Is outsourcing Health & Safety legal in the UK?

Yes. UK law allows employers to outsource health and safety management, provided a competent person is appointed to assist in complying with health and safety legislation. This is explicitly permitted under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

What is Regulation 7 health and safety?

Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR 1999) requires every employer to appoint one or more competent persons to assist in undertaking the measures needed to comply with health and safety law. This is the legal basis for the competent person requirement.

OSHCR stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register. It is a voluntary register of health and safety consultants who meet professional competency standards. Arinite's health and safety consultants are listed on OSHCR, providing assurance of their qualifications and experience.

How much does a health and safety consultant cost?

The cost of outsourced health and safety consultants varies depending on the size of your business, number of sites, and level of support required. Typical costs range from £1,500–£5,000+ per year for SMEs. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your specific needs.

Do I need a health and safety consultant?

If you employ people, you have legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and must have access to competent health and safety advice under Regulation 7 MHSWR 1999. For businesses without in-house expertise, outsourcing to health and safety consultants is the most practical and cost-effective solution.

What does a health and safety consultant do?

Health and safety consultants provide expert advice on workplace health and safety compliance. This includes conducting risk assessments, writing health and safety policies, supporting CHAS and SafeContractor accreditation, advising on legal requirements, supporting HSE inspections, and acting as your appointed competent person under Regulation 7.

What is the difference between CHAS and SafeContractor?

CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and SafeContractor are both SSIP-recognised health and safety accreditation schemes for contractors. CHAS is government-backed and widely recognised in the public sector. SafeContractor is privately operated and common in construction and facilities management. Both require evidence of a competent person and compliant health and safety systems.

How many employees before you need a health and safety policy?

If you employ five or more people, you must have a written health and safety policy under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. However, all employers — regardless of size — must have arrangements in place to manage health and safety. Outsourced health and safety consultants can prepare your policy and ensure compliance.

Does outsourcing Health & Safety remove director liability?

No. Legal responsibility cannot be outsourced. Directors and senior managers remain accountable under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. However, outsourcing significantly reduces risk by ensuring professional oversight, compliant systems, and documented evidence of due diligence.

Can a small business outsource Health & Safety?

Yes. Outsourcing is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized businesses that do not require a full-time health and safety manager but still need to comply with legal duties. Health and safety for small business is a core part of our service.

Is outsourced Health & Safety suitable for multi-site businesses?

Yes. Outsourcing is often the most effective way to standardise health and safety systems across multiple locations while maintaining consistent legal compliance and workplace health and safety standards.

What are the benefits of outsourcing Health & Safety compared to in-house?

Outsourcing provides access to IOSH Chartered expertise, reduces staffing and training costs, ensures continuity, and allows support to scale with the business without reliance on a single individual. You also gain access to specialist knowledge and CHAS/SafeContractor accreditation support.

Will outsourced Health & Safety support us during inspections?

Yes. A professional outsourced provider will support your organisation during HSE inspections, audits, and investigations, helping you respond accurately and confidently to regulatory enquiries.

Do insurers accept outsourced Health & Safety arrangements?

Yes. Insurers typically recognise outsourced health and safety arrangements, provided they are adequately documented, maintained, and delivered by competent professionals.

How do I know if outsourcing Health & Safety is right for my business?

If you employ people, operate a workplace, or manage risk, outsourcing is likely appropriate. A professional gap analysis can confirm whether your current arrangements are suitable and sufficient.

What is a retained health and safety adviser?

A retained health and safety adviser is another term for outsourced health and safety consultants. "Retained" means the consultant is appointed on an ongoing basis to provide continuous support, rather than one-off project work. This is the same as a competent person service.

HSE inspections up 47% - HSE carried out over 13,200 workplace inspections in 2024/25.

Since 2011

Outsourced Health & Safety
Consultants | Competent Person Service

Retained Health & Safety Support for SMEs and Multi-Site Businesses

IOSH Chartered consultants appointed as your competent person under Regulation 7. From health and safety policy to CHAS accreditation.

