Competence management systems

Making sure workers, supervisors and managers have and maintain appropriate skills and competences is important. It helps them carry out their work safely, reducing risks to themselves and other people. An effective competence management system (CMS) is how an organisation ensures that their staff have the necessary skills and can apply them.

In 2007, ORR republished Developing and maintaining staff competence ( PDF 389 Kb) (RSP1). This sets out the fifteen principles to ensure a good, well functioning Competence management system (CMS). The principles are divided into five phases: establish requirements; design; implement; maintain and develop; and verify, audit and review. Using this guidance remains a key way of developing and maintaining an effective CMS that complies with health and safety legislation.

The purpose of a CMS is to control in a logical and integrated way activities within the company or organisation that will assure and further develop competent performance at work. The aim is to ensure that individuals are clear about the performance that is expected of them, that they have received appropriate training, development and assessment, and that they maintain or improve their skills over time.

What is our view?

We published a policy position paper ( PDF 84 Kb) on 14 January 2010 that set out what duty holders expect to do in developing and maintaining competence management systems.

What does the legislation cover?

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees. 

Regulation 24 of the Railway and other Guided Transport Systems Regulations 2006 (ROGS) requires duty holders to assess whether workers are competent and fit to undertake safety critical work and record their findings. It also requires the assessment to be reviewed if there is doubt about competence or fitness or if there is change in the tasks performed.

Regulation 13(2) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to ensure that his employees are provided with adequate health and safety training.

Last updated: 13 September 2011

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