I currently work in H&S and specialise in SMS implementation and Risk Management in aviation. Within Aviation as mentioned earlier H&S is looked at in a different way to most organisations.
H&S is seen as a burden to operation and a detriment to bottom line returns. All companies no matter what industry should comply with standard legislation such as 18001, HSG65 etc. I have dealt with numerous Safety Directors for major airlines that don’t even have the slightest clue about hazard, risk identification/prevention or safety but simply got the job because they worked in Ops or for the CAA for so many years!
This problem however is beginning to change within the industry due to pressure from ICAO and EASA to comply with an SMS.
In the normal world outside aviation you have an approved list of H&S practitioners known as CMIOSH who have been accredited and validated to offer competent advice and services.
This should be made mandatory in aviation as the H&S risks are higher compared to some industries and there just simply are not enough good people working in the industry at a high level to offer sound advice and services let alone command a safety team within an airline.
Cheers
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