Close Navigation

Search

The Difference Between Safety Advisor and Competent Person

Insight by

amanda

Amanda Lambert

Published on

12 June 2025

Competent person

The Difference Between a Safety Advisor and a Safety Consultant

Many contractors hear the terms “Safety Advisor” and “Safety Consultant” used interchangeably, but they are not always the same thing.

Understanding the difference is important because choosing the wrong level of support can affect your legal compliance, accreditation success, and ability to win contracts.

What Is a Safety Advisor?

A Safety Advisor is typically an external consultant who provides health and safety support and advice when needed.

This service is often suited to:

  • Sole traders
  • Small contractors
  • Businesses with 4 employees or less
  • Companies with lower-risk activities

The key point is that a professional Safety Advisor should hold recognised health and safety qualifications such as:

  • NEBOSH
  • IOSH

These qualifications demonstrate competence in health and safety management, not just practical construction experience.

A Safety Advisor service usually includes:

  • Health & safety advice
  • Support with risk assessments
  • RAMS preparation
  • Basic compliance guidance
  • Assistance with contractor requirements
  • A service agreement
  • A competency certificate
  • Consultant CV and qualifications

For smaller businesses, this is often a flexible and cost effective way to access competent advice without employing a full time health and safety professional.

In many cases, support is provided on an as needed basis rather than through a monthly retainer.

What Is a Safety Consultant?

A Safety Consultant has a more formal legal role within a business.

Under UK health and safety legislation, businesses with more than five employees are generally expected to appoint someone who is competent in health and safety management.

Importantly, this does not simply mean someone who is experienced on site.

A site manager or supervisor may be highly competent at running construction work but may not be competent in managing the company’s health and safety systems unless they also hold recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH or IOSH.

A Safety Consultant service is usually more comprehensive and ongoing.

This type of support commonly includes:

  • Monthly retained support
  • Full Health & Safety Management System
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Staff handbook
  • Equal opportunities policy
  • Ongoing compliance advice
  • Accident and incident support
  • Updates to documentation
  • Liaison with the HSE if required
  • Ongoing business support as the company grows

In many cases, the consultant effectively becomes an extension of the business and should be informed about changes within the organisation, including:

  • New work activities
  • Additional employees
  • New equipment
  • New premises
  • Higher-risk projects

The Main Difference

The main difference between the two services is the level of ongoing involvement and legal responsibility. To keep this simple, think of it like this:

4 employees or less = Safety Advisor

Typically:

  • Flexible support
  • Lower-cost option
  • Suitable for smaller businesses
  • Advice when needed
  • Less ongoing involvement

More than 5 employees = Competent Person 

Typically:

  • Ongoing retained support
  • More comprehensive compliance management
  • Suitable for growing businesses
  • Full management systems
  • Regular involvement in company operations

Why This Matters

Clients, principal contractors, and accreditation schemes increasingly ask contractors to demonstrate they have competent health and safety support in place.

Even businesses with fewer than five employees may still need:

  • A formal Health & Safety Policy
  • Professional advice
  • Dedicated support arrangements, especially when working for larger contractors or public sector clients.

This is why there is no absolute “one size fits all” rule.

Some small businesses need only occasional support, while others require a more structured compliance system to meet client expectations.

Choosing the Right Support

The right level of support depends on:

  • Number of employees
  • Type of work carried out
  • Risk profile
  • Client requirements
  • Accreditation goals
  • Business growth plans

For many contractors, getting the right support early helps:

  • Improve compliance
  • Reduce stress
  • Strengthen accreditation applications
  • Improve organisation
  • Win more work

If you are unsure which level of support your business requires, professional advice can help clarify your legal duties and ensure your systems are appropriate for your business size and activities.

For guidance on your specific circumstances, Seguro Health & Safety can help review your requirements and recommend the most suitable level of support.

CALL Colin on 0800 031 5404 to ask a question

Colin is our safety consultant.

Book a CALL
shape Health & Safety Consultancy, Safety Advisor, Safety Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Safety Advisor and a Competent Person?

A Safety Advisor usually provides health and safety advice and support when needed, often for smaller businesses. A Competent Person has a more formal role in helping the business manage health and safety duties and should have suitable health and safety knowledge, experience and qualifications such as NEBOSH or IOSH.”

Do I legally need a Competent Person for health and safety?

Employers must have access to competent health and safety assistance. This may be provided by someone inside the business with suitable competence or by an external Safety Advisor or health and safety consultant.

