Plan – The health and safety policy

A health and safety policy ensures that you have a written record of what you are going to do to manage health and safety in the workplace. The policy shows that you have a clear strategy and have allocated responsibilities to the relevant people.

Your policy will also help to set out clear directions for workers to follow so that everyone understands how health and safety will be managed and is working towards the same results.

If your organisation has five or more employees then the policy must be written down, as with your risk assessment.

The main aims of the health and safety policy are to:

•  Maintain an effective health and safety management system.

•  Ensure your business meets legal requirements.

•  Prevent health and safety problems.

•  Enable you to respond quickly if there are any problems or accidents.