Career in health and safety (QSHE) / facilities management

[donnie85]

• note I'm torn between career choices so apologies for 2 threads but thought it might spark conversation for others interested in the same careers**

So I have a degree in Logistics. Worked in freight / supply chain (imports) for 7 years now. Want to do something else now and earn more money. Had a conversation with the person who is the QHSE manager and deals with the facilities side as well and said if I would like to move to that department. Not a career I have ever considered before as always sounded boring to me but looking online and the money seems quite decent if a QHSE manager. I'm told they would pay for my NEBOSH course. The facilities side sounds alot more interesting to me however.

What is health and safety like as a career?? Is it as boring as it sounds or can it be an enjoyable, varied and lucrative career. Also if I do go ahead with it and get the NEBOSH what are the prospects for a long term career?

[p4cks]

It takes a certain type of person to want to go in to H&S as a career, and it's not normally the type of person you'd want to have a pint with.

[xx99xx]

p4cks said:

It takes a certain type of person to want to go in to H&S as a career, and it's not normally the type of person you'd want to have a pint with.

Not necessarily true. Anyone, no matter what job they do, who can't separate their job from their private life will often be boring to have a pint with if all they talk about is work.

I'd have thought H&S would be a 'safe' career choice as there will always be a need for a H&S guy.

[anonymous-user]

If you work in logistics why not try business development? My brother started out in it, now on 150k plus bonus. There are good career paths and will build on skills.

Edited by Thesprucegoose on Saturday 5th October 18:12

[donnie85]

Thesprucegoose said:

If you work in logistics why not try buiness development? My brother started out in it, now on 150k plus bonus. There are good career paths and will build on skills.

Sales though. Not sure I could deal with the cold calling you need to do.

[anonymous-user]

Most on the work is working with clients and then doing tenders. I've never heard him mention cold calls.

[TCX]

Go for the hsqe,if firms paying and giving you experience,two hsqe 'advisors' from firm I've just been made redundant from,went into admistratoon,walked straight into decent jobs,despite only having small amount,nothing worthwhile,experience,both got jobs due to 'friends n family ' nature of firm in first place
Hsqe become huge business now,used to be an old bloke was 'safety guy',have a walk round,see someone doing something daft,he'd have a word,now it's photos,email,office time,tool box talks,safety stand downs,never be short of work,growth industry,just not one I'd choose

[lrdisco]

I’m an ex Bricklayer/builder/Project Manager who has recently, (7months)started in H&S/CDM.
Minimum qualification is NEBOSH GC.
It is not in any way exciting but it can pay reasonably well.
I’m based in Europe and just changed employers due to Brexit and am earning £75k plus all expenses inc car parking, flights, trains etc on a 10x 4 rotation and 32 days leave.
Really nice hotels/apartments provided.
You don’t get dirty, no stress but can be a bit lonely as your the H&S guy.
Go in sensible and not as a policeman. Too many H&S act like and are ex police.
Pays the bills. FM is as bad. I’ve had a bit of time doing that and my best pal does it and hates it.

Edited by lrdisco on Saturday 12th October 08:39

[Cayman DP]

I'm an Ops Director for an FM business and work closely with our SHEQ teams. It can be a very rewarding career if you work for a business that truly values H&S and develops a behaviour lead strategy.
Our SHEQ team work very closely with my Ops team and take the mentoring approach rather than the auditing approach.

[sausage76]

I've been doing similar roles for 20 odd years got into it by accident really via quality and then safety. Liked the safety side more so went with that.

Be mindful that you can be just be a safety manager, a safety manager and also facilities and safety manager. All will always in most cases have environment bolted on. I have done them all but never the facilities side of things.

Its taken me to a lot of places and a lot of very interesting environments, Industry, manufacturing, education (don't do it), F! and now a brand new government project.

So much fun and as already said don't be the typical police officer and learn and listen and explain. Very rewarding job that for sure. And as you say the up side is always jobs available and relatively well paid.