Posted By Kirsty Bryson I am fairly new to Health and Safety (hence the need to ask the question). In terms of training for senior management what would be a good guideline - I work for a small office based company - the MD has just completed the IOSH Managing Safely Course and discussion is now whether the other 3 board members should also complete the course - we have a total of 8 employees (this includes the directors). Am I correct in thinking that even if the MD is not in the country, as the director named as having Health and Safety responsibility he is still the person responsible should anything go wrong? I understand that people "in management or supervisory roles" should be suitably trained to enable them to supervise the health and safety of employees properly but what I am trying to establish is in a small company like ours should the IOSH course be undertaken by all at board level to enable all directors to be in a position to make decisions in the absence of the MD. Any guidance gratefully received - Kirsty

Posted By Merv Newman Kirsty, I agree with the reply from eric - check with iosh on what they offer. I feel that all of your directors should have the same level of training/awareness. When the md goes on a trip, doesn't he say to someone "hey, george, take care of things while I'm away". Someone deputises for the md while he is absent. If trouble arises, that person could find him/herself in the dock, handcuffed to the md perhaps. Best regards Merv Newman

Posted By Steve Nelson Who will your small office based firm be appointing as its "competent person" (see Management Regs 1999) ? I guess you may employ the services of external OSH "support" ? Have you seen Officewise, a free leaflet from HSE ? http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg173.pdf Good luck