Can a site manager be the Competent Person?

A site manager may be competent at running construction work, but this does not automatically mean they are competent in health and safety management. To act as the Competent Person, they should have suitable health and safety knowledge, experience and recognised qualifications.

What qualifications should a Safety Advisor have?

A professional Safety Advisor should normally hold recognised health and safety qualifications such as NEBOSH or IOSH. These qualifications help demonstrate competence in health and safety management and compliance support.

Do businesses with fewer than 5 employees need a Safety Advisor?

Businesses with fewer than 5 employees may still need health and safety advice, especially if clients request proof of competent support, RAMS, policies or accreditation evidence. A Safety Advisor service can provide flexible support when required.

What health and safety support is needed for businesses with more than 5 employees?

Businesses with more than 5 employees generally need more structured health and safety support, including a written Health and Safety Policy, risk assessments, ongoing competent advice and a suitable safety management system.

What does a Competent Person service include?

A Competent Person service may include ongoing retained support, a full health and safety management system, health and safety policy, staff handbook, risk assessment support, RAMS guidance, accident support, legal updates and liaison with the HSE if required.

What does a Safety Advisor service include?

A Safety Advisor service may include health and safety advice, a service agreement, certificate of support, consultant CV and qualifications, and assistance with documents such as risk assessments, RAMS and contractor compliance paperwork when needed.

Can a client ask for proof of competent health and safety support?

Yes. Clients, main contractors and accreditation schemes may ask for evidence that your business has access to competent health and safety support, even if you have fewer than 5 employees.

How do I know whether I need a Safety Advisor or Competent Person?

The right support depends on your number of employees, type of work, risk level, client requirements and accreditation goals. Smaller businesses may need flexible Safety Advisor support, while growing businesses or those with more than 5 employees may need ongoing Competent Person support.

Remote Safety Advisor Service for Small Businesses

Insight by

amanda

Amanda Lambert

Published on

5 June 2025

Health and safety blog

What Is a Remote Safety Advisor Service and Why Are SMEs Choosing One?

For many UK SMEs, managing Health & Safety compliance is no longer just about passing an accreditation audit. Businesses now need ongoing support, up to date documentation, and access to expert advice throughout the year.

A Remote Safety Advisor Service gives small businesses access to professional Health & Safety support without the cost of employing a full time in house advisor.

At Seguro Health & Safety Services, the Safety Advisor Service is designed to support businesses throughout their accreditation process and long after approval is achieved.

What Does a Safety Advisor Service Include?

A Safety Advisor Service provides businesses with ongoing Health & Safety guidance, documentation support, and compliance assistance.

For SMEs with four employees or less, our service includes:

  • Support implementing Health & Safety documentation into day to day operations
  • Ongoing Health & Safety advice by telephone or email
  • Access to ready made risk assessments and method statements
  • General COSHH assessments from a pre prepared library
  • Monthly Health & Safety newsletters and legislation updates
  • Support with PQQ documentation and accreditation requirements (additional costs may apply)

This type of service helps businesses maintain compliance between audits, rather than preparing only for inspections as renewal dates approach.

Which Accreditations Are Supported?

The service supports businesses working towards or maintaining several recognised contractor accreditation schemes, including:

  • CHAS
  • PQS
  • SafeContractor
  • Constructionline
  • CQMS
  • Avetta
  • Builders Profile

These accreditations are often required when tendering for contracts in construction, facilities management, engineering, and subcontracting industries. Additional fees for accreditation support apply.

Remote Safety Advisor vs In House Health & Safety Advisor

One of the most common questions SMEs ask is whether they need an in house Health & Safety advisor or whether a remote service is enough.

For smaller businesses, a remote Safety Advisor is often the more practical and cost effective solution.

Cost Comparison

Hiring a full-time in house Health & Safety professional can involve:

  • Salary costs
  • Pension contributions
  • Training expenses
  • Software subscriptions
  • Ongoing CPD and compliance updates

By comparison, Seguro’s remote Safety Advisor Service for businesses with four employees or less costs £200 + VAT per year.

This gives SMEs access to professional support without committing to a permanent salary expense.

Why SMEs Use Remote Health & Safety Support

Small businesses typically do not need a full time Health & Safety manager every day. However, they still need to:

  • Stay legally compliant
  • Produce risk assessments
  • Maintain documentation
  • Meet contractor accreditation standards
  • Respond to client PQQ requirements

A remote advisor helps bridge that gap by giving businesses access to expert support only when needed.

