Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
freelance safety  
#1 Posted : 11 February 2020 14:33:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

Appreciate any useful advice regarding taking on health and safety freelancers?

Just to place you in the picture, business has got to a stage where I need some assistance on an ad-hoc basis but not at a stage when I can employ anyone at the moment.

 

Ian Bell2  
#2 Posted : 11 February 2020 15:51:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

Many freelancers/contractors I know are quitting because of the IR35 tax rule changes.

Financial extortion by HMRC

freelance safety  
#3 Posted : 11 February 2020 15:58:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

Maybe it’s due to the high employment, but I’m finding it hard to locate other freelancers on day rates to do any ad-hoc work etc.

Zyggy  
#4 Posted : 11 February 2020 16:08:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zyggy

From what I can gather the IR35 tax rule changes only applies to freelancers who work within a limited company structure & it is their employer who has to now decide if they meet the criteria or not. Sole traders are exempt from these changes. You obviously have to be careful on their status as if you are deemed to be employing them, then you would be liable for everything that goes with it, e.g. NI, pension contributions etc.
chris.packham  
#5 Posted : 16 February 2020 17:28:32(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

If you have an accountant that handles your tax returns, etc. have a word with them. It can be complex and easy to find yourself the wrong side of tax law. Much will depend on the terms and conditions, amount of time they spend, whether they are self-employed and have other clients they are also providing a service for, etc., etc.

freelance safety  
#6 Posted : 16 February 2020 17:37:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

Thanks for all the replies to date.

I’m fully aware of the tax implications as I have my own accountant and I’ve had freelance workers many times before.

The issue for me is the current lack of competent and available people in the market place?

This may of course be caused by the IR35 taxation issues, maybe more people have gone back to full employment?

SNS  
#7 Posted : 16 February 2020 22:23:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SNS

It may be that people are tailoring their workloads to lifestyle nowadays and don't want any more 'ad-hoc' engagements.

I am lucky enough to be employed PAYE by one employer and do 2 or 3 days a week as the need arises by negotiation.

Mark-W  
#8 Posted : 17 February 2020 09:39:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

Originally Posted by: freelance safety Go to Quoted Post

Appreciate any useful advice regarding taking on health and safety freelancers?

Just to place you in the picture, business has got to a stage where I need some assistance on an ad-hoc basis but not at a stage when I can employ anyone at the moment.

 

Where are you based and in which industry are you operating? This would give consultants on here a good idea if it's worth offering their services

jmaclaughlin  
#9 Posted : 17 February 2020 15:00:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jmaclaughlin

Most freelancers will be getting 3-5 days a week, for the length of the project.

If you are only offering the odd day here and there, you are looking at someone semi retired or between roles.

Another option is to offer someone mentoring who is new to the industry in return for the admin work you need help with.

Mark-W  
#10 Posted : 17 February 2020 15:09:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

Are you classifying freelancers different to consultants? I class myself as a consultant, I have 5 clients. 1 is a day a week, 3 are 2 days a month with the option of extra days as and when needed and the last 1 is as and when. I think I've lost 1 client but think I have another to replace it but time will tell

On a bad month I work 12 days, good month can be up to 18-20. But I try not to work that many to be honest. I enjoy my downtime after 24yrs in the Army

jmaclaughlin  
#11 Posted : 17 February 2020 15:34:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jmaclaughlin

Most consultants I know have one big/regular client and once they have there 12days, like yourself put their feet up. Unless you have someone local to you, suspect you are going to struggle.

thanks 1 user thanked jmaclaughlin for this useful post.
Mark-W on 25/02/2020(UTC)
JohnW  
#12 Posted : 17 February 2020 16:04:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
JohnW

Like others posting here, I work as a consultant with several regular clients, working 1 day or more per month for each, mostly risk assessing, COSHH, toolbox talks, inspections etc. Occasionally I’ve provided longer term 1 or 2 days a week for a year or more, and currently could fit that in.
Roundtuit  
#13 Posted : 17 February 2020 19:49:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

From your profile the location is Yorkshire - narrow it down a bit and you may get some interest. Clarify the industry and it is even better
Roundtuit  
#14 Posted : 17 February 2020 19:49:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

From your profile the location is Yorkshire - narrow it down a bit and you may get some interest. Clarify the industry and it is even better
russman  
#15 Posted : 22 February 2020 14:07:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
russman

Hi all,

I am looking at taking on freelance Health & Safety work on an ad-hock basis.

I currently work as Rope Access and Height Safety specialist but I am looking at taking on extra day rate work.

I'm certainly interested in what has been said above,

Regards

Russ

offaman  
#16 Posted : 25 February 2020 11:47:11(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
offaman

I would contact the Access Industry Forum (AIF) in the first instance - https://accessindustryforum.org.uk/  The AIF and other similar trade bodies in your sector sometimes offer free h&s advice as part of the membership or are able to reccommend consultancy or other support. ECA (where I am part time) led a CONIAN intiative on work at height and produced a useful framework for WAH duty holders which is free to download here too - https://accessindustryforum.org.uk/safety-steps/

thanks 1 user thanked offaman for this useful post.
russman on 25/02/2020(UTC)
russman  
#17 Posted : 25 February 2020 17:11:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
russman

Originally Posted by: offaman Go to Quoted Post

I would contact the Access Industry Forum (AIF) in the first instance - https://accessindustryforum.org.uk/  The AIF and other similar trade bodies in your sector sometimes offer free h&s advice as part of the membership or are able to reccommend consultancy or other support. ECA (where I am part time) led a CONIAN intiative on work at height and produced a useful framework for WAH duty holders which is free to download here too - https://accessindustryforum.org.uk/safety-steps/

Hi Offaman,

Many thanks for this input, ot is greatly appreciated.

Regards

Russ

freelance safety  
#18 Posted : 26 February 2020 12:29:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.

I work in the construction/ civils and rail (construction side). Yes, some maybe consultants and some pure contractors who do freelance work etc. I think part of the issue has been the high employment rate coupled with many people on long terms contracts etc.

 

seanoliver68  
#19 Posted : 26 February 2020 18:03:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
seanoliver68

Hi

i can help in this sector.

let me know what you need etc 

thanks 

Originally Posted by: freelance safety Go to Quoted Post

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.

I work in the construction/ civils and rail (construction side). Yes, some maybe consultants and some pure contractors who do freelance work etc. I think part of the issue has been the high employment rate coupled with many people on long terms contracts etc.

 

Pilkington20876  
#20 Posted : 29 February 2020 11:25:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Pilkington20876

Been a HS specialist for 30 plus years run my own Ltd Consultancy happy to help any one as and when required  as business low at the moment due to the misundersatnding HMRC have created with IR35 Privat work place

Construction and oil gas renewables my specilaity  

Best 

Wade 

Users browsing this topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.