Back in April 2007, John Gilbertson gave his view on the safety profession and how it was viewed by those on the outside. Often the image of a health and safety practitioner is that of the ‘fun police’, or an easy target for headlines. HSE even has a section on their site dedicated to refuting health and safety myths.
Gilbertson sets out what it means to be a true professional, but also acknowledges that problems with perception can come from safety professionals themselves. Some don’t take the necessary training needed, or perhaps aren’t as dedicated to their clients as they should be. He calls for greater emphasis on training and qualifications, to make sure the profession is seen as just that: professional.
