Posted By Ciaran McAleenan Dear all, Recently a number of topical postings have disappeared from this forum. The common denominator is the originator of the threads. This is a cause for concern since these actions, by the moderator(s), imputes the reputation of all contributors to the various threads and disenfranchises the forum readership. Having had sight of all of the threads I saw nothing, by any of the contributors, that would breach IOSH’s acceptable use guidelines. Perhaps the moderator(s) can comment on their actions since it begs the question; how many other discussions/ contributors have been similarly treated? Ciaran McAleenan mailto:ciaran@confinedspaces.com

Posted By Website Co-ordinator Any decision to delete a posting is based on the moderators interpretation of the acceptable use guidelines located in the Register link. No decision to delete a posting is taken lightly and the role places considerable demands on the time of moderators. The moderators will be describing their role in more detail in a future edition of the SHP and a web version of the article will be posted on the home page In brief section as soon as it is available. The growth of the forum and the increasing demands on the moderators, who are unpaid volunteer members of the Institution, means that offers to be a moderator are always welcome. To be considered, you should be a corporate member ( MIOSH or FIOSH ) and a Registered Safety Practitioner (RSP). If you would like to volunteer, please send me an email indicating your reasons for applying and this will be forwarded to the Corporate Communications Sub Committee.

Posted By Ron Young Why insist on only corporate members for the role as moderator, when it appears that the only things being moderated are contentious issues and not those of a heavy & difficult H&S concern. Surely by looking at the responses of some discussion forum users to recent removals, it may be more prudent to advertise for moderators who have an open mind and an abundance of common sense. Without wishing to be specific, I can see an increasing perception that moderators are using their granted powers to impress the IOSH powers that be of their ulterior ambitions!

Posted By Ian Minty Well done John, an excellent suggestion. If IOSH did this it would encourage more open, honest debate. Messages that just dissapear with no explanation, does not encourage contributors to post messages. What it does encourage is the thought that IOSH is turning into some kind of secret society and that discussion about certain topics is not to be encouraged. Not posting explanations may also encourage the more cynical to think that there is some kind of conspiracy theory!!??