Competence - Information of sources of advice
Health and safety specialists and the help they can give
Health and safety management
- Policy development and planning, performance monitoring, aspects of employee involvement, training and communications.
Engineers
- Ventilation engineers advise on the design and testing of general and local exhaust ventilation to control exposure to airborne hazards to health such as mists, dusts, gases, vapours and fumes.
- Noise engineers advise on the cause and reduction of noise.
- Water treatment engineers advise on the design and treatment of water systems to avoid and control the risk of microbiologicalcontamination (eg Legionella).
- Chemical process engineers advise on the safety of processing chemicals.
- Engineers employed by Inspection Bodies carry out fitness for purpose assessments on work equipment.
Occupational hygienists
- Assessment and practical advice on the prevention or reduction of risks to health from chemical, biological and physical agents arising from work activities.
- Environmental monitoring.
Occupational health professionals (doctors and nurses)
- Diagnosis and treatment of work-related disease (doctors).
- Assessment of risks to health and advice on managing those risks.
- Health, including medical, surveillance.
- Fitness for work issues.
- Advice on pre-employment, sickness absence and ill health retirement.
- Providing health education, advice on rehabilitation after illness and injury and other counselling.
- First aid.
Ergonomists
Advice on:
- the prevention of musculo-skeletal disorders, eg back injuries and upper limb disorders at work;
- the suitability for use of equipment and workstations;
- the physical work environment, eg lighting and temperature;
- work organisation, eg machine-paced work, as it affects health;
- workplace, task and product design.
Radiation protection advisers
- Advice on compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999.
- Advice on monitoring, risk assessment and production methods.
- Conducting environmental monitoring.
Non-ionising radiation advisers
- Specialist consultancies, university radiation protection officers and hospital physicists can be approached for advice on measures to prevent or control exposure.
Physiotherapists
- Risk assessment, providing treatment and rehabilitation, advice on the prevention of musculo-skeletal disorders, advice on workstations, work equipment and job design.
Microbiologists
- Assessment of biological agents likely to be present.
- Advice on risks and control measures to prevent or control risks to health. Sampling for micro-organisms.
Other sources of advice
Please note that this list is not comprehensive. Inclusion of an organisation in this list does not imply any endorsement by the Health and Safety Executive.
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ANC
The Association of Noise Consultants
Tel: 01727 896092 -
BOHS
British Occupational Hygiene Society
Tel: 01332 298101 -
The British Psychological Society
Tel: 0116 254 9568
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BSIF
British Safety Industry Federation
Tel: 01745 585600 -
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Tel: 020 7306 6666
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Ergonomics Society
Tel: 01509 234904
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ISCA
Independent Safety Consultants Association
Tel: 01621 874938 -
The Institute of Radiation Protection
Tel: 01582 715026
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IET
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Tel: 01438 313 311 -
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
Tel: 0131 225 6999
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SAFed
Safety Assessment Federation
Tel: 020 7403 0987 -
The Society of Occupational Health Nursing
Tel: 020 7409 3333
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British Safety Council
Tel: 020 8741 1231
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Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Tel: 020 7928 6006
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EEF
Engineering Employers' Federation
Tel: 020 7222 7777 -
The Faculty of Occupational Medicine
Tel: 020 7317 5890
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Institute of Acoustics
Tel: 01727 848195
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The Institution of Chemical Engineers
Tel: 01788 578214
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IOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Tel: 0116 257 3100 -
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Tel: 0121 248 2000
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The Society of Occupational Medicine
Tel: 020 7486 2641
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The Society for Radiological Protection
Tel: 01364 644487
A comprehensive list of professional and other safety organisations is available.
Environmental Health Officers, based in local Council offices, also offer health and safety
advice to certain sectors of industry, eg offices and retail.
Government Departments and Agencies have enquiry facilities and can provide information on health and safety legislation other than the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.


An introduction to health and safety: Health and safety in small businesses [363k, INDG259]
Five steps to risk assessment [664k, INDG 163]
Essentials of Health and Safety at work (Fourth edition) HSE Books [ISBN 0717661792]