Posted By Jim Walker Over on the left, under consultancy services there's a down loadable guide that might help. If you are happy with the current set up I'd stay as you are. Assume you know what ol'John Ruskin had to say about buying cheap?

Posted By JE Is 6 years and the NEBOSH certificate enough? I would say no, as has already been said and from previous experience, I would say that is not enough. One question, one is his background, ie, Manufacturing, construction?

Posted By MW His background is mainly construction which is what we do. MW

Posted By ITK The NEBOSH certificate is a qualification aimed at safety reps and middle managers. Depends on your industry I suppose but beware of "competent" advice on the cheap. ITK

Posted By clairel Of course my last post has just been taken out of context now that your post has been removed!

Posted By Richard Altoft I do not know anything about the person involved or your set up but I do know of a company that did just what you have outlined. Their case is up for sentencing in the magistrates court on 19th May, fines and costs will be major and I have no doubt in my mind that the consultant involved was a major reason the accident happened, that the HSE were seriously unimpressed with arrangements and documents he lead and that is why the case was brought.We are now the firm's H&S advisers and we have had to start from scratch with everything. Again I stress this has nothing to do with your situation but I would advise caution. R

Posted By justgossip There is only one critera for judgement. Is the supplier of this service competant. NEBOSH or DIPLOMA are only one part of the equation. I would, because its me who goes to court, evaluate both options and the cost would not in this case be a factor. For myself I find the qualification is the last thing I look at. A thought, you could ask the new guy to prove / show how your curent provider is failing you and how he could do better, at no cost to you. Garry

Posted By ScotsAM As well as the advice given, find out if he's got TechIOSH status or just affiliate.

Posted By john thos 147 I personnally only " have a general certificate" i have 9 years experience as a union rep in a blue chip company that was rife with H&S issues i have dealt withthe HSE EMAS. I have presented them with reports. In my current role we have been audited by insurers/ consualtants and HSE consualtants. The processes that are in place here were implemented by myself covering. SSW's Permit to work procedures Hazard register coshh assesmnets Designing my own heavy duty stillaging systems implementing racking mapping the factory safety management systems. what i have done has stood up to the scrutiny of the powers that be with only minor improvemnts sggested.and all with just a general certificate. Yet i have recieved advice and documentation off CMIOS/level 6 NVQ ?/ many people with alleged Diplomas. some has been very good and some down right terribble ( one of them was a consulatant who had more letters after his name thab was imaginable. i believe the Kudos behind the diploma is unwarranted. It is not Health and safety practioners faults that they dont have them , it doesnt mean that they failed the diploma some like myself havent had the good fortune of our employers splashing the cash. i personnally cant afford to pay for a diploma myself or i would. Would it make me any better possibbly . What i remeber of the certifcate and from here is that the real information and ideas comes from the people who genuinely have an interest in H&S and are keen to help others by sharing informatiom. It also annoys me when you see jobs advertised straight a degree holders not neccessarily in H&S who are offered jobs just because they have a degree as they say there is no such thing as common sense in H&S and that becomes more apparrent day by day

Posted By graeme12345 21 employees. clairel, you stated that this will need a lot of time and effort to provide a competent service and this will obviously be "costly", why would that be for a company that only has 21 employees. The company can get their H & S policy from the HSE web site. how many employees do the RSA / COSHH assessments? How long does it take to instruct someone to do RA / COSHH assessment? For a FRA ID what can catch fire/ ignition sources / how person can get out Consultancies and recruitment agencies are a waste of money they pay their employees commission/peanuts in relation to what they charge you, so what service will you get from the individual that visits you. They want to get onto the next job so all their forms and procedures will be generic anyway, just with a little tweaking included If this chap has spent 6 years in const. H & S he must know something of the H & S game and your business, take him on and if you have any concerns you can always ask those that still pertain only MIOSH / FIOSH are competent on this web site. And if you do not get any help there I'll let you know for nothing

Posted By Harry Haddock For those interested in the Sainsbury's Case ref: NEBOSH certificate, there is a press release on this website: http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...fm?go=news.release&id=31 also see page 7 of this HSE research report: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr121.pdf (72 page pdf document)

Posted By MW How does this differ from appointing someone in house as the competent H&S person? (even thought they have a NEBOSH general certificate) MW