For many SMEs, this creates a more scalable and affordable compliance model.

What Ongoing Support Is Included?

Businesses using Seguro’s Safety Advisor Service receive:

Unlimited Telephone and Email Advice

Clients can contact the team throughout working hours for guidance on Health & Safety queries, compliance concerns, and documentation support.

Risk Assessments and Method Statements

Access is provided to over 80 risk assessments and supporting documents, helping businesses quickly produce standard Health & Safety paperwork.

COSHH Documentation

Clients can access pre-prepared COSHH assessments from Seguro’s document library.

Legislation Updates

Health & Safety laws and compliance expectations regularly change. Ongoing updates help businesses stay informed and compliant.

Why Accreditation Support Matters

Many SMEs pursue contractor accreditations because clients increasingly require them before awarding contracts.

Accreditations such as CHAS, Constructionline, and SafeContractor demonstrate that a business has appropriate Health & Safety systems in place.

However, achieving accreditation is only part of the process. Maintaining compliance year round is equally important.

This is why ongoing advisory support can provide long term value beyond the initial application.

How Seguro Supports SMEs

Seguro currently supports more than 200 clients with Health & Safety compliance and accreditation support.

The company reports a 95% yearly retention rate, reflecting the demand for ongoing outsourced Health & Safety services among SMEs.

Businesses can communicate by phone or email, depending on their preferred way of working.

Is the Safety Advisor Service Free With Accreditation Support?

Yes, for businesses with 4 or less employees. Businesses that use Seguro to complete accreditation submissions can receive the Safety Advisor Service free of charge as part of their accreditation application support.

This can be particularly valuable for SMEs applying for:

  • CHAS
  • Constructionline
  • PQS
  • CQMS
  • Other SSIP-related contractor schemes

For businesses new to SSIP compliance, this can simplify both the accreditation process and ongoing compliance management.

Call Matt on 0800 0315404 to ask a question

Matt is our health and safety advisor and supports small companies.

Get Started Today
shape Safety Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a remote Safety Advisor Service?

A remote Safety Advisor Service provides outsourced Health and Safety support to businesses without the need for a full-time in-house advisor. It usually includes compliance advice, documentation support, risk assessments, method statements, COSHH support, accreditation assistance and ongoing telephone or email guidance.

Why are SMEs choosing a remote Safety Advisor Service?

Many SMEs choose a remote Safety Advisor Service because it provides professional Health and Safety support without the cost of employing a full-time advisor. It helps businesses stay legally compliant, maintain documentation, meet accreditation requirements and respond to client PQQ requests.

What does Seguro’s Safety Advisor Service include?

Seguro’s Safety Advisor Service includes support with implementing Health and Safety documentation, ongoing telephone and email advice, access to ready-made risk assessments and method statements, general COSHH assessments, annual document reviews, monthly Health and Safety newsletters, legislation updates and support with PQQ and accreditation requirements.

Which accreditations does Seguro support?

Seguro supports businesses working towards or maintaining accreditations including CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, Exor, Altius, Avetta and Builders Profile. These accreditations are commonly required in construction, facilities management, engineering and subcontracting.

Is a remote Safety Advisor suitable for small businesses?

Yes. A remote Safety Advisor is suitable for many small businesses because they may not need a full-time Health and Safety manager every day. Remote support gives them access to expert advice when needed while keeping costs manageable.

How much does Seguro’s remote Safety Advisor Service cost?

Seguro’s remote Safety Advisor Service for businesses with four employees or fewer costs £200 plus VAT per year. This provides access to professional Health and Safety support without the cost of employing an in-house advisor.

Is the Safety Advisor Service free with accreditation support?

Yes, for businesses with four employees or fewer. Businesses that use Seguro to complete accreditation submissions can receive the Safety Advisor Service free of charge alongside their accreditation application support.

What ongoing support is included with Seguro’s Safety Advisor Service?

Ongoing support includes unlimited telephone and email advice during working hours, access to over 80 risk assessments and supporting documents, pre-prepared COSHH assessments, Health and Safety legislation updates and annual document reviews.

Can a remote Safety Advisor help with CHAS and SafeContractor?

Yes. A remote Safety Advisor can help businesses prepare and maintain the Health and Safety documentation needed for accreditations such as CHAS, SafeContractor and other SSIP-related contractor schemes.

