How about a simple check list for the manager (particularly of a SME) so that when evaluating the competence of a prospective consultany they can ask the right questions and ensure that they obtain relevant information? This could include qualifications, but also track record, references from existing clients, etc. Chris

Pete Yes, why not have a go? David Young's report highlights the manipulation of stories to certain editors distorted opinions of health and safety. IOSH - and its members -will have plenty of examples. These could be tied up into a dossier and taken to the Press Complaints Commission, using the section on 'Accuracy' as the criteria against which to reflect the inaccuracy of the stories. They may reject a dossier but it seems like an idea worth trying. David Young certainly has shown no interest in doing so. So there may be two routes: 1 Take a complaint to the PCC that certain newspapers - we know the names!! - have consistently and deliberately published 'inaccurate, misleading or distorted information' [Taken from the PCC Editors Code of Practice] in breach of the Editors Code. 2 Take all the evidence which highlights the benefits of a good health and safety management system [plenty around] which David Young ignored and use it to start 2011 with a drive on how health and safety specialists - including consultants on and off the register - are preventing death, injuries and ill health and making business more efficient, more profitable and be sustained in the future. Cheers. Nigel

Although I suspect that Lord Young of Graffham may well not be interested in anything to do with unions. http://en.wikipedia.org/..._Baron_Young_of_Graffham