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.