Hello All, Are we really passionate about protecting people?? Considering this specific age of commercialization, diplomacy, cost-effective risk management.. ??

I have been accused on here of being serious about H&S. Perhaps that could be read as passionate?

It is not all about accusation, it is exchanging expert views, ideas,.. actually we proved to be passionate about protecting people despite all these hurdles, facing bureaucracy, convincing management on all cost management issues, promoting safety culture in a company, etc. We can easily see, blame culture is promoting in society, accusing health and safety, observed in recent riots in London as well.

I guess we must be a pretty resilient bunch! I for one find it tedious seeing time and time again workers that are trained, dare I say competent, cutting health and safety corners whenever they can regardless. This is despite them having the correct equipment, knowledge and time to do the job safely! Its not all about costs and influencing management. Sometimes, try as you might to educate and influence the workforce, they will continue to take risks and abuse safe working practices. That said, I'm still plugging away flying the 'sensible' flag of health and safety!

P48, I prefer committed and determined rather than passionate, I think I'll keep the passion at home.....

Absolutely!

I had a stand up argument with a Manager. After I though it best to let my boss know, as I figured there would be a complaint. She said I was passionate about my job and that I did it for the right reasons. She backed me up. I regret to this day having the argument- not professional at all. I never regret being passionate- I just show it in a different way now. We are a funny old bunch us fun police, profit prevention officers and any other name people give us. Andy

Like Ray I wouldn't like to be described as 'passionate' as regards my work, mainly because the word usually precedes ones like 'love story' or 'embrace', so I'll go for the other terms he uses. As for being chameleon-like, that's part of the challenge of working in occupational safety & health and a reflection of its eclectic nature, i.e. drawing on different disciplines including law, ergonomics, psychology and technology to name a few. We deal with a range of people in different organisational cultures with a wide spectrum of activities, hazards and risks - so therefore need to be flexible and adaptable to be effective. Motorhead - you mentioned regret after your stand up argument with a manager. Perhaps it was an appropriate or even the most appropriate approach at the time for the situation and manager concerned, as indicated by your boss's subsequent support. Sensible idea to let her know - Good bosses prefer to be kept informed of situations which might result in complaints being made to them. If they can say to a complainant that they know about the matter and add what action they've taken or propose, it tends to show them as being in charge and competent. Also, if the manager involved had been unreasonable and provoked you, perhaps your boss was happy to affirm these points to the manager. Also, though you use 'funny' to imply that OS&H people can be perceived at times by others as strange or odd, some of us certainly enjoy humour and even employ it where appropriate in our work. Humour is a facet displayed in a wide range on this forum and might be one of its attractions, especially when compared with professional OS&H journals which generally seem devoid of humour. Mind you, it's understandable that humour isn't always appreciated by everybody. Some of mine, partly derived from a liking for 'Monty Python' and 'Fawlty Towers' style humour, is probably lost on some forum users - but that's just life.

Passionate - as defined by Dictionary.com pas·sion·ate   /ˈpæʃənɪt/ Show Spelled[pash-uh-nit] Show IPA adjective 1.having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling; fervid: a passionate advocate of socialism. 2.easily aroused to or influenced by sexual desire; ardently sensual. 3.expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional: passionate language. 4.intense or vehement, as emotions or feelings: passionate grief. 5.easily moved to anger; quick-tempered; irascible. Personally I'm not passionate about my work; as Ken said, that's for home. I think the word is overused today by the businness wannabees and the types that appear on "the apprentice". Do I take my work seriously...yes I do. Do I get a sence of satisfaction knowing that what I do makes a difference, even if that isn't visible to everyone....yes I do.

I've overheard myself being described as '... that badgering Elf 'n Safety nutter...', is that passionate enough for you? Badger

I JUST BURROWED IT ... BADGER