Rank: New forum user 
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Hi All
I am a practicing health and safety advisor (TechIOSH) and have been asked to provide health and safety advice on a voluntary basis to a not-for-profit social enterprise run by volunteers. I have previously provided health and safety advice as a voluntary school governor. I imagine there must be many people (both inside and outside) of IOSH providing health and safety advice on a voluntary basis.
My question is whether the requirement a few years ago for fee charging health and safety consultants to be CMIOSH and registered with the HSE would have any bearing on the legality of providing health and safety advice on a voluntary basis to a voluntary organisation.
In terms of my own scrutiny I am checking that the organisation is run professionally, with adequate public liability insurance. The area of work is relatively straightforward and within my own competency limits, and I know they have taken active steps to ensure that I am competent to give the advice.
Many thanks for any advice given.
Colin Horne.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Colin, I don't know where this "requirement" came from but I'm sure that is is a myth. CMIOSH is but one measure of competence but there have been many debates on here in the past about other equally valid measures of competency. IOSH do not have a monopoly on H&S professionalism. If you are confident of your own abilities and are willing to provide advice etc, then do so, but be aware of any potential liabilities you may incur and assess the risks arising to you from those potentials. There have been recent threads on this topic too and a search may turn up some useful info (and some not).
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 1 user thanked David Bannister for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi
I think you might be confusing the "requirements" of a OSHCR registered consultant (who are required to hold chartered level - or equivalent - membership). However, this is more of a "badge of honour" to provide reassurance to clients and is not a legal requirement.
Personally, I'd be more concerned about having Professional Indemnity Insurance in order to cover your own back just in case anything ever goes wrong. Even with providing voluntary advice to voluntary organisations you could still be liable.
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2 users thanked Elfin Davy 09 for this useful post.
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lorna on 26/01/2018(UTC), Thomo on 29/01/2018(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Where on earth did the OP get the idea that people who work in H&S have to be registered with the HSE? As for the OSHCR - that has proved to have been a waste of time. And yes, there is more to safety experience/qualifications than being recognised by IOSH. In my area of safety, IOSH membership/qualifications are rarely asked for.
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Rank: Forum user
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I'm often asked to give advice - on food hygiene as well as health & safety. Fine if it's a close family member but for everyone else, I point them in the direction of the HSE website. Perhaps I'm covering my back but I no longer have Professional Indemnity Insurance & I've heard too much well-meaning advice (from others) twisted and come back to bite the giver...
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Rank: Forum user
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Ive given plenty of voluntary H&S but always draft up an agreement baisically stating I will not be liable for any guidance, information or documentation. and that the Client will reamain responsible for enforement of all safety and health regulations.
The term Client will be used in place of organisation and in no way infers a fee for services.
I also ensure that they have insurance for volantary services while carring out activities.
I always ensure i can provide regs to backup any info and dont step out of my comfort zone.
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