What information should a Health & Policy Statement include?
A health and safety policy statement should include the following information:
- A statement of the organisation's commitment to health and safety and to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees.
- A description of the roles and responsibilities of key personnel with health and safety, such as the management team, supervisors, and health and safety representatives.
- A detailed description of the arrangements in place to manage health and safety in the workplace, such as risk assessments, training programs, and emergency procedures.
The health and safety policy statement should be tailored to the organisation's specific needs, considering the size and type of business, the hazards present in the workplace, and the risks faced by employees. However, there are some common elements that all health and safety policy statements should include:
- A statement of the organisation's commitment to health and safety and its commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. This statement should be signed by the most senior person in the organisation, such as the CEO or Managing Director.
- A description of the roles and responsibilities of key personnel concerning health and safety. This should include the names and positions of the people who are responsible for developing and implementing the health and safety policy, as well as the people who are responsible for overseeing health and safety in the workplace.
- A detailed description of the arrangements in place to manage health and safety in the workplace. This should include information on how the organisation identifies and assesses risks, controls risks, provides training to employees on health and safety, and responds to emergencies.
In addition to the above information, the health and safety policy statement may also include information on the following:
- The organisation's approach to health and safety consultation and communication.
- The organisation's approach to continuous improvement in health and safety.
- The organisation's approach to monitoring and auditing health and safety performance.
The health and safety policy statement should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it is up to date and reflects the organisation's current needs. It should also be shared with all employees and other stakeholders.
Here are some tips for writing a health and safety policy statement:
- Be clear and concise. The policy statement should be easy to read and understand.
- Be specific. The policy statement should outline the specific arrangements that the organisation has in place to manage health and safety.
- Be realistic. The policy statement should be achievable and sustainable.
- Be flexible. The policy statement should be adapted to changes in the workplace.
- Be engaging. The policy statement should be written to motivate employees to take responsibility for their health and safety.