Rank: Forum user 
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I have been a registered consultant since inception. Quite frankly I now question the advantages of registration.
The first year I received absolutely "nil" response. This (the second) year I have received several enquiries but nothing that has generated any business. I have received enquiries from a couple of students seeking free assistance with their project work. I have received enquiries from sales people attempting to sell me their products. One even made a follow up call and attempted to tell me that I had entered into an agreement (I don't respond to such agressive tactics). The latest enquiry was a magazine inviting me to write an article for them, the only snag was that they expected me to pay for the privilege!!
In 4 - 5 months time I, along with other registered consultants, will be asked to renew my registration and of course pay my subscriptions. I pose the above question now to allow sufficient time for useful debate please. I will be interested to learn from other foum users' experiences, both good and bad, and this will enable me and others to decide whether or not to renew registration.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I withdraw from the register when my registration came up for renewal, simply because it was generating spam and nothing else.
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Rank: Forum user
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same here, no leads, only people trying to sell me stuff and spam email which forced me to remove myself from the lists.
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Rank: Forum user
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did not renew after first year -
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Rank: Forum user 
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I feel pretty much the same - really questioning if I should bother to renew next year!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Please all cancel your listings then I will be the only one left to get all the work - there must be at least one job that may be won on the basis of Register listing!
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Rank: Forum user
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I have to agree, I'm on my second year and rather like 'edblanchard' I get sales people riding on the back of it, trying to sell me something - including the 'safety article' ploy. Fair play though - they're sales people. That being said - I think the question that should be asked is 'what are those who manage the register doing to ensure that OSHCR is being brought to the attention of relevant companies up and down the country' ? If it's just a very passive thing that people have to find - then it's value is questionable. If you google 'safety at work consultants' - I don't see any mention in the first page. Perhaps I'm missing something.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Well I did say many months ago, it would be a waste of time.
Luckily, I never parted with any hard earned cash.
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Rank: Forum user
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I want to thank all who have responded so far.
In response to MJL I have been in touch with the person(s) who manages the OSHCR and asked what is being done to promote the Register. It is presented at business seminars etc but not much else from what I understand. I have also advised the person concerned that I've started this thread/debate and invited him to partake. He is unable to do so apparently because the administration management of OSHCR is currently being undertaken by HSE and he works for HSE. (The logic of his explanation eludes me).
I want to hear the views of others please, in particular anybody that might have obtained some business arising from registration.
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Rank: Forum user
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Have many friends and collegues who are on the register and not one has any work from it. I think some of the consultants who are on the register like to have the logo on their business cards and headed paper.
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Forum user
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I too have not paid up for the renewal - as all the others have identified I received endless spam, cold calls and nothing else. I feel we have been sold a pup - in speaking to customers not a single one has seen any reference to the register in industry magazines or websites. You cant look if you don't know what you are looking for. Lets face it with the cutbacks can you really imagine the HSE are throwing a whole lot of resource at selling this?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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edblanchard wrote:
I want to hear the views of others please, in particular anybody that might have obtained some business arising from registration.
Picked up some work in the first year, when asked the clent stated it was as a result of the register being mentioned at a 'breakfast meeting' he attended. This then led to him telling someone else about me, who then employed me when he moved to Poland with a 'blue chip' company - this was obviously a good earner..... and still is. However, not a thing since and to be honest I'm sick of the cold calling and spam as previously mentioned. Now more pain than gain so unless there is a change I reckon I'll pack up with it.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Although I have been hounded out of this register because of the extra spam traffic, I still find it is a useful direction to send those small contractors with inadequately written safety documentation.
It keeps this sensitive task simple and independent.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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As a relatively new consultant I am indebted to the comments made so far & that I may well be saving myself £60 & a lot of future grief!
I was seriously considering joining, but apart from the fee, my name, i.e. Zyggy, would mean that I would be at the back of any register & would any prospective clients be bothered to look that far?
Therefore, for the time being I will carry on as I am, but if anybody is finding that the scheme is worthwhile, then I may yet change my mind!
Zyggy
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Rank: Forum user 
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OSHCR started - and remains - as a solution in search of a problem.
I have had no business via the register but I use it for marketing purposes only. In this role it has been helpful. Given the amounts I've spent on other promotional materials, £60.00 is OK.
Cheers.
Nigel
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Rank: Forum user
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As other have mentioned, been registered for 2 years now and apart from marketing purposes it's been useless.
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Rank: Forum user
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Wasn't there talk during the inception stages of this register that it may one day become compulsory for an organisation just to use consultants that were on members of it?
Surely that would solve a number of issues and concerns raised in this discussion and ensure that only CMIOSH members (or equivalent) are open to giving good advice/consultations.
As for the spam, the site should have a place whereby spammers and/or cold callers could be reported and then challenged by the admin team and perhaps warned off to leave members alone.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Stuart
Making membership of the register compulsory would raise some interesting legal issues about restriction to trade. There are consultants who would not qualify for membership of the register as they are not general health and safety consultants but have specialised in one particular aspect of health and safety where they have an undoubtedly high standard of expertise, arguably at a much higher level than a general health and safety consultant would possess. Since for some of these specialities there are no recognised or relevant qualifications where would this place them and their ability to make their expertise available to potential clients needing this specialist service?
