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What Is a Health and Safety Competent Person — And Why Every Business Needs One

Health and safety competent person carrying out a workplace inspection in an industrial setting

A health and safety competent person is a legal requirement for UK businesses and must have the knowledge, training and experience to help manage workplace risks and ensure compliance. This guide explains the competent person health and safety definition, required qualifications and training, and how a health and safety competent person service can support businesses, including those seeking a health and safety competent person in Bristol.

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What Does “Competent Person” Mean in Health and Safety?

In UK health and safety law, a competent person is someone with the skills, training, experience and knowledge to help your business manage health and safety risks effectively. This means being able to identify hazards, assess risks and put appropriate controls in place to protect your people and comply with legal duties.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to appoint one or more competent persons to assist them in meeting their health and safety obligations.

Why Your Business Needs a Competent Person for Health and Safety

Employers have a legal duty under UK law to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their activities. Appointing a competent person for health and safety helps you:

  1. Comply with health and safety law – meeting the requirement to have competent support in place is a clear legal obligation in UK health and safety law.
  2. Reduce workplace risks – Competent persons understand hazards specific to your operations and can recommend appropriate control measures.
  3. Protect people and your business – A competent person helps prevent incidents, injury and ill-health, protecting both your workforce and your reputation.
  4. Build confidence with clients and auditors – Having clearly documented competent person support strengthens bids, pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) and safety accreditations.

Competent Person Health and Safety Definition — Simple Terms

Put simply, a health and safety competent person is someone who:

  • has sufficient training and experience

  • understands applicable health and safety legislation

  • can identify and manage workplace risks

  • provides practical advice on implementing safety controls

This isn’t just theoretical — competence is about applying knowledge in your workplace context.

Health and Safety Competent Person Qualifications & Training

There’s no single qualification that legally defines competence – instead, it’s about the mix of training, experience and knowledge required for your specific business and the risks you face.

Common routes include:

  • NEBOSH health and safety qualifications

  • IOSH Managing Safely courses to build foundations

  • Other hazard specific courses for  competent persons

  • On-the-job experience and industry exposure

Effective health and safety competent person training should cover risk assessment, hazard identification, UK law, safe systems of work and incident investigation.

 

Internal competent persons, particularly operating in SME environments work closely with external consultants (aka competent person service). 

Health and Safety Competent Person Service — What We Offer

If your business needs support with its competent person responsibilities, our health and safety competent person service gives you:

Expert support tailored to your business

Whether you’re in manufacturing, construction, hospitality or professional services, we align safety with your operations.

Practical risk management and documentation

We help with risk assessments, policies, procedures and compliance records that are insurer-ready and audit-ready.

Flexible delivery options

On-site or remote support and training, including courses designed around your schedule and workplace needs.

Ongoing advice and updates

We keep you up to date with regulatory changes and best practice so you remain compliant and confident.

This isn’t just consultancy — it’s a partnership built to keep your business safe, compliant and ready for inspection, tender or accreditation.

See our competent person service to find out prices. 

Health and Safety Competent Person Service — What You’ll Gain

Our training options are practical and outcomes-focused, designed to help your nominated competent persons or your team members:

  • understand their legal duties

  • develop hazard spotting and risk assessment skills

  • document and monitor health and safety performance

  • embed safe working practices

Whether you’re preparing someone new for the role, upskilling an existing team member, or building broader capability in your organisation, we tailor training to your situation.

Health and Safety Competent Person in Bristol — Local Support with National Standards

For businesses in Bristol, having a local health and safety competent person brings added benefits:

  • in-person visits and walk-throughs

  • deeper understanding of local industries and risks

  • easy coordination with your operational team

We combine local insight with nationally recognised standards to help Bristol companies meet their health and safety obligations with confidence.

Health and Safety Competent Person Requirement — A Legal Reality

If you employ people or run a business where health and safety duties apply, you have a requirement to ensure competent health and safety support is in place. This doesn’t automatically shift your legal responsibility, but it ensures you have the expertise you need to meet your obligations effectively.

Failing to appoint or access competent advice can lead to increased risk, higher costs and compliance gaps.

Ready to Strengthen Your Health and Safety Competence?

If your business needs a legally compliant, practical and value-driven health and safety competent person service, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to:

  • discuss your current needs

  • explore training options

  • book a competent person service consultation

Protect your people. Protect your business. Get competent support that works for you.

FAQs

What is a health and safety competent person?
Someone with the knowledge, experience and training needed to assist with health and safety compliance.

Do I have to have one?
Yes — UK regulations require employers to have access to competent help to meet health and safety duties.

Can it be someone internal?
Yes — if they have the skills and training required to manage your risks effectively.

What qualifications help?
Certifications and/ or courses like NEBOSH and IOSH, plus relevant experience, greatly support competence.

Health and Safety Consultants based in East Midlands and Surrounding areas.