Competent Person Service
Your Appointed Competent Person — Practical Health and Safety Support for Your Business
The law requires every employer to appoint a Competent Person to help them meet their health and safety duties. Action Safety provides that service — giving you expert, practical support without the cost of a full-time employee. Based in Dunbar, we serve contractors and SMEs across East Lothian, Edinburgh, and throughout Scotland.
Contact Us TodayThe Legal Requirement
What Is a Competent Person?
Under Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must appoint one or more Competent Persons to assist them in undertaking the measures they need to comply with health and safety law. A Competent Person is someone with sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities to assist in meeting legal health and safety requirements.
For most SMEs, the most practical and cost-effective solution is to appoint an external health and safety consultant as their Competent Person. This gives you access to chartered-level expertise on a retained basis — without the overhead of a full-time safety officer.
Why It Matters
Why Does Your Business Need One?
It's a Legal Requirement
Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to appoint a Competent Person. This is not optional.
Protect Your Employees
A Competent Person helps you identify risks, put controls in place, and create a safer working environment for everyone in your business.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
HSE enforcement action, improvement notices, and prosecutions are expensive and damaging. A Competent Person helps you stay on the right side of the law.
Focus on Running Your Business
With Action Safety as your Competent Person, you can get on with running your business knowing your health and safety obligations are being managed by an expert.
The Service
What Action Safety Provides as Your Competent Person
Health & Safety Policy
A written health and safety policy tailored to your business — covering your statement of intent, responsibilities, and arrangements.
Risk Assessments
Comprehensive risk assessments for your workplace activities, reviewed and updated as your business changes.
Telephone & Email Advice Line
Direct access to Iain Williams CMIOSH for day-to-day health and safety queries — no call centres, no waiting.
Site Visits & Inspections
Regular site visits and workplace inspections to identify hazards, check compliance, and provide written reports.
Safe Systems of Work
Development of safe systems of work and standard operating procedures for higher-risk activities in your business.
Ongoing Compliance Support
Ongoing support to keep your health and safety management system up to date with changes in legislation and best practice.
Sectors We Serve
Who Is This Service For?
The Competent Person service is designed for SMEs, contractors, and growing businesses that need reliable health and safety support without the cost of a full-time safety officer. We work with businesses across a wide range of sectors — from construction and trades to facilities management, food production, and office-based businesses.
- Construction & Trades
- Infrastructure & Energy
- Facilities Management
- Golf Courses & Grounds
- Food Production
- Retail & Commercial
- Office & Professional
- Cleaning & Maintenance
Your Consultant
Led by Iain Williams CMIOSH
Iain Williams is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) with over 30 years of practical experience across a wide range of industries.
Chartered status is the gold standard in health and safety — it demonstrates that Iain has the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide competent, reliable advice. When you appoint Action Safety as your Competent Person, you are appointing a genuine expert.
Ready to Appoint Your Competent Person?
Get in touch today for a no-obligation conversation about your business and how we can help. We'll explain exactly what's involved, what it costs, and how quickly we can get started.