Workplace Law competence survey - definition of a competent health and safety person

At the end of August Workplace Law sent out a '£20 if you can prove you're competent' survey; we had some excellent responses and would like to thank everyone who took part.

The November issue of Workplace Law Magazine includes a full analysis of the survey and examines the issue of competency in both health and safety and human resources. (Members receive the magazine free as part of their subscription; non-members interested in purchasing a copy should call us on 0870 777 881). We've also listed all of the responses to the questions here in the Workplace Law forum ; replies from those we considered to be winners have been highlighted. Please feel free to add your own comments and thoughts!

Lins to other survey questions:

What makes you personally competent?
http://www.workplacelaw.net/forum/thread.php?thread_id=1506

Is health and safety legislation full of confusing terms?
http://www.workplacelaw.net/forum/thread.php?thread_id=1508

Does being a member of a certain body make you more competent?
http://www.workplacelaw.net/forum/thread.php?thread_id=1509

Competence in HR http://www.workplacelaw.net/forum/thread.php?thread_id=1510


Q. If you had to write a definition of what makes someone with health and safety responsibilities 'competent' what would it be?


The most important aspect of demonstrating a person's competence is their track record over time of successfully carrying out their Health and Safety responsibilities. This is both in terms of actions in response to situations but also anticipation and perception of potential problems and taking timely steps to avoid the occurrence of such problems
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Sound knowledge gained through qualifications, experience and 'hands on work' backed up with the ability to effectively communicate to the target audience and to have the courage of your convictions.
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Winner - "Having suitable and sufficient experience in the fields that they work in, to understand the hazards and risks involved with the work, the operating environment, and the type of people they need to work with; and having sufficient training to be able to communicate the results of their assessment to all the people necessary (in writing if necessary) in a clear and comprehensible manner."

The problem with most definitions is that they are too proscriptive and too directed at Health and Safety Professionals. In the case of H&S responsibilities the people most at need of being competent are the front line managers and the middle managers in larger organisations. These are the people that have most effect on whether somebody is injured.

