What is a Health and Safety Policy?
A Health and Safety Policy outlines the safe practices and procedures to be followed in order to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. This corresponds with the employer’s commitment to reduce health and safety risks and observe legal duties relevant to the workplace and its business.
A Health and Safety Policy clearly states a company’s responsibilities as the employer and business owner. The policy also covers an employee’s responsibilities for workplace health and safety.
It sets out a company’s commitment to health and safety in the workplace.
Why do you need a Health and Safety Policy?
- To assure the employees that safety performance and business performance are adaptable;
- To prove that companies’ management is fully committed towards their employee’s health and safety;
- To frame the responsibilities for the employee’s health and safety at the workplace.
- To go along with the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
- To introduce safe work practice and followed agenda to prevent workplace injuries and illness;
- To make a positive approach and a proven safe workplace.
What are the components of a Health and Safety Policy?
Rules for the application
The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations apply to all workers, employers, and self-employed persons. The rule indicates that a company with less than 10 employees is recommended to have an occupational health and safety policy in place. And for the company with 10 or more employees is recommended to have an occupational health and safety program in place.
Providing information and training to the workers
An essential component of the safety management process is providing workers with the necessary training to identify the hazards at the workplace and also know the policies for handling them. The second important aspect of training is enforcement. Employees must understand the policies are to be followed and there are consequences if they are not followed. And the supervisors and managers must understand the scale of enforcement. They need to know when and how to hold the employee accountable for safety and health responsibilities.
Requirements for policy review
The health and safety policy should be revisited at least once a year. It should be changed according to the change in business activities. The legislation specifies that the health and safety policy should be reviewed and revised at least every three years. However, the review should be attempted whenever there is a change in circumstances that may involve the health and safety of workers or when a leader makes such a request.
New adjustment and existing health programs and policies
If the company already has a valid written occupational health and safety policy or program in place, the new regulation may not require any other operation. If the company has not formally recorded this commitment, the new regulation can provide an outlet for improving your occupational health and safety program in place.
Conclusion
The main purpose of adopting a Health and Safety Policy is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all people in an organization. It will also help in making a better working environment for the employees by keeping their health and safety in top priority.
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