Key elements of a health and safety policy

The following points should be included or considered when a health and safety policy statement is being drafted  

The policy statement should be posted on prominent notice boards at every site and workplace and brought to the attention of all employees at induction. 

This section of the policy defines the names, positions and duties of those within the organization or company who have a responsibility for health and safety. This will include  

The role of the health and safety adviser is to provide specialist information to managers in the organization and to monitor the effectiveness of health and safety procedures. The adviser is not responsible for health and safety or its implementation, that is the role of the line managers. 

Finally, the job descriptions, which define the duties of each person in the health and safety organizational structure, must not contain responsibility overlaps or blur chains of command. Each individual must be clear about his/her responsibilities and the limits of those responsibilities. 

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