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#1 Posted : 28 April 2006 17:16:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mark Sheppard
Could anyone please give me a simple definition of a Safety Officer and a Safety Advisor, thereby highlighting the differences

Many thanks. Mark
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#2 Posted : 28 April 2006 18:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney
Very simple bare bones are; advisor does just that. Advises, and the officer administrates and can be held accountable as a probable directing mind in so far as his status allows.

Advisors are not beyond prosecution just restricted to the advice (good or bad) they may offer.

Usually, advisors would be self employed or, supplied by a larger H&S body; an officer is more often than not directly employed.

Trust this is of help; it’s not definitive just meant to be a simple and very brief explanation.

CFT
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#3 Posted : 28 April 2006 18:44:00(UTC)
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Posted By Andrew W
If that definition is correct then why is the national average wage lower for a post described as officer than it is for advisor?

I know the definitions of positions vary widely within the occupation perhaps guidelines would be of help or maybe I'm just talking twaddle!!

Andy
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#4 Posted : 28 April 2006 19:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney
No; your not talking twaddle Andy. If you think about it; an advisor is almost certainly self employed or....highly competent and working for a larger company, it therefore follows that his/her salary is likely to be higher.

I came across an advisor today (saw the invoice) working for a group at £48 per hour, they will be employing an officer soon (I am part of the interview panel) the salary will be 42k to start (low risk industry), roughly half the price of the advisor, say at 35 hours x £48 x 45 weeks = 75k ish, so it's a saving, ok not including NI etc.

CFT
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#5 Posted : 29 April 2006 08:02:00(UTC)
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Posted By Martyn Hendrie
In my experience what the H&S professional is called has more to do with whether or not senior/middle management recognise where responsibility for managing safety lies.

When I started in H&S (26 yrs ago)I was given the title "Safety Officer" the attitude of line managers was very much that I was there to manage safety and they were there to make profit.

I am glad to say that attitiudes have changed and in then main managers now recognise that managing safety is part of their responsibility and "Safety Advisers" are there to help them make the right decisions.

What you are actually responsible for would be described in your job description, but how the workforce (incl line management) perceive you can be affected by the job title.
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#6 Posted : 01 May 2006 20:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Mark et al

I am not sure there is any definitive answer to your question, it's a matter of semantics. Those who work in the construction industry tend to refer to safety officer. However, the norm tends to be safety advisor, whereas a contractor could be called a safety consultant. Nevertheless they could all be doing the same type of role.

There is such a wide range of duties and positions in health and safety that I do not think a standard title would be appropriate anyway.

Regards

Ray
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#7 Posted : 02 May 2006 10:12:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Mark

Agree with Ray. My role is advisory and have calculated my hourly rate as £12.50 per hour....woohoo Monte Carlo here I come!

Different companies have different cultures and name positions differently. My role is advisory, the nomenclature of officer or manager in my organisation denotes a form of executive authority over others which I do not have, hence the title advisor.

Jeff(cheap as chips)
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