Does a responsible Person have to have a full working knowledge of and be trained/qualified in what they are responsible for? I understand the meaning of a competent person such as relevant knowledge, skills, training etc. but my thought is that a responsible person is like a manager that must have the skills etc. to select a competent person to carry out required tasks and ensure that things are done within the current legislative constraints, but does not necessarily need to be trained/qualified to the same level as the competent person? eg. A business manager (RP) may get a Health & Safety professional in to cover the day to day H&S but the manager would not have to be NEBOSH qualified, just able to appoint the competent person. obviously the competent person would have a level of responsibility, but the designated RP would be say the Area manager.

Exactly the debate I had yesterday with a client. CEO and Senior managers will undertake a short training session on their top level duties and responsibilities, whilst next tier will be doing Managing Safely. Others will be doing task specific training, receive instruction and information. In-house specialist adviser will be doing NEBOSH Cert.