What ‘Competent Person’ Really Means Under Irish Legislation
By Leah Murphy
The term “competent person” appears across almost every safety system.
It’s written into procedures.
Assigned to roles.
Referenced in policies.
But when it’s tested in practice, it’s often where organisations are most exposed.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, competence is not just about training.
It includes:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Training
- The ability to apply all of that to the work being carried out
The Health and Safety Authority also reinforces that competence must reflect the specific work being carried out, not just general training received.
Where It Breaks Down
In reality, we often see:
- Certification used as a proxy for competence
- Responsibility assigned without validation
- Little consideration of site-specific risk
- Competence not reassessed as roles change
Competence gets recorded.
But not always tested.
Why It Matters
When something goes wrong, the focus shifts quickly.
Not to whether training was provided.
But to whether the person was capable of carrying out the task safely.
This is particularly relevant in higher-risk environments, where the gap between training and capability becomes more visible.
What Good Looks Like
- Combining training with practical assessment
- Supervisor involvement in validating capability
- Regular refreshers based on risk
- Clear evidence that reflects real ability
Competence isn’t something you confirm once and move on from.
It needs to be demonstrated, maintained and revisited over time.
And organisations that take that approach tend to have a much clearer view of where their real risks sit.
Because they’re not just asking who is trained.
They’re asking who is truly capable.
For guidance on prioritising safety, contact EHS International today, I would be very happy to discuss how our service model could support your business.
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