Posted By oneill Hi Just wondering what would be the most effective way of communicating the Safety Statement to staff, obviously I want them to all to sign off to say they have read and understood it. Would a series of presentations be the best bet, put it up on the public drive??? Any other suggestions?? Roughly 80 people involved. Thanking you in advance

Posted By Chris Packham My experience is that safety statements are rarely read, and if so, then not always understood. Moreover, a safety statement is just that. For it to be effective it needs to be put into the context of the workplace. My solution would be a series of "toolbox talks" where the safety statement can be explained, using case studies, either from your own or similar workplaces, to illustrate what the various statements mean and why workers should take the statement on board and comply. This also gives you the opportunity for them to ask questions. Making it interactive will allow you to judge how well the information is being understood and the effectiveness of the message. Chris

Posted By Merv Newman The most effective system of communication is the "cascade" The MD presents HIS or HER safety statement and commitment to it to their immediate group of senior managers. Each of them then presents it and their personal commitment to their staffs. MD will be present during these presentations and emphasises their own commitment. This continues down the line as far as the first line supervisor, (in the presence of their direct boss), who present the statement to their teams as well as their own personal commitment to it. This is ACTIVE communication as opposed to PASSIVE (distribution through the mails, posting on notice boards) I had occasion only this morning to ask a group of managers what was posted on the wall directly behind them (Quality, H&S and Environment statements) None had a reply. A few weeks after the cascading you can confirm understanding by a questionnaire. The cascade has to be repeated at least once annually. Where the boss at any level changes they should take time to reaffirm thier commitment to the policy. Should the MD change then the whole process starts over again. I am auditing a site next week where the MD is on temp assignement (one of my ex-victims at his permanent site) He took the trouble to run the cascade. The new MD arrives in December and I intend to persuade him to do it for his own benefit. Merv

Posted By anon1234 Even though the safety statement shows the intent of the business it generally is too high level to actually influence the daya to day activities this is more to do with the specific process and procedures that are put in place - I would be looking for people to have more awareness of the key outputs from risk assessments and to know what the safe sytem of work is rather than the fact that the MD thinks health and safety is so important he is going to implement a health and safety manangement system. Obviously the supporting organisation adn arrangements has much more value than the statement itself as well

Posted By Mint Copies on display at prominent locations around the workplace. Also staple a copy to everyone's payslip.

Posted By Chris Packham I think the point is that a health and safety policy statement is not intended to deal with individual workplace situations. It is a statement confirming the intent of the organisation to ensure that work shall be carried out in a manner that does not result in an unacceptable risk to anyone (whether directly employed or not) such that their well-being will be affected. (Remember here that the word "welfare" is contained in the 1974 Act). Thus it should be written in general terms and not attempt to be specific. Individual issues have to be dealt with by risk assessment and risk management policies and practices. Chris

Posted By SeanThompson Just coming back to this thread, is it a requirement to get all staff to sign that they understand and acknowledge the policy. or... Can i place safety policy overview poster around the workplace and have the full policy on the shared drive for people to access should they wish to read it more in depth. Many Thanks Sean

Posted By SeanThompson Merv, Would you say that is suitable then?

Posted By Ken Taylor To answer your first question, Sean: There is no legal requirement to get employees to sign for the statement - and many of us don't think it a good idea.

Posted By Tony Brunskill Sean, To be clear if you do that and its tested in law it will not stand up.

Posted By Ian Blenkharn Talk to your Payroll staff - everyone listens to what they say, and opens the envelope at the end of the month. Ask payroll to distribute your paperwork with pay advice notes/pay packets etc. You get 100% coverage and your problem is half way sorted! Now, how to get 'em to read what falls into there hands?

Posted By Merv Newman Tony, you have my full and "free" permission. My main point is, I suppose, "walk the talk". But first, management at all levels should do the "talk". Commit themselves personally in front of their employees. Then live it. The three page document mentioned above was presented to "management" : down to first line level by site manager. Site manager then produced his personal, condensed version which was eventually presented by 1st line to employees. A couple of weeks later 1st line distributed the pocket cards to employees, with a reminder of management commitment to H&S In addition to other, ongoing improvement and motivational programmes, the above exercise will be repeated in about 12 months time. Earlier if deemed necessary. And who deems if it is necessary ? Me. In consultation with site management of course. Now back to that really awful audit report. Two weeks and I still haven't got it right. Aaaaaargh. Merv