Chapter 2: Policy

2.1 Introduction

Every organization should have a clear policy for the management of health and safety so that everybody associated with the organization is aware of its health and safety aims and objectives. For a policy to be effective, it must be honoured in the spirit as well as the letter. A good health and safety policy will also enhance the performance of the organization in areas other than health and safety, help with the personal development of the workforce and reduce financial losses.

2.2 Legal Requirements

Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers, with more than four employees, to prepare and revise on a regular basis, a written health and safety policy together with the necessary organization and arrangements to carry it out and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of their employees. This does not mean that organizations with four or less employees do not need to have a safety policy - it simply means that it does not have to be written down. The number of employees is the maximum number at any one time, whether they are full time, part time or seasonal.

Figure 2.1: Well presented policy documents

This obligation on employers was introduced for the first time by the HSW Act and is related to the reliance in the Act on self-regulation by employers to improve health and safety standards rather than on enforcement alone. A good health and safety policy involves...