Overview

This bill mandates qualifications and accreditation for health and safety consultants in England, Wales, and Scotland, ensuring only qualified individuals can offer advice related to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for payment. Failure to comply results in fines.

Description

The Health and Safety Consultants (Qualifications) Bill introduces requirements for health and safety consultants providing paid advice relating to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Key Provisions:

• Consultant Qualifications: Only individuals with qualifications approved and accredited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can act as paid health and safety consultants.
• Offences and Penalties: Operating without the required qualifications is a summary offense, punishable by a fine (up to level 5 on the standard scale).
• HSE Cost Recovery: The HSE can charge fees to cover its costs associated with implementing this Act.
• Act's Scope: The Act applies to England, Wales, and Scotland and comes into force immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill allows the Health and Safety Executive to recover its costs in implementing the new regulations through the charging of fees. The exact financial impact on government spending is not specified in the provided bill text.

Groups Affected

• Health and Safety Consultants: This bill directly affects health and safety consultants. They will need to obtain HSE-approved qualifications and accreditation to continue working legally. Failure to comply could result in fines.
• Businesses: Businesses employing or consulting with health and safety consultants will need to ensure their consultants meet the new requirements. This may involve additional scrutiny and vetting processes.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): The HSE is responsible for approving qualifications, accrediting consultants, and enforcing the legislation. This will increase its workload and may require additional resources.

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