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Scotty1984  
#1 Posted : 26 December 2015 16:47:02(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Scotty1984

Hi all,

I was wondering whether anyone has any experience in being dual qualified in another area other than health & safety, security, fire, environment etc? I am quite keen at the moment of occupational health topics and was wondering if I could become specialised in a particular area as we already have an understanding of these areas. Two areas of current interest are ergonomics and psychology. Next steps for myself are likely to be a masters and maybe at some point a doctorate and maybe could use these as a route to narrow down a career.

Also I would appreciate any recommendations on ergonomic and psychology books?

Thanks

Scott
RayRapp  
#2 Posted : 26 December 2015 22:19:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Hi Scott

There are many 'academics' in health and safety who have previously qualified in another field of industry. Psychology has a big influence in things like accident investigation and causation as well as behavioural safety. Ergonomics, normally referred to as 'human factors' is another specialised area in health and safety worthy of consideration.

You could also consider health and wellbeing, as I believe these will become more focused in the future. Incidentally, this thread would get more footfall if it was placed in the general forum.
stuie  
#3 Posted : 27 December 2015 10:11:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stuie

I started out as a mechanical bod - maintenance and then into project management, helps me greatly when talking to maintenance bod as i have been there and done that :-) so I know some of the stuff they are likely to get up to.
S
JayPownall  
#4 Posted : 27 December 2015 19:21:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
JayPownall

I'm a qualified biomedical scientist having studied this as a first degree. I then switched professions so to speak, undertaking an MSc in Safety, Health and Wellbeing. Both professions actually share a lot in common from the health and psychology aspects, and having a patient centred first career certainly helped from an effective communication front.

I've found it incredibly useful to be both a safety practitioner and scientist.

Scotty1984  
#5 Posted : 27 December 2015 19:54:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Scotty1984

Do you know of any good MSC'S that would focus on a particular area whilst still covering H&S? Would like to progress that maybe to a PHD in the future.

jodieclark1510  
#6 Posted : 29 December 2015 08:31:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jodieclark1510

My university degree is in criminology with social psychology- so a nice mix of criminal behaviour and the justice systems across the globe- and not just street crime, psychology of individuals and also the actions and reactions involving group behaviours for sociology. You wouldn't believe how under the surface I have found so many crossovers between my degree and working in Health and Safety.
bob youel  
#7 Posted : 09 January 2016 09:15:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

as far as I am aware historicially H&S bods came from 'other' areas e.g. engineer, chemist etc. and drifted into H&S after gaining extensive experience in a work environment prior to becoming H&S specific thus bringing with them many skills as against what appears to be current practice e.g. academic qualifications are put first with little real work experience

many H&S bods nowerdays have dule roles e.g. H&S + quality + environmental [with H&S being a very poor second in my view] etc. but be warned H&S carries real risks where others do not e.g. have U ever heard of a QA / HR etc. person being fined for giving advice etc.? So be warned that where U have a dule role U must protect yourself where H&S is concerned as its the only skill that carries with it high risk yet most employers put QA etc. first

get yourself 'competent' in as many areas as U can as it gives U more strings to your bow but note the word 'competent' as attending a few courses does not give competence especially in the subjects U are talking about
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