Went down the trade union route and completed the stage 3 in occupational health & safety. 30 odd weeks of day release has allowed me to register with IOSH at technician grade (awaiting confirmation).
Looking to turn poacher to gamekeeper as the qualification is a double-edged sword - it makes you want to put all of your new found skills & knowledge to good use, which you can as a rep (to a degree), but you also want to be the one making the decisions and getting the wedge and recognition for it.