If the employer is a Board of Governors and they delegate day to H&S responsibility to the CEO (and the company employs more than 5 staff) who signs the General Health and Safety Policy? This question arises after an external auditor stated that a "Statement of Intent" signed by the Chairman on behalf of the Board should form the first part of the General H&S Policy. I have always had this as a separate document signed by the Chairman with the policy signed by the CEO. If the two are combined should I get two signatures? Joe

Joe another problem with an auditor. It is not unusal for the CEO to be ultimately responsible for H&S. I would not expect the chairman of Toyata to sign the HS Policy for the plant in Derby, the CEO for the UK would sign it. What you are doing seems ok to me. It does depend on the oganisation structure though, and in some cases it can be the chairman of the board. Ask him for evidence to support his argument Steve