2health and safety policy

Where an organisation has five or more employees, a written health and safety policy is required.
The policy is in three sections, which are:

1. General Policy Statement
2. Organisation
3. Arrangements

All employees must be made aware of the contents of the policy. This is usually achieved by providing each employee with a individual copy of the document and also by displaying a copy on the staff notice board.

The policy and its contents should be reviewed and updated as necessary and the staff made aware of any relevant changes.

1. General Policy Statement

This states the employers intent to provide a safe place of work for their employees and any others who may be affected by their activities. The statement should be signed and dated by the person in the organisation with overall responsibility for health and safety.

2. Organisation

This outlines who within the organisation is responsible for different areas of health and safety.

3. Arrangements

These are the general systems and procedures that are in place for health and safety e.g. details of first aid provision, accident reporting, emergency and fire procedures.

A template of a Health and Safety Policy document has been provided in this section for you to complete as appropriate to your organisation.

Checklist

Have you got five or more employees?
Have you completed or prepared a Safety Policy?
Have you circulated and made copies available to staff?
Have they read and understood it?
Have you set a date for its revision?