Investigation
Stage 4: Accessing specialists

If HSE specialist support is likely to be required:

• discuss the requirement informally with a relevant specialist at an early stage and consider the form it will take
• agree the priority, scope, objectives and timescale of the support with your line manager, taking into account the views of the specialist
• formally request the support from the appropriate specialist line manager via COIN, describe the work required and subsequently brief the appointed specialist
• liaise closely with the specialist, discussing any concerns or complaints with the specialist in the first instance
• raise any unresolved issues with their line manager
• provide feedback to the specialist when the work is completed

The services of HSL or external consultants must be commissioned through the appropriate discipline specialist.

If a request for specialist advice is received from an LA H&S enforcement officer:

• go to Step 4.4 for handling of requests by HSE Enforcement Liaison Officers

On COIN:

• create a related Specialist Advice service order

When HSE specialist support is requested:

• assess whether specialist support is appropriate
• inform the commissioning officer if the request is not appropriate or resources are such that the job cannot be accepted

If specialist support is agreed:

• assign a priority to the request
• allocate the task to the appropriate specialist, agree the deliverables with them and the timescale
• inform the commissioning officer if the usual timescale cannot be met and negotiate another
• monitor progress and review priorities and outputs accordingly
• discuss any concerns that arise promptly

Performance standards:

Specialist line managers (normally Band 2) must:

• monitor the their team's outstanding work monthly
• check that work is being completed to agreed deadlines
• promptly investigate any complaints about late delivery of work
• take any appropriate remedial action

Specialist group managers (normally Band 1) must:

• monitor performance of their teams quarterly and ensure that any performance targets are met

Note: in FOD, 90% of reactive jobs should be completed within three months

• investigate any complaints
• take any appropriate remedial action

If HSE specialist support is being provided:

• liaise closely with the commissioning officer
• keep them informed of progress and advise them of any difficulties or delays
• take special steps if the work involves evidence collection for an LA prosecution
• carry out the work as agreed
• advise the line manager of any complaints or unresolved problems
• advise the ELO of the completion of a job for an LA H&S enforcement officer
• record the work on COIN

On COIN:

• add notes to the RIDDOR/Complaints case and complete/close the Specialist Advice service order

Performance standard:

In FOD, aim to deliver 90% of reports to reactive incidents:

• within three months of the request being submitted

Otherwise, aim to deliver the report:

• to the deadline agreed with the initiating officer

Review all jobs:

• monthly and inform the line manager of likely delays and the reason for them, especially when the agreed completion date is unlikely to be achieved

If specialist support becomes impossible to provide:

• secure the agreement of the line manager to the cancellation of the request
• inform the commissioning officer accordingly and, where appropriate, discuss other options for completing the job

On receipt of a request from an LA H&S enforcement officer:

• assess the request in the same way as one arising from within HSE: does it involve HSE inspector/specialist input, are there enforcement authority issues, is it a section 6 issue, etc?
• note that LA priorities are not always the same as HSE's
• refer to the document Commissioning Procedures with HSL: Reactive Support, accessible to HSE staff from the Guide for Science Customers

• when appropriate, formally request the support from the appropriate specialist line manager