As an employer, you must appoint someone competent to help you meet your health and safety duties. However, if you are not confident of your ability to manage all health and safety in-house, or if you are a higher-risk business, you may need some external help or advice.
If you choose to engage a Health and Safety Officer within your workplace, then the nominated person must have the necessary skills and knowledge to help you meet your Health and Safety duties. Their role is to create and implement health and safety policies in accordance with the latest legislation undertaking regular inspections and risk assessments, and ensuring that any hazards or defects are rectified immediately. They will also need to keep an accident book and must record and thoroughly investigate any accident, recommending any improvements in safety standards if required.
Hiring an external Health & Safety Consultants provides a guarantee that they are experienced and qualified professionals. They will ensure to:
- Promote a positive health and safety culture across your business and workplace
- Prevent any potential accidents and develop solutions to health and safety problems
- Ensure workplace risks are well controlled
- Ensure the organisation is compliant with all relevant legal safety standards.
However, you choose to appoint your Competent Person, it is crucial you do so, and that your employees are aware of their role too.
Health and Safety regulations are intended to prevent accidents in the workplace. If an employee suffers work-related illness or an injury and the business in question does not have a health and safety officer or proper procedures in place, the consequences can be serious, with potential compensation claims as well as damage to your reputation.
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