Competent Person
Anyone can "do" Health and Safety right?
Unfortunately not.
A competent person is probably something you may have heard about when talking about health and safety, but what exactly does it mean?
Do you need one? How do you find one? What makes them competent? Who can take on the role of competent person if you don't have someone internally?
What is a Competent Person?
Keeping it simple = a competent person helps an organisation to comply with health and safety law and take all reasonable steps to keep people from harm and comply with Health and Safety Regulations.
The Regulations are Black and White: You must get help from a competent person to enable you to meet the requirements of health and safety law.
A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need.
Why Choose Zebra Safety?
Rebecca Docker CMIOSH our Director and Founder has 25 years experience in Health and Safety and a Chartered Health and Safety Professional.
Rebecca is listed on the OSHCR (Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register) which is the HSE's recommended route to finding a competent Consultant.
Why work with an OSHCR Consultant?
OSHCR consultants are qualified to provide a high level of health and safety advice across many specialist areas. All listed consultants:
Hold chartered-level membership with their professional body and our bound by its code of conduct.
Have valid PI insurance.
Are committed to continuing professional development.
Competent Person Packages
Start Up Package - £499 per year
Certificate of membership
Entitled to designate us as your “Competent Person”
Unlimited advice via advice line & email between the hours of 9.00 – 5.00 Mon – Fri.
Updates & relevant guidance on legislative, industry & best practice changes
(for less than 5 employees)
Growth Package - £999 per year
All features in bronze plus all the additional features listed below…
Develop a bespoke Health & Safety Policy
5 Generic risk assessments
5 Online training credits included
10% Discount on further consultancy or training rates.
(for 5-20 employees)
Established Package - £1499 per year
All features in bronze plus all the additional features listed below…
Develop a bespoke Health & Safety Policy
10 Generic risk assessments
10 Online training credits included
Assist with pre-qualifications and tender questionnaires
10% Discount on further consultancy or training rates.
(for 20-50 employees)
Competent Person or Advisor?
Sometimes a Health and Safety Consultancy may not be prepared to commit to being your competent person(s) and instead position themselves as ‘competent advisers’ – often because they believe this will make them less exposed or liable to the HSE should something go wrong.
Unfortunately not only is this incorrect (as negligent advice will attract regulatory attention anyway) but it can be a good indicator that they are not confident in their competence to advise you sufficiently.
Potential Consequences:
Failure to appoint a competent person(s) can lead to a prosecution for breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which can in turn lead to action by your regulatory authority, fines, shutting your business down orin cases where the consequences of a breach were extreme, up to 2 years imprisonment.
Is it worth the risk?