Getting the Right H&S Advice

Ultimate Responsibility

Under UK Health and Safety Legislation, business owners and directors carry ultimate responsibility for the health and safety of their workers. This duty cannot be delegated or contracted out.

Most directors don't have the time to personally handle health and safety and even fewer have the training and experience. It is therefore common to rely on the advice of health and safety professionals, either employed or consultants.

The critical decision point comes when assessing the competency of such persons to do the work effectively.

Case of Inadequate Advice

This issue was highlighted by a recent case in which a quarrying company was prosecuted for failings under COSHH and Work at Height Regulations.

A significant factor was the inadequate advice given to the company by a health and safety consultant who had been working with them for over 3 years.

Case for Official Accreditation

Such cases highlight the need for some form of official accreditation for safety professionals, which is why we welcome a new joint initiative between:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
British Safety Council (BSC)
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM)
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

The aim is for a single Register of Accredited Safety Professionals in the UK.

As well as reducing the likelihood of further cases such as that related above, another benefit would be to reduce the incidence of over-zealous advisors who recommend unnecessarily bureaucratic policies in regard to health and safety.

Any scheme is likely to be voluntary and there is currently no target date for its introduction. However, moves in this direction can only be good for members of the profession as well as those who hire them.

Current Situation

In the meantime, organisations seeking to hire competent people to help with health and safety should consider checks recommended by the HSE:

Evidence of relevant training/knowledge, such as formal qualifications
Membership of a professional body
Practical experience of your industry/activities
Credible explanation as to why they are competent to advise you
Insurance that covers the type of work for which you are looking to hire them

Further information and advice is available on the HSE website at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/competent-advice.htm

Contact EDP for help and support with all aspects of managing your health, safety and environment.

To discuss your requirements, without any obligation on your part, please gives us a call on 01744 766000 or complete the Enquiry Form on our website.

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