Last 10 Posts (In reverse order)RayRappPosted: 26 December 2015 22:19:47  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. Scotty1984Posted: 26 December 2015 16:47:02  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

As far as I am aware traditionally it was always the case that a H&S bod went into /drifted into H&S from another field and its only very recently that things have changed. However many people can be multi skilled noting that they need to be competent in all their fields and not have just a feel for a subject or 2 so real professional study and experience is needed in whatever area/s they profess to be competent in 1 big issue I personally have is where people have duel [QA+H&S + Environmental] roles as business on the whole is more interested in the QA & Environmental sides that real H&S and proper H&S is put on the back burner at best one important point is to remember just what role you are operating in e.g. the H&S bod or the designer/ergonomist etc. bod as H&S carries with it far more day to day personal liability than any other role that I know of & must be put at the front of the other areas that U may be competent in best of luck

Hi From Safety I started looking at and studying ergonomics, this led to design and psychology (at a low level), then this moved into vocational rehabilitation, so I am now dual qualified and have membership in both areas. http://www.ergonomics.org.uk/ http://www.vra-uk.org/ Ian