1,500+

Businesses Protected

50+

Countries

95%+

Retention

Book My Free Gap Analysis Call +44 (0)20 7947 9581

IOSH Chartered

OSHCR Listed

Regulation 7 Compliant

CHAS & SafeContractor Support

ISO Certified

30+ Years H&S Experience

Your Info

Choose Time

Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis

30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+

What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:

1.30-minute consultation
2.We review your current H&S arrangements
3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing

No Card Details Required

Free Arinite factsheet (tailored to your gaps)

Honest recommendation (audit needed or not)

Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.

OUTSOURCED HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANTS

Competent Person Support Without the Cost of an In-House Team

Every UK employer must have access to competent health and safety advice under Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. For businesses without an in-house health and safety manager, outsourcing to retained health and safety consultants is the most cost-effective way to meet this legal duty.

Arinite's outsourced health and safety service provides your organisation with dedicated, IOSH Chartered health and safety consultants who act as your appointed competent person — managing everything from health and safety policy and risk assessments to CHAS accreditation support and HSE inspection readiness.

Whether you're a small business seeking health and safety for small business compliance, or a multi-site operation requiring standardised workplace health and safety systems, our retained health and safety adviser service gives you direct access to IOSH Chartered expertise, scalable support, and legally defensible systems.

Book a Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis Call

COMPETENT PERSON SERVICE

What Is a Competent Person Service?

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 with health and safety compliance. A competent person must have sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities to properly advise your business.

Arinite's competent person service provides:

A named, IOSH Chartered health and safety consultant legally appointed to your organisation

Consultants listed on the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR)

Meets all requirements for CHAS, SafeContractor, and SSIP accreditation schemes

Competent person appointment letter provided for audit and accreditation purposes

Ongoing support under Regulation 7 MHSWR 1999 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Our health and safety consultants are your legally appointed competent person — not just advisers.

WHAT DOES OUTSOURCING MEAN

What Does Outsourcing Health & Safety Mean?

Outsourced health and safety means appointing external, competent health and safety consultants to manage, maintain, and advise on your health and safety obligations. Also known as a retained health and safety adviser service, this approach gives you access to IOSH Chartered professionals without the cost of a full-time employee.

This includes:

Acting as your legally appointed competent person under Regulation 7

Maintaining compliant documentation and health and safety management systems

Monitoring legal and regulatory changes affecting your workplace

Supporting HSE inspections, incidents, and audits

Providing expert health and safety advice when decisions matter

You retain control. We carry the responsibility.

WHY BUSINESSES OUTSOURCE

Why Businesses Outsource Health & Safety

Outsourcing gives you:

IOSH Chartered health and safety consultants on demand

No recruitment, salary, or training costs for in-house staff

Flexible health and safety support that scales with your business

Consistent compliance across all sites and locations

A guaranteed competent person appointed to your organisation

For most organisations, outsourcing is the safest and most cost-effective way to meet legal requirements.

WHO THIS IS FOR

Who Outsourced Health & Safety Is For

Outsourcing is ideal for:

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking health and safety for small business compliance

Rapid-growth companies adding staff or locations

Organisations without an internal health and safety department

Multi-site operations requiring standardised workplace health and safety systems

Directors who want clarity, control, and reduced personal exposure

Businesses requiring CHAS, SafeContractor, or Acclaim accreditation

If you employ people, outsourcing applies to you.

DIRECTOR LIABILITY

Director Liability: What's Really at Stake

Health and safety failures do not stop at the business.

They extend to directors and senior managers personally.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, directors can be prosecuted where failures relate to a lack of oversight, systems, or control.

When Health & Safety Fails

Risk

Who Is Liable

Financial fines

The company

Criminal charges

You

Court appearances

You

Disqualification

You

Imprisonment

You

Health and safety is one of the few areas of law where directors are routinely prosecuted personally.

This is not about box-ticking.

It is about protecting your name, your position, and your future.

COMMON SCENARIOS

"But We Already Do Some Health & Safety Internally…"

That's common and completely fine.

Outsourcing does not replace internal effort.

It removes the risk and the burden.

Common Scenarios We See

"We have someone internally…"

→ We support them, reduce workload, and ensure legal accuracy.

