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allanwood  
#1 Posted : 11 October 2013 10:21:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
allanwood

Should the Director responsible for safety within an organisation hold formal Health & Safety Qualifications?
PH2  
#2 Posted : 11 October 2013 10:24:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2

No. As long as he / she is fully aware of their duties and has access to a "competent" health and safety advisor, they don't need formal qualifications.
DP  
#3 Posted : 11 October 2013 10:51:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
DP

Allan no – not if they have competent advice at hand – go on line to the institute of directors you’ll find some interesting reading? Interestingly enough – I have just done some work on this as my exec have just been interviewed by our Primary Authority Partnership with regards safety commitment. I developed a questioner for the Board in preparation - you are more than welcome to it PM me if so?
Lisa Boulton  
#4 Posted : 11 October 2013 12:14:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Lisa Boulton

The HSE and Institute of Directors put together a short publication INDG417 about leading H&S that may be useful, also the HSE website has a specific page for leadership http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/index.htm This may be of help with your query. My thoughts echo the other two posts, though depending on the size and nature of the workplace then it may be good practise as opposed to a legal requirement. Lisa
allanwood  
#5 Posted : 11 October 2013 16:54:50(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
allanwood

My reasons for asking this is that I attended a seminar yesterday and the speakers comments where: A specialist Director such as a Director Responsible for Health & Safety Should be competent and that non specialist directors can & should have access the the services of a health & safety practitioner.
PH2  
#6 Posted : 11 October 2013 17:04:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2

Just because a speaker at a seminar suggested that a Director should have specific H&S qualifications simply means that is their opinion. Most topics on this forum have a range of differing opinions, some that we agree with and others that we don't. Perhaps the speaker had a vested interest in making their suggestion (form a training organisation?) PH2
johnmc  
#7 Posted : 11 October 2013 17:08:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
johnmc

Hi Allen, If the director is giving day to day H&S advice to those on the frontline you would think they would have a relevant qualification but if like most they just keep the board informed on how well the organisation is performing then they only need an O level in English. Just my view, good luck.
allanwood  
#8 Posted : 11 October 2013 17:41:04(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
allanwood

The speaker was not a training provider or affiliated to one. In the company that I am employed there are four health n safety professionals. Three @ CMIOSH & 1 @ TECH IOSH. Iam just trying to gauge others opinions of this matter.
David Bannister  
#9 Posted : 11 October 2013 18:06:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

Director of Health and Safety: Yes Board member with H&S responsibilities: Not necessarily
RayRapp  
#10 Posted : 13 October 2013 22:48:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Allan I agree with most of the comments. I would also add that as a director not directly responsible for health and safety it would be good practice to have some formal training ie Directing Safely or similar; but not an absolute requirement in my book. Like most things it will depend on the circumstances and the extent of the responsibility placed on the individual director. Ray
Gunner1  
#11 Posted : 14 October 2013 14:58:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Gunner1

I think if a Director is given Health and Safety responsibilities they should have some formal training. Having had training they are in a better position to understand issues and support the company 'competent person'.
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