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Issue 1
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Is your consultant competent? |
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Laidler Associates have launched a module for their Risk Management Software system covering Part III of the Provision...
 
How Interactive is Your Safety Training?
Course include: CE Marking, PUWER, EN Standards, Risk Assessment and Pressure Equipment Directive. 
Piecing Together Machinery Safety.
Risk Assessment - Training CE Marking - PUWER Laidler Associates Consulting Service |
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The use of consultants in industry has grown significantly in recent years, with companies outsourcing expertise in all aspects of their business. Due to the complexity and expanding natureof the many EU directives that are applicable within the workplace, it is often more cost effective to bring in an expert than to train an employee to the necessary level of competency. But what constitutes an expert, and how can we validate their knowledge and expertise?
From plumbers to surgeons, when seeking the right people to provide a service the first thing we look for is their credibility. If it is to mend a leaking boiler we are told on numerous adverts that we must contact a Corgi registered plumber, if we need an operation then we would seek a suitably qualified surgeon in this particular area. One of the growing issues of concern today is the number of people purporting to be experts in various fields, especially health and safety. More and more we see in today’s legislation the term competent. If we look at section six of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER 98) it states that the person carrying out an inspection has to be competent to recognise the extent of the inspection, what to look for, what to look at and who to report the findings to. Companies should be aware they may have to demonstrate the competence of the person or persons who have carried out their inspections and they should now have this information documented. Many other regulations including the Lifting Operations (LOLER) stress the need for competency, without necessarily defining what competent is. Do the people carrying out the risk assessments have any comprehension of their responsibilities? So how does a consultancy show competency? HSE defines health and safety competence as “the combination of knowledge, skills and experience that ensures roles are fulfiled and tasks completed with due regard to the hazards involved and the risk control measures necessary”. If we can use machinery safety as an example: compliance with the Machinery Directive, and hence the UK’s Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations can be dealt with by any business, unless the machinery type is listed within Annex IV. In this case, a Notified Body for the Machinery Directive has to be brought in to complete the CE Marking process. |
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If the field in which you require assistance is outside of European Directives, then the following may apply:
For health and safety, do they hold either IOSH and NEBOSH qualifications? Do the qualification holders have post-qualification experience in industry, or your relevant industry? Why use Laidler? Individuals from Laidler Associates are now recognised as experts in the field of European Directives by The Commission for European Normalisation (CEN), the European Chamber of Commerce and the European Commission. All Laidler staff are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy to ensure client confidence. The Directors are all members of IOSH, gained by completing NVQ Level 4 in Occupational Safety and Health. All engineers are qualified in their respective fields and have many years of experience working with European directives. Laidler Certification LLP, is the sister company to Laidler Associates. It is a Notified Body for the Machinery Directive and has recently gained Competent Body status for the EMC Directive. The competency of the company is audited annually by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services) on behalf of the DTI. The Benefits of using Laidler Associates: Independence Full Service |
