Where are you based?
We are based in Gloucestershire. However, we can cover most areas of the UK using our network of consultants.
Do I need to use a health & safety consultancy?
This will largely be dependent on your own business and your circumstances.
A new business may be overwhelmed with the current legislation and what is required. A specialist consultancy can navigate you through this minefield and set you on the right path to move forward.
Another example could be that you simply don’t have the funds to employ a full time H&S professional. This is where a specialist consultancy could provide you with a reduced hours option to keep the costs lower.
Can I report safety issues that I have seen?
It’s very common to see problems when you are out and about in public or passing a construction site. Naturally you would want to be able to do something about it, and this is where the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) should be notified so they can take the necessary action.
The HSE is the UK’s regulatory body in ensuring H&S is adhered to in workplaces. A consultancy works with businesses to ensure that they can achieve the required standards, although they cannot intervene in the same manner that the HSE can. If you have concerns, please contact the HSE via their website.
What does the law say about health & safety?
The exact wording is:
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.
We would always encourage you to use current employees to take on this role. However, this is not always possible considering the competency and training required. All of our consultants are fully qualified and experienced in H&S.
Will my business be better off using a health & safety consultancy?
As mentioned earlier, we can provide consultants on a part-time basis or even if you only need help in certain areas of your business (i.e.- specific documentation or a specific project). Having a strong H&S management system in place will most certainly help your business going forward.
What is the HSE?
The HSE is the UK’s regulatory body in ensuring H&S is adhered to in workplaces by providing relevant guidance for you as a business. The HSE can also visit your workplace whenever they feel it is necessary and inspect your current activities and systems. A consultancy works with businesses to ensure that they can achieve the required standards and liaise with the HSE if required.
What is face fit testing and why do we need it?
Face fit testing is a procedure that verifies whether a specific tight-fitting respirator or face mask creates an adequate seal against an individual's face. It ensures that hazardous dusts, fibres, fumes or gases cannot bypass the mask and be inhaled by the wearer.
It is required by law: Under health and safety legislation - such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations - employers have a legal obligation to provide suitable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE).
No "one-size-fits-all": Because human faces come in all shapes and sizes, a mask that protects one person may leak dangerously for another.
Verification of competence: It confirms that the wearer knows how to put on, adjust, and perform a user-seal check on their equipment correctly.
