Competent person and Competent Person Support
Competent Person Role - Health and Safety Advice- Legal Advice
Every employer is required under law to appoint a Competent Person (or Competent Persons) to assist them meet their legal health and safety obligations. This means an employer must appoint someone competent to provide sound advice on all matters of health and safety. The appointment of someone to take on the Competent Person role is probably the most significant step that an employer can take when it comes to managing health and safety effectively. Without someone in the competent person role, providing competent health and safety advice it is difficult to see how any organisation can effectively manage health and safety.
Within the UK it is a mandatory legal duty to appoint a competent person or persons. An employer who has not made an appointment of a suitable person to fulfil the competent person role is in breach of a statutory duty under health and safety legislation and therefore becomes for criminal prosecution.
The appointed Competent Person may be an internal appointment supported by external expertise or an external appointment. In either case as professional health and safety consultants we can provide a competent person scheme or competent person support scheme so that you are able to meet this most fundamental obligation.
Active Safety Associates Competent Person Scheme
If you run a business or are a director or senior manager and have not appointed a competent person then you and your business are at risk of accidents and prosecution. If you are not sure what to do or need assistance we can help. We can act as your Competent Person. Please look at our Competent Person Scheme or Contact Us.
Our Competent Person Scheme provides you with a cost effective solution to managing your health and safety. It is effectively an investment in your business and personnel. The Scheme includes :
Initial Status Review (ISR)-Health and Safety MOT and Action Plan
Health and Safety Advice by a OSHCR registered and chartered professional consultant
Assistance and advice on health and safety issues,
H&S Policy Preparation / Management System Preparation
Risk Assessment, Safe Operating Procedures etc. Preparation
Assistance with accreditation and tender enquiries
Audits & Inspections
Training & Training needs assessment
Business Change management
etc
The overall Benefits to the business include :
Systematic Control of Hazards and risks - no “fire fighting”
Accident prevention
Minimised exposure to financial fines and prosecution
Increased profit margins by managing health and safety cost effectively
improved communications
engendering goodwill in employees
establishing your business as employer of choice
reduced employee turnover
Competent Person Scheme
In the Competent Person Scheme The employer appoints Active Safety Associates health and safety consultants to act as their competent person and to fulfil the competent person role. This may be a very suitable option for small businesses who do not have the resources, or who do not have someone sufficient competent in health and safety, to make an internal appointment . Active Safety Associates will then liaise with the employer and provide competent health and safety advice on an ongoing basis. It is important that the employer keeps Active Safety Associates regularly updated and informed on company activities and changes so that the appointed competent person can appropriately assist them. Active Safety Associates will provide guidance on all aspects of the scheme.
It is essential that the employer keeps Active Safety Associates informed of all aspects of companies activities. Please see guidance on When to Inform the Competent Person
Competent Person Support Scheme
In the Competent Person Support Scheme The employer makes an appointment of one of their own employees who has suitable competence in health and safety management. The employer identifies the areas where their internal appointee requires specific support in the competent person role with respect to health and safety matters such as health and safety advice on a specific topic such as management systems, asbestos, construction work, etc . The employer’s competent person then liaises with Active Safety Associates health and safety consultants who provide competent advice on specific topics on an as required basis.
It is essential that the employer keeps Active Safety Associates informed of all aspects of companies activities. Please see guidance on When to Inform the Competent Person
The main differences between the competent person scheme and the competent person supports scheme are outlined below.
Competent Person Scheme Versus
Active Safety Associates appointed as competent person and carries out the Competent Person role
Client advises Active Safety Associates of company activities and changes as they occur. When to Contact the Competent Person
Active Safety Associates advises and assists the client on ongoing basis.
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Competent Person Support Scheme
Company employee appointed as the competent person and fulfils the Competent Person Role
Appointed competent person liaises with and requests assistance from Active Safety Associates on an as required basis When to Contact the Competent Person
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Please contact us for details of the Competent Person Scheme and Competent Person Support Scheme here
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