Every business must comply with Health & Safety laws - regardless of their trade or industry.
One legal requirement all employers must follow is presenting a Health & Safety policy. This policy helps you protect employees on a daily basis. And minimises the potential risk of work-related injuries and poor work standards.
If you ignore Health & Safety laws, you could face serious negligence claims. This could lead to unlimited compensation, business closure, and even imprisonment. Download our free Health & Safety policy template today and take your first step towards employee safety.
In this guide, we'll look at what a Health & Safety policy is, what the law covers, and how to create one for your workplace.
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What is a Health & Safety policy?
Having a Health & Safety policy is a fundamental Health & Safety requirement and is the foundation of your Health & Safety management system.
Legal requirements for the Health & Saftey policy state that it needs to contain three main sections:
- Statement of Intent
- Organisational structure
- Arrangements
Who creates a Health & Safety policy for a business?
The legal requirement is to have a policy and review it annually. Legal requirements don’t restrict the creation of the Health & Saftey policy to just those employed by your organisation.
It's important to ensure that the person tasked with creating your policy is competent to do so, and that it is comprehensive enough to be effective.
Our team of experts can create your policy for you, and tailor it to your organisation’s activities. To learn more about our Health & Safety consultancy services, contact us today.
It's important to ensure that the person tasked with creating your policy is competent to do so, and that it is comprehensive enough to be effective.
Our team of experts can create your policy for you, and tailor it to your organisation’s activities. To learn more about our Health & Safety consultancy services, contact us today.
When should a Health & Safety policy be used?
The Health & Safety policy is a base for your entire Health & Saftey management system, so it could be argued that it is always in use.
It dictates how the organisation will complete risk assessments, implement training, select safe work equipment and substances, conduct health surveillance, and manage incidents. It is from the Health & Safety policy, that documents used for consultation with employees can be created.
Employee safety handbooks take information essential information from the policy that they need to know, so they understand specific safety rules that apply to their work.
It dictates how the organisation will complete risk assessments, implement training, select safe work equipment and substances, conduct health surveillance, and manage incidents. It is from the Health & Safety policy, that documents used for consultation with employees can be created.
Employee safety handbooks take information essential information from the policy that they need to know, so they understand specific safety rules that apply to their work.
What are the key components of a Health & Safety policy?
When it comes to creating your policy, it's important you're aware of what it should include. It must contain three separate sections to meet legal requirements.
Let's discuss each of them in more detail:
1. Statement of intent
Your policy should start with a general statement on the commitment of the employer, to the management of Health & Safety for the organisation. Included in your statement of intent should be:
- The general approach to Health & Safety in your business.
- How the organisation will commit to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of employees and any other person that could be affected by the work.
The most senior member of the organisation is responsible for signing the Health & Safety policy statement.
2. Responsibilities for Health & Safety
Clearly list the names, roles, and positions of people in your business who have specific responsibilities for Health & Safety.
Included as part two of your policy should have:
- A clear organisational structure, with the most senior member of the organisation at the very top.
- Detail other job roles that have responsibilities for Health & Safety. This can include directors, managers, and other employee roles. There is no requirement to include people by name, just their job titles are sufficient.
- An allocation of safety responsibilities to those specified as responsible.
3. Arrangements for Health & Safety
The final part of your Health & Safety policy should detail the practical arrangements you have in place, clearly showing how your organisation will achieve the aims of the policy.
Included in part three of your policy should be:
- All the steps you and your business will take to ensure you meet your commitments in your statement of intent.
- A full description of how risks will be managed and reduced, based on a completed risk assessment.
- Details on safety elements such as risk assessments, accident and incident reporting, fire safety procedures, staff training, the safe use of equipment, keeping the workplace clean and maintained.
We have created a free Health & Safety policy template for you to download and use when it comes to creating yours. Access your Health & Safety policy sample now and ensure total safety compliance for your business.
FAQs concerning a Health & Safety policy
Why is a Health & Safety policy important for employers?
By law, employers are required to have a documented Health & Safety policy if they have five or more employees. Failing to comply will result in severe consequences, including fines, prosecution, and possibly imprisonment.
Are there any benefits?
A strong Health & Safety policy is the basis of an effective health and safety management system. Therefore, reducing accidents and the costs associated with them—medical expenses, compensation, and legal fees. Also, a workforce that feels that safety and health are well managed tend to be more productive.
Get expert advice on managing Health & Safety policies with Peninsula
All businesses must comply with Health & Safety laws. Employers must protect the health, safety and welfare of anyone who may be affected by your business.
If you breach your Health & Safety policy, you could end up facing serious costs. Like injuring people, business closure, and potential imprisonment.
Peninsula offers expert advice on managing your Health & Safety policy. Our HR team offers unlimited 24/7 HR employment services which are available 365 days a year. Download our free today and stay legally compliant.
We also have a free Health & Safety policy template ready for you to download and use within your business.
Want more information on your Health & Safety policy? Seek specialist advice from one of our Health & Safety advisors. For further information, call our telephone number 0800 158 2313.
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