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Posted By Jeff B
I'm in a pedantic mood today. Can someone tell me if the term ACoP can be used by companies for their processes? As in a "Inspection and Maintenance ACoP?
Bearing in mind that HSE generated ACoP's are quasi-legal can this terminology be used by companies for H&S?
Its just a general query to start the debate
Regards
Jeff
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Posted By Alan Hoskins
Don't think you can use the word 'Approved' Jeff...
Why not just CoP?
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Posted By toby liberson
Not quite sure if I understand your question, but if you are referring to procedures generated by your company then they cannot be referred to as ACoPs because they will lack the Approval of the relevant secretary of state which the "A" in ACoP stands for, they will be CoP (codes of practice) and as such will be a demostration of good practice but will lack the quasi legal standing of a ACoP.
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Posted By A Campbell
Hi Jeff,
If you decide to use such terminology... At some stage you may need to defend the 'Approval' element as to how you came to this decision as this could be challenged - more likely in civil but also possibly criminal court?
A policy is usually 'endorsed by the board... could say that is another way of approval... also written procedures, ssow ect may be better termed than ACOP?
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Posted By AjSaunders
Possibly looking into this one a little too deeply!
Unless the HSE/C have trademarked the term ACOP, or the individual words within the phrase there is no reason why an organisation cant use them.
Companies are free to call their internal processes whatever they like as long as they dont breach any laws. In my organisation we work with standards - does this mean we should change the name because British Standards uses this word? or are we ok because we dont use the British part?
I understand the possible confusion, intended or otherwise, from using the term and this may be frowned upon but other than this, as far as im aware it isnt illegal!
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Surely, companies can call them what they like as long as they understand the special legal status of CoPs approved by HSE. Having said that, I do not think it is wise to confuse the issue but calling in-house CoPs 'approved'.
Paul
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Posted By Bob Youel
your company can call their personal and owned documents what they want provided that copy write & similar is not breached as long as when a question is asked you have the answer
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Posted By ITK
My only worry with calling them ACOPs is that they may misintepret them as HSE ACOPs. This may lead to a misunderstanding between the two.
ITK.
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Posted By Jeff B
Thanks All,
I think the concensus is that it can be used but that it is advisable not to in case of confusion with Government issued documents. I will pass this up the chain for a commentr from the powers that be!
Many thanks for all you comments and advice
Regards
Jeff
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
It gets even better when the safety department has the acronym "HSE" department. :-)
Having said that the term ACoP is not legally protected and can thus be used in any manner providing the employees understand the terms.
Let us not forget that there are at least two meanings to EMAS!! Both governmental.
Bob
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Posted By Bob Y
Yes, I think Paul is right, you can call them what you like, but I suggest that you don't use the term ACoP solely to prevent confusion with HSE or other approved COPs.
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Posted By TonyB
How about a different slant on this?
If you produce your own internal guidance, you are producing site rules and procedures. Therefore employees have a legal duty to follow them and failure to do so is a breach of law (S7 HSWA & R14 MHSW).
Therefore;
The HSE's ACoPs have a quasi-legal state for everybody, BUT your internal ACoPs effectively become law (for only your own employees)in themselves!!
TonyB
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Posted By Phil Rose
Ummmmm, a different slant I accept, and of course all employers policies/procedures etc become 'law' to that company, but suggest in this instance that ACoP is retained as meaning those approved by the HSE etc. I don't see the reason to complicate it or confuse things myself.
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