What are SSIP accreditations?

SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. SSIP schemes assess whether contractors meet recognised Health and Safety standards and are often required before businesses can tender for certain contracts.

Why does ongoing Health and Safety support matter after accreditation approval?

Ongoing Health and Safety support matters because achieving accreditation is only part of the process. Businesses must maintain compliance year-round, keep documents updated, respond to client requirements and stay informed about legal and compliance changes.

How does Seguro support SMEs with Health and Safety compliance?

Seguro supports SMEs with Health and Safety compliance by providing outsourced advice, accreditation support, documentation reviews, risk assessment resources, COSHH information, legislation updates and telephone or email support.

What is SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

Insight by

amanda

Amanda Lambert

Published on

14 May 2025

Health and safety blog

What Is SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

Quick Answer: 

SSIP Deem to Satisfy is a process that allows one SSIP member scheme to recognise an existing valid SSIP assessment from another approved scheme, helping contractors reduce duplicated health and safety assessments and simplify procurement compliance.

In simple terms:

If you already hold a valid SSIP accreditation, you may not need to complete the full assessment process again when applying to another SSIP member scheme.

This helps contractors:

  • Reduce duplication
  • Save time
  • Avoid repeating paperwork
  • Simplify procurement compliance

For many UK contractors, Deem to Satisfy makes it easier to work with multiple clients who request different SSIP schemes.

What Does SSIP Mean?

SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement.

It is an umbrella organisation that brings together recognised health and safety accreditation schemes including:

  • CHAS
  • Constructionline
  • SafeContractor
  • SMAS
  • CQMS
  • PQS

All SSIP member schemes assess the same core health and safety standards.

What Is SSIP

How Does SSIP Deem to Satisfy Work?

The process works by allowing one SSIP assessment to be recognised by another member scheme.

For example:

  • A contractor holds CHAS accreditation
  • Another client requests SMAS
  • Instead of starting from scratch, SMAS may accept the existing SSIP assessment through Deem to Satisfy

The second scheme may:

  • Reduce the amount of information required
  • Skip duplicated assessment sections
  • Fast-track approval

However, some additional checks may still apply depending on the scheme.

Why Was Deem to Satisfy Created?

Before SSIP Deem to Satisfy, contractors often had to:

  • Complete multiple health and safety applications
  • Submit the same documents repeatedly
  • Pay for repeated assessments
  • Waste time duplicating compliance work

Deem to Satisfy was introduced to:

  • Reduce unnecessary duplication
  • Simplify procurement
  • Improve consistency across schemes
  • Support contractors working across multiple supply chains

Which SSIP Schemes Use Deem to Satisfy?

Many SSIP member schemes participate in the process, including:

  • CHAS
  • SafeContractor
  • SMAS
  • Constructionline
  • CQMS
  • PQS

Acceptance can vary depending on:

  • Accreditation level
  • Scope of work
  • Expiry dates
  • Additional scheme requirements

SSIP Schemes Comparison

Is CHAS Deem to Satisfy?

CHAS itself is an SSIP member scheme and may participate in the Deem to Satisfy process.

This means:

  • Existing SSIP accreditations may support a CHAS application
  • CHAS accreditation may support applications to other SSIP schemes

However, CHAS may still request:

  • Additional evidence
  • Further compliance checks
  • Scheme-specific requirements

This is especially common with:

  • CHAS Advanced
  • CHAS Elite
  • Common Assessment Standard (CAS)

SSIP vs CHAS

What Information Is Usually Required?

Even with Deem to Satisfy, contractors may still need to provide:

  • Existing accreditation details
  • Valid certification
  • Insurance
  • Company information
  • Additional supporting evidence

Some schemes may also review:

  • Environmental policies
  • Quality systems
  • Financial information
  • Modern slavery compliance

Benefits of SSIP Deem to Satisfy

1. Reduces Duplicate Assessments

You avoid repeating the same health and safety assessment multiple times.

2. Saves Time

Applications can often be completed faster.

3. Reduces Administration

Less paperwork and fewer repeated uploads.

4. Supports Procurement Compliance

Makes it easier to work for:

  • Main contractors
  • Local authorities
  • Public sector clients
  • Large commercial organisations

5. Improves Scalability

Helpful for contractors working across multiple frameworks or supply chains.

Does Deem to Satisfy Mean Automatic Approval?

No.

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings.

