Posted By Tracey I wonder if anyone out there can help. I have an interview for a local authority H & S Advisor post and need to do a 5 min presentation giving: a brief outline on the key challenges and issues facing a LA in respect of their duties towards employees and others No visual aids allowed. I've got the following for key issues: Stress in the workplace - cause of high absenteeism, low morale, etc. Mainly office staff, but can affect others. Violence - affects teachers and other public facing roles Manual Handling - refuse collectors and care workers Asbestos, Managing Contractors - Building Control Fire Safety - in care homes Legionella - leisure facilities, water systems Lone working - car park attendants, Social / Community Care workers, etc. Can anyone help with key challenges? All replies will be much appreciated.

Posted By Tracey Thanks for the help - Kieran Will let you know how it goes!

Posted By peter gotch Tracey, Las in HSE/Government targets not least as absence rates in public sector significantly higher than average in private sector. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/gse/index.htm Good luck with your preparations and at the interview. Regards, Peter

Posted By Tracey Thanks everyone - you've been a great help. Hopefully I'll be successful. Regards Tracet

Posted By Merv Newman Can you include something about how much we appreciate the contributions of Jeremy Clarkson in preventing us from doing really ridiculous things such as chopping down conker trees ?

Posted By Zoe Barnett You could usefully say something about the money - for instance, under Fair Funding schools now have the opportunity to choose whether or not to use the LA adviser, and to pay an agreed fee if they do. General funding throughout LAs can be a real mish-mash, with different government departments contributing to different things, and individual sections (eg social services) having their own budgets which they may or may not choose to spend on H&S (regardless of what the rules are!) There are also lots of little differences in application of legislation - for instance the HSE may be the enforcers for some of the LA's activities whereas the EHOs may enforce others. Some aspects of RIDDOR don't apply to schools. There may be conflict between your LA's approach and that of your neighbouring authorities. And so on and so on. Good luck with your interview. You have certainly done your homework and deserve to be successful. Let us know how you get on!