Most Health & Safety professionals enter this field out of a genuine passion for safety, often viewing their careers as a vocation. They are dedicated to ensuring that everyone returns home safely at the end of the day. Organisations naturally have commercial priorities, which is understandable and essential.

One of the key priorities in Health & Safety is reducing risk, but how can you minimise the risk of joining a company that might not also embrace and prioritise a strong commitment to health and safety alongside their business goals?

"I’ve been here for eighteen months, and it feels as though my role has primarily served as a box-ticking exercise, merely to demonstrate on paper that the company has a competent individual in place."

This sentiment is not uncommon among candidates when asked why they are seeking new opportunities and is a perfectly valid reason to explore your next professional step. So, how can you reduce the likelihood of finding yourself in a similar situation with your next career move?

We always advise our candidates that an interview is a two-way street. While the employer assesses your suitability for the role, you should also be asking questions to determine if the position and company align with your values.

Having pre-planned questions ready can help identify potential red flags, allowing you to avoid frustration or ethical compromises as a Safety Professional as you move forward:

1. What challenges does the company have regarding Health & Safety?

This question identifies specific issues or gaps within the company's H&S framework, allowing for a focused understanding of problem areas that need improvement or attention. The response can offer valuable insight into how safety is perceived across the entire organisation.

2. How is non-compliance currently managed?

Understanding how the organisation manages H&S violations, including the effectiveness of its enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and corrective actions, can provide valuable insight into what the company considers acceptable. It also reveals whether there are broader issues with the company’s overall health and safety culture.

3. What does your organisation aspire to achieve with regard to health and safety?

This helps clarify the company’s vision and goals for health and safety, providing context for its strategic direction and how H&S aligns with broader business objectives. If the organisation lacks a clear vision, it may be more challenging to shift mindsets and drive meaningful change.

4. What is the reporting structure for Health and Safety within the organisation?

Understanding the reporting structure sheds light on accountability, oversight, and how deeply integrated H&S is within organisational leadership and decision-making processes.

5. Have there been any recent changes in Senior Management?

Leadership changes can significantly influence H&S policies and priorities, so this question helps assess the organisation’s stability and potential shifts in its H&S focus. If the organisation is committed to improving its health and safety culture, recent leadership changes could signal a positive step toward driving that progress.

6. What are your short, medium, and long-term plans for health and safety?

This question examines how proactive the organisation is in planning for H&S and how its approach evolves over time, reflecting both immediate concerns and long-term sustainability. It also helps determine whether their plans are realistic and achievable.

7. What percentage of the budget is allocated to Health and Safety?

Budget allocation is a key indicator of how seriously an organisation takes H&S. This question reveals financial commitment, which often correlates with the effectiveness of H&S strategies.

8. How long did the previous holder of this position remain in their role?

This gives insight into turnover rates and may indicate whether the organisation offers stability and support in H&S roles, or if there are systemic issues that lead to high attrition.

Together, these questions provide a holistic view of an organisation's health and safety culture, operations, leadership, and future direction, enabling more informed assessments and decisionBy asking these questions, you can gain valuable insights into the company’s commitment to safety, allowing you to make a more informed career decision and minimise the risk of jeopardising your professional principles in the future.