.png)
Running a business comes with countless responsibilities and managing health and safety compliance can feel overwhelming. Many SMEs find themselves asking: "Do we need a full-time safety officer?" This is where a health and safety retainer becomes invaluable.
What Is a Health and Safety Retainer?
A health and safety retainer is an ongoing support service that provides businesses with access to professional safety expertise for a fixed monthly or annual fee. Rather than hiring a full-time health and safety professional or paying for ad-hoc consultancy services, a retainer gives you consistent, reliable support tailored to your business needs.
Think of it as having an expert safety advisor on speed dial, someone who understands your operations, knows your industry risks and can guide you through compliance challenges as they arise.
The Legal Requirement: Why You Need a Competent Person
Under Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer in the UK must appoint one or more competent persons to help them meet their health and safety duties. This requirement applies to all businesses, regardless of size or industry.
A competent person is someone with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to identify workplace hazards and implement practical safety measures. For many small to medium-sized enterprises, employing a full-time health and safety professional simply isn't feasible or necessary. This is precisely where retainer packages provide a cost-effective and practical solution.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirms that if your business doesn't have the competence to manage health and safety in-house, you can get help from a consultant or adviser. A retainer service fulfils this legal obligation whilst giving you the flexibility to scale support according to your needs.
Common Questions About Health and Safety Retainers
How Much Does a Health and Safety Retainer Cost?
Retainer packages vary based on the level of support you require, your industry and the complexity of your operations. We offer tiered packages, allowing you to choose a level of service that matches your budget and risk profile.
To give you an idea, for a medium-risk business with around 100 employees, we usually charge a fee of around £800-£1,000 per month for comprehensive retainer support. This is still considerably more cost-effective than employing a full-time health and safety professional, which can easily cost £50,000 annually when you factor in salary, benefits, training and associated costs. As a boutique consultancy, we tailor everything to your specific needs rather than offering rigid, off-the-shelf packages.
Starting from scratch? No problem at all. If you have nothing in place yet, we'll work alongside you throughout the year to get all your health and safety systems established progressively - from policies and risk assessments to training and audits.
What's Included in a Typical Retainer Package?
Whilst specific offerings vary, our comprehensive retainer packages generally include:
Competent Person Appointment: Acting as your appointed health and safety advisor under Regulation 7 + Certification.
Telephone and Email Support: Access to professional advice when you need it.
Health and Safety Policy: Development and regular review of your company's safety policy.
Risk Assessments: Workplace risk assessments, including COSHH assessments where applicable.
Legislative Updates: Keeping you informed about changes in health and safety law.
Document Review: Assistance with pre-qualification questionnaires and accreditation schemes like CHAS.
Annual Audits: Regular workplace inspections to identify compliance gaps.
Fire risk assessments, method statements, accident investigations and additional site visits...
Do I Still Have Legal Responsibility?
Yes. Whilst a retainer service provides expert support and can act as your competent person, the ultimate legal responsibility for health and safety remains with you as the employer. However, having professional guidance significantly reduces your risk of non-compliance and demonstrates due diligence to regulators.
Can I Cancel My Retainer?
We offer contract terms between 6-12 months, giving you flexibility depending on your business needs. However, we believe in building strong, happy working relationships rather than tying you into contracts. If at any point you feel we're not the right fit for your company, we're flexible and willing to discuss options.
The Key Benefits of a Health and Safety Retainer
Cost-Effective Compliance
Hiring a full-time health and safety professional can cost upwards of £30,000-£50,000 annually when you factor in salary, benefits, training and equipment. A retainer package provides access to qualified experts for a fraction of this cost.
Predictable Budgeting
Fixed monthly or annual fees make financial planning straightforward. You won't face unexpected invoices for ad-hoc consultancy work and you'll know exactly what your compliance costs will be throughout the year.
Reduced Administrative Burden
Managing health and safety documentation, staying current with legislative changes and conducting regular audits takes considerable time. A retainer service handles these tasks, freeing you to focus on growing your business and generating revenue.
Improved Workplace Safety Culture
Regular engagement with health and safety professionals helps foster a positive safety culture within your organisation. Employees see that management is committed to their wellbeing, which can boost morale and productivity.
Support for Business Growth
Whether you're tendering for contracts, applying for industry accreditations or expanding into new markets, having professional health and safety support strengthens your credentials and can open doors to new opportunities.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Failing to meet your health and safety obligations can have serious consequences. The HSE can issue improvement or prohibition notices and serious breaches can result in prosecution, unlimited fines or even imprisonment for company directors.
Beyond legal penalties, workplace accidents and ill health cost UK businesses billions annually in lost productivity, absence, increased insurance premiums and reputational damage.
Having professional support through a retainer service demonstrates your commitment to compliance and provides a solid defence should an incident occur. You'll be able to show regulators that you appointed a competent person, conducted appropriate risk assessments and took reasonable steps to protect your workforce.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing a health and safety retainer is an investment in your business's future. It's about creating a safer workplace, protecting your employees and building a sustainable business that can grow with confidence.
When selecting a provider, consider the value of having experienced professionals who understand your industry, who can guide you through complex regulations and who will be there when you need them most. Look for consultancies that take time to understand your business, that communicate clearly without overwhelming you with jargon and that demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving your workplace safety.
How we at DuoDynamic Safety Solutions Can Help
At DuoDynamic Safety Solutions, we understand that every business faces unique challenges. Our retainer packages are designed to provide SMEs with comprehensive health and safety support without the complexity or cost of maintaining an in-house team.
Whether you need support through our competent person retainer packages or prefer to access individual services as required, we're here to help. Our experienced consultants work across various sectors, bringing practical, straightforward advice that keeps you compliant and your people safe.
