Manufacturing Safety Update: Do You Really Have a Competent Person – Or Just Someone Doing Their Best? 

The capable one isn’t always the legally competent one 

Health and safety responsibilities don’t always land by design.
More often, they land on the person who’s been around a while. The one who’s organised. Trusted. Steady under pressure. 

No formal brief. No handover. Just a quiet assumption: 

“They’ll handle it.” 

And for a time, they probably do. 

But being capable isn’t the same as being legally competent – especially in manufacturing, where tight production schedules, factory-floor hazards, and complex machinery with real risks mean the stakes are high. 

What the law says – in plain English 

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every UK employer has a duty to appoint a Competent Person to help meet their legal responsibilities. 

That person must be able to: 

• Identify relevant health and safety risks 

• Recommend sensible, proportionate controls 

• Demonstrate adequate training, experience, and knowledge. 

Crucially, it’s not enough to have someone ‘helping out’ – they must be clearly identified as the Competent Person in your documentation. It’s a named responsibility, not a team effort. 

And while they don’t have to be in-house, they do need to be qualified, capable, and available. 

Four scenarios we see all the time 

At Ligtas, we’ve supported hundreds of manufacturing businesses – and while no two setups are the same, the underlying issues often are: 

1. “Our Ops Manager always handled it”

There’s no formal training. No real brief. It just became their job. Until the business grew or the risks changed – and suddenly it’s not enough. 

2. “We had someone, but they left”

Now it’s a void. Policies sit untouched. Compliance has stalled. The HSE would find gaps – and you know it.

3. “We’ve got paperwork – isn’t that enough?”

Policies? Yes. A few online courses? Probably. But if no one’s named or able to give informed advice, it won’t hold up under scrutiny.

4. “We’re tendering for new work”

And that question comes up: Who’s your Competent Person? Cue the scramble to find an answer that doesn’t raise more questions. 

Why confusion costs more than you think 

Many organisations assume they’re covered – until something proves otherwise: 

• An employee is injured and you’re asked who advised on the risk controls. 

• The HSE pays a visit and no one can clearly say who’s responsible. 

• A tender asks for your H&S structure and your response is vague at best. 

And in these moments, the difference between good intentions and legal competence becomes very clear. 

Someone being injured or not going home to their family after a workplace accident is the absolute worst-case scenario – but there are other potential consequences for your site; and wider organisation. 

Your company could be facing the ‘Fee for Intervention’ during a lengthy HSE investigation. Claims. Legal costs. Higher insurance premiums. 

All of which are a huge distraction from your main objectives: keeping production lines running, orders fulfilled, and your workforce safe. 

What a good Competent Person setup actually looks like 

It doesn’t have to be complicated. But it does have to be clear. 

A compliant setup typically includes: 

• A named person or provider with demonstrable qualifications and experience 

• A defined role in your H&S management structure 

• The ability to identify risk, interpret regulations, and advise sensibly 
• Confidence in dealing with audits, safety incidents and equipment failures 
• Access to external expertise when internal resource is limited or overstretched. 

Picture this...

Your site is about to install a new production line; not just new to you, but a pioneering setup that’s the first of its kind. 

Will your current setup enable your organisation to consult effectively with operators to develop a new, unique safe system of work - especially with such a significant change to how their equipment is used? 

Are guards, barriers and emergency stops in place? Have all users - including those responsible for servicing and maintenance - been trained on how to use the new line safely and confidently? 

Real-world example: A growing manufacturer under pressure – and how we helped 

When a UK biotechnology manufacturer entered a rapid growth phase, their internal team needed additional resources to help with increased H&S demands. 

Ligtas stepped in to provide Competent Person support; reviewing safety management systems around growing operations, and mentoring team members as they grew with the business. 

Their Health and Safety Manager said: 

“Ligtas helped us maintain full health and safety compliance during a period of rapid growth. Their support with safe systems of work and tailored training made a real difference to our team.” 

The Ligtas approach: structure without stress 

We don’t do one-size-fits-all. We work with you to provide what your operation actually needs; whether that’s line-side support, a site-wide safety strategy or support across multiple production facilities. 

Ligtas Competent Person support includes: 

• Named or advisory Competent Person roles 

• Gap analysis and compliance reviews 

• Risk assessment support and documentation updates 

• Attendance at H&S meetings (in person or remote) 

• Mentoring for new or internal leads 

• Optional monthly workplace inspections 

• Day-to-day advice: online, by phone, or face-to-face. 

Whether you need short-term cover, longer-term structure, or just a second opinion — we’re here to help you take control, confidently. 

Free checklist: Is your Competent Person setup legally compliant? 

Not sure where you stand? 

🔗 Download our quick-reference guide.

A plain-English, 1-page checklist to help you: 

• Spot the gaps 

• Clarify your responsibilities 

• Make the case for support internally