Posted By Sarah Darlington I am looking at getting additional external resources in to assist in policy writing for a period of up to 6 months. Would anyone have any tips on how best to go about looking for this help? Should I go down the consultancy route or would it be better to advertise a part time post? Sarah P.S. I work for a charity in the North West

Posted By Merv Newman Wot Ian says. We won't offer our help as we think that H&S policies are legal documents (check the HSE site) and best written by lawyers. Nobody reads them all the way through anyway. Unless it comes to a court case. In addition to the above legally necessary H&S policy, I like to see a a shortish statement from the site manager, or equivalent, written in his/her own words which expresses how important to him/her is employee health and safety and how much of her/his life she/he will devote to it. I never provide a model for these statements, trying to force the boss to find their own words and vocabulary, but they often come out the same : * All accidents are avoidable * Management is responsible for the prevention of accidents * ... Have come across a few which, in addition to being signed by god are also signed by each senior manager. (the archeangels ?) Important point : if the boss changes then the incoming redoes the policy. There is too much of that about at the moment. My lot seem to be doing musical chairs. First one out goes on early retirement or gardening leave. I've got five sites in one company which have all changed directors since the beginning of the year. Crippens ! (phrase attributed to T Pratchett, The wee free men, (c) 2003)(I've got 'em all and, unique collection, not one of them has been signed by the author) (the last will only be understood by devotees of TP) Sorry, but it feels like Friday. Except that I know I have an audit report to write tomorrow. Bum. Swings and roundabouts Merv