Deem to Satisfy does NOT guarantee automatic approval.

The receiving scheme may still:

  • Review documents
  • Request updates
  • Ask additional questions
  • Require extra compliance evidence

The process simply reduces duplicated assessment where possible.

Common Problems With Deem to Satisfy Applications

Applications may still fail due to:

  • Expired accreditation
  • Incorrect company information
  • Missing insurance
  • Inconsistent documents
  • Weak RAMS
  • Outdated health & safety policies
  • Scheme-specific requirements not being met

Why SSIP Applications Fail

Is Deem to Satisfy Suitable for Small Contractors?

Yes.

Small contractors often benefit significantly because it:

  • Reduces admin
  • Saves time
  • Simplifies onboarding
  • Helps meet procurement requirements faster

This is particularly useful for:

  • Subcontractors
  • Sole traders
  • Small construction businesses
  • Growing contractors

SSIP for Small Contractors

How to Improve Your Chances of Approval

To improve approval success:

  • Keep documents updated
  • Ensure company information matches across all documents
  • Use tailored RAMS
  • Maintain valid insurance
  • Provide clear evidence of competence
  • Use professional health & safety support if needed

Done-for-You SSIP Support

Many contractors choose professional support to:

  • Handle applications
  • Prepare documents
  • Upload evidence
  • Manage assessor responses
  • Reduce delays and rejection risk

At Seguro Health and Safety, we support contractors with:

  • CHAS
  • Constructionline
  • SafeContractor
  • SMAS
  • PQS
  • SSIP applications and renewals

Done for You SSIP

Need Help With SSIP Accreditation?

If you need support with:

  • SSIP applications
  • CHAS accreditation
  • RAMS
  • Health & safety documentation
  • Procurement compliance

CALL Amanda on 0800 031 5404 to get started

shape Ask Amanda

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

SSIP Deem to Satisfy is a process that allows one SSIP member scheme to recognise an existing valid health and safety assessment completed through another approved SSIP scheme. This can reduce duplication and make procurement compliance easier.

Does SSIP Deem to Satisfy mean automatic approval?

No. SSIP Deem to Satisfy does not guarantee automatic approval. The receiving scheme may still check your company details, insurance, accreditation status and any additional scheme-specific requirements.

Which schemes accept SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

Many SSIP member schemes may use the Deem to Satisfy process, including CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor, SMAS, CQMS and PQS. Acceptance can depend on the scheme, accreditation level, expiry date and scope of work.

Can CHAS be used for SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

Yes. CHAS is an SSIP member scheme, so a valid CHAS accreditation may help support a Deem to Satisfy application with another SSIP scheme. However, additional checks may still be required.

Can another SSIP accreditation be used to apply for CHAS?

Yes. In some cases, an existing valid SSIP accreditation from another member scheme may support a CHAS application through Deem to Satisfy. CHAS may still request additional evidence depending on the level of accreditation required.

What information is needed for SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

You may need to provide your existing SSIP certificate, accreditation details, company information, insurance documents and any extra evidence requested by the receiving scheme.

What are the benefits of SSIP Deem to Satisfy?

The main benefits are reduced duplication, less paperwork, faster applications, lower administration time and easier compliance with different client procurement requirements.

Why can Deem to Satisfy applications still fail?

Deem to Satisfy applications can still fail if the accreditation has expired, company information is inconsistent, insurance is missing or incorrect, documents are outdated, or additional scheme-specific requirements are not met.

Is SSIP Deem to Satisfy useful for small contractors?

Yes. SSIP Deem to Satisfy can be very useful for small contractors because it reduces repeated paperwork and helps them meet different client or main contractor requirements more efficiently.

Can Seguro help with SSIP Deem to Satisfy applications?

Yes. Seguro Health and Safety can help contractors with SSIP Deem to Satisfy, CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor, SMAS, PQS and other SSIP applications by preparing documents, managing submissions and responding to assessor queries.

Try Our Online Training for FREE

Insight by

Bob Evans

Bob Evans

Published on

14 December 2024

Health and safety blog

Introduction

Our fully approved, health and safety online training courses are perfect for gaining qualifications for you and your employees. We can deliver all the training you need for an SSIP assessment and all essential health and safety awareness.

Our engaging courses can be taken at any time, in any place and on any device. All courses are approved and priced to offer the best possible value to your business.

FREE Trial

You can sign up here for a free trial of our health and safety online training courses.

