Posted By Richard Beevers Picking up on one of the contributors to the hard hat colours thread - Ian G. Minty. What are people's views on appropriate dress for safety advisors? I agree with Ian's experience that out on site, it can be more difficult for us to get out message across if we aren't accepted as by the rank and file due to our dress. Now I've got half my wardrobe at work. Jeans and t-shirt for team meetings and training, trousers and shirt (with tie in pocket just in case) when dealing with managers and contractors and two suits always hung up on the coatstand for when a director (or inspector) just wants 'a minute' of my time. I'd love to avoid doing Superman impressions chaning in the gents. Can anyone suggest one set of clothes that would suit all the hats that us safety advisors must wear?

Posted By Crim On site - boots, hard hat, high viz and any other appropriate PPE. Jeans are OK on site. Attending office for meeting with client etc. smart trousers with open neck shirt,(polo shirt is acceptable if smart). I haven't worn a tie for years although I usually wear a jacket/coat depending on the weather.

Posted By Pete48 If you are comfortable, then those around you are more likely to feel comfortable. What you wear ought to be far less important than what you do and what you say. However, I do avoid the man in grey suit image like the plague and some of us just look daft in a blazer and slacks. Some like me always look like we have just got out of a bed somewhere even if we are wearing a £500 suit with a £75 shirt and a pure silk tie. Safety boots were only £15 though got them on a discount(joke!) If you are "clean" and not offensively dressed (e.g sweat laden sleeveless vest in the summer and even worse when used with shorts that aren't!)then you are properly dressed in my view. Convention is always too comfortable and needs shaking now and again. What is it with jeans? Why not the same disdain for the threadbare, creased suit that last got cleaned in September and has been worn every day since? Men without ties still tell lies, Yes they do, just look in their eyes.

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Have I missed an item whilst reading through? surely the leather elbow patched remain mandatory; PPE and all that. CFT

Posted By Merv Newman No no no. Unless you are a safety "officer" we don't do elbow patches any more. Single-crease trousers only look good while you hold the "standing-straight-looking-important" pose. Slacks are better when you go into the "bending/kneeling-God-I'm-so-interested-in-what-you-are-showing-me" posture. The knees don't go so baggy. All clip boards were scheduled to burnt by the last 5th of November. I now have an electronic recorder (16 hours of conversation) which converts to a .wav file for automatic transcription into a word document. Come on guys. Let's get into the 20th century. (or is it 21st ?) Merv

Posted By Clare Gabriel I cannot believe this is even a valid thread - who the hell cares what you wear so long as you do a good job, are competent and a good health and safety professional. You also seem to have forgotten a large number of safety professionals - those of the female gender who wouldn't be seen dead in a tie. Guys please put all this wonderful effort into discussing issues that will ensure the job is done better - DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!!!!

Posted By Richard Beevers Thanks to all who have contibuted, and yes I mean "men in ties". I do believe that what we wear is part of the communication process, as people do judge books & advisors (and everyone) on what we look like. I think we can be pre-judged on appearance before we've opened our mouths to give wise words of advice. I think a lot of safety messages can be lost by the wrong presentational approach. If I mention the words 'work at height regulations' on site, and if I wore my suit, I know no one would listen to me. If I'm dressed in jeans and ask people whether they love their children, want to see them tonight, and whether they think a ladder's the best piece of kit for their job, I tend to get a response. Personally, I believe that good communication (including non-verbal) skills are as important as any amount of technical knowledge in this game.

Posted By Maggie Atterbury And they say women are always fussing about their clothes!

Posted By ITK Sorry I have to disagree. Its suit, shirt and tie for me (with safety shoes). I know my directors would not be too happy if I turned up for work in jeans and polo shirt. When I am speaking to people in suits who hold large budgets I don't think I would get the message across if I was wearing jeans. I recommend a book entitled "The Rules of Work" by Richard Templar.

Posted By Merv Newman It's all theater. We would all prefer to be lounging on the river bank with a large G&T, a beautiful companion and/or a good book. Unfortunately the only way to afford the above is to a) be on the dole, or b) be earning a decent wage. If you go the b) route then you have to play a role. We all do. A major part of our role is communication. Convincing and persuading employees and employers that we have the knowledge and experience they need to enable them to work safely. Directors and managers have difficulty in really listening to people in jeans and torn tee-shirts. Union reps and employees really do believe that "men in ties tell lies". So wearing the appropriate costume is an aid to fulfilling our role. Actors refer to the clothes they wear on stage as their "props". So do I. And I know that there is an occasional poster to this site who has tattoos, earrings and a mohican. And that there is at least one CFIOSH Professor of Industrial Psychology out there with tattoos all up his arms. But he covers them up at board and faculty meetings. Merv

Posted By Merv Newman "One of the guys" is exactly the right phrase. If I'm on a construction site then I will dress just a bit better than the labourers. Jeans and a polo. If I'm talking to the board then I'll wear my best suit. (can't afford Armani but I do my best) Wearing a tie depends on local culture. in the UK, every time. South of Lyon it don't matter too much. Local culture is IMPORTANT ! During a meeting in the UK we can take off our jackets, pull down our ties and roll up our sleeves. Going to lunch together we put it all back so as to be "correct". In Germany, during a meeting, you will be correctly dressed. When you go for lunch then you can take off your jacket, pull down your tie and roll up your sleeves. Local culture. Ladies have it SO much easier than us guys. Though I do remember one young lady who was so so correct in the office but managed in about 5 minutes to change for dinner into the most sexy slinky dress that my eyes watered. (dinner at Newcastle bridge) Sorry if that is sexist, but it remains one of my fondest memories as a consultant. Merv God alone knows what I had to eat that night.

Posted By Andrew Rushton To answer the the original query. I am a lazy git. I wear shirt & tie and a very comfortable pair of highly polished protective boots. When I am in the board room or with a customer I put on the black suit jacket hanging in my car for such ocassions (the boots go well with this). When I am on site I exchange the jacket for a black fleece to tone down the perception of the shirt and tie and fit in better with the guys on the coal face. Other PPE worn as required and all works well together . No change of clothing other than jacket, presto!