The importance of setting policy

As has been explained in the previous notes a key feature of any safety management system will be the preparation and implementation of a policy if an organisation is to effectively manage its safety obligations. 

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. 

The requirements for recording the policy inevitably revolve around the size of an organisation. Such a policy should therefore be recorded when five or more employees (or an aggregate of that number) are employed. 

The Approved Code of Practice to the MHSW Regulations go on to state that employers should set up an effective health and safety management system to implement their health and safety policy which, as discussed in Chapter 1, is as good (quasi legal) as requiring a policy in law. 

However, organisations that experience higher output, higher quality of service delivery and an enhanced, motivated workforce do the same things, they  

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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. 

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