I've sent you a PM.

There's also a research report on the HSE website that tots up the costs to UK plc at 2006 prices. Over £40bn. P

Craig I don't envy you trying to trying to rationalise this one. Arguably it not just about about your quals or memberships but what they along with you bring to the job. It should hopefully be obvious to most reasonably thoughtful employers but ................ OMG there I go again what a niaive fool I am. Now, do I take the left turn for Utopia? Sorry, back to reality, seriously, it doesn't look like you are going to have an easy answer in the face of such a question, unless the MD is merely testing you. Try the useual stuff suchg as hidden costs, enforcement, prosecutions (lets face it this can be a difficult argument) etc etc. But the bottom line is that poor management of health and safety is a potetially significant business and personal risk. Good luck - let us know how you get on

The benefit of your competence which is evidenced by your professional status is that it enables you to give a professional service to your employer including correct advice, which saves money by (a) preventing accidents and avoiding liabilities and (b) not putting unnecessary over-the-top measures in place. And the benefit of a pay rise is to retain you!

Craig I hope that you are able to formulate a response which does not fall on deaf ears. Times are hard and while everyone reading your post appreciates the work that you do, sometimes the end results are not tangible. When I review a policy, and nothing needs changing, then it can seem that there is no obvious output, although that action may save the organisation money in a future court action and provides legal protection to a degree in the short term. Just over two years ago I was in a similar position. I worked for a company which was quite small, with a very flat management structure. I was the only person involved with health and safety, and there was no movement on pay increase - you got more money if you took on more responsibility, and I was already the H&S bod for the company, so there was nothing more to take on on that side. If I had taken on other responsibilities it would have hindered my H&S work so that was not an option. It was not even offered as an option. So I moved to another company. I am not suggesting that you do this, especially at the current time when it seems almost impossible to get a H&S job from what others have posted. I just hope that you get understanding from the MD and do not feel forced to move, and the company has to take the cost of recruiting, interim consultants, induction, training, admin etc. Good luck.