Posted By Merv Newman Dave, I see nothing wrong in some financial reward for your safety coordinators but it can be difficult getting it accepted by management. There are other "rewards" that you might find easier to get accepted. You should look at ways of telling these people that they are appreciated by management and that they are doing a valuable job. The first and most essential is to spend time with them. Your time if you are "head" of HSE, but also site management and supervision. Treat them to a cup of coffee now and then. Talk to them and ask their advice. Send them off on training courses preferably two or three together so that they can develop friendships and networks. Buy them lunch in the works canteen or a sandwich at the pub (no alcohol, of course)and invite a local manager along. Have an annual off-site get together "to present and review relevant legislation and to exchange experiences" or whatever. Lunch, dinner, free drink presented, paid for and thanked by the top boss. Commercial break coming up (those of nervous dispostion should now switch off) : eventually look at behavioural safety which can change their role from the negative "unsafe acts and conditions audits" to recognising, rewarding and reinforcing the good performers. End of commercial.

Posted By Chris Cox Dave At my last employer although not able to get financial reward for staff in similar circumstances I sold the safety reps role by providing them with training course "managing safely" at least they got something for taking on the extra work.

Posted By Stacey R Collins The role of co-ordinator could be combined with that of H&S rep on a committee. Then they'd have an entitlement to training under the Consultation Regs. You could then provide them with training (assuming that would be viewed as an incentive). Some training like first aid, fire fighting, personal safety, child safety etc. might be incentivised because of their usefulness outside the workplace. others like managing safely might be beneficial in terms of personal and career development. We currently pay fire wardens and first aiders with John Lewis vouchers just before Christmas and organise a Christmas party for them. They are small tokens of appreciation admittedly but effective. We are also organising a quiz night where we can surreptitiously test their knowledge in the guise of a social occasion.

Posted By fats van den raad Nice one Dave, I'm glad you were successful. I wonder how much your argument about the potential increase in the managers workload in the absence of co-ordinators had to do with swaying them. Or is that just me being cynical???? I've been struggling so hard without success to get recognition for our safety co-ordinators that it really pleases me to see someone had a success.!!!