A trial account gives you free access to the first module of all our available courses.

Any progress you make will be saved, so if you decide to buy, you can continue from where you left off.

So complete the form on this page to get instant access, and let’s get started.

Start your FREE trial

Available health and safety online training courses

You can also select a course you are interested in and click on the FREE trial button on the course. Select any courses from the list below:

The courses available are:

Need support

Once you have seen what we offer, don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we will be happy to set you up with your health and safety online training solution.

If you get stuck or need some help feel free to get in touch.

Testimonial

Hyperion

I just wanted to send you a quick email about the amazing staff you have on your team.

Natasha has been dealing with Hyperion for a couple of years now, and we have received nothing but exceptional service from this young lady. I get the quickest responses, with as much help as possible provided every single time. She has gone above and beyond for myself and Mark every time I have spoken to her.

I thought I would just share this with you as I feel her remarkable customer service and attitude towards the job should most definitely be recognised, and she’s an absolute credit to yourself and the rest of the team.

Thanks to all at Seguro

Kind Regards

Saskia

Bespoke Risk Assessment & Method Statements

Insight by

amanda

Amanda Lambert

Published on

7 October 2024

Health and safety blog

Table of contents

Bespoke risk assessment and method statement

Get customised risk assessment & method statements for your projects, or select one of our many ready to go templates.

You can easily tailor the template to meet your specific needs.

We provide standard and bespoke RAMS (risk and method statements).

Standard RAMS

We provide a wide range of risk assessment & method statements in template format on our website. Each can be five to sixteen pages long and contain between 3,000 and 9,000 words.

The RAMS are within a template and cover all the principal risks and methods to carry out a specific job. The RAM Templates need the client’s involvement as there will be a comprehensive sequence of work that could apply. As the client, you would be responsible for ensuring that this sequence was relevant to yourself and, if not amended to reflect your process.

Our standard RAMS cost from £6 to £12 per RAM or are provided free as part of our Safety Advisory service or Competent person service.

Review our standard RAMS

Bespoke risk assessment and method statements

Bespoke RAMS are when the client has a very specific request that does not fall into any template we have available. Bespoke RAMS are tailored to include the process you carry out and ensure that all risks are appropriate to the job and site you are working on.

Writing a bespoke RAMS requires input from one of the consultants, so we will charge a fee. Whatever your requirements, we will have the solution to support you.

Use the form on this page to tell us about your requirements, and we will give you an economical fee to write it up for you using one of our templates.

Please complete the form below and give us some details about your requirements.

Complete the form below and we will get in touch







    I confirm I have read and agree to the Seguro Health and Safety Consultants Privacy Policy.

    Asbestos awareness training – Keep your team safe

    Insight by

    amanda

    Amanda Lambert

    Published on

    10 September 2024

    Asbestos

    Asbestos Awareness Training

    Stay compliant and prioritise safety with asbestos awareness training. Provide your employees with the necessary training to handle asbestos safely. Developed by health and safety training experts.

    It is your employers responsibility to ensure that any employee who may come into contact or disturb asbestos carrying out their normal daily work tasks have been given the correct level of training. Enabling employees to have the knowledge to ensure that they can work safely and competently without risk to themselves or others working around them.

    There are three main levels of information, instruction and training.

    • Asbestos awareness
    • Non-licensable work with asbestos including NNLW
    • Licensable work with asbestos.

    Asbestos Awareness

    Asbestos Awareness Training can be provided in a number of forms but the most common and easiest form is to provide employees with access to Asbestos Awareness Online Training. The training is intended to provide the employees with the the information you need to avoid work that may disturb asbestos during any normal work which could disturb the fabric of a building, or other item which might contain asbestos. The training is not intended for anyone who will be involved in the removal of Asbestos.

    Asbestos Awareness training should cover the following:

    • how to avoid the risk of exposure to asbestos
    • the effects of asbestos on health and its properties, including the increased risk of developing lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke
    • asbestos materials in buildings and plant, the types, uses and likely hood of it being present
    • the general procedures to deal with an emergency, eg. an uncontrolled release of asbestos dust into the workplace

    We can provide access to an Asbestos Awareness Online Training for any employers looking to ensure their employees are covered.

    All other levels of asbestos and the information and training needed can be found on the HSE website.

