Health & Safety Policies
It is a requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA) 1974 for all companies with 5 or more employees to have a Health and Safety Policy prepared in writing.
This number of employees is the maximum at any one time and includes directors, part time and temporary staff, as well as seasonal works or contracting staff.
The Policy comprises three sections as prescribed by the Act:-
1) A Statement of Intent signed by a company director or partner with overall responsibility for health and safety.
2) The Organisation of Health and Safety describing responsibilities of management and supervision at each level within the organisation.
3) The Arrangements for Health and Safety to describe how it will be managed. This section can be a substantial document if the company/organisation concerned employs complex activities in its operation. The arrangements will include (but not exclusively):-
- The names and descriptions of responsibilities of duty-holders within the organisation, including any professional health and safety staff and consultants
- A description of the main hazards likely to be encountered in the workplace
- Generic risk assessments showing the significant findings Safety training policy
- Fire and emergency arrangements
- First aid arrangements
- Accident reporting arrangements
- Accident investigation procedure
- Personal protective equipment policy, requirements
- Arrangements for the management of contractors
- Worker consultation arrangements
- Purchasing policy
- Design policy
- Environmental policy
The lack of a Health and Safety Policy can in itself result in a prosecution as can the non-compliance with stated policy resulting in a serious incident.
As Chartered Health and Safety Practitioners, Fox~Robinson can assist you in the preparation and updating of your policy, no matter how complex.