Safety policy arrangements

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. 

Additional controls will revolve around the production of personal emergency evacuation plans for each of the disabled persons (or a standard emergency evacuation plan which may cover all disabled persons). Controls are likely to include the use of an area within the protected staircases either end (known as a refuge area), the provision of methods for evacuation, e.g. evac chair, trained competent members of staff who may assist persons using the evac chair, the provision of information to all staff in relation to the evacuation procedures for those with disabilities, a review of the fire safety policy arrangements to include persons with disabilities. It may also be possible to consider the upgrading of the existing lift to that of an evacuation lift. 

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. 

Raymond and Thomas (forthcoming) research evidence suggests that schools have procedmes for accidents. These refer to accidents, how to deal with reports, etc. as key aspects of the health and safety policy. Croner (1986, 3-288) suggests that all but obviously minor injuries to children should be recorded in writing with a brief statement of how the injury occurred, as soon as possible after the incident while memories are still clear and fresh. The supervision arrangements in force at the time should be noted. The recording of details is particularly important where issues of... 

The safety, health, and environmental executive committee was formed, which was chaired by the CEO and attended by the nine general managers. This committee approved the introduction of safety standards and issued the safety and health policy. This committee met monthly, and attendance was requested by the CEO and nonattendance frowned upon. The safety department arranged the meetings, sent out the caU for agenda itans and provided input information, requested support for projects, and functioned as a secretariat to the committee. 

If there are five or more people employed by your company then the company must have its own safety policy, as described in Chapter 1. This must spell out the organization and arrangements which have been put in place to ensure that you and your workmates are working in a safe place. 

For the safety policy, with its supporting arrangements, to be effective there must be means in place for checking that the agreed procedures and methods are being followed, that they are effective, and for implementing any changes those checks may show to be necessary. 

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. 

Attached to the safety policy document should be a note that outlines the arrangements that exist within the company for carrying forward its efforts to develop and maintain high levels of health and safety. Included in this note could be reference to any rules that relate to health and safety matters. Typical of the arrangements described in the notes could be ... 

Where legislation prescribes arrangements for the provision of a health and safety policy, the requirement is usually conditioned by the size of the workforce. There is no logical reason why this should be the case. 

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

The control arrangements should be part of the written health and safety policy. Performance standards will need to be agreed and objectives set which link the outputs required to specific tasks and activities for which individuals are responsible. For example, the objective could be to carry out a workplace inspection once a week to an agreed checklist and rectify faults within three working days. The periodic, say annual, audit would check to see if this was being achieved and if not the reasons for non-compliance with the objective. 

The health and safety responsibilities of all Board members should be clearly articulated In the organization s statement of health and safety policy and arrangements. It Is Important that the role of the Health and Safety Director should not detract either from the... 

The record should be accessible to employees and a copy kept with the safety manual containing the safety policy and arrangements. 

The arrangements for dealing with violence should be included in the safety policy and managed like any other aspect of the health and safety procedures. Action plans should be drawn up and followed through using the consultation arrangements as appropriate. The police should also be consulted to ensure that they are happy with the plan and are prepared to play their part in providing back up and the like. 

Policy 1.1 Does the safety policy reflect the current organisation 1.2 Does the policy specify responsibilities of those in the organisation 1.3 Is the policy pertinent to the hazaid burden 1.4 Are employees aware of the policy and the roles, responsibilities and arrangements to make it effective ... 

Health and safety matters are governed by the Convention, the OPCW Health and Safety Policy and Regulations and applicable national, local and facility safety and environmental regulations. The specific arrangements for implementing the relevant provisions of the Convention and the OPCW Health and Safety Policy in relation to inspections at the facility are contained in Attachment 2. 

The importance of setting policy in safety > The key features and appropriate content of an organisation s safety policy > Specific fire safety-related arrangements within a 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. 

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. 

The fire safety policy of an organisation should be structured along the same lines as the general health and safety policy, i.e. it should have a statement of commitment, roles and responsibilities of persons charged with implementing the policy and detail arrangements. 

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

Records should include reviews of the fire risk assessment [9(3)], fire safety policy, procedures or arrangements [11.(1)(c)], training records, drills, certificates for the Installation and maintenance of any fire safety systems or equipment. The inspector can demand to see the records. 

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