    Available health and safety online training courses

    You can also select a course you are interested in and click on the free trial button on the course. Select any courses from the list below:

    The courses available are:

    Health and Safety Policy

    Insight by

    amanda

    Amanda Lambert

    Published on

    7 September 2024

    Health and safety blog

    Do I need a health and safety policy?

    Find out why even small businesses need a health and safety policy. Learn how to write a policy that meets legal requirements and keeps your employees safe.

    If you employ less than five people, you still need a health and safety policy; you can verbally communicate to employees or others who may be affected by your business activities.

    Businesses with more than five people must have a more detailed health and safety policy that includes the organisation and arrangements.

    The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It’s sometimes referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA.

    How to write the policy

    A policy is a written statement which has three essential parts:

    1) Health & Safety Policy

    The health and safety policy details a statement of intent. The statement of intent details your aims and objectives, health and safety policy, processes and systems to prevent accidents, train your employees, supply PPE, etc. The policy is signed and dated by the most senior person, the managing director.

    (2) Organisation of Health and Safety – Roles and Responsibilities

    The organisation of health and safety is best done by developing an organisation chart, with the most senior person at the top, then detailing the people who are responsible for the day-to-day running of all matters concerning health and safety. An example is:

    • Managing director
    • Health and safety advisor
    • Fire safety manager
    • Health and safety training manager
    • Risk assessments and method statements manager
    • PPE manager
    • Control of substances hazardous to health COSHH manager

    In small businesses, one person may have many roles

    3) Arrangements for health and safety – How are risks managed?

    The arrangements for health and safety should detail how the organisation aims to achieve its aims. For example:

    • Develop risk assessments
    • Training of people
    • Consulting with people
    • Fire and emergency arrangements
    • First aid arrangements
    • Reporting of accidents, injuries and dangerous incidents
    • Arrangements for working at height, manual handling, etc.

    Tips to write a health and safety policy

    Here are some tips for creating a health and safety policy:

    Be specific – Tailor it to your business and clearly state who is responsible for what. 

    Get buy-in – Involve all stakeholders, especially those with significant safety responsibilities, to ensure the policy is accurate. 

    Review regularly – Update the policy annually or when there are changes to the business, such as a new management structure or expansion. 

    The benefits of having a written policy for businesses of any size including: 

    • Demonstrating a commitment to the health and safety of employees, customers, contractors, and the public
    • Clarifying responsibilities
    • Building confidence when seeking new contracts or tenders

    Buy a policy

    We have written several health and safety policies. Click on the link to review them: Health and safety policies.

    We can write a policy for you if you can’t see your company type above.

    SEGURO Support

    If you would like and advice on a Health & Safety Policy, call us on 0800 031 5404 or complete the form below, and we will contact you.







      I confirm I have read and agree to the Seguro Health and Safety Consultants Privacy Policy.

      What is Builders Profile?

      Insight by

      amanda

      Amanda Lambert

      Published on

      14 August 2024

      Health and safety blog

      What Is Builders Profile?

      Builders Profile is a UK construction compliance and pre-qualification platform used to assess and verify contractor competence. It allows contractors to upload evidence once and share it with multiple clients, reducing repeated PQQs and simplifying compliance.

      It is widely used by principal contractors, house builders, and developers across the UK.

      What Does Builders Profile Do?

      It acts as a central compliance hub where contractors store and manage key business information, including:

      • Health & safety documentation
      • Insurance certificates
      • Training and competence records
      • Company and financial details
      • Accreditation evidence

      Clients can access this information directly, saving time for both parties.

      Who Uses Builders Profile?

      It is commonly used by:

      • Construction contractors and subcontractors
      • Trades working for house builders and developers
      • Principal contractors managing supply chains
      • Facilities management and maintenance companies

      Many large contractors require suppliers to be registered on Builders Profile before onboarding.

      Is Builders Profile an Accreditation?

      No. It is not an accreditation like CHAS, SMAS, or Constructionline.

      Instead, it is a compliance and verification platform that may host evidence of your accreditations, helping clients review your compliance in one place.

      What Information Is Assessed on Your Profile?

      While the Profile itself does not certify you, it typically reviews and verifies:

      • Health & Safety policies and procedures
      • Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
      • Training records (e.g. CSCS, trade qualifications)
      • Insurance and company information
      • Modern slavery, equality, and environmental policies

      Benefits of Using Builders Profile

      Your Profile helps contractors:

      • Reduce repeated PQQ submissions
      • Speed up supplier onboarding
      • Improve visibility with clients
      • Demonstrate compliance efficiently
      • Manage documents in one central system

      How Long Does Builders Profile Registration Last?

