Questions Before Commissioning
Common Health And Safety Questions
Practical answers for employers, facilities managers and contractors considering consultancy support.
Do We Legally Need A Health And Safety Consultant?
A health and safety consultant is needed when your business cannot obtain suitable competent assistance internally. Employers must organise competent help, but external consultancy is not compulsory for every organisation. The right arrangement depends on your activities, risks and existing knowledge, and appointing an adviser does not transfer your management responsibilities.
What Can Your Glasgow Consultancy Help With?
Our Glasgow consultancy can help scope risk assessments, audits, COSHH work, policy writing, competent person support and construction safety advice. We discuss your activities before agreeing the deliverables. Where a question needs specialist testing or a statutory appointment, that requirement is identified separately so the role and its limits are clear.
How Much Does Health And Safety Consultancy Cost?
Health and safety consultancy cost depends on the activities, premises, information available and level of support required. A focused document review differs from site-based assessment or ongoing advice. Share your site location, work activities and intended deadline so a quotation can explain the scope, assumptions, visits and revisions included.
Can You Help If Our Documents Are Out Of Date?
Out-of-date health and safety documents can be reviewed against your current work and management structure. We identify which records remain useful, which need revision and where controls or evidence are missing. Send the latest versions with your enquiry, and explain any changes in premises, staffing, equipment or business activities.
Do You Cover Businesses Outside Glasgow?
Businesses outside Glasgow can enquire about support across Greater Glasgow and nearby commercial areas, including Renfrew, Paisley, Clydebank, Rutherglen, Cambuslang, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld. Give your postcode and the work required so attendance and scope can be confirmed. Multi-site requirements should be identified at the start of the discussion.
Is Fire Safety Law Different In Scotland?
Fire safety law in Scotland uses the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 for most commercial premises. Advice for England should not be applied without checking the jurisdiction. A general workplace safety review does not automatically include a specialist fire risk assessment, which needs its own agreed scope.
What Should We Send With An Enquiry?
An enquiry is most useful when it describes your business activities, premises location, the support required and any relevant deadline. Mention existing assessments, policies or unresolved concerns without sending sensitive personal records. We use that information to discuss a suitable scope and will ask before sharing the enquiry with a suitable local firm.
How Often Should We Review Risk Assessments?
Risk assessments should be reviewed when changes, incidents or other evidence suggest they may no longer be suitable. A new process, different equipment or a failed control can be a trigger. Set review arrangements appropriate to the work and do not wait for a calendar date if conditions have already changed.
Can A Consultant Take Responsibility For Compliance?
A consultant can advise on health and safety and carry out agreed supporting tasks, but the employer retains its legal responsibilities. Managers still need to provide resources, implement suitable controls and supervise work. The appointment should explain the adviser’s role, the information they need and any limits on their involvement.
Is A Safety Data Sheet Enough For COSHH?
A safety data sheet is not a completed COSHH assessment for your task. Your business needs to consider how the substance is used, how exposure can occur and what controls are effective. Include process-generated substances such as dust or fume where relevant, rather than limiting the review to purchased chemicals.
Does Commercial Refurbishment Fall Under CDM?
Commercial refurbishment can fall under CDM because the duties relate to construction work, including relevant alterations and maintenance. The client needs to understand the roles involved and the arrangements required before starting. A construction phase plan is needed before construction begins, with responsibility resting on the relevant contractor dutyholder.
What Happens After A Safety Audit?
After a safety audit, your manager should review the findings, allocate action owners and agree how changes will be verified. Urgent risks need attention ahead of less pressing improvements. Follow-up may involve checking a physical control, briefing staff or observing the changed task rather than simply filing the audit report.
Need An Answer About Your Work?
General guidance cannot account for every process or premises arrangement. Describe your activities and the question you need to resolve through our enquiry form.