I fall into this category. I am qualified through another organisation than IOSH to be on the register, but have decided it is not for me as I do not see this bringing in additional business but maybe enquiries in aspects of health and safety in which I do not work.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Like many I am sceptical about the value of the OSHCR, but membership has been widened. Chris we have conversed in the past and I value the information you have provided both here on the forum and by direct email. BOHS is now an approving body so would you not qualify if you wanted to join?
Brian
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Rank: Super forum user
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Brian
I believe that you need to be a member of the Faculty to qualify within BOHS. Correct me if I am wrong. I actually qualify to be on the register as a Fellow of the IIRSM. However, as I see little real benefit for me or my partners (and Helen would qualify as a Specialist member of the Faculty) to spend the money. I doubt whether membership would bring any additional business as most of ours comes from referrals, generally from the occupational health profession.
Chris
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Rank: New forum user
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I have been a registered consultant since inception, and have gained 1 job from the list and a couple of enquiries.
with regards to the future I recently read that the APS are going to start and manage the register. The APS might actually make the register worthwhile? fingers crossed.
For me the weakness is the lack of advertising, If this was improved I'm sure things would pick up.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If it is true that APS are to run the Register I will not be interested in renewing. I have no interest in being involved in construction safety. Actually it is a desire not to be involved for a number of reasons.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Allowing the APS to run the OSHCR doesn't seem logical, given the idea of the OSHCR is for health and safety consultants of all disciplines to be contacted for competent advice and that APS is aligned to construction safety.
If this does occur how is it assumed that non-construction business will identify competent advice? Would there then need to a different register?
However, anecdotal evidence on here and other forums etc. suggests a low take up, so will it really make any difference?!
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Rank: Forum user
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Hello everyone,
I've been following this (and related) threads with interest, as SHP is planning an article on OSHCR - Two Years On for the January issue. We intend to put many of the same questions you've raised here to the administrators of the scheme and to the safety minister (whether we get answers or not remains to be seen!) but would also like to include the views of members, past and present, on how they feel it has/hasn't worked, and whether or not it has a future.
If anyone would like to speak to SHP on the record for this article (we won't use your name if you'd prefer us not to), please do PM me before the end of November.
Many thanks,
Tina Weadick - SHP editor
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Rank: New forum user
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My personal thoughts, and I know I'll probably generate some 'hatred' amongst my professional colleagues (and get struck off the christmas card lists of many) but I think that many of you are missing the point of the register. It was never intended to be a Marketing Tool - it was established to be a benchmark standard for safety consultants and help to raise the quality of advice being given to businesses, thereby giving businesses confidence in choosing a health & safety consultant from the register, as they are bound by their professional body’s code of conduct and are committed to providing sensible and proportionate health and safety advice.
Be realistic....what newspaper or magazine advertsing can you get for £60. It cost me £32 two weeks ago to post a 3cm x 2cm advert in my local newspaper (circulation just 6,000) for just one edition
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Rank: Forum user
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No quibble from me Jerry, I'm with you on this one.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Jerry, the point of the register does not seem to be in question. Who is using it, how and whether it actually serves any useful purpose seems to be in doubt, other than as a marketing logo on consultants websites.
It may be worth that but if solely linked to the construction industry, then it's no longer worth it to me.
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Rank: New forum user
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So, what does the OSHCR do and what added purpose does it provide ? .... even the HSE Inspector's don't promote its existance .... As a Memebr of IOSH and, on the Consultants Committee should not we ballot the Institution to ask the supporting bodies of OSHCR what value it is etc etc ??
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Rank: Super forum user
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Why ask the supporting bodies of the OHSCR what values it is etc etc?
Would it not be better to ask those of whom it (the register) was supposed to assist - businesses!
Guess the response!
I could not see it being of any benefit to anyone save for the few that earn their living administering it.
Surely it is time to consign it to the abondoned heap of useless gimmicky schemes promoted by those not in the real world.
Jon
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Rank: Forum user
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I am amazed by the amount of attention that this thread has received. I would like to respond to three of the issues raised.
a) In response no. 24 it is interesting to note the interst of the SHP editor. Tina, as the originator of this thread, I would be delighted to partake in your January article, please send me a PM to discuss.
b) I think it is pure speculation that the APS will take over management of the register. I "AaPS". They don't award any credit points for being a registered consultant.
c) One response suggests that we can't expect the organisers (HSE) to promote it in view of the cutbacks. The register is a new initiative started after the cutbacks were announced, so why shouldn't we expect something back for our subscriptions? Unless our subs are perhaps another way of subsidising their funds!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ed - what exactly were you expecting from membership of the OSHCR?
Jon
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Rank: Forum user
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Jon - my expectations were precisely the same as everybody that was eligible and applied to become a registered consultant.
