Posted By N Smith Hi All I am having a spot of trouble filling in my CPD file, mainly what goes where, what constitutes a plan, etc. Has anyone got any advice to point me in the right direction please. I have read the IOSH leaflets Neil

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney N Smith I too had troubles like many hundreds before me; I am pleased to say that I have the full measure of it now mostly down to the fact I read the instructions. With respect to content matter that is for you to decide; start at The Development Plan and Diary, use every method available to assess your current status what you are deficient in, what you’re good points are etc etc, once completed start working down the list of Maintenance of Skills, New Professional Skills and Transferable Skills. I urge you to read the accompanying help text next to each area and don't hesitate to utilise the video facility. Be honest with yourself as to how many points to a maximum of 3 you award yourself and do consider spreading the 2 or 3 points over different sections. As a worked example, an event took place today that could have had an overwhelming effect upon our business, it involved a vast team, some particularly dangerous activities, and lasted around 6 hours or so; it took a lot of controlling and much of what occurred had to be dynamically risk assessed there and then. I learnt a lot from today, it was a million to one chance it might have happened but ended up as a learning curve for me, I have therefore spread two points with a report over Maintenance of Skills & New Professional Skills, for I unquestionably learnt some inventive skills whilst reminding myself of those seldom in use. Above all else, be honest with yourself, once you start your entries you will not look back, I personally think the system is outstanding, and must have taken a lot of work and expenditure to create, (wait for the muck to hit the fan now after that comment). You will soon start cutting back on the points you award yourself. Oh by the way, don't worry too much on the date issue, IOSH are aware of the problem and are apparently working a fix, or so I understand anyway, it is almost impossible to have a inauguration date before the active CPD date began. If you felt you wanted to chat I am quite happy to invite you to email me, and I will gladly take you through it step by step until you were fully conversant with it. All the best CFT