Element 2

Health and Safety Management Systems 1 – policy

Health and Safety Management Systems

HSG 65: Successful Health and Safety Management Systems (HSE)

ILO OSH: Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management systems
OHSAS 18001: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (BSI)

Policy
Organising
Planning and Implementation --- POPIMAR
Measuring Performance
Reviewing Performance Audit

Policy: Which should be a clear statement of intent, setting out the main health
and safety aims and objectives of the company and the commitment of
management.

Organising:Which should ensure the allocation of responsibility to members of the

workforce with the emphasis on achieving competency and control, together with
effective systems for communication and consultation with the workforce.

Planning and Implementing:

That should involve the setting of standards and targets, the completion of hazard
identification and risk assessments and the introduction of appropriate control
measures.

Measuring Performance:

Need to be put in place using proactive and reactive monitoring systems to provide
data on the achievement or non achievement of the objectives and targets set.

Audit:
Is carried out to check whether what was planned was actually taking place, and a
“Review” to consider options for improvement and to set new targets where
necessary.

Policy

Safety Policy: A fundamental component of an organisations OH&S management

system established by statute

Purpose of a Safety Policy is to:

Set out managements commitment to safety

Set out the organisation and arrangements for controlling work related hazards
Protect people from injury and occupational ill health
Comply with legal requirements and avoid prosecution
Manage health and safety on a cost effective basis

Safety Policy

A legal requirement
Used in decision-making
Should cater for the type of organisation i.e. different organisations have different
needs
Tested by the enforcing authority during inspections and accident investigations

ARTICLE 4 (ILO C-155)

1, Each member shall in the light of national conditions and practice , and in
consultation with the most representative organisations of employers and workers
,formulate ,implement and periodically review a coherent national policy on
occupational health and the working environment.

2, The aim of the policy shall be to prevent accidents and injury to health arising
out of linked with or occurring in the course of work by minimising , so far as is
reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.

Health and Safety Policy Consists of 3 Elements

 (i) Statement of Intent ( General Policy)
(ii) Organisation
(iii) Arrangements

Purpose of Statement of Intent:

Demonstrate management commitment to health and safety and set goals

(Targets) and Objectives. It should be signed by the most senior person in
the Organisation (MD, CEO).

(a) Management Commitment

(b) Gives the Policy authority
(c) Has ultimate responsibility for Health and Safety

Targets should follow SMART principles

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timescale

Benchmarking

Benchmarking means that key performance indicators are compared with similar
organisations
Targets

Reduced / Zero accidents

Zero prosecutions
Reduced sickness absence
Reduction in compensation climes
Improve reporting the near misses
Improve reporting in minor accidents
Increase numbers trained in health and safety
Improve audit scores
Organisation: This part deals with people and their operational duties in relation
to health and safety. It will outline the chain of command for health and safety
management and identify roles and responsibilities for individual staff or groups
and give the scheme of delegation

“Who is responsible to whom and for what”

Director and Senior Managers : Setting Policy and Objectives

Line managers: Implementing Policy in their department
Supervisors: Checking Compliances with the policy
Safety Advisors: Advising company on accident and safety compliance
Employees: Responsible for own safety and others safety

Arrangements:This deals with the practical arrangements by which the general

policy is to be effectively implemented

General Specific

Safety training Fire

Safe systems of work, PTW Electricity
Consultation Manual handling
Risk Assessment Work at Height
COSHH assessment
Environmental control
Machine/area guarding
Housekeeping

Communicating the Policy: The Act requires that the employer must bring the
policy to the attention of his employees.

Induction Training
Team Briefing
News Letters
Displaying it on notice boards
Use of Posters
Informal discussion with employees

Review Of Policy

Changes in the structure of the organisation, and/or changes in key personnel

Incidents
Processes / Materials
Premises
Legislation
Work Patterns
Prosecution
Enforcement Action
Policy Review

Ineffective Health and Safety

No commitment or Leadership
No priority for Health and Safety
Insufficient Resources
Personnel do not understand the aims
No measurement on performance

Standards and Guidance relating to Health and Safety Policy

There are several recognised standards, guidelines that require employers to have a
policy and provide guidance on how to comply with this requirement.
e.g. ILO OSH 2001
OHSAS 18001
HSG 65
(in UK HASAWA 1974)