Safety policies arrangements section

Also the electrical equipment was covered under the main health and safety policy arrangements section and that a formalised system for ensuring that contractors PAT test the equipment on an annual basis was in place. Each of these issues is therefore recorded in the existing control measures. Significantly though the vacuum cleaner had had an unauthorised connector to the cable which increased not only the level of risk to the user but may also result in overheating causing a fire - this identifies that there may be inadequate control measures in place. 

The health and safety policy statement is your starting point to managing health and safety in the workplace. By law, (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 section 2(3)) if you employ five or more people you must have a written health and safety policy. This contains your statement of general policy on health and safety at work and the organisation and arrangements for putting that policy into practice. 

Safe systems of work are fundamental to accident prevention and should (a) fully document the hazards, precautions and safe working methods, (b) include job training, and (c) be referred to in the Arrangements section (part 3) of the Safety Policy. 

The following list covers the more common items normally included in the arrangements section of the health and safety policy ... 

The law establishes a minimum standard for the requirements of any health and safety policy. Section 2(3) of the HSWA requires that every employer prepare and revise a written statement of his general policy for the management of health and safety. The requirement extends to ensuring that employees are provided with information in relation not only to the policy statement but also the organisation and arrangements for managing and carrying out the policy. 

Supporting both the statement of intent and the organisation for safety is the arrangements section of the policy. This section details the guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the safety management system. 

Regardless of whether each element of the arrangements section is included within the overall health and safety policy or whether it is an independent policy and/or set of procedures, a critical issue is that those persons nominated in the organisation section of the policy are aware of the arrangements for which they have responsibility. 

Outline the issues that are typically included in the fire safety arrangements section of a health and safety policy document. 

Who is responsible and for what should be clearly identified within the fire safety arrangements section within the policy. 

The health and safety/fire safety arrangements section in the policy will need to reflect the storage, use, handling, disposal, etc. of the aerosols and the provision of adequate levels of supervision and training will also need to be addressed. 

One of the functions of the policy document is to serve as a focus for induction training, and so enough information on each topic should be included so that employees understand what happens. Topics which should be considered for inclusion in the arrangements section of the safety policy will depend on the particular business activities being covered by the policy. 

The aim of the assessment is to evaluate the risk associated with a particular task and identify control measures which can be implemented to remove or reduce it (which may include the use of handling devices and/or training). The assessments made under this requirement vrill have to be written down for all but the simplest of tasks or where the task is straightforward, of low risk, lasting only a short time and the time needed to record it would be disproportionate. Relevant assessments will have to be kept readily available and where a safety policy has been prepared (to comply with Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974) employers should outline their general policy and arrangements for manual handling in it. 

There is an absolute duty on employers with five or more employees to prepare and revise as necessary a written statement of safety policy, which details the general policy and the particular organisation and arrangements for carrying it out. The policy must be brought to the notice of all the employees (section 2(3)). 

This guidance is split into three parts. It contains a statement of general policy based on your legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Then you can record your organisational responsibilities and your arrangements to ensure the health and safety of your employees. Notes are included alongside each section to help you. Some useful publications are listed in the notes and at the end of this guidance. 

Under Section 2(3) of HSWA every employer has a duty to prepare and as often as appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of his employees. ... 

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