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Posted By R. C. Hodson
Afternoon all.
I have a quick question – How old generally do you feel Safety Professionals are on average? I am 22 years old and feel as though I’m the only (semi – studying NEBOSH New Dip.) professional in this field around my age. Anyone else out there around my age, and how is your career progressing so far?
Regards,
Ryan C. Hodson.
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Posted By Jasonjg
33 and a third. Hopefully all basic academic sides will be covered by 35. Add some years for experience = 43 based on a good 8yrs somewhere.
At 44 I may call myself competent, 45 I will write a book and then quit (I wish)
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Posted By Robert J. Beckett
I'm 52 next month in the safety business for twenty eight years and am still learning!
Robert
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Posted By Jason McQueen
Im 30 and started in the 'trade' at 24. I started my interest by first taking the role of a union safety rep at my previous employers. This allowed me to gain some good shop floor experience as well as opening up free TUC training courses. This has been of great benefit to me in my managers role as I have the ability to see issues from the opposite side of the fence as it were. I then moved up to H&S Co-ordinator at the same site (25acres & 600 people) and was there for about three more years (completing the certificate in the process). Im now with a different company (started Feb last year) and have just got one more exam to do of my NEBOSH Diploma (level 6).
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Posted By Simon Walsh Grad IOSH
I passed by NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma at 32, I started to lose my hair too (maybe a connection, who knows!)
I also started to wear my underwear on my head, shove pencils up my nose and started to shout "wibble".
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Posted By Merv Newman
I ain't saying but I didn't even get "promoted" to this trade until I was 33. Then had to start learning. Haven't finished yet
Greying Wolf
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Posted By R. C. Hodson
So by the sounds of it im starting out relativly young (22) as I already have 2yrs experience, oh well not stopping now!
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Posted By Clairey O
I took my first full time h and s role last year at the age of 27.
I had worked with many other hats before and decided that the safety one was the one for me.
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Posted By Alexander Falconer
Started in Health and Safety at age 31 (back in 95 after 6 years working with Quality Management Systems), gained NEBOSH certificate at 2nd attempt. Somewhere along the line picked up much needed experience (and qualifications) working within different manufacturing sectors (chemical, food, electronic/telecomms, heavy engineering, plastic and not forgetting hotel/leisure).
Now working in the servicing/facilities sector, and finally having the time to do the Diploma part 2.
Fingers crossed I finally get that coveted CMIOSH (sometime in 2009, hopefully)
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Posted By Bill Elliott
My average age is 28 (not wishing to disclose my real age you understand)have worked in health and safety full time for the last 10 years and just a beginner at Grad IOSH. My earlier work years were spent in food safety and the food industry - all good grounding and has prooved very helpful in my current role.
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Posted By Jonathan Vitta
big 30 in 3 weeks and started on the H&S field about 4 years ago only gaining
a full time position last year, still got loads to learn and get my fingers
burnt a few times aka saying the incorrect things to management etc.
Dip 2 exams in 3 weeks (same time as birthday :-( )
but then its world cup
get in!
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Posted By Merv Newman
Which world cup ?
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Posted By Dee
Hi R C,
I am 25 and have been practicing in Quality and HS&E for the last 5 years. Became fully qualified in April last year. You have made a good choice! One of the reasons I came into H&S was because there was a shortage of young people taking that path. I was lucky enough to get my exams, etc., done at an early age when I didn't have ties of family life, mortgages, etc.
Everyday is a school day and the experience can only come with time!
Dee
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Posted By tac333
I'm 32 this year and have been in safety approx 8 years. Took my Nebosh cert in 2000, passed Dip 1 last year and am scheduled to do Dip 2 exams in Dec 2006. I'm aiming to be CMIOSH by the time I'm 35 - not too bad for someone who took on safety as a means of getting out of doing lab bench work! Especially as I landed my dream job 6 months ago!
Kerri ;-)
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Posted By Sean Stephenson
Am 32 (though look far older at times, must be the grey hair!) and have been in H&S full-time for the last 4 1/2 years but as a union rep 6 years before that. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what age you are as long as you are giving sound advice. Haven't quite decided if I have reached the age where that next tattoo would make me look as though I am desperately trying to hold on to my youth!
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Posted By Mark Talbot
44 this year - but didn't start in H&S until age 32. Did a 3 year degree then started 'on the job' in '97.
At 22 I had only just finished my engineering apprenticeship and was quite wet behind the ears :-)
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Posted By AlB
I'm 28, pushing 29.
Took up H&S at tender age of 22 (after working as a Consulting Geologist for 2 years)on a "learn as you work" basis. Taught myself a lot from watching, reading, listening and asking. Was in H&S for 4 years, took job as Operations Manager in manufacturing. Learnt a heck of a lot. Got screwed over by a colleague, then went back to H&S a much wiser, maturer and business aware person. Realised that without the formal qualifications to back my experience up I'd struggle to find work outside of employer. Have since gained the NEBOSH Construction Certificatee, studying the Certificate in Risk Management, on the verge of signing up for an MSc in Occ H&S by distance learning (and bypass the Diploma route), aiming for a business management qualification to back up my HND in management which I gained whilst a Quarry Supervisor, and looking into taking up an Engineering course to complement my H&S ability.
