Posted By Max Bancroft Hi Lim - my part time predecessor was a H&S Adviser succeeding an even more part-time H&S Officer and when they decided to go for a full time H&S person they decided to call him "Officer". The thinking was that he/she would have more clout if called an Officer. In reality, people pay as much or as little attention as they ever did! The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 don't specify any title - they require one or more "competent persons". Some big companies even appoint a H&S Manager but, again, it comes down to being competent regardless of what you are called.

Posted By David Bannister I agree with both previous postings. In my opinion the term "officer" is now rather old-fashioned and implies a role of enforcing existing rules, whereas the term advisor is more applicable to someone who can point management and workforce towards good practice, develop policies and procedures for adoption by management and advise on how to progress. A H&S manager will have managemet responsibility. In any instance, if bad advice is offered or poor H&S practices are adopted or condoned by a H&S professional, then we should accept responsibility and be accountable for our failings. However, I do not believe that the title is itself too important, it is the job to be done, the way is approached and the personality of the person that counts.

Posted By Lumpy It doesn't matter what you're called ... it's the job you do that counts. I know some people who refuse to be called H&S Managers as they believe the title "Manager" puts them in the firing line .. so they stick with H&S Adviser. If that were the case I bet half the CEOs in the country would change to CEAs overnight.

Posted By Laurie Just for the UK scenario, I did once see a learned opinion in one of the commercial H&S periodic newsletters which suggested that an advisor was just that, and would only be liable if they were grossly and criminally negligent, whereas as officer would be regarded as an officer of the company/organisation and could take their place in the dock alongside the executives for any H&S breaches. So far as I know it's never been tested. Any of our learned brethren care to comment? Laurie

Posted By Heather Aston Laurie I'm neither learned in the field nor a brethren, but it sounds like rubbish to me. I would have thought the potential for legal (criminal) liability rested entirely on whether the individual was a) aware of wrong doing - i.e. conniving in it and b) was considered to have the authority to do something about it - i.e. an equivalent "officer of the conpany" under s37 of HSW. Judgement on this most likely to be made from the individual job description and duties not the job title alone. Heather

Posted By Chris Black having occupied both positions i would say that the main difference between a safety officer and a safety adviser is about 10k per year

Posted By LIM BOON KHOON Hi fellow members My apology for not responding any earlier to your comments, views and feedback. I found them useful. I would like to response to the following: Max, In Singapore, the position of safety officer is clearly stated in the Factories Act and its subsidiary legislation. He must be a competent person before he is allowed to act as a safety officer. David Bannister I share the same views as you. The duties of the safety officer are clearly spelt out in the Factories (Registration and Duties of Safety Officer) Regulations. One of the duties is to advise the occupier or general manager of the measures to take with respect to safety and health of the work to be done in the factory. Hence, my posting on the difference between the Safety Officer who advises and the Safety Advisor. Heather Aston I am aware of the different scenarios in safety and health between UK and Singapore. Thanks for the information and advice. In Singapore, before a competent person can act as a safety officer he/she must undergo a training course approved by the Chief Inspector of Factories and have a minimum of 2 years relevant working experience and register himself/herself with the Chief Inspector of Factories. He/she must remain current in the profession and accumulate a total of 40 credit points over a 2-year period before his/her registration is renewed. This is part of the continuing education program for registered safety officer. James Sneddon Currently we do not have the CDM regulations in Singapore. I am unable to share the information or comments with you. I believe the Ministry is looking into this system.