Managing health and safety in any organisation requires a certain level of expertise, and a qualified health and safety advisor is the obvious choice when it comes to handling such a responsibility. However, gauging the proficiency of a health and safety advisor can be tricky as it is an intangible quality and difficult to measure. Herein, we’ll look at the most important criteria to measure the competency of your health and safety advisor.
Professional Qualifications
When assessing the competency of your health and safety advisor, the first thing to look at is his or her professional qualifications and certifications. A qualified health and safety advisor should have completed health and safety qualifications as well as certifications and they should be kept up to date with new regulations and changes in the industry. Moreover, they should also be a member of an accredited professional health and safety association, such as the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) or the British Safety Council (BSC).
Experience
It’s also important to consider the experience of the health and safety advisor. This can usually be obtained from their CV or job application. Ideally, you want an advisor who has experience in all areas of health and safety, particularly the specifics of your industry. The longer the advisor has been in the industry and the more experience he or she has, the more competent you can expect them to be.
Expertise
It’s also a good idea to look into the depth of expertise your health and safety advisor has. It is not enough to simply know the basics any advisor you decide to work with should have a deep knowledge and understanding of health and safety ranging from understanding the latest laws and regulations to developing risk management strategies. They should also be able to advise on best practice techniques and be able to provide relevant training to your staff.
Communication Skills
The other important trait to look for in your advisor is communication skills. Health and safety is a complex and important subject, so it’s important for the advisor to be able to navigate the nuances of the topic and be able to explain their plans and ideas in a clear and concise manner. This should be done with a personable approach that encourages staff to understand and follow any guidance or instructions given.
Implementation
Finally, it’s important to consider the advisor’s ability to implement their plans. A good health and safety advisor should be able to take ownership of the health and safety program and carry out any tasks or duties with confidence. This should include developing and managing policies and procedures, maintaining records, and conducting risk assessments and audits, as well as any other relevant tasks related to the program.
In conclusion, when assessing the competency of your health and safety advisor, there are a number of criteria that should be considered. From qualifications and certifications to experience and expertise, it’s important to ensure that your advisor has the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the role and can effectively communicate any guidance and instruction. And finally, they should be able to effectively implement their plans, developing policies, procedures and other methods of risk mitigation. By taking all these factors into account, you can have a good idea of the competency of your health and safety advisor.