Member Article

Safety practitioners set to benefit from new IOSH Approved ‘Coaching for safety’ course

As Lancashire-based consultancy, Securus Health & Safety Limited, is predicting ‘a growing realisation’ of the importance of soft-skills training for safety practitioners, owner and director, Michael Emery, has developed a new IOSH approved ‘Coaching for safety’ course.

Believing that it is coaching skills, in particular, that practitioners need to be the collaborative partners organisations want them to be, Michael has developed the two-day programme, that will take place in November 2013.

All safety people, whatever their level of technical competence, are invited to attend the unique training event, designed to equip them with well-known and widely-practiced coaching skills and to raise their effectiveness in the workplace.

“Once the preserve of executives and bright young things on a fast-track to the top, coaching is increasingly becoming a standard feature of corporate life,” said Michael, who believes coaching skills are absolutely necessary for the modern safety practitioner.

“And why?” he says. “Because practitioners rarely understand the pressures and operational constraints that exist within organisations and which influence the choices open to managers. It’s coaching skills that enable the practitioner to be properly supportive and to help managers exercise their responsibilities for health and safety.”

He adds: “Working with managers to explore problems and find the best solutions requires more than just technical skills alone – it requires listening skills and questioning skills and the ability to empathise with a manager’s position and his or her agenda.

“That’s what real coaching is and that’s what this course is designed to achieve.”

As a career practitioner with 25 years’ experience and having successfully managed health and safety for big brands including Portakabin, Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, Almarai and Weetabix, Michael knows how demanding it can be.

“Influencing others over whom you have no executive authority and who have other, higher priorities can be extremely challenging,” says Michael.

“I know therefore, how important a collaborative approach is and that every opportunity you have to communicate with people counts. Every single conversation counts.”

Places for the IOSH Approved ‘Coaching for safety’ course being held at The Moat House Hotel, Acton Trussell, Staffordshire ST17 0RJ on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th November 2013 cost £499 + VAT and are limited. To avoid disappointment book today by calling Michael on 01706 217122 or 07921914099 or email Michael at info@securushealthandsafety.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Christina Stocks .