Posted By steven123442 Hi Songwriter, The policy is in three parts: Statement of intent Roles and responsibilities Arrangements I think the one page document you are talking about must be the statement of intent. The roles and responsibilities section details responsibilities for the board, MD/CEO, Directors, etc. right down to employees on the 'shop floor' The arrangements section is the area you will start detailing hazards, risk assessments, maintenance, instructions, etc. Hope this helps and I hope I understood your question correctly. Steve

Posted By garyh This is going to sound a bit corny but HSG 65 "Successful Health & Safety Management" has some good advice.

Posted By Robert. If you do google it will bring up hundreds of UK companies with different styles, wording and formats.

Posted By Frank Newman Safety policies are often written with legal advice so as to ensure that they cover all possible eventualities and that the company complies with relevant legislation. Thus, like any legal document there is an obligation to fill at least ten pages. I have one of Scottish origin, 1990, which covers 40 pages, an American one, dated 1915, of 43 pages but including 20 pages of "health hints" (why it is wrong to spit) These documents are often presented to new and existing employees with a request that they sign that they have read and understood them. HoHoHo. However, one does occasionally encounter the health and safety policy which limits itself to general but specific and firm declarations : * All accidents and work related health problems are preventable. * The company and company management are responsible for the protection of the health and safety of all employees and concerned non-employees * The company undertakes to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation * We welcome the advice, participation and assistance of all persons who find opportunities for us to improve our health and safety performance. A document such as the above can be included in any new employee orientation documents. Printed up in large type and nailed to the walls. Should be signed by a living person, preferably someone known to the employees. It must NOT be signed "The Management" Merv

Posted By John Caney Songwriter How did you get NEBOSH cert if you don't know how to write a Health and Safety policy - standards have slipped since my day!! John

Posted By Marti Martin Thank you Merv (alias Frank - or vice versa). It's comforting to know the we 'new kids' have knights in shining armour rushing to the defence of those of us with less knowledge. We all have to start somewhere and it takes courage to ask for help, especially if you expect to be shot down in flames! I may well be in the firing line next time. Marti

Posted By Jack '- - - to general but specific - - -' An interesting concept Merv

Posted By Andy Brazier It is a shame that our policies are reviewed by the lawyers and not marketing because I believe we are trying to 'sell' safety. The lawyers seem to want the paperwork watertight. However, my view is that it is a much bigger crime to not implement what is written than to have a few gaps in our documents. I also think it is unfortunate that OHSAS 18001 encourages statements about compliance with legislation to be included in policy statements. I don't think anyone would be impressed if a Taxi company advertised that all its cars were MOTed and drivers had licences. In fact them saying that would cause big alarm bells in my mind. I'm not even impressed when we say we will exceed the requirements of legislation. Regulations cannot tell us how to run our business, and that is something we need to take responsibility for. I totally agree with making policies more personal. How many people understand the term 'reasonably practicable'? Including it in a policy statement will only cause confusion. My view is that senior staff need to be referring to policy statements on a very regular basis, and if it is not language they are happy with using I doubt this will happen. I like the policy statement 'there is nothing so important that we cannot take the time to do it safely.' But only if it suits the company. An alternative can be 'we are a caring company and will do everything we can to make sure you do not get injured or ill at work.' These phrases set the scene, and I believe then lead to more simple and sensible arrangements and organisations.