Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
SKerr  
#1 Posted : 12 June 2020 19:34:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
SKerr

I am starting to write some workplace policies such as vibration and noise etc. but not sure of the exact structure to use. My health and safety policy sets out the obvious Statement of Intent, Responsibilities and Arrangements but not sure if this format applies to other policies. I have looked at some online and alot of them begin with purpose, scope and responsibilities etc. but I just want to be able to use a simple template for all my policies and to know what structure to use?

peter gotch  
#2 Posted : 14 June 2020 11:16:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

SKerr

Posting read 40 times without reply.

Suggest you provide a bit more information about your organisation and the sorts of activities that might generate noise, vibration etc.

Possibly you don't need "policies" but rather guidance on specific topics that can then inform the implementation of your more general health and safety management systems.

Horses for courses. Beware of the lure of ever more documentation. In general the principle that "less is more" is a sound one.

thanks 1 user thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
Kate on 15/06/2020(UTC)
Acorns  
#3 Posted : 14 June 2020 14:12:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Acorns

Skerr, it seems you have seen a range of policy styles that don't seem to suit your needs.  Have you considered using the bits you like and then create your own structure and style.  I agree with Peter G that less can be way better than more on many occasions.  I agree with you that some formats are way too wordy and structured, when the underlying policy message could as easily be given in 2-3 sentences.  

aud  
#4 Posted : 14 June 2020 20:27:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
aud

'Policy' basically summarises the organisations official approach to a particular aspect or topic area. So HR may have policies on recruitment, disciplinaries, promotions etc etc. 

In H&S things are a little different. 'Policy' in this area is taken to be the standard by which the organisation can be judged in the event of a bad thing happening. The HASAWA says the employer decides how to manage it's own risk. If their own policies then expand upon this and state, for example, '"all operatives are to be trained on X annually" that is a much higher bar than the legal requirement. The company have said that they think this should happen, and that it is 'reasonably practicable' to do it. If for whatever reason the company then FAILS to follow it's own policy, and the enforcers get involved, that is practically a confession, in the words of the lawyer who explained this to me. The legal standard is likely to say 'some training' or 'competency' and be far less prescriptive.

If there is regulation, the organisational general safety policy surely already states that it will comply? 
So what will a specific policy add? And where would you stop? 

The only H&S areas I would consider may need a specific policy are those where there are no regulations - lone working, personal safety / aggression, driving, mental health etc. I would draft these and give advice and amend as it is formulated and agreed at corporate level.

I try to make sure the organisational policy encapsulates a commitment to conform to any and all relevant legal requirements. That is a commitment not by you personally but by the corporate body - signed by the CEO or similar. It is their policy but you will probably draft it for them. You don't make policy but you can advise on it.

If more detail is needed within an organisation to implement specific regulatory requirements, that's where guidance comes in. This can be written by any expert, you, me, etc. Ideally it goes through a bit of a consultation process, but it is not as definitive as policy. Nor is it setting the organisation and senior managers up to fail. 

Please give this some thought, as I suspect straight-forward guidance is what is going to benefit your organisation and you, the most. Keep it as simple and short as possible, I prefer to use or refer to HSE (or similar) offerings where these exist, and then tailor to the intended readership. 

Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
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.