Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.22.5 Health surveillance – Regulation 6
In appropriate circumstances health surveillance of 
staff may be required – the Approved Code of Practice 
describes more fully when this duty will arise. Health sur-
veillance is considered relevant when there is an identifi a-
ble disease or poor health condition; there are techniques 
17.22 
Management of Health and Safety at W
ork Regulations 1999 as amended in 2003

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
366
to detect the disease; there is a reasonable likelihood 
that the disease will occur; and surveillance is likely to 
enhance the protection of the workers concerned. A 
competent person, who will range from a manager, in 
some cases, to a fully qualifi ed occupational medical 
practitioner in others, should assess the extent of the 
surveillance.
17.22.6 Competent assistance – Regulation 7
Every employer is obliged to appoint one or more ‘com-
petent person(s)’ to advise and assist in undertaking the 
necessary measures to comply with the relevant statutory 
requirements. They may be employees or outside con-
sultants. The purpose is to make sure that all employers 
have access to health and safety expertise. Preference 
should be given to an in-house appointee who may be 
backed up by external expertise.
The competence of the person (s) appointed is to be 
judged in terms of their training, knowledge and experi-
ence of the work involved; it is not necessarily depend-
ent upon particular qualifi cations. In simple situations, 
it may involve knowledge of relevant best practice, 
knowing one’s limitations and taking external advice 
when necessary. In more complex situations or risks, fully 
qualifi ed and appropriately experienced practitioners will 
be required.
Appointed competent persons must be provided 
with adequate information, time and resources to do 
their job.