Posted By Ken Taylor I suppose that, ultimately, it depends upon the job description given to the post by the employer - who might well select from a number of terms used as titles for these jobs. However, my expectation of a Health & Safety Manager would be of one who manages the health and safety function of the organisation - probably managing subordinate employees and being a member of the Management Team. The Health & Safety Adviser(or) might, presumably, only be there to provide professional advice - whereas the Health & Safety Officer might also provide an executive, enforcement, regulatory, inspection, audit, etc, etc role. However, 'A rose by any other name, etc..'. It would be interesting to hear an IOSH HQ view on this.

Posted By MICHELLE BROWN THANKS TO BERNARD AND KEN FOR THE REPLIES. NOW I AM REALLY CONFUSED, MY MAIN JOB IS CREDIT CONTROLLER AND I HAVE TO FIT HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES IN WHEN I CAN. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE TITLE HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER BUT IS THIS CORRECT??

Posted By Ken Taylor To address your second question: the important things are that you can do the job and are competent - to a point that would 'stand up' in Court if necessary. I have come across the term 'Health and Safety Officer' given to various employees during the course of their main employment (school teachers, union officials, etc) in fact I can remember a job advert a few years ago for a 'Car Park Attendant/Safety Officer'! The title, I would contend, implies duties to inspect and advise - the consequences of which could have implications for the safety and lives of others and resultant litigation. Have you been appointed to assist the employer in discharging his/her duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations? If so, evidence of competence will be important.

Posted By David Partington There was research undertaken a few years ago (2-3) that concluded that there are approximatly 53 titles doing roughly the same job... Therefore in HS a title does not really mean a great deal. For your part as a credit controler I would suggest to your manager that that you either appoint a proper HS professonal full time or hire an occassional consultant, depentant on your need and size of your undertaking. For your part don't worry too much as due to vicarious liability your employer is responsible for your actions and also for their failure to appoint a competent person. If yours is a small, low risk operation then you may be able to do this job if you undertake the NEBOSH HS certificate. If you get stuck then drop me a line.

Posted By Ciaran McAleenan Michelle, Try not to get too concerned about what title you hold or indeed what salary bracket you are in (as suggested by another correpondent). All of that is superflous to what appears to be your underlying question, i.e what does my company require of me and am I sufficiently skilled to do the job. (My apologies if I have misinterpreted your concerns). However, if they are your real concerns then the solution is to have your employer clarify what they require of you, in your H&S role. From that baseline you can, in consultation with your line manager establish what skills you already have to help you fulfill that role and determine what additional skills you will need to improve your input to the job. A very simple skills audit such as this, coupled with a timescale for actioning/ closing the skills gap will give you the confidence to proceed in your new role. H&S consultants follow a broadly similar path except that they tend to self-analyse to ensure that they can meet the needs of their various clients. Hope this helps. Slainte Ciaran