"We're too small for this…"

→ The law applies to every employer, regardless of size. Health and safety for small business is not optional.

"We've never had an accident…"

→ Enforcement often happens when standards drift unnoticed.

"We'll sort it later…"

→ Later is when directors are explaining decisions in court.

Doing something is not the same as being legally compliant.

WHAT YOU GET

What You Get With Arinite Outsourced Health & Safety

Our outsourced health and safety service includes:

Legally appointed competent person support under Regulation 7

Health and safety policies, procedures, and records

General workplace risk assessments

Fire risk assessments (PAS 79 compliant)

DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessments for office workers

COSHH assessments for hazardous substances

Manual handling risk assessments

Lone working risk assessments

Working at height risk assessments

New and expectant mothers risk assessments

Young persons risk assessments

Ongoing compliance monitoring and updates

Support during HSE inspections and investigations

RIDDOR reporting assistance

Access to IOSH Chartered health and safety consultants

Clear health and safety advice you can rely on

No templates. No junior advisors. No gaps.

ACCREDITATION SUPPORT

CHAS, SafeContractor & SSIP Accreditation Support

Many businesses need outsourced health and safety specifically to achieve contractor accreditation. Arinite supports clients through the full accreditation process including CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), SafeContractor, SMAS, Acclaim, and other SSIP-recognised schemes.

Our accreditation support service includes:

Preparation of all required health and safety documentation

Competent person appointment evidence and OSHCR registration confirmation

Health and safety policy creation and risk assessment development

Liaison with the accreditation body throughout the assessment process

Support for CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS, Acclaim, and all SSIP schemes

Fast-track accreditation support with documented compliance systems

CHAS and SafeContractor accreditation is often the trigger that drives businesses to seek outsourced health and safety. We make the process straightforward.

WHY CHOOSE ARINITE

Why Choose Arinite

IOSH Chartered health and safety professionals listed on OSHCR

Proven experience across multiple industries

Scalable support from SME to enterprise

CHAS, SafeContractor, and SSIP accreditation support

Clear accountability and defensible systems

Long-term partnership, not one-off advice

We don't just advise on compliance. We take responsibility for it.

OUR PROVEN SYSTEM

The Arinite Transformation™

From Reactive Firefighting to Proactive Health & Safety Compliance

STAGE 1

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.

Why It's Dangerous:

✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
✗One accident away from director prosecution

This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.

STAGE 1

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.

Why It's Dangerous:

✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
✗One accident away from director prosecution

This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.

STAGE 2

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

What It Looks Like:

Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.

Why It's Better (But Not Enough):

✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
✓Pass basic client audits
✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
✗Systems don't run themselves

Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.

STAGE 2

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

What It Looks Like:

Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.

Why It's Better (But Not Enough):

✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
✓Pass basic client audits
✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
✗Systems don't run themselves

Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.

STAGE 3

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.

Why It's Transformational:

✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance

That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.

STAGE 3

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.

Why It's Transformational:

✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance

That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.

The Arinite Difference:

Other consultants get you to Stage 2 (Compliant) and disappear.
We get you to Stage 3 (Proactive) and keep you there.

That's why we call it transformation, not just compliance.

"We work with you to deliver peace of mind. We tailor our service provision to your business to provide proactive, pragmatic health and safety advice and that helps reduce costs by ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation."

Robert Winsloe

Managing Director

HOW IT WORKS

From Hidden Gaps to Compliance

Our proven 3-step system has helped over 1,000 businesses eliminate enforcement risk, pass inspections, and protect directors from personal liability.

No guesswork. No generic templates. No box-ticking.

Free Health and Safety Gap Analysis Call

Identify what's missing before an inspector does.

A focused 30-minute health and safety assessment to expose weaknesses in your current arrangements.

As Brendan Tuite, our Operations Director, puts it: "A clear understanding of your business and your requirements with regard to health and safety is absolutely essential."

What you get:

✓A full review of your existing HSE arrangements (or confirmation if none exist)

✓Clear identification of compliance gaps that inspectors commonly enforce

✓A structured risk exposure assessment (fines, enforcement, director liability)

✓Straight answers on where you stand legally, no scare tactics

✓A clear recommendation on whether action is required

✓A tailored pack of free Arinite Factsheets covering your specific gaps

→ You leave knowing exactly where you're exposed and what to do about it.

