Hi I have had 4 enquiries, 1 resulted in some work, and one will maybe lead to some work. I have been on the register since it started but i think i will continue as I feel it gives me credibility.

Being an inhouser' rather than consultant I didn't pay too much attention to OSHCR, but I did read the article you’ve referred to. In answer to the OP question, I guess the question is answered with another question, what was it designed for? and what was it promoted as? The comments on this thread by and large are reviewing the suitability of the OSHCR as a means to gain business, was this it's intention? Or was it intended from the flip-side, as a tool for SME owners to tap-into, and which case judging the success should be the other way (i.e. how well is it promoted (not well it seems..) and the overall uptake from SMEs (no idea how you'd measure this)). From a personal point of view, such schemes rarely work well unless they are made mandatory. If that were made the case (which is almost impossible given the scope of OHS, but could be achieved with alot of ground work) and it was promoted properly (and actions taken for businesses using non-registered consultants e.g. in gas works) then it would make a difference. It's like the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, almost pointless untill it's made mandatory (despite the attempted hyperbole from the powers-that-be) (it's upto the business if they display their certificate, therefore those that perform poorly don't and the average consumer is non-the-wiser).

My membership of OSHCR expires on 31/03/2013 - less than 2 weeks away. I haven't received a reminder yet. I wonder whether any other registrant has please? Perhaps the organisers have been reading this thread and/or the article in January's SHP. Any other views please?

Ed I have had no reminder to date but will not be taking up their kind offer even when it does come in. Whilst some feel it gives them credibility I still am not convinced the general populace knows it even exists and until I see rip roaring recommendations from my fellow consultants on this forum that suddenly the work is pouring in (surely someone is doing really well out of it...???) my ££s will be staying firmly in my pocket. I appreciate the pain of re-entry will be great should I decide to go back on - but if by then people are feeling it is a great tool - that pain is then ok by me!

What a surprise? I've literally just received another, electronic, OSHCR newsletter. I'm sure that other registered consultants have also. It looks as though the organisers are taking our concerns and criticisms on board. I welcome the views of other registered consultants please. It seems we are being given a few weeks grace as the organisers haven't got round to asking for further subs yet. I'm thinking about renewing for another year, it might be worthwhile. Again what do others think please?

I received the email requesting renewal, and after much consideration, decided to give it one more chance. However, I found out that during the renewal process you are "temporarily" removed from the register whilst your credentials are verified! This is ridiculous when membership is 12 months and I was renewing within that time. This is yet another crazy part of this system. Also note that if your CPD isnt up to date, even if your 12 months hasnt expired you would still be "removed" until obviously youve updated. Like other members, all Ive received is Spam. Unless something changes dramatically this will be my last year on it, I suspected it was a solution trying to find a problem when it first started, Im getting more convinced it is.

I think it will be interesting to re-open the debate on this, yet again. In mid’ May I received a reminder that my registration was due for renewal. It actually lapsed nearly a month ago but I’ve got until about 10th July in which to renew. A couple of weeks ago I posted a thread, on this Forum, indicating my availability for work and this prompted a surprising turn of events. A moderator (and I’ve no intention of indulging in “mod bashing”) initially removed my thread because he considered that I was advertising a business. I had stated that I was on the OSHCR. Upon checking with IOSH they explained that the facility to indicate availability, via this Forum, was intended for unemployed members. Their rules are that a consultant has a business and therefore cannot be unemployed. Prior to entering the H&S profession I spent a few years managing Unemployment Benefit Offices. I’m not sure how current social security legislation defines “unemployed”. I can recall a time when self-employed persons could be included, where it could be shown they were “not economically active”. I suspect that this is still the case. There is also the Del Trotter (from only Fools and Horses) definition of “self-unemployed”. IOSH is an approving body for OSHCR registration, yet penalises a person for being a registered consultant. This again raises the question but from a rather different perspective. I would welcome the views of other Forum users please. In the meantime I don’t think I will renew my registration.

Seriously? Then whoever made that decision has clearly never been self-employed! I totally agree that a blatant advert for a specific consultancy is out of order, however anyone who has been a self-employed consultant knows full well that there are lean periods. I see nothing wrong with the "I'm a self-employed consultant looking for new clients" approach as long as it's done with some common sense. It's really not that different from the "I'm an unemployed safety professional looking for new opportunities" post when all is said and done. With regard to OSHCR, I have not previously been a supporter and had not renewed my registration first time round. I have now obtained some work on the condition that I WAS OSHCR and so have renewed it. I think individuals have to choose what works for them!

The Moderation had nothing to do with OSHCR. It was another matter entirely.

I totally agree but having been listed from Day 1 during which I've had one enquiry (for the cheapest source of a safety policy) decided that it is useless and did not renew.

I think it would be fair to say that the OSHCR has failed. Its not worth registering on.

Im finding this quite interesting to read... Just to play devils advocate for a bit: does anyone think that joining OHSCR generates good public perception of a company (i.e. putting logo's on letterheads, saying that you are registered etc)? Do any of you think that if you were up against anther consultant for a contract and you were on OHSCR but the other person wasn't, that the OHSCR may become a deciding factor (assuming that the person awarding the contract had no in depth knowledge of the OHSCR, but only what it was!)? Be interested to hear thoughts...

I remember when the register was initially conceived and implemented and there was a real buzz about this. I had hoped that this was going to be a Gas Safe equaivalent register with proactive inspection of the quality of work of those on the register for them to maintain their registration to give prospective companies confidence that the individual they were engaging were competent to help them (the company) satisfy their duty under Regulation 7 of MHSW Regs '99. This, unfortunately, was not the case and I think that the HSE really missed a trick on this one but perhaps this is the time to make a change.