What should be in a ohs policy

To implement a policy, health and safety activities must be identified and assigned. While each workplace will do this in its own way, there are some general issues which should be addressed:.

Individuals have a responsibility to carry out their assigned duties. For a health and safety program to achieve its desired results, everyone in a workplace must know their responsibilities. The following are samples of assignments of responsibilities designed for different-sized organizations.

Select and customize, or create your own version. Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current.

CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. OSH Answers Fact Sheets Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion.

Search all fact sheets: Search. Type a word, a phrase, or ask a question. These are some of the major items to consider. The policy should state the arrangements in place to support and implement it. Such items as safety meetings, safe working procedures, occupational hygiene, and education and training should be outlined.

The policy should address the types of hazards associated with the workplace. Depending on the types of tasks performed and the hazards present, it may be necessary for the employer to become fairly specific and detailed in outlining hazards at the workplace. The policy should discuss active and on-going participation of employees in helping to achieve the objectives. Policy statements need to be amended from time to time. They must keep pace with the changes occurring at the workplace.

CSA Z recommends an annual review, and as required. The following are questions that need to be considered for preparation of a policy: What is the goal of the safety program - to have fewer injuries and illnesses than similar operations? When confronted with conflicting priorities or allocation of limited resources, does safety get more importance?

Equal importance? How is this decided? Is safety the responsibility of line management or staff management - who is accountable? What benefits does management expect to derive from an effective program? Who will be assigned responsibility for coordinating activities? The policy can only be put into effect where: responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned, methods of accountability are established, proper procedures and program activities are implemented, adequate provision of financial and other resources are provided , and responsibilities for carrying out the policy objectives are clearly communicated and understood within the workplace.

For example, a policy could specify: individual responsibilities Outlined in Appendix A , legal responsibilities, accountability systems, promotion of health, safety and well-being awareness, education and training needs, reporting and correcting health and safety deficiencies, and injury and illness control information.

Methods of establishing accountability should be designed to monitor the quality and adequacy of workplace procedures, including: inclusion of accountability in the statement of policy, inclusion of health and safety responsibilities and performance objectives in job descriptions, procedures for ensuring that health and health performance is considered as part of performance appraisals and salary reviews, regular health and safety program reviews, and regular reporting requirements built into program elements.

An effective policy for health and safety management must be: clearly defined and communicated, backed up by sound arrangements and put into practice, reflected in day-to-day attitudes and actions of people, and monitored.

Ways in which policy and responsibilities can be communicated include: orientation induction training, policy and procedure manuals, health and safety committees, job descriptions, website, notice board notices and reminders, safety talks, meetings, and refresher training, senior management attendance at safety meetings, and demonstration of senior management commitment through effective response and review to committee recommendation inspection reports, incident investigations, and health and safety program evaluations.

While each workplace will do this in its own way, there are some general issues which should be addressed: The policy should state that the workplace has clear rules for healthy and safe work behaviour.

It should clarify who is responsible for developing, observing, and enforcing the rules. There should be clear guidelines for maintaining and operating equipment and machinery.

Again, individual responsibilities must be clarified. The policy should state what type of education or training program will be provided by the company to ensure that employees can meet their responsibilities. This learning could include first day orientation, on-the-job training, and refresher courses.

The means for providing employees with information about basic or specific workplace hazards, and detailed written procedures for hazardous jobs should be outlined.

Regular worksite health and safety meetings at all levels of the organization are an essential part of a good safety program. The policy could identify what issues will be discussed at these meetings, what can be communicated verbally, and what should be in writing. Are obligations towards employees made clear? Does it say which senior officer is responsible for seeing that it is implemented and for keeping it under review, and how this will be done?

Is it signed by senior executive? Have the views of managers and supervisors, safety professionals, and health and safety committees or representatives been taken into account?

Were the duties set out in the statement discussed with the people concerned? Do they understand how their performance is to be assessed and what resources they have to carry out their tasks safely? Does the statement make clear that cooperation on the part of all employees is vital to the success of the health and safety policy? Does it say how employees are to be involved in health and safety matters, for example, by being consulted, by taking part in inspections, or by participating on a health and safety committee?

Does it show clearly how the duties for health and safety are allocated, and are the responsibilities at different levels described? Does it say who is responsible for the following matters? Investigation reports and incident records. Revisions may be in response to changes in the nature of work carried out, new machinery, or any changes in legislation.

Policies should be written in plain English so they can be easily understood and put into practice. The site also provides a policy template. A business can never guarantee the absolute safety of its staff, but it can do everything in its power to ensure the very lowest risk. This all begins with a strong health and safety policy.

Learn more about the best-practice approach to people management with The Randstad Human Resource Guide. This site uses cookies. Click here for more information. Will provide information, training and supervision of all staff in the correct and safe use of all plant, equipment and substances used by this company.

Employees: Belmatic requires all staff to report for work in a fit condition to carry out their allotted tasks. Any employee not fit for work will be sent home without risk to themselves or others.