Health and safety officer

Appointing a competent person

You're required to appoint a competent person (often referred to as the Health and Safety Officer), to help you meet your legal duties under health and safety legislation.

You may also appoint additional competent people to assist the Health and Safety Officer with their responsibilities on a day-to-day basis.

If you select more than one competent person, you must ensure they co-operate and communicate effectively. You must also ensure that all appointed competent people are given adequate time and resources to perform their duties effectively.

The role of the Health and Safety Officer is to provide you help with interpreting and applying health and safety law - especially when developing and implementing safety measures.

However, if you feel you're suitably competent, you can choose to assume the role yourself.

If you recognise trade unions, you are required to consult safety representatives in good time about the appointment of competent persons. If you don't, you should consult directly with your employees.

Which laws apply?

Reg 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Reg 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

The Role of the Health and Safety Officer

The Health and Safety Officer, and any additional competent people you appoint, will be required to carry out the required health and safety tasks, including:

• Completing risk assessments and site inspections, recording significant findings and implementing actions to mitigate any identified risks
• Facilitating H&S training courses and meetings
• Identifying potential hazards
• Writing reports and tracking incidents
• Testing equipment and ensuring it's safe to use
• Determining ways of reducing risks
• Onboarding new staff with H&S training
• Investigating H&S complaints from staff
• Liaising with external H&S authorities
• Creating and updating H&S policies

When selecting a competent person, you should have a clear understanding of the following:

• The work involved in the workplace
• The principles of risk assessment
• How to develop effective protective measures
• Current health and safety legislation applicable to the workplace
• The required standards of health and safety compliance