hi there
cms,
there are some very good health and safety advisers out there in the market place at the present time.
we have access to one, however we havent used him as yet,
but these guys will come out on site and carry out all of the relevant surveys to compile the risk assessments, coshh assessments and method satements.
whilst they are expensive to use, they provide an objective eye to the situation, and will fully cover all the areas required.
once you have this information, it is then your responsibility to impart this information to your workforce.
You will find that when completing tenders for the big boys, ie construction companies, they often employ an external health and safety audit company, to asses that all companies are compliant.
health and safety is an industry to itself, and will continue to be .
regards
martin