by Brianna Crandall — March 30, 2011—The U.K.’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched on March 21 a new online directory to help businesses find a health and safety consultant that they can trust to give sensible, expert advice.
More than 1,600 highly qualified consultants in the U.K. have signed up to the online Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR). It was created to increase employers’ confidence that they are receiving good quality, proportionate health and safety advice should they need external help.
Before consultants can join the register they must prove they can meet strict eligibility criteria. Each must belong to a professional body, have a degree-level qualification and at least two years’ experience, and have demonstrated a commitment to continuing their professional development.
OSHCR was established by a number of professional bodies representing general safety and occupational health consultants, with support from the HSE in response to the government-commissioned Common Sense Common Safety report into Britain’s health and safety system, which called for improved competence in health and safety advice.
The register, which is now freely accessible and searchable, covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
