A competent person is someone with sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to properly assist in managing health and safety. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 7), ALL employers must appoint one or more competent persons. For construction, this becomes even more critical due to high-risk activities and CDM 2015 requirements.

Yes, absolutely. Regulation 7 of MHSWR 1999 makes it a legal requirement for ALL employers to appoint one or more competent persons to assist with health and safety management. There are no exceptions based on company size. For construction businesses, this is reinforced by CDM 2015 which emphasizes the need for competent advice throughout projects.

You can, but only if you have sufficient training, experience and knowledge. Many construction business owners lack the time for ongoing H&S management or the specific expertise required for complex regulations like CDM 2015. An external competent person often provides better protection and allows you to focus on running your business.

The HSE can take enforcement action including improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecution. Fines can be substantial (average £80,000, but can exceed £900,000). Directors can face personal prosecution and imprisonment in serious cases. Insurance may be invalid, and you could be excluded from tenders. The reputational damage can also be severe and long-lasting.

Our service includes: formal competent person appointment documentation, regular site visits and safety audits, development and review of H&S policies and procedures, risk assessments and method statements, accident investigation and RIDDOR reporting, HSE liaison and enforcement support, ongoing advice via phone/email, emergency response for urgent H&S matters, and assistance with accreditation applications.

Visit frequency depends on your projects, risk levels, and specific needs. Typically, we conduct monthly site visits for ongoing projects, but high-risk or complex sites may require more frequent visits. We also provide emergency response for urgent matters like accidents or HSE visits. The schedule is agreed with you and documented in our service agreement.

Yes, we can serve as competent person for multiple sites and projects. Our service is scalable based on your needs. We maintain detailed records for each site, ensure regular monitoring of all locations, and provide consistent H&S standards across your operations. This approach is often more cost-effective than site-specific appointments.

Mick Findlay has over 30 years of construction H&S experience, currently serving as H&S Manager at MDS Civil Engineering. He holds relevant professional qualifications including NEBOSH construction certification, maintains IOSH membership, and has practical experience with CDM 2015, risk assessment, accident investigation, and regulatory compliance. This combination of qualifications and experience meets competent person requirements.

We provide robust continuity through: detailed documentation systems that ensure knowledge transfer, deputy arrangements for holiday/absence coverage, 24/7 emergency contact for urgent matters, regular review meetings to maintain service quality, and documented handover procedures if needed. Your H&S management never has gaps in coverage.

Absolutely. CDM 2015 compliance is a key part of our competent person service including: Construction Phase Plan development, F10 notifications to HSE, coordination with Principal Designers and other duty holders, health and safety file management, ensuring suitable resources and competence, and managing interfaces between different contractors. We ensure your projects meet all CDM requirements.

External competent person service is typically much more cost-effective for SME contractors. A full-time H&S manager costs £35,000-£50,000+ annually plus benefits, training, and overhead. Our external service provides expert competent person coverage, often for a fraction of this cost, with no employment obligations, holiday cover issues, or training expenses.

For emergencies (serious accidents, HSE visits, prohibition notices), we aim to respond within 2-4 hours during business hours. We provide 24/7 emergency contact for critical situations. For urgent but non-emergency matters, we typically respond within 24 hours. Our local Essex base ensures rapid response times for Colchester, Coggeshall, Braintree, and Witham area contractors.