Hello all,

I am a new member and would like to ask for some advice or information on what steps I can take to help me break into the industry Having only just recently completed the NEBOSH General Certificate, where i got a distinction, I am relatively new to health and safety and it is the old catch 22 of no job without experience/cant get experience without a job. My main background is construction however I have also worked in the merchant navy where i gained an HND in merchant vessel engineering. Any advice given will be greatly appreciated.
kind regards
Jamie

Hi there
A bit difficult to advise you without some more background but here goes:-
Are you currently employed if so can you do a little bit of H&S for your company i.e. H&S committee member / H&S rep etc.
Have you considered initially getting a part time role in H&S, I was contacted a few months ago by someone who had got a degree in H&S but couldn't get a H&S role because of lack of experience. He asked could he come in once a week unpaid to get some experience, I agreed, now he can put this on his CV.
Regarding your next step please consider the following:- NEBOSH diploma / NVQ level 5 in occupational health and safety, both routes on the way to chartered membership of IOSH.
Also get your CV on some of the recruitment agencies books and have a look on the internet for H&S jobs in your area.

Good luck

Steve w

Jamie

We all have been in your shoes trying to get on the first rung of the health and safety ladder, just stay positive and send speculative letters to companies with yourself CV and background.
In my opinion the NEBOSH Construction Certificate will not give you anymore knowledge than the General Certificate as you already work in that industry, however bear in mind the Diploma is a big step up.

It may be a bit too much of a trek for you, but I know CRS do Most NEBOSH courses in York. I am booked onto my third course with them at the minute, they are very good, even if you just want some advice go onto their website www.crsrisk.com and send them a message or give them a call. See if you can speak to Adrian, he is very knowledgable and can give you lots of information, as I say I've just booked up an auditing course with them next year after completing my general certificate and fire safety with them, and if I go down the NVQ route that will certainly be with them too!

Good luck in whatever you choose to do, just make sure it is right for you!

Jodie

It is an SHE Auditors course, one of few that covers 18001 and 14001 in one course. Don't quote me on it but they may do courses further up north, I'm lucky I'm in Essex and they hold courses about 10 minutes from me throughout the year! Good for you though getting some volunteer work, I would like to get into some volunteering, but instead am taking up my time learning to drive as relying on public transport has finally become tedious, and if I want to progress with jobs I need to be able to get about.
If you are having a bit of a hard time- I like this quote to make me feel better and spur me on-
"we are all in the gutter, but some of us are gazing at stars"

Jodie

Hi,
Approaching charities to gain experience (as Clifden has suggested) is certainly a viable idea, but before you do so I would ensure that you have appropriate professional indemnity insurance in place.

The problem is that legally you would be acting as an adviser to the charities, and if you gave incorrect advice (or if there was a subsequent accident and your advice was challenged) you could find yourself on your own and facing the possibility of a hefty financial claim for damages.

Arguing that you were only offering advice just to gain experience isn't really going to help :0(

Hi Jodie,
If you are doing part time consultancy work on behalf of another company (i.e. working as an associate) then the company will probably put you on their PI insurance - but you need to check that to be sure.

However, if you are offering consultancy to a charity or other client then you'll need your own PI insurance. I think IOSH may have links to an insurance broker who could quote you, or if you'd like to contact me by PM I can let you have the details of my broker. They're quite friendly and no doubt would be happy to have a chat about your requirements.

Hope this helps,

Andy

"but nothing worth getting will ever be easy and if i try my best and fail its better than not trying at all.."
That is a fabulous attitude jamiet and I really hope you get a good opportunity.