Can anyone help with this? Am trying to find out how I would find a job as an accident investigator of major accidents. The only jobs I see advertised are the H&S Manager/ Advisor type roles etc. Initailly I would be happy to shadow someone doing this job so I could get a feel for what it actually involves. Any ideas or offers? I have an MSc in Ergonomics and a MSc in Safety, Health and Environment and am a CMIOSH. Sharon

Hi Sharon, Claims loss adjustment for insurance companies with lines in major incidents might be a way to go. Don't know how you would get started, on the other hand you could join HSE and hope for a role as a major incident investigator there, but I would imagine you would need a lot of prior experience as Claire says, and maybe a background in sciences or forensics, John

There are no roles as a major accident investigator within the HSE, inspectors just do accident investigation as part of their other duties. Major accidents are few and far between (luckily). Those working in HID (the hazardous installations division) would get the closest to major accident investigation, though not often. However, you can't choose to go into the HSE as a HID inspector (it is random selection from new recruits) unless you go in as a specialist but you don't have a chemicals background so that isn't an option. With your qualifications you could apply to be an ergonimics specialist (if any roles came up but to be honest the HSE doesn't take on huge amounts of specialists and expereince in the role would be an almost certain, ie years as an ergonomist) but most of the time it would be run of the mill stuff not major accidents. The only role I can think of would air crash investigation. There is a specialist MSc in that. You seem to like MSC's so why not!

Hi Sharon, I would suggest contacting the Institute of Industrial Accident Investigators and speak to a guy called Paul Difford who may be able to help. He has researched this area and produced some excellent work in this field. He actively participates in the field of investigations. I think this would be worth a try. If you cannot get a reply through the institute contact me and I will forward his personal e-mail. Hope this helps Chris