This is my career path. I love it!
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Posted By David Bannister
Still 18 in my head (grey & balding) although the body says >50.
Still learning from mistakes.
Still doing the Lottery (never did understand probability theory)
Still don't know what I'll do when I grow up!
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Posted By Linda Crossland-Clarke
Hi
Out in the pub = 27 yrs, at work = 30+! Old enough to have experience, young enough to be fun.
Would a lady ever give her age? LOL
Linda
SHE's not telling
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Posted By Merv Newman
Linda,
dinner at my place ?
Merv
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Posted By Chris Packham
All you youngsters!
Didn't get started until I was 40. Now 66 and still going strong. Lots to learn yet. In fact the more I learn the more I realise how much is still to be discovered. Loving every moment of it and no intention of retiring. (Not sure I even know what that word means!) You may think I am mad, but at my age I claim it is merely eccentricity.
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Posted By Vicky Pye
I started my h & s career at the tender age of 21 working for the HSE - baptism of fire!! I have now worked in H & S for the last six years and am expected to get my CMIOSH in January - whoo hoo!!
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Posted By ME
Started at 30years old in the HSE as an inspector. Great training ground but I'm now thankfully free of those shackles and working as a consultant. Should be CMIOSH next year. Get frustrated by the lack of salary compared to other professions sometimes but generally can't complain. I have a love-hate relationship with health and safety but one thing is for sure, that I will never stop learning.
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Posted By Glyn Atkinson
52 last weekend - kids still wonder if I'll ever grow up as I'm now dabbling with drums and backing vocals in two local bands.
Thirty years in varied industrial employments learning about life and people - just as important as law and regulations.
Moved into H&S to put something back really, to help those who either don't understand safe working or maybe don't want to for whatever reason.
I like to think out practical solutions before the "you can't do that !" scenario. If you have thought out an engineering based solution that will reduce manpower, save accidents and damage to goods and assist production, of course they will listen to you.
52 is only a number !!
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Posted By Fred Pratley
Started H&S in 1990 - Jan 1st,
Had 4 days hand over from the previous post holder, spent next 2 years getting qualified and learning VERY quickly.
Think I might be getting somewhere (honest) and fully appreciate input from others on this forum!
Also 52 this Friday (do the Maths if you want), not a lover of red wine but am certain of of being under the influence of a decent single malt (or 3) and falling massively off the diet in the local restaurant!
Oh yes, definitely still learning!!!
Fred
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Posted By Ian Mitchell
29, the big 3-0 in August!
TechIOSH/AIIRSM only at the moment. Concentrating on the experience buildup for now, then back to the studying!
H+S is actually very fortunate, in that it is one of the select professions that respects and values the older folk and pays more than just lip service to experience. No amount of studying alone can make a 20-30yr old equivalent to a 50+ practitioner! Ooh is that controversial ;-)
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Posted By AlB
What I love about this profession is that the youngsters, and at 28 I include myself as one :), give total credability to the more experienced professionals, and on the whole realise that there is a heck of a lot to be gained from the experienced elder.
I learn something new every day. I make it my point and duty to learn something new every day. When I stop learning about H&S, it's time I retire!!!
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Posted By Cathy Ricketts
Its great in the year of the Young Worker to know we have our own young H & S professionals - its so good to be part of a group of people of all ages and both sexes all working hard to push H & S up the agenda - I dont think you ever stop learning - entered H & S as an add on, for fun and development 10 years ago at 38, have been employed FT for last 6 - done Dip 2 (old style) and now half way through LLB - one thing for sure you never stop learning - too old too care who knows my age but have worryingly developed a passion for red wine!!!
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Posted By Alexander Falconer
Slightly off the subject
Going by the responses we are getting in this thread (and others)
Seems to be a growing penchant for Red Wine and Single Malts.
What about Red Wine and Whisky appreciation societies?
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Posted By Andrew Cartridge
Joiner by trade safety advisor by profession, saw the light in my mid thirties when the aches wouldn’t go away.
Just turned 50 now & the aches are still there, but now they are in my head.
Andy
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
As a a 21 + significant VAT practitioner I can look back on more than 30 years qualified and working full time in H&S What is amazing is that I am still learning.
Like our ex-pat French Gourmet I enjoy the good things in life particularly the cheese and the wine but that is another issue. Back to the initial question, in theory the new structures should mean that nobody is likely to classed as a professional, ie chartered, before the age of 25. That said the average age will always be slightly greater than in many other occupations but I suspect the age profile is not greatly different to other professional bodies.
Bob
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Posted By R. C. Hodson
Yes I’m afraid I would have to agree on the age point. H&S is one of those profession where the `young practitioner` must admit that youth, energy and enthusiasm doesn’t beat age and experience – but that’s no bad thing is it?
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