Below is a piece of anonymous feedback received recently in response to the 3 questions we posed arising from the contents of the Jan/Feb edition of Safeguard. It left me saddened. How common is it for H&S practitioners to feel trapped in their offices, writing reports and updating incident databases, and unable to get out and about among the workers under their care?

"It's always ideal to have someone on the ground speaking with the team. Unfortunately I get stuck in the office with all of the compliance and paperwork and [incident] logging and investigating the items raised or the incidents that take place. So I don't get out on the floor enough! Being present and talking with the guys on the tools is the best way to pick up on what is actually happening. It builds the safety culture by them actually seeing you there and seeing that you care."