Posted By Merv Newman 1. As a newly minted consultant, back in 1990, one of my first jobs included helping a site to build a new Management Safety Audit system. A few months ago I started with another company. (same industry) Amongst the documentation they sent for the pre-visit evaluation there was almost a carbon copy of the 1990 audit system. Merv's ego took an immense boost. (they thought it was good enough to copy !) 2. I have a, possibly mistaken, feeling that those of CMIOSH level have no need of procedures/templates or whatever. Either they already have the T-Shirt or they know where to find it and can do their own ironing. So I work on the basis that those asking for help are not yet CMIOSH but are still working on it. I do hope that does not make me seem "elitist" 3. Any help I do offer is more on the lines of how to do it, rather than doing it for you. 4. I must admit that as a self-confessed CMIOSH (MIOSH at the time) I have, once or twice, asked for help in getting a presentation started. Some good people have offered text and photos which were always acknowledged by personal e-mail. Such help is also acknowledged on the title pages of the final presentations. Thanks fellas Merv

Posted By jase37 My comment on this thread would be that as I am seeking to improve my qualifications with regards to Health and Safety, I am less likely to post. I have posted recently and feel that the question was extremely valid due to the for/against debate. Although relatively (5 years) inexperienced in Health and Safety Management but feeling that I am following the correct path, I do think that persons in my position, requesting input and personal experience from seasoned professionals does help. At the end of the day who can honestly say they never ask questions of their work?

Posted By AdrianF Merv, fight them on the beaches is requisite when talking to HR as well as accountants !! :))

Posted By GJB Davis Hi all, Sorry to add my two pence worth so late to this debate however; I am CMIOSH but occasionally write in asking for both advice and templates / formats for H&S documentation. I do not ask for finished copies. I am not an up and coming consultant trying to build a library of information. I ask because I like to see what other safety professionals have done and how they have approached a certain topic. I like to learn from others and develop my systems further. Why do I do this? Is it because I’m lazy? No, it is because as well as being an H&S professional I am a Director of an SME employing 40. This means that safety is not my only responsibility. I am also responsible for our quality and environmental management systems. But of course, you may say, there are thousands of QUENSH / SHE managers out there! Well, I’m also responsible for HR, Purchasing, Production, Deliveries and IT. I am our Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor and also hold an ADR licence, which means that in the event of our regular driver being ill I drive our delivery lorry. This type of multi-tasking is not uncommon in SME’s and is a necessity in order to grow in an increasingly competitive market. I am not moaning, simply putting the thought forward that there are probably lots of genuine reasons why people ask for information on the forums. I recall a post on the forums a few years ago where an RSP with hundreds of letters after his name asked for a pre-use checklist for Fork Trucks. Someone asked why a person with so many letters after his name needed such mundane information. Another poster pointed out that perhaps the thread originator was a specialist in another field of H&S. You should always look for the good in people before you look for the bad. Regards Giles