Health & Safety | Local Services | Classifieds.co.uk :

In these days of intense industrialisation, businesses have become more and more sensitive to the safety and health of their staff. Governments across the globe have also become more conscious about the hazards related to industry, and have enacted numerous laws to protect workers. For many UK employers, this area has become a veritable minefield.

Is there a need for a health and safety consultant?
As is often the case even with the best intended legislation, today's health and safety laws are open to numerous interpretations and there have been instances where employers have tried to ignore their responsibilities through perceived loopholes. Equally, there are many occasions in which less than honest staff have tried to extract more money than they are entitled to, on various health and safety pretexts, often fulled by the burgeoning "blame and claim" culture in the UK legal profession.

The subject of the health and safety of workers is not only complex but full of potential pitfalls. It is thus always advisable to consult an expert in these matters. They will not only assist in designing your environment and working practices to reduce the chances of an accident, but will also be able to guide you in the unfortunate event that an accident does indeed occur.

There are certain industries where the employment of a health and safety consultant is a mandatory requirement. If you are in an industry which deals with hazardous materials or the production process is such, that potentially harmful effluents and discharges are generated, employing a health and safety consultant helps you to accurately assess the health and safety risks and, wherever possible, the consultant can also advise on reducing the degree of hazard involved.

One thing must be made absolutely clear. No matter how many consultants or experts a company may hire, the ultimate legal responsibility lies with the head of the organisation. The chief operating officer of the multinational Union Carbide had to remain behind bars for quite some time as a result of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which occurred in India about fifteen years ago.

How to choose a health and safety consultant
Since health and safety is such an important area, you must be absolutely sure that you choose the right consultant.

You must be assured, firstly, about the professional qualifications of the consultant. You should also ask whether the consultant is a member of any professional body (such as the Institution of Occupational Safety - IOSH) or not. Membership of a professional body lends a certain amount of credibility and confirms that a consultant has attained a certain level of experience and / or vocational training. It is not, however, a substitute for a rigorous assessment process and there are a number of firms who are able to assist and advise in this regard.

Next, you should enquire about their previous experience and ask for a list of companies with which he or she has already worked. Any reputable consultant should be happy to give you a list of clients that are prepared to provide a reference. If the consultant has had previous experience of your type of business, this will be a major advantage. The needs of a local firm of accountants are vastly different to those of a sheet metal manufacturer or a petrol forecourt retailer. You may have to refer to a number of previous clients to get a good overall picture of the consultant's background.

The consultant should also have the necessary manpower and other resources available to carry out the task effectively. The firm of accountants in the above example can probably be covered by one person whereas a major manufacturing plant will require a team of health and safety consultants.

It is absolutely essential to ensure that the consultant has an appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance. Insist on seeing an original copy of the policy so that you can have it checked to confirm that the insurance cover is indeed appropriate.

Once you have identified and entered into an agreement with an appropriate health and safety consultant, lay down a mutually acceptable communication protocol between your consultant and you. Many times an otherwise fruitful relationship is compromised by faulty communication. Most experienced health and safety consultants will be used to establishing such a protocol.

Where to find health and safety consultants
The most dependable source is a personal recommendation from those you respect within your own industry. If this does not produce the desired result, you can get helpful tips on the IOSH website. There is another, equally recognised association of health and safety experts, known as Independent Safety Consultants Association (ISCA). You can browse through the list of its members to find those that may be the most appropriate for your particular situation.

If you are based in the UK you can also refer to the list of members of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), and if you are a firm dealing with the issues associated with noise and vibration, it may also be helpful to visit the Association of Noise Consultants website.

Conclusion
Health and safety concerns should play a major part in every socially responsible business. This, together with the mandatory requirements of UK legislation merits considerable attention to the selection of a suitably qualified health and safety consultant. Always remember that the management of the firm is ultimately liable for any breaches of health and safety legislation and any consequences thereof.