Health and Safety Audit

Turn risk into documented compliance, fast.

We conduct a comprehensive health and safety audit of your workplace and ensure everything inspectors expect to see is in place. This covers risk assessments, workplace safety inspections, health and safety policy documentation, and every gap identified in Step 1.

What's included:

✓On-site or virtual compliance audit of all activities and areas

✓Complete, suitable & sufficient risk assessments

✓A comprehensive audit report (typically 40–80 pages)

✓A prioritised action plan with clear timelines

✓All required assessments completed, not just identified

✓Delivered within 5 business days.

→ You move from exposed to defensible with evidence to prove it.

Outsource Your Health & Safety - The Arinite Partnership

We become your health and safety department. Your competent person. Your compliance team.

No chasing updates. No need to worry about changes in health and safety laws. No need to wonder if you've missed something. You focus on your core day-to-day business, Arinite handle the rest.

What we take ownership of:

✓Legal appointment as your health and safety competent person

✓Creation and maintenance of all required health and safety policies, procedures, and records

✓Implementation of health and safety management systems and compliance software

✓Health and safety training — inductions, fire marshals, first aiders at work, manual handling, DSE

✓Regular site visits, workplace risk assessments, and ongoing compliance monitoring

✓All regulatory updates handled automatically as health and safety regulations change

✓Tender and client audit support

✓24/7 expert health and safety advice line (real people, real answers)

→ Compliance handled. Risk controlled. Directors protected.

Why This Works

Most enforcement actions arise from systems being assumed rather than proven.

We don't advise. We don't hand over templates.

We build, implement, and maintain end-to-end health and safety compliance, and when we identify an action item, we proactively pursue and resolve it. That's the difference.

Ready to Remove the Risk?

No obligation. No pressure. Just clarity.

Book My Free Gap Analysis Call →

OUR TRACK RECORD

The Numbers That Matter

Since 2011, we've helped businesses eliminate risk, win contracts, and sleep easy:

3,000

Arinite Factsheets

Created for clients needing global H&S Manual addendums

1,500+

Protected Businesses

Across 50 countries. 95%+ retention in 2025

500+

Years of Combined Experience

IOSH Chartered specialists

95%+

Client Retention

50+

Countries Across 6 Continents

100%

Compliance Delivery

WHY OUTSOURCE TO ARINITE

The Health & Safety Partner That Pays for Itself

Many of our clients come to us to outsource their health and safety. They want to focus on their core day-to-day business, not chase compliance paperwork.

We cost less than hiring a full-time health and safety officer.

And we prevent more than we cost.

"Many Arinite clients come to us looking to outsource their health and safety. We help them understand their challenges, where their concerns are, and what support they need so they can focus on their core business."

Brendan Tuite

Operations Director

How We Become Your Health & Safety Department:

Your H&S Team - Not Just Your Paperwork

We don't hand over documents and disappear. We become your outsourced health and safety support, your competent person, your compliance team, your first call when something happens.

Peace of Mind - Guaranteed

Health and safety is important. And when you do health and safety well, it's fantastic for business. We deliver the peace of mind that comes from knowing every base is covered.

Protection - Prevent Fines, Pass Audits, Perform Better

Proactive, pragmatic health and safety advice that helps reduce costs by ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation. Not just documentation, but actual risk reduction.

Proof - Proven Results Since 2011

Our 1- to 3-year contract retention rates are closer to 100% than 90%. That's not a marketing claim, it's an operational fact built on trust, integrity, and keeping promises.

Ready to Partner With the Health & Safety Team That Pays for Itself?

Join 1,500+ businesses who've turned health and safety compliance into a competitive advantage, winning contracts, reducing costs, and eliminating risk.

Start My Free Gap Analysis Call Call: +44 (0)20 7947 9581

GLOBAL LOCATIONS

Find an Arinite Consultant Near You

50+ Countries. Global Safety. Local Trust.

