Health and Safety Competency: The Foundation of Every Safe Workplace
Title:
“Health and Safety Competency: The Foundation of Every Safe Workplace”
By:
Bala – Occupational Health and Safety Expert
In
every industry—from manufacturing plants to construction sites—the true
strength of a safety system lies not in its procedures but in the
competency of the people who carry them out.
As
a health and safety professional with over a decade of frontline and managerial
experience, I’ve seen that workplace incidents often occur not from ignorance
but from overconfidence, inadequate supervision, or a lack of
role-specific competency. This is why health and safety competence is not
just a compliance checkbox—it is the lifeline of a safe operation.
What
is Competency in OSH?
Competency
is not just having a certificate or attending a one-time course. According to
IOSH and global safety frameworks, competency is defined as a combination of:
- Knowledge of hazards and
procedures,
- Skill in applying safety
controls,
- Experience in real-life
conditions,
- Behaviour and mindset that always promote
safety.
Why
Competency Matters
In
one of my previous projects at a chemical storage facility, we discovered
through audits that despite high levels of procedural compliance, several team
members lacked understanding of emergency response roles. They had
"trained", yes—but they hadn’t truly retained the knowledge.
We quickly realised that competency assurance must go beyond training—it
must involve verification, observation, and coaching.
Building
Competency: My Approach
To
improve OSH competency across teams, I recommend:
- Competency Matrix
Mapping
Define required skills, knowledge, and behaviours for each role. Identify gaps through observation and assessments. - Task-Specific Training
General safety training is not enough. Workers must be trained and assessed on specific equipment, procedures, and risks related to their job. - On-the-Job Coaching
Use experienced mentors to supervise and guide new workers, especially in high-risk roles. - Behavioural
Observation
Regular walkarounds, safety dialogues, and feedback loops help reinforce positive safety behaviours. - Continual Assessment
Reassess worker competency periodically, especially after incidents, task changes, or technological upgrades.
Competency
for Leaders Too
Leaders
and supervisors must also be competent—not only technically, but also in influencing
safety behaviour, managing risk, and communicating effectively. I've
conducted leadership competency assessments where we focus on decision-making
during crises, emotional intelligence, and enforcement consistency.
Final
Thoughts
Competency
is the bridge between policy and practice. It’s how we ensure safety systems
actually work on the ground. As OSH professionals, we must go beyond basic
compliance and build a culture of competency-based assurance. When every
worker—from the gatekeeper to the general manager—is competent in their role,
safety becomes not just a value but a way of life.
Let’s
invest in competency—not just once, but continually. Because competence
isn’t a destination; it’s a journey of professional growth, shared
responsibility, and human care.
