occupational Hygienist, Admin Staff, Nurses, and health/first aid trainers. The Unit is headed by a Consultant Occupational Physician and reports to the HR Director. Hope this helps. Gareth

Posted By steve williamson Hi John, We are currently involved in a 4 into 1 merger of acute trusts in the North West. This has resulted in the establishment of a Governance Director post reporting to the Medical Director to oversee H & S, Clinical Risk, Claims, Clinical Audit etc. as we all had wildly differing arrangements before. Occ. Health remains with the H R Director. This is likely to be the pattern elsewhere as it complies with everything coming out of DoH, CNST, RPST etc. Hope this isn't too frightening, Steve Williamson

Posted By Ken Lucas John The Global Corporation I used to work for had H&S organised as follow. Occupational Health, including Occupational Hygienists, Admin Staff, Occ' Health Nurses, first aiders is headed by an Occupational Physician who reports to P&O or more commonly now the Human Resources Director. In terms of Safety, Health (& Environment), I and the department reported directly to the Plant Manager, this was common throughout the corporation worldwide. All sites have a Training Department which is under P&O or more commonly now Human Resources. Ken

Posted By John Webster Many thanks for all the helpful responses, both here on the forum and by direct e-mail. John, I agree the Finance Director is probably one of the better ones to report to, as I do at present. However, changes are proposed with which I don't agree. As with all office politics, objection works best when a reasoned alternative is proposed. Ken, as you are multi-sited, I take it that the Plant Manager will be the senior person for that site. John