Rank: New forum user 
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I am very fortunate to have been offered a post as a Health and Safety Manager. For the majority of my H&S career I have worked in assurance and auditing. I'm keen to move into the 'implementation' side of things and to turn from "poacher into gamekeeper", if you'll excuse the poor use of the idiom.
To date I've not held any direct responsibility for implementing and managing health and safety. That said, I have gained considerable experience from auditing and appreciate how things can be done and of good practice out there.
Yet, I am struck by a sense of fear in moving from a secure job and into a complementary field but one that has its own unique qualities, some of which attract me and instil fear in equal measure.
I hold the NEBOSH Dip and am Lead Auditor of OHSAS 18001.
I wonder if I could ask for the thoughts of the forum? Do you think this transition will be straightforward/ relatively easy? Is my fear justified or am I simply suffering a touch of 'new job insecurity'? Has anyone else made this switch and what are you're experiences? Can anyone suggest practical strategies that might help me settle into the role?
I'm grateful for your thoughts.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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They would not have offered you the job unless they thought you could do it.
So the question to ask yourself is; exactly why do you think you cannot?
Which bit of the role elicits the fear or is it just the unknown?
Good luck whatever you decide.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Is any transition ever straightforward? None of mine have ever been! Getting it done will always be more problematic than outlining what has to be done so I can see why you are asking the question.
I think I would ask myself why have they employed me. Is it because they are seeking a systems led approach to H&S? Is it because they operate in an environment where being able to explicitly demonstrate good governance and 'pass' specified 3rd party audits is essential and they see your experience 'on the other side' as invaluable? Is it another reason to do with my knowledge and personality?
I imagine the 2 most significant differences for you will be;
-the change to using influence to effect change rather than compliance statements
-the fact that you are now inextricably linked to the success or failure of the enterprise and your success depends on others as much as your own efforts.
You simply have to pick up the ball and run. Are there any tackles coming your way? You bet, but then you are not exactly untested and an easy hit are you?
good luck
p48
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Rank: Forum user
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Most Health and Safety Manager's are at the mercy of Auditors. It is they who can identify if we are Managing to an acceptable standard...but you already know that. My point being the difference between auditing and implemeting is vast in my opinion.
I work in the Construction industry and my experiences with external auditors has generally been good but it is fact that auditors only want to see a paper trail (hard or electronic) of how compliance has been achieved and recorded, and have no interest in HOW it is achieved in real terms. It is my opinion that they have no real concept, or training for that matter, of the difficulties in practically achieving this compliance at ground level.
I don't mean to sound negative and wish you all the best, but I believe you will find the transition eye-opening to say the least. But it may give you more of an insight if and when you return to auditing.
DNW
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Rank: Super forum user
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Auditors can (and do) preach from the perspective of a perfect world, if you undertsand what I mean. They want the gold standard to be achieved for everything.
So I guess my advice would be get ready to accept the real world where budgets take priority. Learn to be diplomatic. Learn which battles to walk away from for the sake of winning the war. Accept achieving something is better than achieving nothing. And don't go at it like a bull in a china shop on your first day.
Good luck.
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Rank: Forum user
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I agree with Clairel. Its very important to talk to the people who do the job and understand how they do it. Take your time and learn what the real issues are and slowly implement the control strategies that are appropriate. You wont be able to win every encounter but take time to educate those at the bottom, and always have your door open!
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Rank: New forum user
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Guys, thanks for all the responses, there's some very astute advice there and I'm very grateful.
I ended up taking the job offer. My logic is simple, firstly there's considerably more job vacancies for HSE Advisor/Mgr (persons responsible for implementing) than for Risk Management/ Assurance/ Auditor -so I'm mindful of the longevity of my career. Secondly, it strengthens my knowledge and I'll gain experiences I can't obtain from my current role -I would hope this would improve my employability. Thirdly, I've got it into my head that this is what I want to do, in a sense I'm taking the path I planned to take. I struggle with the notion that I audit something I haven't applied. I want to get stuck in and bring about some positive change. If I get it right I'm sure I'll enjoy it, and if I enjoy it I'll get it right (I would hope)!
Your responses appear balanced -a touch of encouragement and some pearls of wisdom. Thanks once again.
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