Posted By Ron Young From experience, Training & Development, design/new products, and then Env/H&S/quality in equal proportion. The changes in the Management Regs tend to add clout to any H&S redundancy argument you may have.

Posted By Claire E I wouldn't say easy target - I would say there are roles that tend to be combined when costs need to be saved - health and safety included

Posted By Robert M Edwards It does seem to be Training in house personnnel followed by Health and Safety as both areas are available as outsourced services. Saving money on staff costs is often advised by business consultants as a first leg of movement into profitability. Choice as to personnel needs to be considered in line with redundancy issues and legislation.

Posted By Jay Joshi Regulation 7 (8) of the "Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999" does strat:- "WHERE THERE IS A COMPETENT PERSON IN THE EMPLOYER'S EMPLOYMENT, THAT PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARAGRAPH (1) IN PREFERENCE TO A COMPETENT PERSON NOT IN HIS EMPLOYMENT" The guidance to Regulation 7 states "When seeking competent assistance employers should look to appoint one or more of their employees, with the necessary means, or themselves, to provide the health and safety assistance required. If there is no relevant competent worker in the organisation or the level of competence is insufficient to assist the employer in complying with health and safety law, the employer should enlist an external service or person" There does nor appear to be case law this, but may provide support for a tribunal decision.