Posted By Angela Rayner I hope I am asking this question in the correct forum. I have read the profiles of people who work in Health & Safety on this site. They all seem to have degrees or backgrounds in biology or chemistry or management or environmental sciences. Is it necessary to have such a degrees or is it possible to take and pass the IOSH exams and then train in industry? I have several degrees in theology and criminology, but I am now thinking about various career opportunities, and health & safety work seemed interesting and varied. However, I won't be able to pursue thinking in this direction if it is necessary to have a degree in science.

Posted By Mike Miller If you have a degree at all is will be useful in that it demonstrates that you have the ability to take in and recall vast amounts of knowledge. The subject of criminality will also prove useful 9as does all life skills) for instance when dealing with accident investigation and people in general. You will have some idea how the human mind works and human behaviour in general. This would prove invaluable as much of the safety officers role involves dealing with 'human behaviour' Issues. Risk asessment and accident causation is bases on just that. You would have no trouble in achieving H&S diploma. If I were you without industry expertise, I would take the Nottingham Trent University Diploma In Health, Safety and Environmental Management. I say this because it is more an acedemic qualification aimed at management level. The NEBOSH is H&S specific. Both lead to MIOSH status and employers are really starting to recognise the benefits of the NTU qualification. Hope this is helpful to you. I have no doubt that you will have many other opinions to consider also. All will be sound advice. Good luck, if you need any more help we are just a click away MIke

Posted By Simone Plaut Dear Angela I went into safety with a Radiography qualification some twenty years ago. This is not a safety but a health related profession, yet has proved extremely useful, as has anything else i have done. In fact I strongly suspect that my parenting experience (my two daughters are now at Uni) has been more valuable than anything else in making me good at my job. Life experience has been valuable, reading the paper and spotting a safety related article, watching movies such as backdraft and the towering inferno can also be useful. Intelligence, and a willingness to learn are the best things you can use. Good luck in the future Simone Plaut London SRP Consultants (my own business started four years ago)