Outsourced Health & Safety

Retained competent person: your outsourced Health & Safety department

Competent health and safety advice whenever you need it, from a consultant who gets to know your business, on a straightforward 12-month retainer.

Get a quote Common questions

What the law requires

Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to appoint one or more competent persons to help them meet their health and safety duties. Competence means having the right training, experience and knowledge for the risks involved.

The law prefers competent help from within your own business where it's available. Where it isn't, which is the case for most small and medium-sized businesses, appointing external competent advice is the usual and sensible route.

What's included

  • A consultant matched to your sector, who gets to know your business and people
  • Phone and email support whenever questions come up
  • Scheduled visits and reviews to keep things on track
  • Policy and risk assessment reviews, kept up to date as your business changes
  • Legislation updates, explained in plain English with what they mean for you
  • Help when things go wrong, including accident investigation and RIDDOR guidance
  • SSIP-ready documentation, prepared in the background throughout the year, so CHAS, Constructionline or SafeContractor applications and renewals can go in quickly
  • Support with tenders, insurers and client audits, including health and safety questionnaires

We'll agree the exact scope with you at the start, so it fits your business and your risks.

Who it suits

  • Businesses without an in-house health and safety manager
  • Growing companies taking on more staff, sites or bigger contracts
  • Contractors who need to hold and renew SSIP accreditation
  • Multi-site organisations that want consistent standards

Why a retainer rather than one-off help?

One-off visits fix one-off problems. A retainer means someone is keeping an eye on the whole picture all year: spotting issues early, keeping documents current, and being on hand the moment you need advice. It's also how we keep your SSIP paperwork ready without a last-minute rush.

Client feedback

What our clients say

Joe and the team at Melia & McIntosh have been a great support to us as an early-stage business. They’ve helped us build our health and safety processes and standards from the ground up, providing practical guidance as the company has grown. They’re always very responsive, approachable and willing to help, which has made it much easier for us to put the right systems in place and deal with H&S requirements as they arise.

Aaron Dickenson, Head of OperationsPlasma Fresh · Cold plasma technology, LiverpoolBuilding H&S systems from the ground up

Their practical approach to health and safety, combined with their understanding of the challenges within the construction industry, has been a real benefit to our business.

Read the full review

Over the past year, we have found Melia & McIntosh Safety Consultants to be professional, knowledgeable and extremely supportive.

Their practical approach to health and safety, combined with their understanding of the challenges within the construction industry, has been a real benefit to our business. They are approachable, responsive and always happy to provide clear, sensible advice and guidance when needed.

We look forward to continuing our working relationship and would happily recommend their services to other businesses.

Lawrence Marr & Sons LtdConstructionOngoing Health & Safety support

We are extremely satisfied with the service provided by Melia & McIntosh Safety Consultants. The team are knowledgeable, professional and always quick to respond. Their ongoing support, training and expert advice have been invaluable in helping us manage our health and safety requirements.

Janine Long, Managing DirectorRoots Mechanical LimitedOngoing support & training

All at George Brown’s are extremely grateful for the time and dedication shown to us regarding our general health and safety, renewal of our SMAS / CHAS, to ensuring our office staff and men out on site are all collectively working safely and are operating in a safe environment. Excellent support, prompt response and industry leading knowledge all combine to give us a great service. We would highly recommend.

Matt Swinnerton, DirectorGeorge Brown & Sons · Plumbing & heating engineersHealth & Safety support and SMAS / CHAS renewal

FAQs

Retainer questions

Does a retainer satisfy the competent person requirement?

Appointing external competent advice is a recognised way to meet Regulation 7 where you don't have competent help in-house. You remain responsible as the employer, and we help you meet those responsibilities.

How long is the retainer?

Our retainers run for 12 months, which gives time to get to know your business and plan support across the year.

Can other services be included?

Yes. We agree the scope with you at the start. That might include risk assessments, fire risk assessments, training or audits, depending on what your business needs.

Will the same consultant support us?

We match you with a consultant whose experience and qualifications suit your sector, so you deal with someone who understands your business.

Health & Safety that's easy to work with.

Tell us about your business and we'll be in touch with clear, practical next steps.

Get a quote enquiries@mmsc.uk