Posted By Ron Young The June edition of SHP has over 30 pages of job advertisements in it. Of this plethora of adverts, many from agencies with multiple vacancies, I counted 1 Scottish based job. Now, notwithstanding the decline in Scottish industry over the past years, doesn't this appear suspicious that Scottish employers may be less willing to fulfil their H&S obligations towards employing competent people than their counterparts south of the border. Or is it just that we Scots are happier in our current jobs that we don't want to move!

Posted By Alex Falconer From experience, the general feeling is that employers do not take their responsibilities seriously. Having been involved in H&S for over 8 years and educated to Tech SP level (plus Dip EM), previous employers have expected the H&S professional to assume full responsibility should things go wrong (in the hope this absolves them of prosecution -despite advising them to the contrary). Trying to make cost effective H&S recommendations & improvements or funding for training (both for employee and personal development) is almost impossible. I would have more luck in getting blood out of a stone. Maybe its the economy currently affecting businesses in Scotland, that budgets are more of a priority for other departments, rather than for H&S. But again, this is just my opinion!

Posted By Andrew Blair Ron, It is true that there is a real void of good health and safety positions north of the border and the type of job you are looking for may not be advertised in the ususal recruitment sources (ie Herald or Scotsman newspapers). I can only suggest you persue other sources, such as recruitment consultants (Melville Craig are particularly good) and try to get yourself involved in industry safety groups. I am involved in the Scottish Contractors Safety Group and that is a good source of information on who is looking for safety professionals. I can only assume that other industries will have similar groups. Andrew

Posted By Michael Miller I remember sending for an application form for one of those Scottish jobs you mentioned just recently. I was suprised to be asked what nationality I was English or Scottish? Any wonder I never applied! This must be how they keep those positions for themselves.