Legal Duties Concerning Health And Safety Policy Flashcards
What does section 2(3) of the health and safety at Work Act require
…every employer to prepare and as often as may be 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 all of his employees.
What does the (exemption) exempt employees under the Health and Safety Policy 1975
exempts employers who employ four or less employees from the requirement to write the policy (not the requirement to have a policy)
What’s intended by the health and safety policy
to make employers think carefully about the nature of the hazards in the workplace, and about what precautions are necessary to make the workplace safe and healthy for their employees.
What 3 section does the law require in the health and safety policy
A health and safety policy statement of intent which includes the health and safety aims and objectives of the organization.
The health and safety organization detailing the people with specific health and safety responsibilities and their duties
The health and safety arrangements in place in terms of systems and procedures
Who signs the health and safety policy statement
The most senior manager or managing director
It’s the responsibility of them under the HSW act to ensure that the policy is developed and communicated to all employees
Should be written by the organization not third party.
How to make sure employees know about the safety policy
Give a copy to every employee
Ensure copies are given to new employees on induction
Post copies on staff notice boards last
What does regulation 5 of the MHSWR require
requires employers to make appropriate arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of their preventative and protective measures.
A health and safety policy as required by HASAWA contains three distinct sections
(1) statement of intent (policy statement) – the what
(2) organisation (people and their responsibilities) – The Who
(3) arrangements (systems and procedures) – the how.
The guidance (L1) to HASAWA suggest that the purpose of the health and safety policy ?
statement is to set out the employer’s aims and objectives for improving health and safety at work after a careful consideration of the nature of the workplace hazards and the appropriate controls.
What does HSG65 consider about the policy
should be shaped by the organisations: general intentions, approach and objectives (or vision), and the criteria and principles upon which it bases its action.
HSG65 considers the written statement of policy to be shaped by the
Organization
General intention
Approach and objectives 9 vision )
Criteria and principles on which to base its action
What does OHSAS 18001 require top management to do
formally express the organisation’s overall intentions and direction for health and safety performance in the health and safety policy, which should also provide a framework for action and for the setting of health and safety objectives.
Safety policy statement should as minimum include commitments to;
the prevention of occupational injuries and ill health
compliance with applicable legal requirements, and other relevant standards
continual improvement in health and safety management and performance
provide a framework for setting and reviewing health and safety objectives.
Health and safety policy should be
appropriate to the nature and scale of organisation’s health and safety risks
documented, implemented and maintained
signed by the chief executive officer / managing director and dated
communicated to all persons working under the control of the organisation
available to all other interested parties
periodically reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant and appropriate to the organisation.
Supervisor and managers may well have additional responsibilities to include
risk assessments are current and effective
employees are working in accordance with safe systems of work
the workplace is kept clean and tidy and free of obstructions
adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) are available
accidents and near misses are reported and properly investigated.