Posted By Chris Packham We looked at doing some work in the USA and even exhibited at two AIHA conferences. Unfortunately, we found the attitude there was not really conducive to our obtaining business for our rather specialised consultancy. To put it bluntly, the whole concern appeared to be to ensure that the employer was complying with the OSHA stated exposure limits for chemicals - so that under the Workmen's Compensation Act they could not be sued! Beyond that there appeared to be little motivation. One major employer actually said to us that he found it cheaper to pay the workmen's compensation than to implement health and safety measures! When we took the original decision, we were advised to set up a UK based limited company with minimal assets and to conduct all business through this, we being employer by the company at a nominal salary. The reasons should be obvious. Needless to say, we now have stopped attempting to promote our services in the USA. The UK and Europe are much more receptive. Chris

Posted By Pete48 Exdeeps, the first thing is that the cultural and social differences are immense. The basic technical H&S stuff is still the same of course, the legal system is quite different, the language is not as straightforward as it might seem. So to quote an American icon, "it is civilisation Jim but not as we know it". So you would have to ask yourself, why would a US company want to employ me? Then there is the whole question of visas. Unless things have changed in the past few years, it is harder to pass through the eye of a needle if you are looking for work employed by and paid by an American company in America. Most who go for employment have been transferred by their US employer from positions here in the EU.(I think there is a minimum period of a year or two in employment before transfer to the States is allowed) I had a couple of stints out there more than 20 years ago and it was a very interesting experience on both occasions; however, like others I was surprisingly happy to get away from it on both occasions. My brother has lived and worked out there for the last 25 years, he is now fluent in Spanish as well as US English! He misses those famous baked beans, decent tea and a particular brand of high street underpants. It is the little things that make the difference after all you see! I cannot really help with cross qualifications and acceptance of same. I doubt the vocational ones would count for much unless supported by academic qualifications such as first degrees.

Posted By Exdeeps Well, what can I say? An oddball question that generated some very detailed but interesting answers. Thank you very much. As I said in the original post, I am not thinking about moving to the States, just curious to find out what the practical differences are, Cheers, Jim