Internal Prevention Advisor or HSE Consultant: which solution to choose?

The role of the prevention advisor in Belgium

In Belgium, occupational well-being legislation requires companies to designate a prevention advisor within their organization.

Depending on the company size and activity type, the organization must have an Internal Prevention and Protection Service (SIPP) and one or more prevention advisors with the required level (Level 3, 2, or 1).

The internal prevention advisor is responsible for:

• advising the employer on occupational well-being policy

• analyzing occupational risks

• proposing preventive measures

• contributing to the improvement of working conditions

In some cases, companies can also rely on an External Prevention and Protection Service (SEPP) to supplement or temporarily replace certain functions.

Limits of internal resources

Even when a company has an internal prevention advisor or a SEPP, certain situations may require operational reinforcement, such as:

• launching an industrial project or a large construction site

• temporary workload peaks

• need for specialized expertise

• prolonged absence of an HSE manager

In these situations, many organizations choose to engage an external HSE consultant.

The role of the HSE consultant

Unlike an internal prevention advisor, an external HSE consultant cannot hold the official position of SIPP manager.

Their role is different but complementary.

An HSE consultant can:

• support internal HSE teams

• assist with industrial projects or construction sites

• improve safety practices in the field

• contribute to the development of a safety culture

This approach provides companies with additional expertise and operational flexibility.

A complementary approach

In practice, the most effective results are often achieved when:

• the internal prevention advisor ensures the structural management of the prevention system

• the HSE consultant provides operational support on specific projects

At The Safety Hub, our consultants regularly work alongside internal prevention advisors and SEPPs to deliver concrete support to field teams.