An example of a very competent Risk Assessment I saw was prepared by an excavator driver who was functionally illiterate. He needed to demolish a wall that was sufficiently high that he could not see over the top of it, and in an area where there was a known problem with children playing on construction sites. This driver sat down with his mate and drew a plan of the job, decided that the mate was to go to the other side of the wall with an air horn and give three blasts to start, any further blasts were to stop immediately. The driver?s mate was to search the area and then keep watch for any problems. On the road side of the wall the driver also laid out warning signs and cones to keep drivers and other people away from his working area and operated with the digger facing the wall so that he could see anybody approaching from either side. He also decided to push all the rubble into the yard (being watched by his mate from a safe distance) so that there was no risk of rubble going onto the roadway. All this was literally drawn on the back of an envelope. This assessment worked and was far more effective and the driver far more competent that the site agent up the road on the same estate who got a prohibition notice for a very similar job because he did not have any competent safety measures to protect people from his actions.
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The application of experience, knowledge and other personal traits, to influence the ingredients of health and safety law.
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Winner - They must have an in depth knowledge of their field and must recognise their own limitations. They must be persuasive to be able to convince others of their arguments (no point in having the knowledge if you can?t motivate change). They must understand the history behind the legislation and must have sound knowledge of the legislation they are working to.
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Experienced, applicable track record, qualified and above all a proven communicator "Don't tell....Share"
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It would depend on the nature of the responsibilities. In general, a combination of appropriate qualifications, knowledge and relevant experience with suitable temperament and an interest in the subject.
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A recognition of their own limitations. the willingness to listen and an attitude that will make you approachable.
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You should be very experienced. There is no substitute for experience. possess a fair degree of technical knowledge of the area/work concerned
Be skilful in the area/work, be able to demonstrate how to do it right and safely and be trained in the requirements and legal aspects of the area /work concerned, and be prepared to accept the responsibility and also accept that you don't know every thing.
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A competent person will have undergone some formal training and will have had experience working with others in a health and safety position. The person will have a good knowledge of safe systems of work and will be able to carry out safety audits. They will be able to recognise and control hazards, write risk assessments and maintain records. A competent person will be able to deal effectively directly with managers as well as staff in matters concerning safety in and out of the workplace. They will maintain a good knowledge of the latest legislation covering health and safety and pass that on to employees and their employer.
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It does not necessarily depend on the particular skills or knowledge but should have sufficient training and experience. The competent person should have an understanding of the relevant current best practice, be aware of their own limitations and be willing to supplement existing experience and knowledge, when necessary, by obtaining external help and advice.
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A competent person is someone who has sufficient practical experience and technical knowledge and understanding to carry out their work in a safe and efficient manner and they also must be aware of their limitations.
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Winner - A competent person is one who has studied and has demonstrated understanding of all H&S issues in a variety of situations; is an experienced practitioner and who has leadership and advisory qualities and is a person who can demonstrate precedence to the well-being and safety of others.
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Constant vigilance and monitoring of health and safety equipment and procedures, availability to staff for discussions/reports on H&S concerns, knowledge of the latest health and safety legislation and requirements.
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One who has the skill, knowledge, training and experience and is fully aware of the environment in which they work, understanding the hazards that are present and the risks that might be presented not only to their own workforce but also others who might be adversely affected by their undertakings. One who is able to understand the essence of legislation and who can communicate the legislative requirements in a pragmatic manner, gaining the confidence of management and staff and demonstrating the real need to comply for their own benefit and that of the business in the widest terms.
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Technical knowledge, experience of a variety of variables within the workplace (e.g. how things can go wrong or how the human element can send environments awry), personal responsibility and a strong sense of being a champion for the wellbeing of others.
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To gain the necessary experience and qualifications one must have a desire for knowledge and a passion for the health and safety of people. As a generalist, I have to know a little about a lot, if I need a specialist then I know where to look for one.
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A competent person is appointed by management under MHSW Regulations to assist managers via risk assessment to draw up guidelines for safe systems of work with suitable forms and should advise Management on the adequacy of the safe systems produced
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The ability to appreciate and understand that health and safety is not about how not to do something but the ability to identify how a task can be done in a safe and effective manner.
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Someone who knows the current legislation, someone who can get ideas over without making it seems too officious unless it needs to be, someone who is proactive and always mindful of the environment around them and their colleagues and what everyone should be doing.
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Winner - Someone who has:
· at least a NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent),
· at least 12 months experience within two different environments / industries,
· good communication skills at all levels,
· an eye for detail, confident and methodical, and
· demonstrated how health and safety has contributed within an organisation.
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Be aware of what practices are in use (spend time at the 'rock face', learn from everyones mistakes, make certain you are understood and keep reiterating the same messages in different ways so no one gets bored or thinks they have heard it all before?
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Winner - A 'competent person' should be someone who not only has a recognised qualification but one who can also prove a sufficient expertise in the subject area to earn the title. Legal competence can currently be conveyed to anyone who is appointed into a suitable position and undertakes a minimal amount of training.
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Competency is the acquisition of knowledge through formal training, the ability to apply that knowledge through familiarisation of process and the experience to ensure application is effective.
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Winner - A competent individual with H&S responsibilities 'is someone that possesses a number of years work experience, training, qualifications and professional memberships appropriate to the level of risk present within his chosen sector of work.'

For example, an office manager used to managing H&S would not necessarily be sufficiently experienced to manage the H&S risks present on an oil rig. Their knowledge base may allow them to ask intelligent questions, but they would not necessarily have the experience in that field to determine the correct solutions.
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A combination of qualifications that are pertinent to the role (There would need to be specified qualifications obtained by study), practical application of that knowledge post qualification, and to be judged competent by one's peers
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The knowledge and experience to be able to make sound and reliable judgements on health and safety matters, meeting the needs of the particular organisation. Knowledge of the relevant law must be backed up by expertise in making health and safety work in practice. Competent people must of course be aware of the limits of their capability, and also need to know where to find the specialised advice or information that they need from time to time.