How about: accountability can lead to handcuffs, responsibility can lead to the dole queue?

Chaps, I might get shot down here, but it might be worth pointing out to your managers that there is a moral aspect to accountability and responsability too - the law is (or should be) the fall back position if it all goes "Pete Tong" after all, no business sets out to deliberately hurt, maim or kill Jim

hello, how about:- Good H&S is one of the best ways to keep your most precious resources - your people - at work. If you break them or allow them to get broken, YOUR boss will hold you accountable.

You may also wish to add that, where responsibility is delegated, that person must be competent to take on that responsibility. Otherwise the accountability and responsibility will remain with the Manager in question.

What about a completely different slant? Take the case of financial accountability and responsibility of managers. Would you expect that to be full of legal references and possible penalties and for those to be the opening gambit? I have worked in very strictly controlled financial environments and could tell you what my employer wanted but could I ever quote the relevant financial law? No. Remember the first few minutes are the bit that catches the attention and that most will remember. Would it be more a case of we need to protect our assets, make a profit and where relevant stay within the law? So you are given responsibility and accountability primarily because we need those carried through to keep the company working effectively and efficiently (profitable) and some because they are required by law. It is just the same for H&S. Your responsibilities are.......... and you will be held accountable for............. All these are described in our HSE systems at......... Then if asked what the law says or requires you can confirm the detail and/or give examples. In my experience not many managers follow procedure or practice simply because the law requires it; they do them because their employers require it and they either agree/have learnt the benefits or grudgingly accept the need. This is not just for H&S, it applies across lots of areas. There are loads of laws that apply to all aspects of work and employment, we should make sure that the emphasis and amount of knowledge on H&S law required by managers is of the same proportions and delivered/controlled/managed in the same way as areas such as finance, human resources etc. Managers are usually interested in "where do I have freedom to act, what limits apply and what do I need to always follow strictly to avoid getting into difficulty. I promise you that if you start with, or overplay the “you could go to jail”, you will have lost 99% of your audience. Why? Because any of them could go to jail for any numbers of things and in fact are much more likely to do so than for an H&S offence! “This is how we can do H&S effectively and efficiently with your help. In understanding and taking on your responsibility and accountability we can avoid all those nasties like lost contracts, injuries, claims, court appearances etc” would be where I would start. This is just another way of approaching this matter. It has worked well for me in the past; it may work for you, it may not. It depends on you and the culture you work in. Good luck, P48

There's a good 10 point checklist in HSE/ IOD guidance INDG 417 (I think) may serve as a useful practical focus. Corp Homicide Act has a useful definition of "senior manager".

A subject close to my heart. You have covered the salient points so not much to add. I do however, advise against going down the legal route too far, you will turn off your audience and bore them. As managers they require leading and coaching not frightening. I am a little uncomfortable with the word delegate - I prefer to suggest that managers assist the senior manager in discharging his duties under the act. Also managers must be competent as you are aware, it therefore suggests that they need to understand what they are accountable and responsible for. It is also key that they can demonstrate their accountability and responsibility with evidence. In God we trust, everybody else brings data. Good luck