2 Health and safety management systems 1 - Policy Flashcards
With reference to the health and safety management model illustrated in
the document ‘Successful Health and Safety Management (HSG65):
(a) explain the purposes of:
(i) organising; (3)
(ii) planning and implementing. (3)
(b) identify TWO further stages from the model. (2)
The question is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge of HSG65. For part (a)
they could explain that the purpose of the ‘organising’ stage of the model is to ensure
that an effective management structure and arrangements are in place for delivering
the health and safety policy which would involve among other things defining roles and
responsibilities at all levels in the organisation, securing the competence of employees
and encouraging their cooperation by setting up effective arrangements for
communication and cooperation.
As for planning and implementing, its purpose is to ensure the policy is implemented in
a planned and systematic way by, for example, setting objectives and targets,
allocating resources to ensure they can be delivered and laying down standards
against which performance will be measured.
The standard of response to this part of the question is often disappointing. Although
many candidates are familiar with the component parts of HSG65, few are able to
explain the purpose of the two named sections. There is little mention made of the four
Cs in ‘organising’ while only a very few are able to explain the purpose of the section
on ‘planning and implementing’.
For part (b), most candidates are able to identify two from the four remaining stages
which are well documented in the model.
(a) Outline the purpose AND general content of the three main
sections of a health and safety policy. (6)
(b) Explain why the health and safety policy should be signed by the
most senior person in an organisation, such as a Managing
Director or Chief Executive. (2)
This question related to Element 2 and 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’
knowledge of learning outcomes 2.2: Explain the purpose and importance of setting
policy for health and safety, 2.3 Describe the key features and appropriate content for
an effective health and safety policy and 3.1 Outline the organisational health and
safety roles and responsibilities of employers, directors and managers.
Part (a) of the question was well answered with the majority of candidates able to
correctly state the name of the three parts of the health and safety policy and give the
purpose and content of each. Part (b) of this question needed a detailed explanation
on why the health and safety policy statement should be signed by the senior person in
an organisation but the majority of candidates did not demonstrate knowledge on why
this was the case.
(a) Outline the legal requirements placed on employers to have a
written health and safety policy. (2)
(b) Outline the typical content of a health and safety statement of
intent. (6)
This question related to Element 2 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’
knowledge of learning outcomes two and three: Explain the purpose and importance
of setting policy for health and safety and Describe the key features and appropriate
content of an effective health and safety policy.
The legal duties of organisations to have a health and safety policy are established in
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and not any other legislation. The statement of
intent is one part of the health and safety policy setting the framework for the company
approach for dealing with health and safety issues.
Part (b) was generally well answered and the concept understood widely. Full marks
were in some cases not awarded because lists were provided instead of the ‘outline’
required.
(a) Outline the legal requirements on employers to have a written
health and safety policy. (2)
(b) Outline reasons why the standards stated in an organisation’s
health and safety policy might not be followed. (6)
This question related to Element 2 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’
knowledge of learning outcomes 2.2: Explain the purpose and importance of setting
policy for health and safety and 2.3: Describe the key features and appropriate
content of an effective health and safety policy.
Part (a) was generally well answered with most candidates able to gain the two marks
that were available. Some candidates believed that the legal requirement can be
found in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 rather than
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Those few candidates who mistakenly
outlined the content of a health and safety policy did not gain any mark.
Part (b) asked for an outline of reasons why the standards stated in an organisation’s
health and safety policy might not be followed. This requires a depth of understanding
that was lacking with some candidates able only to raise a few relevant points. Some
candidates limited their answers to issues relating to management competence whilst
others discussed practical aspects of a policy thus producing very narrow answers. A
few seemed to be answering a question concerning the review of a policy rather than
what was asked. Overall, the majority of candidates understood the question and
produced a satisfactory response.
(a) Explain the purpose of the ‘statement of intent’ section of a
health and safety policy. (3)
(b) Outline the circumstances that would require a health and safety
policy to be reviewed. (5)
In answering the first part of the question, candidates should have explained that the
purpose of the ‘statement of intent’ section of the policy should set health and safety
goals and objectives for the organisation; demonstrate management’s commitment to
health and safety; explain the allocation of resources to attain the stated goals and
objectives and give an indication of the cultural health and safety framework for the
organisation. Most candidates had little difficulty in answering this part of the question
though some did not pay sufficient attention to its wording and explained, albeit
correctly, when a written health and safety policy needed to be prepared.
For part (b), candidates could have outlined circumstances such as significant
changes in the structure of the organisation; after the introduction of new or changed
processes or work methods; following changes in key personnel or a change of
premises; following changes in legislation; where audits, risk assessments, monitoring
exercises or investigations into accidents and cases of ill-health show that the policy
is no longer effective or relevant; following enforcement action by or the receipt of
advice from the enforcement authority; as a result of consultation with the workforce;
and after a sufficient period of time has elapsed since the previous review to suggest
that another is due. Answers to this part of the question were not to the same
standard. Some suggested that it was a legal requirement to review the policy on an
annual basis and others described when a risk assessment needed to be reviewed.
