Is this as part of normal employment? If so, then your employer will be the best person to set a rate for your services. You are unlikely to be an existing consultant as you have posed the question which leaves only one other possibility. I am a consultant who is on hard times but as you aren't moonlighting in my area I will not be rude.

http://www.iosh.co.uk/me.../salary_survey_2009.aspx I know the survey was done in 2009- but I don't believe day rates would have gone up by much.

Hi We have just had a consultant in for 12 days, at £675!!! per day not bad eh

I consider myself as one of the good guys re H&S consultancy. Whenever I am asked to do policies and risk assessments I point the client toward http://www.hse.gov.uk/si...-health-safety/index.htm in an effort to educate the client to do it themselves. The usual reply I get is "too busy" and then I carry on doing the work. If the work is for a small employer I will use the HSE stuff anyway, "if it's not broke don't fix it". I don't charge a high fee - and usually get invited back. They may see me as a soft touch but I earn enough to keep me going and get lots of repeat business. The only exception I make is when asked to do fire risk assessment as I consider that to be a more specialised area. Different matter when the client is a construction contractor and my fee will be in with their price I then go a little higher. My fees range from £35.00 to £40.00 per hour - or £200.00 to £895.00 a day depending on the work and the client. (The latter is not very often I may add). I have PI insurance and do an honest tax return every year, all above board. My CPD is up to date and I keep myself in touch.

Based upon my calculations which include a reasonable uplift to cover your business expenses, IT, PI insurance (including runoff), car, fuel and a third down time, if your aspiration is to earn £30k per year you should be charging at least £423 plus VAT per day. For £40k it should be £564 and £50k £705. Unfortunately the market day rate for sole-practitioners is often much lower, therefore someone offering H&S a consultancy at £300 or less per day is either being forced to draw down a very low professional income or something is not correctly adding up.

stephenjs, Why do you ask that question? I know some excellent consultants who could go on the register but refuse to at this stage. Some of whom were making presentations at IOSH & BSC sponsored events earlier this year.

Have to agree with Fletcher & Phil. I don't qualify apparently for the consultants register, however I will continue to consult and work as I do and, going by my experience of what I do and what I see around I have nothing to worry about as I can perform works that are well in excess of those exhibited by some who are on the consultants register. You will never however, find me working outside that which I feel I am competent to do. The line is firmly drawn as far as I am concerned and it works for me.

I am on the register but I am also always careful.

Going back to the original query, the IOSH Guide for consultants is a helpful read - downloadable from 'Information and resources'. It includes outline calcs to help you decide a suitable day rate. Of course what the market will bear is a different issue, as some others have pointed out it may be higher or lower than what you consider a 'minimum fair reward' for your expertise.

Some of you saying "£700 a day" are in specialist fields like oil and gas. Good for you and I'm happy that you have plenty of work but you won't get that kind of money doing a few risk assessments and writing policies and the OP needs to understand that. To the OP - do look at the advice given in the IOSH Consultancy guide on how to work out a daily rate, it's very useful. I am on the Register and I am always careful ;-) but I would agree with the posters who say there's absolutely no NEED to be on the Register to be a consultant and no reason why you should "take care" just because you aren't on it.

If you are not careful you must be careless! I hope you are well insured?

stephenjs, Still wondering why if a practitioner is not on the OSHCR they need to be careful? It is my view that ALL H&S practitioners should be careful by; being adequately insured ( independently or through a their company), competent to give the advice they give at the level they give it (through experience, ability, knowledge and qualification) and up to date with changing legislation. This to me adds up to being careful irrespective whether on the OSHCR or a member of IOSH at whatever grade. Take Care