In the United Kingdom, employers have a legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities. This includes the duty to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement appropriate measures to control those risks. However, not all employers have the necessary knowledge or expertise to fulfil these obligations in house, which is why a health and safety competent person service often is needed.

A health and safety competent person service provides businesses with access to expert advice and support on all aspects of health and safety management. This includes help with risk assessments, developing policies and procedures, providing training and guidance to staff, and carrying out regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

In this article, we look at seven of the key reasons why a health and safety competent person service is needed:

*Legal compliance

One of the main reasons why businesses need a health and safety competent person service is to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a legal duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work. This includes the duty to carry out risk assessments, implement control measures, and provide information, instruction, and training to employees.

Employers who fail to comply with these legal requirements can face severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and even business closure. In some cases, they may also be held liable for damages and compensation claims from injured employees or members of the public.
A health and safety competent person service such as that delivered by Assured Safety Services Ltd can help businesses to navigate the complex legal landscape of health and safety management. They can provide expert advice on what is required to comply with the law, carry out risk assessments and audits to identify areas of non-compliance, and develop policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance.

*Risk management

Health and safety risks can arise in any workplace, regardless of the industry or sector. It is the responsibility of employers to identify and assess these risks, and to implement appropriate measures to control them. Failure to manage risks effectively can result in accidents, injuries, and ill-health among employees, as well as financial costs to the business.

A health and safety competent person service can help businesses to manage risks effectively by providing expert advice and support on risk assessment, risk control, and risk monitoring. They can help businesses to identify hazards, assess the likelihood and severity of harm, and develop control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks.

*Employee wellbeing

A healthy and safe workplace is essential for the wellbeing of employees. By providing a safe working environment, businesses can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, prevent work-related ill-health, and promote the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees.

A health and safety competent person service can help businesses to promote employee wellbeing by identifying and addressing hazards that could cause harm. They can provide training and guidance to employees on safe working practices, and monitor the workplace to ensure that it remains safe and healthy.

*Reputation

A business’s reputation is vital to its success. If a business is known to have a poor health and safety record, it can damage its reputation and lead to a loss of customers and clients. In contrast, a business with a strong health and safety culture can build a positive reputation, attract and retain high-quality employees, and win new business.

A health and safety competent person service can help businesses to build a positive reputation by demonstrating their commitment to health and safety. They can provide expert advice and support on all aspects of health and safety management, including risk assessment, training, and audits, which can help to promote a culture of safety within the workplace.

*Financial benefits

Effective health and safety management can bring financial benefits to businesses. By reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, businesses can avoid the financial costs associated with compensation claims, sick pay, and absenteeism.

In addition, a healthy and safe workplace can improve productivity and employee morale, which can lead to increased profits and business success.

A health and safety competent person service can help businesses to achieve these financial benefits by identifying and managing health and safety risks, promoting employee wellbeing, and improving the overall safety culture of the workplace. They can help businesses to reduce the financial costs associated with accidents and injuries, and to increase productivity by promoting a safe and healthy working environment.

*Specialist expertise

Health and safety management requires specialist expertise and knowledge. While some businesses may have the resources to employ a dedicated health and safety professional, many smaller businesses do not. In these cases, a health and safety competent person service can provide access to the expertise and knowledge needed to manage health and safety effectively.

A health and safety competent person service can provide businesses with a qualified and experienced health and safety professional who can provide expert advice and support on all aspects of health and safety management. This can help businesses to meet their legal obligations, manage risks effectively, and promote a culture of safety within the workplace.

*Flexibility

Health and safety competent person services can be tailored to the specific needs of businesses. This means that businesses can access the level of support they need, whether that is a one-off risk assessment or ongoing support for health and safety management.

A health and safety competent person service can provide businesses with flexible support that can be adapted to their needs. This can help businesses to manage health and safety effectively, regardless of their size or the nature of their operations.

To summarise, a health and safety competent person service is essential for businesses in the UK to ensure legal compliance, manage risks effectively, promote employee wellbeing, build a positive reputation, achieve financial benefits, access specialist expertise, and receive flexible support. By working with a health and safety competent person service, businesses can create a safe and healthy workplace that supports the wellbeing of their employees and the success of their business.

*Case Study

Assured Safety Services Ltd is a UK-based health and safety consultancy that provides a range of services to businesses across various industries. One of our clients, an established manufacturing business with over 100 employees, recently benefited from our competent person service.

The manufacturing business was struggling to manage its health and safety responsibilities effectively. They had limited resources to dedicate to health and safety management and were struggling to keep up with the ever-changing legal requirements. They knew that they needed expert support to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in their workplace.

Assured Safety Services Ltd provided the manufacturing business with a competent person service that included regular visits from a qualified and experienced health and safety professional. This included a range of activities, such as:

Carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment of the workplace to identify hazards and assess risks
Developing a health and safety policy and procedures that were tailored to the specific needs of the business
Providing training and guidance to employees on safe working practices, including manual handling and the use of personal protective equipment
Carrying out regular audits and inspections to monitor compliance with legal requirements and identify areas for improvement
Providing ongoing support and advice on health and safety management issues.

The manufacturing business benefited from the competent person service in several ways.

Firstly, they were able to achieve legal compliance, which reduced the risk of fines and legal action.

Secondly, they were able to identify and manage risks effectively, which reduced the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace. Thirdly, they were able to promote a culture of safety within the workplace, which improved employee morale and productivity.

In addition to these benefits, the competent person service also helped the manufacturing business to reduce costs associated with accidents and injuries. By managing risks effectively and promoting employee wellbeing, they were able to reduce the number of incidents in the workplace, which led to a reduction in sick pay and compensation claims.
Overall, the competent person service provided by Assured Safety Services Ltd helped the manufacturing business to achieve its health and safety goals and create a safe and healthy workplace for its employees.

Health and Safety Competent Person Service in Birmingham, West Midlands

Do you need a health and safety competent person service in Birmingham, West Midlands? Get in touch with one of our experienced consultants for an informal chat on 0121 769 1796, alternatively, use the contact form for a call back when convenient for you.

Based in Birmingham, West Midlands, Assured Safety Services Ltd are Health and Safety Advisors and Consultants with industry experience and the credentials to match!

Assured Safety Services Ltd offer Health and Safety Services in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Hereford, Leicester, Telford, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Walsall, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, and Worcester.

Get in touch with us today for a Free Health and Safety Consultation, or have a read of some of our other articles at https://assuredsafety.uk/blog-right/