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Scrumpyman  
#1 Posted : 19 October 2011 08:24:05(UTC)
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Scrumpyman
Is it a legal requirement to have the statement of intent signed?
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PH2  
#2 Posted : 19 October 2011 10:19:43(UTC)
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PH2
The Health and Safety at Work Act does not explicitly state that it must be signed, only that it shall be "written", however HSG 65 "Successful Health and Safety Management" states that it must be signed and dated by the Chief Executive or Director. There are references to this requirement in various other HSE guidance documents (e.g. INDG 259 Health and Safety for Small Businesses).
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Leslie3048  
#3 Posted : 19 October 2011 11:13:05(UTC)
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Leslie3048
I think the other point is that if it is not signed how would staff etc know that the CE (or whoever) has committed to it?
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Scrumpyman  
#4 Posted : 19 October 2011 11:43:45(UTC)
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Scrumpyman
Thanks for your answers. Probably not the thing to do, but I am in an argument with an EHO who says it is a legal duty to have the policy signed. Before going back to the EHO I wanted to get your opinions. Thanks once again.
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Andrew W Walker  
#5 Posted : 19 October 2011 11:45:30(UTC)
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Andrew W Walker
Scrumpyman wrote:
Thanks for your answers. Probably not the thing to do, but I am in an argument with an EHO who says it is a legal duty to have the policy signed. Before going back to the EHO I wanted to get your opinions. Thanks once again.
Or you could ask them to show you the regulation that says it must be signed. Andy
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David Bannister  
#6 Posted : 19 October 2011 11:51:05(UTC)
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David Bannister
No. It is expected, it is good practice, it is often required by a company's internal procedures, it is recommended but no legal imperative in England, so far as I know.
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Phil Hill  
#7 Posted : 19 October 2011 12:08:04(UTC)
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Phil Hill
here is a link http://www.businesslink....91472&type=RESOURCES says "The most senior person in the business must sign and date the statement." All the best PH
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Ken Slack  
#8 Posted : 19 October 2011 13:30:07(UTC)
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Ken Slack
Was reliably informed (corrected) by a BSI 18001 tutor a couple of weeks ago that there is no legal requirement to sign a policy. If there is then I have never been able to locate it. I'd challenge the EHO, I'd challenge businesslink too ;)
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jay  
#9 Posted : 19 October 2011 13:39:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay
As far as I am aware, there is no "prescriptive health & safety legisation" regarding the person making the statement having to sign the "Statement of Policy". However, as good practice and also with wider legal implications regarding the term "statement", one should normally sign & date any "statement". Personally, I would concentrate on whether the intent is being carried out in practice instead of being pedantic about having a date & signature
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O'Donnell54548  
#10 Posted : 19 October 2011 13:54:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
O'Donnell54548
I suspect that the 'legal' requirement to have a signed "statement of intent" is up there with: no one can lift more than 25kg, PAT is a legal requirement, ladders are banned in all work above 2 metres etc.
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