Top Benefits of Outsourcing Health and Safety
- carleneslade
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Managing health and safety in the workplace is essential for all businesses. But many find it complex and time-consuming. That’s why organisations are increasingly turning to outsourcing health and safety support, bringing in qualified professionals to take the pressure off and to ensure compliance with legislation.
In this blog post, we’ll explain the key benefits of outsourcing health and safety and why it could be a smart move for your business, too.
What does outsourcing health and safety actually involve?
Outsourcing health and safety means bringing in an external health and safety consultant or service to manage some or all of your health and safety processes, which has many benefits. This can include things like:
Writing and reviewing health and safety policies
Carrying out risk assessments and audits
Providing training or toolbox talks
Supporting incident investigations
Advising on health and safety compliance
In this model, there is direct access to expert support when and how you need it, without the reliance on in-house staff who may not be fully qualified or up to date with the most recent legislative requirements.
What are the benefits of outsourcing health and safety?
1.0 Access to expert health and safety knowledge
The main advantage of outsourcing is having immediate access to professional advice. A good health and safety consultant understands the law, knows how to apply it in practice and to your specific industry, and can help your business meet its legal duties without overcomplicating things.
Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, education, or offices, outsourced specialists can tailor their advice to your specific risks and work environment.
2.0 Cost-effective health and safety support
It can be expensive to employ a full-time health and safety manager, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Outsourced health and safety support allows you to pay for the services you need, when you need them.
Requirements often change throughout the year, and this model gives you the ability to increase and decrease support to suit the needs of the business, which is much more cost-effective.
This is a more affordable way to stay compliant, whether you need regular support or occasional input for specific projects, audits, or training.
3.0 Saves time and reduces admin
Health and safety documentation, audits and training all take up valuable time. By outsourcing, you free up internal resources and reduce the day-to-day admin involved in managing health and safety.
This also lets you and your team focus on the other core business activities while still meeting your health and safety responsibilities.
4.0 Improved health and safety compliance
Outsourcing also helps ensure your business is meeting its legal obligations under health and safety law. Consultants stay up to date with regulatory changes and can help you:
Keep policies and procedures current
Maintain risk assessments
Prepare for inspections and audits
Respond to incidents appropriately
This reduces the risk of enforcement action, fines, or damage to your reputation. Find out more about our services.
5.0 Objective, independent advice
An external health and safety expert gives you a fresh perspective. Internal teams can overlook issues through familiarity or routine, but a consultant will assess risks with a clear, unbiased view.
They can also provide honest feedback and practical solutions without being influenced by internal policies or habits.
6.0 Scalable support that fits your business
Your health and safety needs will change depending on your workload, contracts, accreditation renewal dates, or staff levels. Outsourcing gives you flexibility to scale support both up and down as needed.
This is particularly useful for growing businesses, project-based work, or when there are temporary increases in risk, such as when implementing new equipment, relocating sites, or during large events.
7.0 Peace of mind for business owners, boards, and teams
Outsourcing gives you confidence that health and safety are being managed professionally and responsibly, something boards and business owners want to be reassured of. It reduces uncertainty and helps prepare for the unexpected.
There’s also a benefit for your staff, as knowing a competent person is looking after their wellbeing builds trust and promotes a positive safety culture.
How to choose a health and safety consultant
NEBOSH or similarly accredited qualifications and memberships
Qualifications can range from levels 3 – 7, with various training providers, but the standards of qualifications do vary. Professional memberships with bodies such as IOSH and IIRSM are also a good indicator of competence.
Strong listening skills
A good consultant will take time to understand your business, your people, and your priorities. They don’t jump to conclusions or apply a one-size-fits-all approach. They will ask the right questions, listen carefully to your concerns, and shape their advice accordingly.
Clear communicator
Health and safety can be full of jargon, but your consultant shouldn’t be. Look for someone who explains things clearly, in plain language, so everyone from directors to site workers understands.
Eye for detail
Good health and safety management often lies in the small things. This could be a process that’s slightly off, a blind spot in a policy, or even a missing label. A good consultant notices these details and understands their potential impact. This attention to detail is especially important during audits and inspections.
Strong auditing and investigative skills
Whether they’re carrying out a site inspection, a compliance audit, or an incident investigation, a consultant needs to be thorough, methodical, and fair. They should be able to identify root causes, not just symptoms, and suggest meaningful improvements.
Practical, proportionate advice
Good consultants strike the right balance: they understand legal requirements, but they also know what’s reasonable and achievable for your business. They give realistic solutions, not ones that are over-complicated or unnecessarily costly.
Calm under pressure
A good consultant remains calm, focused, and solution-oriented in high-stress situations such as after an incident or when facing enforcement. They’ll guide you through the process without adding confusion or panic.
Adaptable and industry-aware
Different industries face different risks. A strong consultant understands the specific demands of your sector and adapts their approach accordingly. They will remain up to date with trends, legislation, and best practices in your field.
Builds trust and credibility
Your team needs to trust your consultant. Whether that’s delivering training, walking the floor, or advising directors. They must be approachable, professional, knowledgeable, and someone people are willing to listen to.
Find out more about us and whether we're the right fit for you.
Is it time to outsource your health and safety?
If managing health and safety in-house is taking up valuable time, causing uncertainty, or stretching your resources, outsourcing health and safety could be the solution.
It’s about getting the right level of support, when you need it, from someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
To find out how outsourcing health and safety support could help your business, get in touch. We’ll help you simplify the process and make sure everything is covered. Clearly, compliantly, and with confidence.
FAQs
1. What types of businesses can outsource health and safety?
Outsourcing is suitable for businesses of all sizes and sectors, from construction and manufacturing to education, care, and offices. It’s particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized organisations that don’t have the resources for a full-time health and safety role.
2. Is outsourcing health and safety cost-effective?
Yes. You only pay for the services you need when you need them. This avoids the overheads of a permanent role and allows you to scale support depending on workload, projects, or compliance deadlines.
3. What services do outsourced health and safety consultants typically offer?
Services can include:
Health and safety policies and procedures
Risk assessments and method statements
Audits, inspections, and compliance checks
Incident investigations
Training and toolbox talks
Support with accreditation and regulatory requirements
Accreditation implementation and maintenance support
Advice on regulatory compliance
4. Will an outsourced consultant understand our industry?
A good consultant will have experience across multiple sectors and will tailor their advice to your specific risks and operations. Always check their background and whether they’ve worked with similar businesses before.
5. How do I know if I’m choosing the right health and safety consultant?
Look for someone who is:
Qualified with a professional membership (e.g. NEBOSH, IOSH, IIRSM or similar)
A clear communicator who avoids jargon
Detail-focused and thorough in audits
Practical, not over-complicated, in their advice
Calm under pressure and adaptable to your business
Trusted by others. Ask for testimonials or case studies if needed
6. Can outsourcing help with health and safety compliance?
Absolutely. Consultants stay up to date with legislation and can help you keep your documentation current, prepare for inspections, and respond appropriately to incidents. This reduces your risk of enforcement or reputational damage.
7. How quickly can support be put in place?
Many consultants offer flexible arrangements, from ad-hoc advice to retained packages. Depending on availability, support can often be set up within days, which is ideal if you’re facing a tight deadline or urgent issue.
8. What’s the difference between retained and project-based support?
Retained support means ongoing access to a consultant for regular tasks and updates. Project-based support is used for one-off needs such as audits, training, or policy reviews.
Both models can be combined or adjusted depending on your requirements.
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