Loading map...

50+ Countries

Don't see your location?

We're expanding globally

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

What 1,500+ Businesses Say About Their Health & Safety Consultants

5.0· 1,500+ reviews

Loading video testimonials...

View All Testimonials

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Join 1,500+ organisations that trust Arinite as their health and safety consultants.

5.0 Rating

Join 1,500+ organisations that trust Arinite as their health and safety consultants.

Become a Client Today

Featured Resource

Health and Safety Liability for Directors

If a health and safety offence is committed with consent or connivance, or is attributable to the neglect of any director, manager, or officer, understand your legal obligations with this comprehensive guide.

Download Free PDF Guide

FAQ

Outsourced Health & Safety FAQs

Common questions about outsourcing your health and safety management

Still Have Questions About Health & Safety Compliance?

Our IOSH Chartered health and safety consultants are here to help with any queries about workplace safety, compliance, or our services.

Get in Touch Call: +44 (0)20 7947 9581

Get in Touch

Have a question or need expert advice? We're here to help.

30+ Years H&S Experience

Your Info

Choose Time

Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis

30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+

What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:

1.30-minute consultation
2.We review your current H&S arrangements
3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing

No Card Details Required

Free Arinite factsheet (tailored to your gaps)

Honest recommendation (audit needed or not)

Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.

Call Us

Monday - Friday: 9AM - 6PM GMT

+44 (0)20 7947 9581

Email Us

We'll respond within 24/48 hours

[email protected]

Visit Us

Headquarters

29 Throgmorton St
London EC2N 2AT

Quick Response Guarantee

24-hour response time
Free consultation included
No obligation quote

Outsourced Health & SafetyConsultants | Competent Person Service

Retained Health & Safety Support for SMEs and Multi-Site Businesses

Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis

Competent Person Support Without the Cost of an In-House Team

What Is a Competent Person Service?

Arinite's competent person service provides:

What Does Outsourcing Health & Safety Mean?

This includes:

Why Businesses Outsource Health & Safety

Who Outsourced Health & Safety Is For

Outsourcing is ideal for:

Director Liability: What's Really at Stake

When Health & Safety Fails

"But We Already Do Some Health & Safety Internally…"

Common Scenarios We See

What You Get With Arinite Outsourced Health & Safety

CHAS, SafeContractor & SSIP Accreditation Support

Our accreditation support service includes:

Why Choose Arinite

The Arinite Transformation™

REACTIVE(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Dangerous:

REACTIVE(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Dangerous:

COMPLIANCE(Where Most Businesses Stop)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Better (But Not Enough):

COMPLIANCE(Where Most Businesses Stop)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Better (But Not Enough):

PROACTIVE(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Transformational:

PROACTIVE(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Transformational:

The Arinite Difference:

From Hidden Gaps to Compliance

Free Health and Safety Gap Analysis Call

Health and Safety Audit

Outsource Your Health & Safety - The Arinite Partnership

Why This Works

Ready to Remove the Risk?

The Numbers That Matter

Arinite Factsheets

Protected Businesses

Years of Combined Experience

The Health & Safety Partner That Pays for Itself

How We Become Your Health & Safety Department:

Your H&S Team - Not Just Your Paperwork

Peace of Mind - Guaranteed

Protection - Prevent Fines, Pass Audits, Perform Better

Proof - Proven Results Since 2011

Ready to Partner With the Health & Safety Team That Pays for Itself?

Find an Arinite Consultant Near You

Don't see your location?

What 1,500+ Businesses Say About Their Health & Safety Consultants

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Health and Safety Liability for Directors

Outsourced Health & Safety FAQs

Still Have Questions About Health & Safety Compliance?

Get in Touch

Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis

Call Us

Email Us

Visit Us

Quick Response Guarantee

The Arinite Transformation™

REACTIVE(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Dangerous:

REACTIVE(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Dangerous:

COMPLIANCE(Where Most Businesses Stop)

What It Looks Like:

Why It's Better (But Not Enough):

COMPLIANCE(Where Most Businesses Stop)

Outsourced Health & Safety
Consultants | Competent Person Service

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)

PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)