Posted By Stupendous Man Given that 'elf n safety are getting such a bad press at the moment, it would be interesting to hear what colleagues think about the past and future development of the profession. The thought entered my mind while I was watching some episodes of 'Yes, Minister'. Having worked in both the civil service and, more recently, local government, it was both surreal and frightening to see that the jokes, physical environment and 'modus operandi' do not seem to have changed much since the Hacker era. How do we think we stack up against this?

Posted By ME Personally I think there are quite a few health and safety 'professionals' out there who continue to give health and safety a bad name by being risk averse. Many of them post on this website. I also think that trying to re-brand ourselves as danger experts is arrogant and a recipe for a media disaster. Still by far the majority of health and safety 'professionals' seem to be middle-aged men with a hundred and one 'I caught a bigger fish than you' stories. The profession still needs new blood. Health and safety has future and will become more and more accepted but there will always be those that resist. As for the image thing. I'm not happy with how it's going. We're going from a quiet bunch who get on and do it to a bunch of soap-box preaching idiots who come across as having egos that are far too large. We do a job that's worthwhile. So do loads of other professions. We get misrepresented. So do loads of other professions. For sure let's challenge inaccuracies but let's get off the soap-box and just get on with what we're paid to do.

Posted By gham that comment may land you in stormy waters..... lol i'm so funny, oops not allowed funny either.

Posted By gham yeah did seem funnier at the time sorry i'll just get off and em....

Posted By Chris Packham Danger man? How about Accident Prevention Expert (APE)? Well, it is Friday!

Posted By el nino Toecap You seem a wise soul. Give us your words of wisdom on the original posting. El Nino

Posted By Jeffrey Watt Stupendous I have heard the word "culture" referrd to as "the way we do things round here" or in other words Modus Operandi. I think anyone seeking a positive change needs to conform to a pre-existing culture in order to be accepted by the masses before they can lead the business to a safer/more productive/better culture. In gov I would guess that there is less of a turnover in staff therefore the older comfort zone culture persists and the challenge facing safety professionals also persists. The place does seem to resist movement. Accountability to customers and share holders in private business drives competition and for forward thinking companies that means being the best at everything, quality, environment, supply chain and safety as a means of corporate survival. They may not always achieve these goals but they know that they need to strive towards them. At least that was the case in the private companies I worked for. I do not feel that the same calibre of business drive is present in government departments and is unlikely to be. For example what's the point in having personal targets and appraisals without personal incentives and rewards. How do you get that extra focus and participation without a reward or corresponding defecit for failure. Imagine being an athelete, you can compete and win the Olympics but there is no medal and zero recognition for all your effort. Ok, there is self actualisation from such an achievement which is a great driver in itself but most of us also enjoy the intellectual achievement along with a block of cash. Bearing all that in mind is it any wonder that change does not occur or appear to be sustainable. As for arrogance, I'm with ME (that phrase sounds strangely self centred), danger experts need to be watched at all times, they are a shower of troublemakers. I feel some form of tagging is appropriate to keep them in check. Jeff

Posted By Aidan Toner Health and Safety says this -Health and Safety says that.BLAGH, BLAGH, BLAGH!!-------The impression given to the wide world is that HEALTH AND SAFETY PROFESSIONALS have commented and ruled on every miniscule and petty matter in a dictatorial,narrow minded and stupid fasion.We have to realise that Health and Safety is simply a broadbase collection of useful standards and norms derived from all aspects of enterprise.The collected standards are always going to be misrepresented by a host of other bodies with vested interests ie Insurers,Lawyers, Engineers,Journalists. IF we truly wish to identify, apply and uphold the 'better standards and norms' its best if US LOT-- THE H/S PROFESSIONALS---, are not perceived as the sole designers and guardians of these standards.We must redefine ourselves and our professional body as RISK MANAGERS/ RISK ADVISORS and become the CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT. Change the headed notepaper immediately at Leicester.Many misperceptions of our professional role will simply go away.!!!