This seems to be the most repeated question being asked in the Events & Security Industry. The scant information that has come out from the evolving Martyn’s Law legislation suggests the need for Risk Assessments & Security Plans to be written by a competent person but what will that person look like. Is this competency something that will be unique to the few or with training could it be available to the masses. With a suggestion that Martyn’s Law could affect some 600,000 + locations, there is likely to be a lot of competent people needed.

The Health & Safety Executive defines a competent person as “A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need.”

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Reg 7 requires each employer to appoint one or more competent persons to provide advice and guidance to the company on matters of health and safety.

The Government operate a Competent Person Scheme for the Building Trade to support the Building Control Regulations

Trade Associations like the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors and Certification bodies like CERTASS have Competent Person Schemes.

So is there a glimpse of how a Competent Person Scheme in the Events Security Industry might work from looking elsewhere.

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) have announced their intention to develop a scheme and associated training. But what will that training look like? How long will it take? Can a Competent Person be an in-house employee or will it need to hold some independence of an Event Organiser? How might experience and knowledge be weighted within any Competency Status?

Whatever comes out of the legislation and resulting guidance, it seems evident that an Event Organiser needs to equip itself with the necessary expertise, but having a sound knowledge of the dynamics of your event, an understanding of your event location and any vulnerabilities and having a common sense approach to planning and documentation will stand you in good stead for what is to come..