Rank: Forum user 
|
Afternoon folks, I have a query on dates ofor saiging H&S policy statements. Currently we have a date of which the policy statem,ent is signed on (usually 1st April) and then a review date beside that. We dont have an expiry date though, should we is the question??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Brian
Key is that the Policy statement is reviewed to make sure it still reflects the companys committment and direction. Our safety statement is dated annually, following the scheduled management review, because there is normally a minor edit. Our environmental statement has not changed in 3 years and is still dated Oct'14.
|
 1 user thanked jontyjohnston for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Grand, we were basing ours on needing reviewed and resigned for the 1st of April each year but your way makes sense to date at time of review, so shouldnt matter if its past a 12 month period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
The H&S policy statement gets signed when the CEO decides they can be bothered to sign it! I have had them sitting in in-trays for 6 months. Not is not a legal requirement but if you say , you have a really good H&S systems and you are being audited or doing pre-job tender and show them a 2 year old policy statement it does look a bit bad.
|
1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Have an auditor in tomorrow so going to ask them anyway, just wanted the opinion of the forum as ammo lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
If your business maintains OHSAS18001 the requirement is to have an OH&S policy, with the proviso to be 'reviewed periodically'.
It is down to your business to determine what is meant by 'periodically'. As already suggested it is good practice to review this following an annual management review, or if there are any changes to the business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
There is no requirement for the policy to be signed but it is recommended. AS the policy provides a framework for setting and reviewing OH&S objectives it needs to be reviewed but the timescales will be up to yourselves.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
As an auditor I would say that so long as you have evidence that you carry out the review then that is fine. To combat people using out of date printed documents I watermark everything on our shared drive with the legend "Valid to and date of next review period"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
they are going to ask for it annually, so is there a reason to not give in and comply? it also provides a mechanism to re-educate people the policy has been updated and amended where required and communicate appropriately every year, so don't know if there is a reason why you wouldn't want to check and revise according to changes over the year. they will also ask why the objectives are the same and/or not completed from last year, another area where they'll want to see progress/ committment to the spirit of continuous improvement. the final bit will be if don't want to revise/sign, where's the committment of senior management to the system
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
A policy being signed equals the company committment.
A date of signing is exactly that - the date upon which it was signed.
It should be periodically reviewed.
IF the review finds the policy adequate and fit for purpose there is no need to re-issue just because the year has changed.
If companies with more bureaucrats than sense want our policy each year they will receive a copy of the same document until such time as our CEO deems it warrants change.
Never had "objectives" listed in a policy statement at several employments and across multiple management, certification and accreditation systems
Box ticking is lazy management giving false security to business
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
A policy being signed equals the company committment.
A date of signing is exactly that - the date upon which it was signed.
It should be periodically reviewed.
IF the review finds the policy adequate and fit for purpose there is no need to re-issue just because the year has changed.
If companies with more bureaucrats than sense want our policy each year they will receive a copy of the same document until such time as our CEO deems it warrants change.
Never had "objectives" listed in a policy statement at several employments and across multiple management, certification and accreditation systems
Box ticking is lazy management giving false security to business
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.