The role of the competent person in health and safety

Written by Gary Graham, Senior Health and Safety Consultant

Workplace safety doesn’t happen by chance. It depends on people who understand the risks and responsibilities involved and know how to manage them effectively. That’s where a qualified health and safety competent person comes in.

In this article, we’ll explore what it really means to be a competent person in health and safety, breaking down the legal requirements and highlighting the crucial role they play in helping businesses stay safe, compliant, and confident.

What is a health and safety competent person?

A health and safety competent person is someone an employer appoints to support the management of health and safety in the workplace. This individual plays a key role in protecting people, by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and putting sensible control measures in place to prevent harm. They also help ensure the business meets its legal responsibilities.

To take on this important role, a competent person needs the right mix of skills, knowledge, and experience, so they can confidently support a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.

Why do you need to appoint a competent person?

Every business must have access to competent health and safety advice, not just to meet legal requirements, but to build a safer and more resilient workplace.

A competent person helps you:

• Comply with health and safety laws
• Reduce the risk of workplace accidents
• Protect employees and others from harm
• Provide practical advice that improves day-to-day operations

You may also need to provide details of your appointed competent person when completing client pre-qualification questionnaires or applying for health and safety accreditations such as SafeContractor.

But beyond certifications, appointing a competent person is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), which states:

“Every employer shall appoint one or more competent persons to assist with their health and safety requirements.”

The role of a health and safety competent person

In every workplace, the safety and wellbeing of employees must be a top priority. A health and safety competent person plays a central role in helping employers meet that responsibility, offering guidance, support, and oversight.

They act as a key link between management and workers when it comes to health and safety matters. While employers cannot delegate their legal duties entirely, a competent person can help ensure those duties are fulfilled effectively and consistently.

Their input can prevent unsafe practices, strengthen internal systems, and help the business stay on the right side of the law.

In the event of a workplace accident, visit from the HSE, or any legal investigation, having a competent person with clear health and safety documentation, assessments, and procedures in place can make a critical difference in proving your commitment to compliance and safety.

Key responsibilities of a health and safety competent person

A competent person brings structure and insight to health and safety management. Their responsibilities often include:

Spotting hazards and assessing risks

Monitoring the workplace for anything that could cause harm and evaluating the likelihood and impact of those risks.

Implementing sensible safety measures

Designing practical, effective solutions to reduce or remove risks, always with the team’s wellbeing in mind.

Providing clear advice on compliance

Offering easy-to-understand guidance on legal requirements and how to meet them across different areas of the business.

Helping staff understand their responsibilities

Supporting health and safety training and awareness so that employees know their obligations and feel confident working safely.

Keeping health and safety measures up to date

Reviewing what’s working, identifying gaps, and updating policies and procedures as needed.

Investigating incidents and near misses

Looking into what went wrong, or the near misses, and putting steps in place to prevent repeat issues.

Promoting a positive safety culture

Leading by example and encouraging employees to see health and safety as part of everyday work, not just a box to tick.

Staying on top of legislation

Keeping track of legal and regulatory updates to ensure the business remains compliant and prepared.

Who can be a competent person?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to appointing a competent person. It depends on the nature of your business, your resources, and the expertise available. You have several options:

• You, the employer

If you have the necessary experience, qualifications, and understanding of your industry and its risks, you can take on the role yourself.

• A member of your team

You may have someone in-house with the right training and capabilities. With proper support, they can take on the role effectively and grow into it.

• An external consultant

If you need outside expertise, you can appoint a qualified health and safety consultant. For example, Alcumus SafeWorkforce provides experienced professionals who can support your business with tailored advice and hands-on guidance.

In summary…

Appointing a health and safety competent person is more than a legal obligation, it’s a smart investment in your people and your business. Their insight can help you:

• Prevent accidents
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Foster a safer and more productive workplace

Whether it’s staying up to date with legislation, supporting your teams, or building a strong safety culture, a competent person plays a vital role in protecting what matters most.

How SafeWorkforce can help

At SafeWorkforce, we make health and safety feel straightforward, practical, and tailored to the real-world needs of small and medium-sized businesses.

We can act as your health and safety competent person, giving you access to a trusted partner with years of experience. We provide expert guidance, clear advice, and a deep commitment to your team’s wellbeing, working as an extension of your business, not just a service provider.

We take time to understand how your business works so our support is always relevant, timely, and easy to apply.