A health and Safety policy is one of the documents an organisation should prepare to meet the legal safety requirements.
What is a health and safety policy?
A H & S Policy outlines an organisation’s commitment and approach to managing health and safety in the workplace. The person at the head of the organisation ultimately signs the policy. The H & S Policy outlines the importance of health and safety and an organisation’s commitment. It also has the aims and objectives the organisation should achieve regarding health and safety. In the H & S Policy , you will see the roles, responsibilities, and lines of accountability regarding health and safety. It also shows the general arrangements that relate to health and safety management.
Who should sign the safety policy statement?
An organisation’s overall person, especially the CEO or Managing Director, signs the policy. In some places, a management staff member will be assigned to sign the health and safety policy.
What circumstances might require a review of health and safety policy?
Different circumstances might require the review of health and safety policy. H & S policy should not be considered rigid and unchanging. However, the policy should be subject to review so that it stays current and relevant for use, and when it is current, it can be used as a live document. It is a good practice to regularly review a health and safety policy, for example, annually. Some circumstances may require reviewing the H & S Policy . They are
1.Changes in key personnel.
When there is a change in crucial personnel in an organisation, it will require a change of policy. For example, if there is a new managing director or Chief executive officer.
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2.Management structure change.
Suppose there is a change in the management structure within an organisation. There is also a need to review health and safety policies to capture the new management.When there is a change in the type of work the organisation does.When an organisation decides to enter into a new type of work. Their work before changes into another one. So, there is a need for health and safety policies to change as well.
3.Following a safety audit.
Recommendations following a safety audit will require reviewing an H & S policy to be reviewed. The Safety auditor may advise the organisation to review their H & S policy.
4.A request from a third party.
A third-party organisation may require a review of an H & S policy. For instance, an insurance company or a client may advise a health and safety policy to be reviewed.
5.Management takeover.
When there is a complete management takeover of an organisation, maybe a new management takes over a specific organisation completely. The H & S Policy should be reviewed also.
Conclusion
A review of health and safety policy is essential and equally good practice. An organisation that wants to stay up to date should not relent in doing so when the need arises.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
