Posted By sagalout Ian, I would call our stuff on these areas working procedures or practices rather than policies. In other words they fit down a tier or two from the top level policy statement alongside working practice for things as established as noise, substances etc. The intro to each procedure outlines the why we need it, that we recognise duty and this is how we do meet it.

Posted By DJ Jim, Legally an organisation has to have a 'policy'on e.g. managing DSE. However I agree with you and Saga that a single policy (which includes DSE), supported by procedures, etc. is the way to do it. Regards. DJ

Posted By Philby' Ian, procedures are often referred to as supporting or supplementary policies...at least they were when I did my diploma...but I think, as indicated by other posters, that it is largely academic Philby'

Posted By sagalout Ian, "A guiding principle designed to influence decisions, actions, etc. Typically, a policy designates a required process or procedure within an organization." So you already have an overall policy about h&s which is the usual one that everyone recognises as "the safety policy". From that will arise a need to have sub-series policy statements to clarify exactly what principles you have agreed to meet the specific needs of for example stress management. You can put these anywhere you like. The experience I referred to earlier was that they are better at the start of the sections that deal with the organisation and arrangements for that area of activity.They are then implanted with the activity controls and do not become detached and remote from users.

Posted By J Knight Hmm, What we do is have an overarching H&S Policy in three parts (as per HSG65) and then a series of policies on certain issues. Policy is brief, usually one or two 12 point A4 pages, and states i) what is to be achieved, ii) the legal or regulatory basis for achieving it iii) any special resources (such as people) which might be needed and iv) what the summary resposnibilities of the people involved are. This is then supplemented by guidance, John

Posted By J Knight Hi DJ, Agree, that could be a problem, and its part of the reason why I keep subordinate policies to a minimum; for example the 'stress' policy talked about above would in my view be guidance written in accordance with a general RA policy. Another way to reduce the risk of contradiction is to keep secondary policy closely to the matter in question, and to write it in accordance with required ACOPS etc, John PS No spelling errors found, must be a first!

Posted By Lilian McCartney I've worked with two formats. The first being an overall safety policy with everything I could think of mentioned and then guidance which we called Approved Guidelines (to try to relate to Acop's) which also had procedures e.g claiming eyesight tests (when they were paid for). The other format is a safety manual with a general safety policy stating that each subject will have its own policy. The sections of the manual are subject specific and they have a 'mini' policy which only contains the information relevant to that e.g. Hazardous substances has COSHH regs bit, a procedures part and an information part. Each part is on a different colour paper with the intention that people can find quickly what they want. There are also quick guide flowcharts in some of the sections. The second format is where I work just now and it was the format that most Managers and employees thought they would find easier to use. Should add there's a 'Responsibilities' Section which has a brief table of what the main responsibilities for each section are (one each for managers and employees) Sounds bulky and I'll soon know if they use the new manual or not (it's just new)