Does My Business Need a Health & Safety Competent Person?
Quick Summary
If you employ people, the short answer is almost certainly yes. Under UK law, every employer must appoint at least one “competent person” to help them meet their health and safety responsibilities. But what does that actually mean, does it have to be someone in-house, and how do you appoint the right person? Here’s a clear, jargon-free explanation.
What is a health and safety competent person?
A competent person is simply someone with the skills, knowledge and experience to help you manage health and safety in your business. They don’t need a wall full of certificates — competence is really about being able to recognise risks and knowing how to deal with them sensibly. The role can be filled by you, a member of your team, or an external specialist brought in to support you.
Is a competent person a legal requirement?
Yes. Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to appoint one or more competent persons to help them comply with their duties under health and safety law. This sits beneath the wider Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which places a general duty on employers to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff and anyone else affected by their work. In short: if you have employees, you need a competent person in place.
Can the competent person work in my business?
Often, yes — and the law actually prefers it where someone in-house has the right knowledge, because they’ll understand your workplace best. For many small businesses, though, the owner or manager simply doesn’t have the time or specialist knowledge to keep on top of ever-changing regulations. That’s where external support comes in, giving you expertise on tap without adding a full-time role to the payroll.
When should you bring in external support?
You can appoint an external competent person if there’s no one suitably qualified in-house, or if you’d simply rather have expert help. It’s a common, pragmatic choice for SMEs and for businesses in higher-risk sectors. A good external competent person gives you:
- Access to up-to-date expertise without hiring a full-time specialist
- Practical, tailored advice for your specific workplace
- Support with policies, risk assessments and day-to-day compliance
- Peace of mind that you’re meeting your legal duties
What does a competent person actually do?
Day to day, a competent person helps you identify hazards and assess risks, put sensible controls in place, keep your health and safety policy and documentation current, stay compliant as regulations change, and respond properly if something does go wrong. The aim is practical, realistic support — not paperwork for its own sake.
Frequently asked questions
Do sole traders need a competent person?
If you have no employees and your work doesn’t put others at risk, the duty may not apply. Many sole traders still choose expert support, though, for reassurance and to cover client or insurance requirements.
Does the competent person need formal qualifications?
Not necessarily. The law refers to skills, knowledge and experience rather than specific certificates — although for higher-risk work, more formal training and qualifications are expected.
Can one person cover both fire safety and health and safety?
They can, provided they’re genuinely competent in both areas. Some businesses prefer to appoint separate specialists for each to be sure nothing is missed.
Need a competent person you can rely on? Ignis Risk Management provides practical, tailored health and safety support to businesses across Ipswich, Lincoln and the wider UK. Whether you need ongoing competent person cover or a one-off review, we’re on your side. Get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat.