Colin discusses the critical role of health and safety professionals in the workplace, emphasising the importance of influence over implementation. He highlights the challenges faced by these professionals, particularly when they lack a seat at the decision-making table, and stresses the need to build strong relationships with operational teams to effectively manage risks KEY TAKEAWAYS Health and safety professionals should prioritise influencing decision-makers rather than trying to manage health and safety directly. This involves building relationships and providing support to those who are responsible for managing risks. It's crucial for health and safety professionals to be involved at the senior management level to effectively influence decisions. They should present financial implications and risk mitigation costs to highlight the importance of health and safety measures. Rather than doing tasks for management, health and safety professionals should equip them with the tools and skills needed to make informed decisions. This includes facilitating discussions and providing guidance. BEST MOMENTS "If we as a health and safety professional try to take on the responsibility of managing health and safety in a workplace, then we're going to fail." "You should be working towards building the relationship... so that you have got an opportunity to influence their thinking." "Don't try to be the person that sorts and solves every problem. Try to be somebody that facilitates other people making better decisions." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/the-interesting-health-safety-podcast/id1467771449         Project Mollitiam - https://www.projectmollitiam.com       ABOUT THE HOST Colin Nottage ‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’ This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions. He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation. Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses. Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive. He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).