      Registration is usually annual, with ongoing updates required to keep documents current and visible to clients.

      Summary

      • Builders Profile is a UK construction compliance platform
      • Used to store and share contractor information
      • Not an accreditation or SSIP scheme
      • Reduces repeated PQQs
      • Widely used by principal contractors and house builders

      Expert Insight

      Your Profile works best when combined with recognised accreditations such as CHAS, SMAS, Constructionline or CQMS, ensuring your compliance evidence meets buyer expectations.

      Get a Accredited

      • ast Turnaround. Documents ready in 5 days
      • Fixed Fees. There are no hidden charges
      • Trusted Friendly consultant. 
      Get Start Today
      shape What is Builders Profile

      Do you need a Fire Risk Assessment?

      Insight by

      amanda

      Amanda Lambert

      Published on

      22 July 2024

      Fire safety

      General Fire Awareness TrainingDo you need a Fire Risk Assessment?

      1. Who’s responsible

      If you’re an landlord, business owner, occupier, or other non-domestic premises, you’ll be the person responsible for fire safety. You’re known as the ‘responsible person’. The Fire Safety Order also applies if you run a bed and breakfast, guesthouse or let a self-catering property as you have paying guests.

      Responsibilities

      As the responsible person you must:

      • carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly
      • tell staff or their representatives about the risks you’ve identified
      • put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures
      • plan for an emergency
      • provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training

      Non-domestic premises

      Non-domestic premises are:

      • all workplaces and commercial premises
      • all premises the public have access to
      • the common areas of multi-occupied residential buildings

      2. Fire risk assessments

      As the responsible person you must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment of the premises. This will identify what you need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe.

      You’ll need to consider:

      • emergency routes and exits
      • fire detection and warning systems
      • fire fighting equipment
      • the removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
      • an emergency fire evacuation plan
      • the needs of vulnerable people, eg the elderly, young children or those with disabilities
      • providing information to employees and other people on the premises
      • staff fire safety training

      Help with the assessment

      You can do the fire risk assessment yourself with the help of standard fire safety advice documents.

      You’ll need to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help, eg a professional risk assessor, if you don’t have the expertise or time to do the fire risk assessment yourself.

      Your local fire and rescue authority might be able to give you advice if you’re not sure your risk assessment’s been carried out properly. However, they can’t carry out risk assessments for you.

      Top Ten tips for completing a PQQ

      Insight by

      amanda

      Amanda Lambert

      Published on

      22 May 2024

      Health and safety blog

      Seguro approval

      Completing a PQQ can seem Daunting

      Here are out Top Ten tips for completing a PQQ, there are lots of sections and information about your company that you may not have had to think about before. Submitting a good PQQ doesn’t mean it will be a winning PQQ but it does mean you have a much better chance if you have shown you have taken the time to complete it properly.

      It goes without saying a good PQQ has no errors or information missing and that you have answered all questions as fully as you can.

      We have compiled a handy top ten tips list that should should help:

      Top Tips

      1. Read the PQQ fully as the beginning so you can understand what is required of you.
      2. When putting the PQQ together take it one question at a time.
      3. Always provide evidence and supporting documentation when asked for.
      4. Ensure your answers focus on the requirements set out in the specification and evaluation criteria.
      5. Provide all of the information requested. If you cannot provide some of the information, for whatever reason, ask for advice or as a minimum give a reason for not providing the information so they know you have not just skipped that section.
      6. Where relevant, cross-reference the answers or responses in your PQQ to the questions as this will make it easier to evaluate.
      7. Be clear on your pricing model and state any assumptions you have made when pricing. This will enable the assessor to see the reasons you may be more expensive or indeed cheaper.
      8. The assessor can only evaluate what you have submitted. The assessor cannot refer to any previous knowledge or experience it has had with you unless it is in your submission
      9. Make sure you are aware of the objective of the contract – this will help focus your submission.
      10. Don’t be put off by the PQQ documentation – you can always ask for help.

      A must for every PQQ is that you complete and return the document by the deadline and in the correct format that has been requested. Failure to do that simple thing could mean your PQQ isn’t even looked at.

      If you still feel you need some help after reading our Top Ten tips for completing a PQQ we are more than happy to see if there is anything we can do.

      Get in touch with us via our General PQQ submission.