Ask the HSE
September 1st 2010 Each issue the HSE shares one of the most popular questions it has been asked on the HSE Infoline the previous month
We all look forward to our welldeserved summer break. But if you have health and safety responsibilities, you may be wondering whether you can pack your bags, confident that all will be well while you’re away.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer must appoint one or more competent persons whose role is to assist them in complying with health and safety law. This is not necessarily the person who carries out day to day management of health and safety.
Health and safety law doesn’t require your employer to ensure your job as ‘appointed competent person’ is covered at all times. But, it does require them to have a competent person available to assist them with health and safety matters should the need arise.
Therefore if you are an appointed competent person, you should make the same arrangements as you would for other aspects of your job. Before you go, check: if any important jobs will crop up, are they covered by a deputy? What are the alternative arrangements for responding to and alerting senior management in an emergency?
In particularly hazardous industries, cover is likely to be most safety-critical if you’re a site manager or supervisor. For example, a construction site manager authorises and arranges safe systems of work in fast changing environments, or a manufacturing plant supervisor may need to authorise and oversee shut downs for maintenance.
Your deputy may not have the training or practical experience for safety critical aspects of the job. So, for those in more hazardous industries who play a key role in ensuring safe systems of work are followed, it is worth taking a little time to check that your deputy is fully competent. For example, if the site manager is away and the deputy is less experienced, perhaps a health and safety manager or colleague from another site could arrange to visit to look at any safety issues that crop up.
This should all be part of the normal holiday planning process, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy your break in the sun free from worry.
For more information, visit; www.hse.gov.uk/involvement/competent person
HSE INFOLINE
Calls about any aspect of health and safety law can be directed to the Health & Safety Executive’s Info-line 8am to 6pm weekdays on 0845 345 0055. Calls are charged.
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