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Where in the organisation should a health and safety manager sit?
Rank: New forum user 
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I have been told recently, notice told and not consulted with, that I am to report to the new Facilities Manager whose JD includes T&D of and hiring and firing of HS emps. Their JD only requires a reasonable level of HS knowledge. This is a multi discipline organisation. Comments please.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I report directly to my MD, we aren't a massive organisation, but I do need to report to someone that has the authority to back up my recommendations etc.
I have never reported to another manager in any other department, always straight to the top.
Pete
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I don't see that they would have to consult with you on this. However, you should have a look through your company policies as they may be breaking their own rules. However, if they are not, I see no issue.
Also, why would your manager need to have an equal or better level of H&S knowledge than you? Surely, that is what you are employed to do?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In my past employment history I have never worked for a boss who had much idea about H&S. My direct reports may have said the same!
For every argument as to where the H&S person should sit in an organisation there will be equally valid ones in support of a different setup.
I doubt that the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell knows how to unload a tanker of petrol but he runs a successful organisation.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I report to a Director who has absolutely no idea about H&S. Previously here I reported to the MD- who had a good grounding in H&S.
As long as the powers that be listen to competent H&S advice, then I don't think it matters who we report in to.
Andy
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The best place to sit in an organisation is next to the doughnuts. I have worked for HR, Finance & Company Secretary in my time. What makes the difference isn't so much what the Director knows or what their title is but how much they care. For example, one of the two FD's I've worked for wanted to know how often we could afford to have a fatality. The other one went to after-hours seminars on H&S run by our solicitors. As you can imagine I got quite different levels of support.
My current boss is HR (well, people and learning and strategic change in these days of title inflation) and he cares, so I'm happy,
John
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Rank: New forum user
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Thanks for the replies.
There is a significant change in the job role which the facilities manager has rewritten to enable himself to manage the role so there should have been some consultation.
I don't have an issue with reporting or not reporting to MD, Directors Heads of Departments except I feel it should not be to a department manager especially one which presents one of the biggest areas of H&S Audit as there could be significant conflict.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If there are too many levels-gaps between the adviser and the MD / top of the shop I find that slowly but surely the adviser is seen as being of less and less relevance etc. especially with 'in-betweeners'* looking to gain brownie points e.g. by picking brain's
[*many such people report on H&S & other areas just to make themselves feel important/clever when they have no clue but its usually to late when the MD wakes up]
All U can do is ensure that the MD knows that U have their back & if poss attend as many senior meetings as U can just to show that U are still there irrespective of the subject area and as usual; record record record!
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Rank: New forum user
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How true Bob Youel!
Its a long story but thats exactly what happens. A the end of the day all we, H&S specialists, want is that the job is done safely.
Just feeling like I will spend all my time trying to get this manager to tow the line and meanwhile all reports to seniors would be blocked. Sadly worked with this set up before and you are correct the further away they keep you the more they can appear to be in the know. Wouldn't mind if it had a lasting effect but it doesn't its a one hit wonder.
Was going to justify to MD the rationale behind not following this particular course but with some of the comments here its appears so hit and miss out there I will probably just go with the flow.
We were making such good progress too!
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