Posted By ST
I could say - don't do it (but that's on a bad day)

But safety does require someone with a passion for it and a great deal of common sense - I'm not saying it is an easy career, though if your employer is on side and there is a good safety culture it is easier.

You are going in the correct direction by taking your certificate then Diploma - can your role currently be expanded to include more safety, as the more areas you get involved with the more you will gain experience and understanding. Unfortunately safety is one of those egg and chicken enigmas, you can't get the safety job without the qualification and experience and its difficult to get the qualification if you are not doing the job. It depends on what other qualifications you have, people with science degrees or engineering degrees with a NEBOSH Cert could possible get into safety easier than someone with just safety (like myself). If it is something you want, go for it and get a subscription to the Safety and Health Practitioner and look for suitable positions, let people know via this forum that you want a job in safety, sell your qualities and experience you have gained as my belief is that safety personnel have to be all rounders. Once you have the Certificate, get membership to your local IOSH branch, network and try to find a mentor, attend as many "free" seminars on safety to get a broad knowledge.

Safety isn't just getting the qualifications it is a life long learning process - no black and white answers, lots of discussion, arguments and not always very popular with your co-workers, but sometimes some satisfaction is gained and that's when you remember why you are doing the job.

I hope you still want it after reading the above, and wish you well with your studies.

S.

Posted By steven bentham
I've been in the safety industry for 22 years. Worked as an adviser and a regulator. Its not an industry for the unqualified, or the faint hearted.

Its been the best career you could want, lots of problems, some failures and some successes.

If you make this your choice, think long term and good luck.