I was therefore surprised by your question. I looked you up on OSHCR and have been unable to find any entry with your name.
I don't want to stray from the original theme of this thread and the question posed in the title. So far nobody has given any positive reason for continuing with enrolment. Surely somebody has something good to say about it?
I look forward to the article in January's SHP and I hope to be involved. This may well become the determining factor.
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Rank: Forum user
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I have an email from OSHCR saying there were 2700 people on the register in January 2012, look today and there are around 500 less so I guess thats 500 people who don't see value in it to them in its current format. That includes me.
I am happy to see you want to get involved Ed, it is important going forward for our profession but it needs to get a lot better a lot quicker. I want it to work and I want to be on it, but I don't give up my hard earned pennies easily.
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Rank: Super forum user
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#32
Ed- I am not endorsed on the OHSCR so no point in checking me out. Some 20 months ago whilst a massive construction project was ramping up we (HR Dept) used the Register to source 4 safety 'professionals'.
Within a month of their employment contract the site manager and myself had to cut them loose- they were way out of their depth. We then recruited from the trades people, trained them up with NEBOSH cert and NVQs to suit our requirements. Three of them are still with us on a new project and the other is working for us in Oman.
Interesting to note that IOSH no longer promotes OHSCR on their home page (website).
Jon
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Rank: New forum user
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I did not renew after the first year. There are still 'consultants' out there with limited experience or qualifications and until the register has more weight, I do not really see the point in joining except for marketing reasons.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you "klakin" for your comments.
There are so-called "consultants" out there with little or no qualification, experience, training etc - in other words NOT COMPETENT! Such "cowboys" give any profession or trade a bad name. The purpose of OSHCR was surely to hound such an element from this profession. Until the register has more weight it will fail to do so.
The register surely needs to be revamped and brought into line with similar, e.g. the gas-safe register. Until something along such lines happens I suggest that "0SHCR isn't worth it".
What do other forum users think?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ed
So because I have no "qualifications" I am automatically incompetent? I take objection to this assumption. I have no formal qualifications in health and safety. However, I do have 30+ years experience in my particular area of health and safety. Incidentally, there are no formal qualifications that would be relevant to what I do. Having been described as: "...the international expert..." by a major European authority I wonder how I could be described as not competent, merely because I do not have bothered to study a whole raft of health and safety issues that are totally irrelevant to my work. Competency is not about having passed examinations. I have had to deal with problems created by practitioner who are qualified CMIOSH but in my field have got it wrong. I also know of quite a few who have few professional qualifications but who, due to practical experience, are doing a great job. It's the old story of confusing qualification with competency.
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Rank: Forum user
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Chris - we probably need to establish what "competence" means.
One definition is "A person shall be regarded as competent if he/she has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him/her to assist in carrying out the measures which the employer needs to take in order to comply with the statutory provisions". (This is the one that I favour when delivering training courses.)
From what you say (Chris) I have no doubt that you fit into one of those categories. "Competence" is not therefore just about passing exams. OSHCR does, however, have rigorous standards that need to be satisfied before enrolment and whilst many successful registrants will have passed exams etc others will have come by routes such as NVQ.
Having said the above I don't want to become distracted from the original theme of this thread (as shown in the title). From the replies posted it appears that the majority view is that OSHCR registration isn't worth it!! I would like to hear a strong opposing view.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ed
There is nothing amiss with the NVQ route. Perhaps it is the academic route - I am aware of a 24 year old University 'trained' H&S consultant endorsed on the Register. NEBOSH Cert aged 19 (Job Centre paid for him), then two years doing a former polytech (now Uni course.) Never done a days work in his life.
I would not have him paint our coal bunkers black.
Chris Packhams experience and failure to be acknowledged as an expert in his field is sufficient evidence that the Register is not fit for purpose.
Is it correct that Psycologists are now eligible to be endorsed on the Register?
Jon
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Rank: Forum user
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Jon
I don't know that "psycologists" are eligible for registration. Why don't you check the webpage, i.e. www.oshcr.org?
Whilst on the webpage you will see that there are 7 professional bodies that may approve their members for enrolment. Each body insists upon high standards before a member may be approved. For instance the IIRSM only accept applications from Fellow Members and IOSH from Chartered members. There is also a requirement to have provided H&S advice to external candidates for 2 years.
It is incredible that your "friend" (the coalbunker painter) managed to obtain approval and enrolment. Since this debate is taking place on an IOSH forum, I shall assume that they were the approving body. Did your friend having obtained his academic qualifications apply for Chartership? This would have involved preparation and submission of a Skills Porfolio. "Having never done a day's work in his life" I wonder what he managed to put in it? It would have also involved a Peer Review interview and the Open Assessment. This is both a lengthy and expensive procedure, particularly for somebody with limited means.
Perhaps your friend is not a registered consultant after all! Anybody can claim to be a "consultant" but becoming registered is another matter. It is persons such as this, that OSHCR is designed to prevent from practisinig.
I think it might be worthwhile continuing with my registration after all.
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