Safety policy statement employee involvement

Any action used to introduce the safety policy statement must be done after consideration of current and past policies, actions, and events that have been implemented. If other policies are not enforced, then the safety policy statement may also follow the same fate. In addition, be aware of resistance to following policy in the form of cynical comments by employees that can indicate lack of acceptance or rejection. The key to a successful safety policy statement is to periodically involve all employees in its review. 

Supporting data appear Annexes A-C on Policy Statements, Roles and Responsibilities, and Employee Participation. Another good reference on management leadership and employee involvement is the chapter Superior Safety Performance A Reflection of an Organization s Culture in On The Practice Of Safety. 

The statement is likely, therefore, to include naming the director or senior manager with overall responsibility for both the formulation and the implementation of the policy and that the document is duly signed and dated by the director or chief executive. The policy statement briefly explains the responsibility of all persons from board level through to staff members, which also recognises and encourages the involvement of all employees and safety representatives. 

Policy statements can cover in detail items such as specific assignment of safety duties, description of specific duties, delegation of authority, safety rules and procedures, and encouragement of employee involvement. While some companies may wish to include these additional items in the pohcy statement, we beheve it usually is best to leave these details for later discussion. 

This involves making sure that employees are fully aware of company policy, risk assessments, method statements, safety procedures, good practice, official guidance, any test results and legal requirements. This is sometimes known as a Safe Person approach to controlling risks where the focus is on individuals. A properly set up health and safety management system should cover and balance both a Safe Place and Safe Person approach. 

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