How Can I Meet Safety Course Requirements to Secure My Job as a Safety Officer?

Dear Sir, I am a safety officer at a manufacturing company. I have completed a Post Diploma in Health Safety Environment from Anna Malai University. I have also completed the following courses:

- Nebosh IGC
- IOSH Manage Safety
- OHSAS 18001 Lead Auditor
- Fire Safety Level-02
- Diploma in Industrial Safety from a Private Institute
- Certified Rescuer for Work at Height/Confined Space
- Some HSE Training Courses

RLI/CLI Safety Courses Requirement

However, a factory inspector recently visited my company and asked me about the RLI/CLI Safety Courses. I have not completed any RLI/CLI Safety Courses. I contacted the RLI/CLI Institute about these courses, but I was informed that I need five years of experience with a BSc degree, and I only have 3.5 years of experience.

Alternative Course Suggestion

A friend suggested that I pursue an advanced safety diploma from MSBTE Mumbai, stating that this course is equivalent to the RLI/CLI safety courses and that it would make me a rated safety officer as per the Factory Act.

I am based in Mumbai, India, and originally from Rudrapur, U.K. I need your advice on what I should do to secure my job.

Thank you,
Neraj

Dear Neraj,

Firstly, it's important to understand your roles and responsibilities as a Safety Officer under the Factory Act. As per the Act, the Safety Officer's primary responsibility is to advise and assist the factory management in the fulfillment of its obligations, statutory or otherwise, concerning the prevention of personal injuries and maintaining a safe working environment.

The RLI/CLI (Regional Labour Institute/Central Labour Institute) courses are highly recognized in India and are often considered a prerequisite for certain safety officer roles. It seems that for the RLI/CLI courses, you do not currently meet the required experience criteria.

Your friend's suggestion to pursue an Advanced Safety Diploma from MSBTE (Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education) Mumbai might be a good alternative. It's a well-recognized course, and many safety professionals have benefited from it. However, whether this course will be considered equivalent to RLI/CLI safety courses depends on your company's specific requirements and the factory inspector's discretion.

Since you are currently short on the required experience for the RLI/CLI courses, I suggest you continue to gain more field experience while also pursuing the MSBTE Safety Diploma. This strategy would provide you with an additional qualification, thus strengthening your profile, and help you reach the required experience level for the RLI/CLI courses.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Best of luck with your career advancement!