Competence Assessment in Hazardous Industries

COMAH duty holders recognize the importance of experienced and competent staff.

With the implementation of the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (COMAH) on April 1st 1999, it is no longer acceptable to make untested assumptions about staff competence.

The Health and Safety Executive have developed safety report assessment guidance that asks for a competence assurance system that includes the setting of appropriate competence standards, assessment and reassessment of competence.

The HSE also ask that there be a specific link between identified safety critical tasks and a targeted comprehensive management system.

This report provides (1) a review of contemporary practice, (2) a view of what comprises good practice in the field of competence assessment in relation to major accident prevention, and (3) a body of advice, checklists and examples of assessment.