Posted By Ronan Hello folks, Following a very formal interview for the role as a Health and Safety Officer, I have been invited to the second interview, as far as i know the second interview involves a walk around the factory floor with some of the Health and Safety Team. I assume that this will involve the health and safety manager assessing my knowledge, observation skills and general enthusiasm. Has anyone any past experience of such a format, I really just want to know what I can expect. Really want this job..!! Any help would be greatly appreciated..!!

Posted By Phillipe Sounds like your feet are already in the door Ronan. Some words of advice: 1. Be yourself, they obviously like you hence the second interview 2. Get there half hour early, grab a coffee/tea/juice somewhere near and prepare yourself, calm any nerves 3. Be enthusiastic - don't be shy and afraid to ask questions or give suggestions 4. Good luck All the best for the day Phil

Posted By Merv Newman Ron (I bet you hate that abbreviation) The only comparable experience I can offer is when I was up for a possible consultant contract. Senior managers and H&S director gave me a walk through of production areas. (some town in Holland) at lunch the question came : "What do you think of our safety programme ?" (my boss was listening and judging) 5 seconds to put your head back, think and formulate the killing reply. "That first place we went to, there was a noise protection sign on the door ?" Answer from senior manager : "Right. And not all of them were obeying the rule !" Riposte from Merv. "Right ! Neither were we. Why not ?" Big smile on the face of my boss. Chagrin (look it up) for the managers. We got the job. So, don't just look at the workplace and employee behaviours. Observe the behaviours and reactions of the managers. Do they obey local safety rules ? how do they react when faced by unsafe behaviours, dangerous situations. Politely, gently, in a friendly, helpful manner, challenge them. If they can take it with a smile you have a good chance. If they start kicking your ass then get said ass out of there. H&S is one-third work environment (machines etc), one third people (human behaviours) and one third management. You have to deal with all three. Good luck with the interview. Please let us know how it comes out. (and please, not just "I won" or "I lost"). What is really interesting to all of us is the "how I won" or the "why I lost" Remember, yours is a learning experience for all of us. (includes repeated contact of heads with brick walls) Personally I have been known to kick holes in raised flower beds. (ask my wife. she has been there and done that with me) Regards Merv

Posted By CFT Ronan Good luck first and foremost! When you do your tour, try not to be to 'gung ho' in your approach to any situations you see, it is simplicity to pull systems to pieces from an identification purpose and if, (and I do say if) you find that the safety side of the business leaves much to be desired you must work out the balance of stating what you see and why it is wrong against the team of H&S specialists that are walking round with you; it will be that balance which will be difficult to achieve. Damned if you do and damned if you don't springs firmly to mind. Go for it! CFT

Posted By water67. Hi, obviously if you have a 2nd interview you are more than half way there. but remember others will also have this..so you have competition so remain competitive. Be professional at all times. but show too your personality as I assume part of the deal will be to see if other staff feel they can get on with you and you with them. Don't be afraid to take a notebook with you, talk to staff on the ground. I was at a similar thing..i managed to pick up from a pregnant member of staff that no additional assessments had been completed nor had she been consulted re any additional risks.. didn't impress them enough as it didn't get me the job..but at least the worker got considered. jot down things.. positive as well as negative.. don't dwell on trivial breaches look at the high risk areas.. expect questions after the walk round and try to think what these may be and try to be prepared. Mervs advice is sound. Good luck. Cheers.