Health & Safety Policy Writing

Under section 2 of the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) any employer who has five or more employees must produce a written safety policy.

Even where there are less than five employees and a written policy is not a legal requirement they are still useful in demonstrating to clients how your business operates safely and providing helpful guidance to employees.

Not only is your policy a legal requirement but it is a starting point to managing health and safety in your workplace. It sets out how you manage health and safety in your organization and who is responsible.

Key Components of the Health & Safety Policy

The policy will be specifically tailored to your business and will include all the legal requirements.
The policy will begin with a statement of intent, outlining the employer’s intentions towards health & safety in the workplace, for example how a safe and healthy work environment will be maintained.
The next section will include details of your organization such as responsibilities of key personnel in relation to health & safety.
This section will be followed by arrangements for ensuring health and safety in the workplace.