Posted By Allan St.John Holt I think the choice has to depend on what you want to receive. Some people subscribe to publications like this and never read the matterial they get sent - bookcase candy. Other people only want access to the accompanying helpline. In the past I've had some concerns over the accuracy of some publications of this sort - but if that's what you want it's better to go to the source material. But you may not have the time to do that. So I think that if you take a moment to write down the main uses you intend to make of the material, and then compare the various products on offer to see how they will answer those needs, you should end up making a better choice. Hope this helps (though reading it back it does sound unintentionally patronising). Allan

Posted By Jay Joshi Information sources can be classified as:- 1. Primary Sources- full text of original publications. These are most reliable, but you will either have to procure the relevant ones in hard copy or subscribe to electronic versions. They also would not have the information in a "user friendly format" compared to the ones I have referred as Secondary Sources. The primary sources are:- from HMSO in form of Statutes, Regulations HSC/HSE/Environment Agency/Government Departments & Agencies. Approved Codes of Practice, Guidance, Circulars etc British, European & International Standards From Professional Institutions, Industry Bodies and Organisations, National Training Boards & Organisations- (National, European & International) 2. Secondary Sources- predominantly from reputed publishers such as GEE, Jordans, Croners , Butterworth-Tolleys etc that publish book, looseleaf, CD-Rom & internet based products based on primary sources, but aimed at specific sectors industry or subjects. Includes reputed recommended textbooks for Occupational Health & Safety/Environmental Courses. The advantage of these is that the information is in user friendly format, with lots of forms etc so you do not have to "re-invent the wheel". The disadvantage is that there is a potential for error as it is an interpretation of primary information etc. 3. Tertiary Sources- Other “reliable” & “authoritative” information from relevant organisations not meeting above criteria. There are advantages & disadvantages of using each type. As Allan has informed you, what suits your particular need is what you should invest in. PS:- Allan has used a similar terms in the 5th edition of "Principles"

Posted By Angela Oakey-Jones I have a subscription to the "PS" series of Barbour Index. This allows me to search the web resources along topic lines. It also provides weekly updates (by email) on safety & health and environment (at extra cost). There are useful checklists to refer to on specified hazards. All the documents are in a format which allows "cut and paste" facility, and so makes creating documents much simpler. Barbour are very good about coming to your workplace and guiding you through the systems and their helpline is staffed by polite and helpful people. Hope this helps. Angela

Posted By Jay Joshi Although HSC/E produces a number of "free" publications, my reference to HSE was in context of ACoPs, Guidance to Regulations, MSDS, HSG and other HSE series that are "priced" and provide "AUTORITATIVE" guidance etc. ACoP's provide invaluable information on routes/methods of complying with the text of regulations that are increasingly "objective" i.e. non-prescriptive. HSC ACoPs have a legal status and I for one would either comply with an ACOP or ensure that compliance was through an equivalent means etc so that the end result/compliance required by the ACoP is achieved, albeit by a different route. By not considering ACoP material at all, there is a higher risk of non-compliance in context of enforcement. The main problem is that in context of civil law claims, compliance with HSE guidance may not reduce liability as we may believe--as indicated by limited research recently published.

Posted By Ken Taylor I have found that subscribing to Croner's School Health and Safety Management has been of some use - not just for our schools but in as much as it entitles us to access their other websites and to receive regular e-mailed newsletter updates in general health and safety and human relations issues as well as education. I believe that your Office H&S subscription will also give you this facility. however, this alone is never enough and needs to be supplemented by other newsletters, publications and regular visits to the HSE, government department and other websites, etc.

Posted By Andy Can we have some more responses please, what do others think? Michelle, why Jordans. I guess we could trial all of the options and of course we all have different needs but lets have some more opinions. I was thinking of Croners, but I will wait a little before deciding.

Posted By Geoff Burt Ian This is just out of curiosity about what type of job you do - why do you need to be constantly referring to case law. Regards Geoff

Posted By Dave Adams Michelle I have reviewed all the publications and have decided to opt for Jordans. I find it to be comprehensive in its coverage of the main issues and is by far the most user-friendly and easy to understand. Use of the BSC helpline which comes with the package is an added bonus. I find the Control Sheets particularly useful and can be adapted using MS Word for your own particular use. Croners are fine but you need to buy so many of their publications (often repititive content)in order to cover all the key subjects.As the cost of their publications are so high, this was another factor that led me to select Jordans. Interested to see which one you select - happy evaluating!

Posted By Harry Nope, I'm sure if I had a nephew called Eric I would know about it! The only information system (apart from the HSE) I have found to be of any real use is Barbour, and only then when I was studying for the Diploma. Obviously you can pick up 'ideas' from systems like Croner, but is it worth the high expense for the limited use it is put to. HSE publications, IOSH & BSC magazines, the forum (amazing what you can pick up and the willingness of people to help) and trawling around the various websites generally meets my needs for information. However, everyone to their own. Geoff

Posted By Oliver Whitefield Michelle We have recently purchsed Jordons from the BSC and I feel that this offers great value for money when compared with other similar products which are not always as comprehensive as you may want. Jordons seems to cover all the major issues and with the CD-ROM and word editable forms provides a comprehensive source of reference and templates. I also use the HSEDirect service which is great for obtaining ACOP's and other guidance documents! I have also looked at certain web based library products but find that much of the information and content is either dated or available freely elsewhere on the internet, and as has been stated on other threads on this discussion forum, the royalties available to authors are usually so small it discourages them from giving permission for the inclusion of such information. Many of the referenced providers of information on such systems also don't actually have any documents listed againt them, which astounded me, especially when considering the price of the service. I hope this helps. Oliver