The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Reg 7 requires each employer to appoint one or more “Competent Person” to provide advice and guidance to the company on matters of health and safety.
So, who is your Competent Person?
You may employ a full-time Safety Advisor. You may have Managers who also fulfil Safety roles alongside their day jobs.
Are there times when you need additional skills or experience to fulfil your compliance obligations?
Rail Industry - RISQS Profile:
The Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) is the supplier pre-qualification service
used by buyers of all products and services throughout the UK rail industry and is the single-entry point for suppliers to the rail industry. A requirement of RISQS is that your business has adequate Health and Safety support to manage the work activities identified within your profile and that the Competent Person is a member of an appropriate professional institution e.g. Institute of Occupational Safety and Health; International Institute of Risk and Safety Management. An external Consultant holds the relevant memberships and experience to keep you compliant.
Construction:
CHAS, Safe Contractor and Constructionline also require that you have ready access to competent health and safety advice and will expect you to be able to detail how you meet this requirement of the Management of Health and safety at Work Regulations. Using an external Consultant allows you to refer to them as your Competent Person for matters of health and safety, therefore complying with the regulations.
How can we help?
Donaldson Safety can provide you with a Competent Person which allows your company to comply with the statutory provision at a greatly reduced cost compared to employing a full-time Safety Manager. You can call upon professional support as and when required and designate Donaldson Safety as your Competent Person for matters of health and safety.
Contact Bob Donaldson bob@donaldsonsafety.com or see www.donaldsonsafety.com for more information.
Image credit: https://www.atwork.com/2015/03/24/compliance-in-staffing/
