Hi Pete, Flying solo here, however we do have access to other government department's advisors if the need arises. Should the brown stuff hit the fan, the directors do have my personal mobile which tends to get answered regardless.

The role of a safety practitioner should not be so critical that 'cover' has to be provided. It's not an emergency service! Obviously for sustained absences, an interim arrangement might be considered necessary, although most industries probably could cope if they have well-trained managers and effective, usable systems. As so many local authorities are finding out, by just cutting or even eleiminating the safety provision. Yes something really bad might happen whilst the one SA is on holiday. So prepare a plan, allocating who would do what, and a pre-arranged legal adviser on tap. If it's that bad, this would be the first thing you would do anyway - call a lawyer. If safety would fall apart if the safety adviser was not there, I think you are doing it wrong.

I have a deputy, but not for all matters. As long as there is a robust emergency response procedure, it is not essential to have a full time cover. Although I have never been called to site out of hours or even via mobile , I am available via the company mobile, should really exceptional circumstances demand. However, we are a Reseach & Development site dealing with chemical additives, with labs & pilot scale facilities, and not a manufacturing site.