Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney CU By actually asking the question I would make the assumption that it is fairly metaphorical in as much as you would seem to be new to the fold, on the basis you are not then what I have said here is probably academic, for the record though….. Its not that much different to any other skilled trade, you would be unable to teach and advise until you had covered the subject in detail, and with H&S in mind this would be by way of both experience and qualifications. As a minimum, I would suggest you consider a starting point of, depending on your current knowledge, the Nebosh NGC, you may find you actually do well and would then look to either go the Nebosh level 4 dip, or perhaps a degree, then some fine tuning with specialist subjects, perhaps construction for example, to name one of many specialised areas. (sorry, assumption again, Nebosh is an exam board of H&S and offers the NGC and dip 4, 1&2 no longer available, ok for purists they are but only in certain circumstances, 1 & 2 will be gone completely soon, they may come back, but that’s another story!) After a further period of years and I do mean years not months you would be in a position to be able to consult on a variety of H&S issues, this period would be very useful in building up to Chartered Membership of IOSH, (see new membership structure) and having the strength of IOSH behind you will surely show prospective clients how seriously you take H&S, I really don’t give a sh**te what people say against being a member of IOSH and there are some, but to my mind there can be only one…and that is IOSH, sorry, was getting cross already, have just had this argument this morning about IOSH, I won of course, why? Cos it’s the best at what it does, (oh eck, I can hear the fingers going already!!!!) I do not know what age you are, what your current level of H&S experience is, or indeed if you have any, so what I have said here is very general and assumes, (I know, I know it makes an ass...............) If you are just starting and need further help don’t hesitate to contact me, on the other hand if you already have knowledge and experience the advice I can offer is when you no longer need to ask your original question, and understand fully the containment of H&S you will no doubt be able to answer it yourself, bit like the pebble in Master Po’s hand scenario. Good luck anyway, it’s a great profession, as the tiger once said….”Its greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Charley