Introducing the Health and Safety Policy

safetyadviser.co.uk Press Release - February 07

The goal for 2007 is to promote simple and cost effective Health and Safety. That is why this year safetyadviser.co.uk will be promoting the “Health and Safety Starter Pack”

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have introduced a “starter pack”, which provides a comprehensive introduction to health and safety for new and small business. It is priced at £35 and can be purchased online. Go to (http://www.hse.gov.uk/flist/index.htm) for more details.

With this in mind safetyadviser.co.uk will be producing a newsletter each month detailing examples of safety documents with the intention of providing, for free, a set of working safety arrangements by December 07. If followed, each newsletter will provide a step by step approach to safety. Every “next step” will add a little more to the safety arrangements. February’s newsletter will explain what is required to provide a top notch Health and Safety Policy.

Why have a Health and Safety Policy?
If you have five or more employees you must, by law, have a formalised, written health and safety policy. If you do not have five employees it is still advisable to have a policy. This is because; it provides proof to those who request it such as prospective clients or (if you were in trouble) the HSE. More importantly it is a statement of intent. Your company intends to manage Health and Safety as integral part of it’s business. The policy gives the direction and overall principals of the organisation.

What does a good Health and Safety Policy have within it?
The policy is split into two documents; the policy “statement” and the associated “arrangements”. We shall be looking at what the “statement” should contain. (The arrangements will be discussed in future news letters). The policy statement should:

*be appropriate to the nature and scale of the organization’s hazards and risks;
*include a commitment to continual improvement;
*include a commitment to at least comply with current applicable legislation and with other *requirements to which the organisation subscribes;
*be documented, implemented and maintained;
*be communicated to all employees with the intent that employees are made aware of their individual OH&S obligations;
*be available to interested parties; and
*be reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains relevant and appropriate to the organisation.

This policy needs to be produced and authorised by the organisations top management in conjunction with staff. It should be signed by the Managing Director or Owner. Remember it is the over arching aim of the organisation to manage health and safety and to prevent accidents. To this end success is defined as “no accidents.”

Remember a good health and safety policy can win you new customers. More and more “blue chip” businesses are asking for this information to be provided within there Pre Qualifying Questionnaires. If you haven’t got one you could be loosing business.

If you require help on putting together a Health and Safety Policy contact Kevin Jones at kevin.jones@safetyadviser.co.uk

Next month’s topic “Health and Safety Arrangements”

Future topics to be covered include:
Sensible risk management
Accident prevention
Training and Instruction
Promotion and Communication
Emergency Preparedness (including Fire)
Contractor Management
By December you will have a simple and functional Health and Safety system.

Now if you cannot wait twelve months, or if you haven’t got the time or resources, safetyadviser.co.uk can provide you with Safety and Environmental Arrangements that would be tailored to your company. If not safetyadviser.co.uk recommends you purchase the HSE’s “Health and Safety Starter Pack”.

Why manage Health and Safety? It is the law. However effective health and safety management brings benefits such as a significant reduction in accidents and sickness absence, reduced insurance premiums, increased customer confidence, and employee goodwill. Good Health and Safety Management stems leading by example. Accidents at work can cost your organisation money and can ruin the lives of your employees. Preventing them need not cost the earth. safetyadviser.co.uk is committed to “taking the pain out of health and safety” both humanely and financially.
Improve your safety arrangements today!

Kevin Jones
www.safetyadviser.co.uk