Posted By martin gray1 Hi all After 7 years with the same company and working with an excellent engineer we have both managed to reduce accidents to nearly zero. Unfortunately during a heated argument with both directors last week I was told "you and your health & safety are perceived as a bit of a joke throughout the company" Along with the comment "you care more about H&S than production" The workforce have been great and although at times over the 7 years it's been hard work they are now very safety conscious and report all hazards etc. The directors however told me "we are a production company and it should take priority over H&S" My reply was, I would never put someones safety over production demands. There reply "H&S is peripheral production is our business" Result I am looking for another job and have told them so. I am leaving a very well paid job as a GM looking after HR, production and H&S for 100 staff. They funded my NGC some years ago and my NVQ which is all being done in my own time including most of the policies and procedures used at work due to the time restraints during the day. Self funded some of my Nebosh courses and used holiday up as they would not let me have the time off. I just wonder what will happen in the months after I am gone. Sad Day

Posted By Chris Packham Martin Is that Director a member of the Institute of Directors? Google IOD.com and see what they have to say about where priorities should lie. The latest issue of SHP has several cases where directors/employers have ended up with large personal fines or custodial sentences by putting "production" before health and safety. I wonder how his plea that the company is a production company would stand up in a prosecution by HSE. However, if this is his attitude, I doubt whether there is anything that can be done other than look for a new position. Given his attitude you are probably better off where your expertise will be recognised and supported. Chris

Posted By Barry Cooper Good luck Martin, Unfortunately there are still directors out their who think like yours does, and it will probably take a serious incident to change their attitude. Hope the next director you work for appreciates all the hard work and effort that you put in. The important thing is that you can leave knowing you have made a difference and prevented someone being seriously injured I am lucky, as our company's safety performance has improved dramatically, and the director do acknowledge all the hard work it has taken to get there. Barry

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Martin Long after your experience of sadness, you'll be in a position to recall your memories of the actions you have taken to contribute to a culture of safe working. If the directors choose to undermine your work, the healthy option is to let go and move to healthier pastures. I, for one, encourage you to celebrate your achievement and now concentrate on communicating to more receptive directors elsewhere how you can help them to lead an organisation marked by high productivity and employee safety and wellbeing. Gather the data that establishes how what you've done is the hard work of safety leadership. To the extent that your account is accurate, this is a great story to sell.

Posted By Tabs In 1994 I had a production -v- safety argument with a large engineering company. I won the battle, but lost the war and found myself on the end of a dismissal. It was a devastating feeling, but believe me, I never looked back. Big life-changing moments like this make us stronger and open opportunities we would not normally be able to take. Deep breath, head up, and look around at what you have been missing whilst working hard for ingrates. Good luck.