IOSH vs IIRSM membership

[CAD]

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[bernicarey]

There are people that do both, for whatever reasons, but my reasons for going IOSH were basically twofold.

Firstly....IIRSM? What's that, it doesn't exactly roll of the tongue and has a membership of 8,000 globally, while IOSH has 46,000.

Secondly, I looked at the advancement process within the respective organisations, as I was near completion of my NEBOSH Diploma.

With IOSH, once I had my Dip, I just had to go through the Development hoops of my IPD and Peer Review.
If I hadn't messed up my Peer Review interview at the first attempt, I could have easily been Chartered IOSH within 3 years. After the mandatory 1 year wait after flunking it, I attained it at next attempt.

To do the equivalent with IIRSM, to reach Fellowship grade, I would have to complete 5 years as a Full/Specialist member before I could even apply.

So by going IOSH, I qualified for the OSHCR at leat 2 years earlier. No contest in my book.

(however not sure how I feel about waiting a while after paying my fee to be accepted as TechIOSH with no guarantee of acceptance).

The new website is a bit mystical about what's involved, unlike the old pages that listed it clearly, but if you have the relevant qualification level and meet the 'experience' it's a rubber stamp.
Yes there no guarantee of getting it, but anyone with a modicum of H&S workplace experience should have no problems with it.

[kevlarion]

There seems to be little or no IIRSM presence in my locality (scotland) and there are several IOSH branches all with a regular meeting and events schedule, so I went with IOSH.
Having recently been through the job hunter's jungle I can tell you that two things that are constantly asked are IOSH membership level and Nebosh qualification level. Never heard mention of IIRSM and only one of the jobs I was interested in mentioned NCRQ.
If getting a TechIosh membership was too easy, it wouldn't be worth much to employers, so that fact that IOSH membership levels require more than filling in a questionnaire and paying a fee is a good thing. It seperates those who persevere from those who don't.

[WillPool]

I have membership of both, FIIRSM & Grad IOSH.

Personally I prefer IIRSM as the are slightly better at communication and when I first worked abroad there was no IOSH representation in the region.

As Berni states it could be fairly easy for me to achieve CMIOSH (as a graduate Diploma holder) but for me taking time off from my job (abroad) to attend peer review in UK isnt a seller and they wont accept Skype (or similiar) interviews. With this and the some of the attitudes I have come across on the IOSH forums (that i rarely use now) it was IIRSM all the way for me.

It is horses for courses (my liking of IIRSM will see others prefer IOSH) and I keep my IOSH membership alive as if I do come back to UK full time I may go for CMIOSH. It is also what most employers ask for, I have informed employers when writing cover letters that FIIRSM is equivalent/similiar to CMIOSH.

In UK IOSH is more commonly known and have a more robust setup, IIRSM do hold networking events and meetings too but as their membership base is smaller, less attend so less networking opportunities are available.

Will

[danwel]

In the past i held Tech IOSH ad let my membership past as i wasn't 100% sure it held much weight if i am honest. That said i recently completed my NVQ and decided to reapply for new membership and now hold Grad IOSH. I may well in the future go for chartered but who knows.

My main reason for going IOSH was the fact they are very much recognised in the UK and employers at times use it in job adverts as a minimum acceptance level for their adverts so it was a no brainer to me.

That said i do know people that hold but if it was one or the other then i would go IOSH personally

[CAD]

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[kevlarion]

for me taking time off from my job (abroad) to attend peer review in UK isnt a seller and they wont accept Skype (or similiar) interviews. With this and the some of the attitudes I have come across on the IOSH forums (that i rarely use now) it was IIRSM all the way for me.

I did my peer review interview by video link, not skype or facetime, but something IOSH had themselves.
HSFB is the only H&S forum I use, IOSH forums seemed to be out of control and I didn't want to get involved in all that childish bickering and stupidity which seemed at the time to dominate the IOSH forum system.

For me IOSH is about CPD and the occassional meeting, as well as improving my employability. They are reasonably priced and not too demanding.
I recently considered becoming a consultant / trainer (until I got a good job offer) and I would have looked at offering IOSH training courses.

[grim72]

HSFB is the only H&S forum I use, IOSH forums seemed to be out of control and I didn't want to get involved in all that childish bickering and stupidity which seemed at the time to dominate the IOSH forum system.

Glad it isn't just me that thinks that. I put my tin hat on before I enter there lol - much friendlier and helpful over here.

[kngc]

I have both to be honest and neither have really done anything for me - I am MIIRSM and GradIOSH; the only place it seems to make any difference is when I am around other H&S professionals. Employers are generally confused about the whole thing and as a rule believe that anything with IOSH (Generally CMIOSH) makes for a good H&S adviser and we all know that's not always the case!

There are considerable price and benefit differences between the two and it's really about what you want from them personally / professionally. I find out of the two IOSH holds more weight with employers as it is more commonly known but that's about it.

If you're just looking for letters after your name, go for both if you can afford it! Oh and the CPD element of IOSH is much better to work with as well