Posted By Darren J Fraser
The H&S policy statement should contain the aims and objectives of the company.Aims are not measurable and objectives are measurable.
Aims will probably remain unchanged during policy revisions, whereas objectives will be reviewed and modified or changed each year.
The statement should ideally be written in plain, simple to understand language. It should also be fairly brief (1 side of A4 maybe) and broken down into a series of smaller statements or bullet points. The statement should be signed and dated by the most senior person within the organisation. This will demonstrate the frequency of review (annually, bi yearly etc) and will also be able to demonstrate if it is a piece of paper on the wall or an actual living document.
It needs to address the specific H&S issues and hazards within the organisation. In larger organisations, it may be necessary to have H&S policies for each department or site with an overall general policy incorporating the individual policies.
The following points should be at least considered when a policy statement is being drafted
The aims should cover H&S, welfare and relevant environmental issues.
The position of the senior person in the organisation or company who is responsible for H&S (normally the chief executive).
The name/s of the H&S advisor and any safety reps.
A commitment to the basic requirements of HASWA 74 Section 2 (access, egress, risk assessments, safe plant and systems of work, use, handling, transport and handling of articles and substances, information, training and supervision).
A commitment to the additional requirements of the Management Regs (risk assessment, emergency procedures, health surveillance and employment of competent persons).
Duties towards the wider general public and others (contractors, visitors, customers etc).
The principle hazards within the company.
Specific policies within the company (smoking, violence to staff etc).
A commitment to employee consultation, by the use of safety committees, plant councils, noticeboards etc.
Duties of employees.
Specific targets for the immediate and long-term future.
The policy statement should be posted on prominent noticeboards through out the workplace, and brought to the attention of all employees (company induction is a good place).
The above information can be found in Introduction to Health and Safety at Work - Phil Hughes and Ed Ferrett - ISBN 0750657308. This publication has since been updated.
Hope this is of some use.
To give some examples, you may consider searching the big utility companies, local authority websites or multinationals.