Policy statement, safety manual

A more detailed document in the form of a health and safety manual. This manual would include the company s policy statement, company rules, safe working procedures, etc., and would normally be located in a nominated office. It is necessary in using this method that all staff are made aware of its contents and its location. 

Most companies have rules about safety and health for employees, customers, products, and use of equipment. These may take several forms policy statements, rule books, operating procedures and manuals, assembly or maintenance... 

This group varied in their expectations five of the directors interviewed expected all staff to have some knowledge of the company s health and safety policies. In particular, they hoped that all staff would know the broad statement of responsibilities and overall philosophy of the policy statements. Three hoped for a much more detailed response from all levels of staff, for example, they expected reference to both the Board policy statement and local policy statements, the rule book, safety manuals, and the existence of safety representatives. The two other directors adopted a minimalist approach. Neither was very concerned about all staff having a detailed knowledge of the policies. One hoped that managers would know about the policies in some detail. But both were much more concerned that the staff knew what they should be doing and that they did it safely. Their emphasis was much more upon the rule book and line management... 

Employees need to know where you stand on safety and what you expect of them. They need a clear understanding of the policies and procedures and the consequences of breaking the rules. This is true in all areas of work, but it is more important for employee safety. As part of the policy statement, or in an employee manual or booklet, you should have a written statement detailing your disciphnary policy [2]. Refer to Chapter 5 for a detailed discussion on policy statements. 

The safety manual is a crucial element in the safety program of every organization. It provides the written statement of the organization s safety policies. From it, the staff can learn about organizational policies and practices. The safety manual should be the product of all of the planning which went into developing the safety program, and the official source of policy and procedures in institutional safety and health matters. 

A safety manual that includes a policy statement and a detailed operations section. 

NIOSH. 1989a. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. Occupational air method no. 7905. NIOSH recommendations for occupational safety and health compendium of policy documents and statements. Cincinnati, OH U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 

Safety Policies Part of a policy manual is safety policy. Usually, it starts with a statement placing safety as one of the top priorities of the company. The statement may identify safety for employees, customers, visitors, and the community. The policy may cover operations, practices, products, and services. It may state overall safety goals. 

Distributing the organization s statement of the safety and health policy as outlined in its organizational manual. 

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