Following the package of changes to Britain’s health and safety system announced this week by Work and Pensions Minister, Chris Grayling, the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR) is now open to the public.
OSHCR is a register of consultants who can offer general advice to UK businesses that want extra support from a trusted source to help them manage health and safety risks – and will make it easy to find a local consultant with relevant industry and topic expertise.
Businesses will be able to search the database for consultants according to keyword(s), county, industry or topic, free of charge. More than 1,600 highly qualified consultants in the UK have signed up to the online register, and before they can join, must prove they can meet strict eligibility criteria. Each must belong to a professional body, have a degree-level qualification, at least two years’ experience and have demonstrated a commitment to continuing their professional development.
Chris Grayling, the Employment Minister, said:
“We have launched an official Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register for those health and safety practitioners who are properly accredited to one of the professional bodies in the industry. Those who do not have the requisite expertise and experience will be excluded from the register, making it easier for employers to access reliable, reputable advice.”
OSHCR has been established by a number of professional bodies representing general safety and occupational health consultants, with support from the Health and Safety Executive (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.
With courtesy of Workplace Law 23.03.11
