Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
temporary. employees,. and. the. usual. personnel. issues. are. not. applicable. to. them..
Consultants.work.at.the.times.of.the.day,.weeks,.or.month.when.the.company.has.a.
need.and.not.at.their.own.convenience..Most.consultants.have.become.qualiied.to.
perform.these.services.for.you.through.either.education.or.experience.
In. determining. the. need. for. a. consultant,. the. company. will. want. to. con-
sider. whether. using. a. consultant. will. be. cost. effective,. faster,. or. more. productive..
Companies. may. also. ind. the. necessity. for. a. consultant. when. they. feel. a. need. for.
outside.advice,.access.to.special.instrumentation,.an.unbiased.opinion.or.solution,.or.
an.assessment.that.supports.the.initial.solution.
A.consultant.can.address.many.of.the.company's.safety.and.health.issues..He.or.
she.can.also.act.as.an.expert.witness.during.legal.action,.but.primarily.the.consul-
tant.is.hired.to.solve.a.problem..Thus,.the.consultant.must.be.able.to.identify.and.
deine.the.existing.problem.and.then.provide.appropriate.solutions.for.that.problem..
Consultants. usually. have. a. wide. array. of. resources. and. professional. contacts. that.
they.can.access.in.order.to.assist.in.solving.the.problem.
To.get.names.and.recommendations.of.potential.consultants,.contact.professional.
organizations,.colleagues,.and.insurance.companies.that.often.employ.loss.control.or.
safety.and.health.personnel..Furthermore,.do.not.overlook.local.colleges.and.univer-
sities;.many.times.they.also.provide.consultative.services..In.selecting.a.consultant,.
make.sure.to.ask.for
.
1.. A.complete.résumé.that.provides.the.consultant's.formal.education,.as.well.
as.his.or.her.years.of.experience
.
2.. A.listing.of.previous.clients.and.permission.to.contact.them
.
3.. The. length. of. time. the. individual. has. been. a. consultant. and. his. or. her.
.current.status.regarding.existing.business.obligations
.
4.. Veriication.of.professional.training
.
5.. Documentation.of.qualiications,.such.as.registered.professional.engineer,.
certiied.safety.professional,.or.certiied.industrial.hygienist
.
6.. A.listing.of.the.consultant's.memberships.in.professional.associations
.
7.. Any. areas. of. specialization. and. ownership. or. access. to. equipment. and.
.certiied.testing.laboratories
conductIng the IntervIeW
It.is.important.that.proper.interviews.be.conducted.of.the.consultants.who.have.made.
the.inal.cut..Make.sure.that.the.following.items.are.part.of.evaluating.and.ranking.
the.potential.consultants:
•. Review. credentials. and. qualiications. to. determine. his. or. her. experience.
and.expertise..Health.and.safety.experts.should.hold.proper.credentials.
•. Does.the.consultant.have.experience.with.the.company's.type.of.problem.
or.project?
•.
What.procedures.does.the.consultant.do,.and.what.do.they.subcontract?
