Posted By Wendi Gibson I tend to agree, IMHO let the departmental heads pay for training for their staff. I say this partly because you will look like a bigger overhead (at least to the accounts people) if your budget pays for the training. They should also be paying for their staff's PPE rather than expecting it to come from your budget. Having said that,you should either have a budget (and all the constraints that involves) or an arrangement by which you can purchase copies of ACOPs, etc which you may need. Personally, I am in a similar situation. I don't have a budget, but the purchasing and accounts departments see it is for H&S and don't quibble so long as my requests are not excessive.

Posted By ITK So would a better job title be H&S advisor. As you dont manage people, or budgets. ITK

Posted By garyh You don't have to have a budget to be a manager!

Posted By Merv Newman I did plant H&S for about 12 years, two sites. Never had a budget. "You want some extinguishers. I'll advise you on what you need and where to put them. Then I'll advise you on what training and maintenance you need. Then it's all yours. Take my advice or tell me where to put it" I was always part of HR who took care of MY training, documentation, travelling and company car. Cheers Merv

Posted By Garry Adams Graham I operate in the Scaffolding Industry, part of my remit portfolio is Fiscal/Budget considerations. It is my personal oppinion that HSEQF Department Management are incouraged consider the costings of PPE and Equipment. I have listed a couple of examples to back up my afore mentiond oppinion. I am of the view that Boardroom desisions are influanced by the Company accountants costings, this can be a counter active strategy for example PPE: The frequency of replacing cheap Harnesses, Coveralls and Boots that disintigeate on the guys feet with the first exposure to rain is a fauls economics, furtheremore, comfort whilst wearing PPE ect, is offten omitted from the equasion. Equipment: This one is of a more seriouse nature, with the onset of Scaffolding Products imported from India and China, there has been a marked degress of quality in the metaluroligistic strength in the Scaffold Tubes and associated compoment parts. This impacts on the Integrety and Reliability and furthermore the Stability of a Scaffold Structure. For the reasons stated above, I do not accept that Boardroom Members nor their Accountants should have the casting vote on aquasitions. Garry...

Posted By Kevin Drum Agree with other posters re significance of title - my title is H&S Manager I don't have people managing responsibilities but sit on the management Team which ensures H&S issues within the company are included in all management team meetings. The title itself means little to me but being involved in the decision making process ensures H&S is seen as priority and that does mean a lot to me.I am lucky enough to have a H&S budget which I use for PPE, First Aid supplies and H&S related training but like others if a heavier spend is required as a result of my recommendations it then comes from that departments budget. I think I am fortunate to be working for a company that does take H&S seriously and supports me accordingly.

Posted By Richard Beevers I'm glad to see some consensus on having budgets. In my last role I gave my H&S budget back after 3 months. I visited one site that was freezing cold, found out the boiler was knackered, told the site manager he'd have to get it fixed - and he asked me how to code it to the H&S budget! I've tried to explain to managers that the 'H&S' aspect of their budgets covers everything from PPE, to training, to bulding repairs, to vehicle & plant maintenance event to the costs or running their canteen (welfare). I also point out that if they want me to fully manage all aspects of their H&S responsibilities, I will happily do theri job - and have their salary! Al.