How To Choose A Consultant

Once you have identified the need to engage a professional consultant to complement your internal skills, the next step is to define exactly what you need from them. Typically you may need to:

Define what you need expert advice or help with

Some common tasks requiring a consultant are:

• Training staff to identify hazards and assess risks
• Developing hazard identification and risk management procedures
• Documenting safe operating procedures (SOPs)
• Reviewing the adequacy of plant design
• Inspecting, assessing and testing the condition of a plant
• Training and certifying plant operators or other staff
• Reviewing proposed changes to a plant

Prepare a brief of exactly what is required

The brief needs to include the following information:

• A brief business/industry background of your operation
• A clear description of the need or problem with a brief business background
• The objective (required outcomes) of the project
• Timing and budget limitations that need to be considered
• Potential problems or issues that need to be considered

Identify a Competent Person

When assessing a consultant you should:

• Seek consultants with experience in your industry or that suit your particular need
• Get recommendations from contacts within your organisation or industry network
• Obtain contacts provided by industry associations (such as AIDGC) or government
• This site provides a list of dangerous goods consultants who are members of AIDGC

Selecting your consultant

Select a consultant and contact them directly.