Posted By Julian Meer I have spent 17 years working in the Major Hazard Industries of Nuclear and Chemical. Now an oppertunity to work in H&S within Local Authority has arisen. Has anybody made a similar change? What were the biggest contrasts - especially in terms of safety culture? I can guess at how things may be different, but, "Guess work's best if it's right" Did anybody make the change only to make a similar one back? I thank you for any views of real experience.

Posted By Bob Youel Hi. I have done the same thing - a very rewarding change in many ways and very very frustrating in others - Try to get things done when there is little accountability, if any, and politics are on the minds of managers before other things. Money is spent with a political head on it and cannot be easily used as an arguement for improvement as councils are not profit making organisations I have found that things like violence by the public towards council employees is far more likely than a major problem on a high hazard but professionally managed site Sites do not have to deal with the general public as council employees do and nor does the HSE [in any kind of enforcing role. Nor do they have anything in their book re managing the public]. If you do not get disheartened easily you should enjoy yourself - all the best in your new venture.