Posted By Darren J Fraser In my humble opinion A policy is a short (usually) written statement of intent, which sets out the organisations position in respect of its H&S duties. It has 3 key functions: 1. It identifies the main issues (aims - which are not measurable, and objectives - which are) for the organisation 2. It sets out the broad brushstroke actions that will be taken to manage these issues. 3. It signposts actions that will be taken to monitor and improve the organisations H&S position. Above all it should be written in a clear and simple language so that it is easy to understand, and communicated to all employees, other stakeholders and interested parties, signed and dated by the most senior person within the organisation and reviewed periodically (usually annually). That is my understanding of a policy definition, it will be interesting to see other opinions on this.

Posted By Merv Newman unfortunately most safety policies tend to be written to cover legal requirements. Written by lawyers and can only be understood by lawyers (one could hope) The average employee, presented with a 10 to 20 page document (I have examples) might read the first page or two before they start yawning. And they are often distributed with the instruction "read that" My most recent example actually has only four pages written, or at least signed, by the president of a multi-national. Despite my input and protests the language is more Times-Literary-supplement than Daily-Express. (at least the English, French and German versions that I could understand) Thus not entirely readable for the majority of the workforce. Fortunately some of the plant managers were listening and produced their own much shorter versions, in the correct language level. The two versions have now been communicated to employees and today can be found posted side by side. Odd memory, I once suggested that safety notices should be posted. This got translated as "sent by mail" I now do my own translations. Or get them translated back to me. You remember the tale of the original computer translations : "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" came through as "the booze is OK but the meat is off" (apocryphal) Merv

Posted By Pugwash Dee, I like it. It is a good definition. I do feel however that there is much confusion about the term "health and safety policy" and it began in 1974 with s2(3) of HASWA "Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees." This written statement which we have to prepare under HASWA consist of three parts: 1) a statement of policy; 2) a statement of the organisation for carrying out the policy; and 3) a statement of the arrangements for carrying out the policy. Many people, however, refer to the three parts together as the "health and safety policy". They are not! Together they are the "health and safety policy, organisation and arrangements". If a health and safety inspector asks for your health and safety policy, give him the first part only (i.e. the policy). When he asks "is this all there is?" answer yes - this is the policy. If he also wants to see details of the organisation and the arrangements, let his ask for them. He will think that you are a right pedantic smart a**e but you will have the satisfaction of being right.

Posted By Peter Longworth "He will think that you are a right pedantic smart a**e but you will have the satisfaction of being right." He will probably also be in a bad mood for the rest of the visit and determined to catch this smart a**e out. Just give him what he wants and avoid all the hassle.