Your questions answered

Choosing the right health and safety consultant is crucial for your business to remain compliant. Some key factors to consider include: Relevant experience: Look for consultants who have worked within your industry or with similar business sizes and risks. They should understand the specific challenges and regulations that apply to your operations. Credentials and qualifications: Ensure the consultants hold appropriate certifications, such as NEBOSH, or other recognised health and safety qualifications. The level of qualification should be proportionate to the level of risk for your industry (Levels 3-7). Certified memberships to professional bodies, such as IOSH, are also a good sign of credibility. Customised approach: A good consultant won’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. They should take the time to understand your business and tailor their advice and services accordingly. Clear communication: Effective consultants can explain complex regulations and risks in a clear, practical way. This helps your team stay informed and engaged with safety procedures. Track record and references: Ask for case studies or client testimonials. A proven track record can give you confidence in their ability to deliver results. Support and responsiveness: Consider how responsive they are and what level of ongoing support they provide. Do they offer training, audits, or help during emergencies when you might need them most? Cost vs. value: While price is important, focus on value. A lower fee may not cover essential services, while a more comprehensive plan could save you time, money, and liability in the long run. Find out if we're the right fit for your business here.

A health and safety gap analysis is a detailed review of your current health and safety practices compared to legal requirements and best practices. It helps identify what you're doing well, where you're at risk, and what needs improvement. Gap analyses can vary, but ours typically includes: Initial consultation We start by understanding your business, operations, and any existing health and safety systems or documentation you have in place. Compliance check We assess how well your business aligns with current health and safety legislation, industry standards, and relevant guidance. Review of policies and procedures We evaluate your current health and safety policy, risk assessments, method statements, training records, emergency plans, and other key documents. Site visit & inspection A walk-through of your premises or project you're working on is an add-on service that can help identify any physical hazards, unsafe practices, or areas where controls are lacking or ineffective. It helps get a true picture of what's happening on the ground. Staff engagement We may speak with staff or observe work activities to assess awareness, behaviours, and the overall safety culture within your business. Gap report & recommendations You'll receive a clear, practical report outlining: areas of compliance (The things you're doing well). any non-compliance and opportunities for improvement. recommended actions, prioritised by risk. a tailored plan of how we can support you. A gap analysis is the essential first step for businesses looking to improve safety, achieve accreditation, or simply ensure they’re on the right track for compliance. You can find out more here.

A competent person in health and safety is someone who has the knowledge, experience, and skills to identify hazards in the workplace and to take appropriate actions to minimise or eliminate them. This person must understand the relevant health and safety regulations and how they apply to specific work activities. This might look like being responsible for tasks such as: conducting risk assessments advising on safe systems of work monitoring compliance with health and safety policies providing training or support to employees They can be someone within the business or an external advisor, depending on the level of risk and the complexity of the work being carried out. Learn more about our team here.

SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. An SSIP accreditation is a recognised health and safety certification that shows your business meets industry-approved safety standards. It was created to streamline and simplify health and safety pre-qualification for suppliers working with clients, particularly in construction and related industries. Instead of going through multiple assessments, an SSIP-accredited business only needs to be approved by one SSIP member scheme, like CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor, or Constructionline, and that accreditation is then recognised by others within the SSIP network. The benefits of SSIP accreditation include: demonstrating your commitment to health and safety increasing your chances of winning contracts reducing duplication in pre-qualification processes saving time and money when tendering for work It's a powerful way to build trust with clients and show that your business takes safety seriously. Find out more about how we can support you here.

A retained health and safety advisory service offers ongoing, expert support for your business, acting as your dedicated health and safety partner without the cost of a full-time hire. The key benefits include: Peace of mind: You’ll have qualified professionals on hand to help you stay compliant with current health and safety regulations. Consistent support: Instead of dealing with issues reactively, you get proactive, continuous guidance that helps prevent problems before they arise. Tailored advice: Services are tailored to your specific business needs, ensuring that your policies, risk assessments, and training are relevant and up to date. Cost-effective: It’s more affordable than employing a full-time health and safety manager, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Improved safety culture: Regular involvement and support help embed a positive safety culture throughout your organisation, reducing accidents and boosting staff confidence. Access to documentation and updates: You’ll receive ongoing updates, templates, audits, and reports to keep your paperwork and procedures compliant and efficient. A retained service gives you ongoing expert advice, reduces risk, and allows you to focus on running your business, whilst we take care of your health and safety. Take a look at how we can help your business here.

ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. It provides a framework that helps organisations proactively improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create better, safer working conditions. The standard is designed to apply to businesses of all sizes and industries. By implementing ISO 45001, you can: identify and control health and safety risks reduce the potential for workplace accidents and injuries ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements improve overall performance and employee well-being ISO 45001 replaced the earlier OHSAS 18001 standard and aligns with other ISO management system standards like ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental), making it easier to integrate into existing processes. Achieving ISO 45001 certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to a safe and healthy work environment, which can enhance its reputation and build trust with clients, partners, and employees alike. Find out how we can support you with accreditation here.