A new voluntary, independent register for health and safety consultants was launched in January, and is hoped to become a benchmark for standards in the health and safety profession.
The Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register has been established by a number of professional bodies representing general safety and occupational health consultants across the UK, alongside support from government body the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
It is open to individuals who provide commercial advice on general health and safety management issues and who have achieved at least one of the following:
- chartered status with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health or the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, with health and safety qualifications;
- fellow status with the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, with degree-level qualifications;
- member or fellow status with the British Occupational Hygiene Society’s Faculty of Occupational Hygiene; or
- registered member or fellow status with the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.
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The joining application fee is £60, though applications received by 30 April will be subject to a discounted fee of £30.
HSE chair Judith Hackitt said: “This register offers a level of assurance to businesses that consultants on the register have met set standards within their professional body. It will be an independent way of demonstrating professional competence in OH and safety consultancy and should encourage those who have not yet met these standards to do so.”
