The British Safety Council has reported that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) intend to set up a registration scheme for safety consultants by January 2011.

This will be a voluntary scheme which will create a register of consultants accredited to provide employers with competent advice. The scheme was agreed at a meeting of the major health and safety bodies and chaired by Geoffrey Podger, the HSE Chief Executive.

The details of the scheme and how consultants will demonstrate their fitness to provide advice has still to be worked out. It is possible that there may be a 'fast track' entry to the register for consultants who meet the membership and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of professional bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

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Previously the HSE have resisted calls for them to take a lead role in the accreditation of fhealth and safety advisors but, at the meeting on 29 June Geoffrey Podger agreed that the HSE would set up the scheme and oversee it until it is established.

It is also likely that a separate accreditation scheme is to be set up for Occupational Health Consultants.

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