What is a Health and Safety Policy?
Every business is unique, which is why your health and safety policy should be too. This document is much more than a one-pager with the managing director’s signature at the bottom and pinned to the noticeboard where no one reads it apart from your H&S auditors. The word policy derives from the word “Politia” and means a good way of management. Your business policy should demonstrate: 1. How you manage Health and Safety, and 2. how you will manage it well. A Health and Safety policy is a documented statement that outlines an organisation’s commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. It establishes an organisation’s principles, objectives, and health and safety management responsibilities.
The key benefits of a Health and Safety policy include ensuring legal compliance, managing workplace risks, providing employee guidance, enabling continuous improvement, facilitating communication, emphasising safety culture, empowering employees, preparing for emergencies, and enhancing organisational reputation. In summary, a Health and Safety policy is the foundation to establish, communicate, and reinforce your business’s commitment to providing a secure and healthy workplace.
The problem with generic Health and Safety policies
It is likely that if you have bought an off-the-shelf solution, your policy might have a few problems.
- Covers risks that aren’t in your business.
- Doesn’t cover the risks in your business.
- You might not consider the way you manage risks
- No correct means of delegating Health and Safety responsibility.
- It may not cover how you check you are doing things right.
- The language is too formal, and no one wants to read it.
- Reference locations, departments and people that don’t exist.
- Mentions the specific legislation in every other sentence.
- It doesn’t cover issues you’re unaware of, (and how would you know if you don’t know?)
We see a lot of Health and Safety policies, and our consultants have worked in and with lots of different types of companies with varying health and safety cultures.
Would you like a sense check to ensure your H&S policy is fit for purpose? Contact us