Things to consider before hiring a safety consultant
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In safety industries, the need for safety consultation is very important as it helps the industry to grow better and place safety as priority all the time. The need for safety consultation must also be put into the right consideration so as not to move away from what the organization stands for. This article will discuss important things every safety organization must consider before hiring a safety consultant.
1. Academy Qualifications
The level of education a person has most of the time will determine how high their level of exposure to us in that field is.
Academy Qualifications and degree programs in safety have become more prevalent in the last decade. But just because your prospective consultant has a degree in safety doesn’t mean they are a good fit for your company. Of greater relevance is “real-world” experience and results. Look for consultants who have both education and experience.
2. On the job experience
While academic qualifications are very important, on the job experience is also very important. On the job experience shows that a consultant has done different previous jobs, which shows his/her ability to show more problems in various fields of that industry. A capable safety consultant can easily transition among many different industries in applying sound principles of safety management.
3. History with client/refferral.
Most times, it is also important to know who their similar clients are, their referrals (who are the most likely people that can stand for their result, a consultant who is result oriented will definitely have many referrals who can stand for them at all times). Also, who are their clients? A very reputable consultant is most likely to work with reputable companies. So it is very important to consider both their clients and referrals.
4. Professional membership and their organization
While it is easier and fast for anyone to go through any online programs that earn them a certificate which they can consult, it is more important to look for certifications that don’t just require the candidate to sit through a class or pay an application fee to receive a credential. But rather, look through to know their membership and organisation that show their concurrent activeness.
5. Will they solve your problem?
The main reason for organization/individual result to consultation is the need for a solution to a particular problem. Interestingly, no consultant can guarantee a perfect safety solution, one should be extremely wary of the safety consultant who “guarantees” that his work will produce a given dollar result. But notwithstanding, there should be a reason for the organization to know what result can be gotten.
While all the above is stated, the company must also understand that a professional consultant is concerned about the safety of his client and their company, so the need for safety insurance from the consultant is also important.
