Posted By Booney Good Morning All, I am putting an argument forward to try and demonstrate the level of responsibility that a competent h & s advisor has in their daily job. I feel the role is very undervalued in the company I work for which is reflected in the package and I am trying to get amendments made to the job description to reflect the amount of responsibility that the role carries. This particular role has day to day responsibility for h & s as the appointed person for a site with workshops, warehousing and offices and approx. 150 employees. One way I thought to demonstrate the level of responsibility might be to look at case law where ‘competent’ h & s advisors have been prosecuted for poor/inadequate/incorrect advice etc. I know there are cases where consultants have been prosecuted but what about advisors in employed positions - can anyone tell me of any such cases please? Also, if anyone has any comprehensive job descriptions detailing levels and areas of responsibility, it would be appreciated. I have no doubt that there are other people out there who are in a similar situation to this so any advice or information would be greatly appreciated! Kind Regards

Posted By Merv Newman You have no responsibility for H&S. You have responsibility for giving "competent" advice to management. Who are responsible for H&S Merv (cats/pigeons ?)

Posted By JPK Hmmm.... Why would it be inadequate advice? The company (Employers) are appointing or training a person in H&S for their company, and the employers are responsible for ensuring that they have someone ADEQUATELY trained to deal with their requirements. IF you feel you are not suitably qualified to deal with something, then say so.... A large problem would be assuming responsibility outside the scope of your training, qualifications and experience. If they feel they must in turn employ someone more suited, or better still train someone inhouse to deal with further issues, then there are quite obviously financial implications. The fact remains that the EMPLOYER must ensure the H&S Advisor/Manager is adequately trained and experienced to deal with their requirements and if not they pay to make it so! Hope this helps and I haven't waffled too much... its Friday and its been a long week! JPK

Posted By Mick154 This is a question that I have often found difficult to explain, but I am sure that there may be a definitive explanation one which I put my hands up and say I’m not sure but there may be a some one that does Role and responsibility for a the title of a Health & Safety or Safety Officer Health & Safety or Safety Adviser Health & Safety or Safety Manager What level of service should each give, as on paper the titles are different? I have been employed with all these titles at one stage or another but give the level of service as I would if I was a manager So does it make a difference in what is just a title

Posted By Dan dan here we go as above this is my interpretation (my opinion... and its just my interpretation). A Health and Safety officer More of an enforcer than and advisor ensuring compliance against set standards - generally at junior / intermediate level (my interpretation anyway) A Health and Safety Advisor competently trained and experienced to offer professional advice to a company's staff and directors or public and customers dependant on the activity of the company. Dip 1 2 or NVQ 4 level A Health and Safety Manager This person would literally manage the organisations H&S Policy and subsequent arrangements in accordance with HSG65 etc. Managing any advisors, Ive cut and paste from the above and ammended as necesary (sorry about that - well its sunday and the wife is giving me GBH of the earhole for working again - looking at safety stuff) feel free to give me grief too - I could do with a bit of grief form other quarters other than "Herr oben frau - her who must be obeyed" just to balance things out lol

Posted By JPK Hi Booney, Consider this! Your level of competency, training and experience. Should you feel you are asked to do something outside of the above, then contact the person directly responsible for H&S and ask his advice. Subject to him being the ultimately responsible person for H&S, it is his responsibility. He may feel you should know this, but.... if your training and experience doesn't match to that of which you feel competent enough to make a decision, you shouldn't!! This would jeopardise the H&S of the organisation. If you feel competent enough but do not feel you are being paid in line with the rest of the industry, then unfortunately you may have to seek employment elsewhere! If you ARE being underpaid, your organisation will soon get with the times when they seek out someone for your role, and are dealt a blow by a recruitment agency asking for the the going rate. ;) This may assist you in discussing with the Directors a new approach to H&S. My real worry here is you, not meaning at all to sound dramatic. Underpaid staff can be badly motivated, not necessarily your fault, but it does jeopardise the integrity of the H&S structure and in turn can cause a hazard in itself. If you are beginning to feel like this, YOU and your organisation are better off parting company, with you looking for an employer who will appreciate your abilities, and the company establishing the REAL requirements of their policy enforment.

Posted By Raymond Rapp Booney The role of a h&s practitioner, whatever the job title name, by definition carries certain responsibilities. However, there is no need to focus on those things that may go wrong, rather focusing on the sound advice that will protect many workers from harm should suffice. Despite opinion to the contrary, h&s practitioners can make mistakes, just like project managers, surveyors, doctors and so on. Even 'competent' h&s practitioners can make mistakes - honestly. Regards Ray