Health and Safety Policy (UK)

Health and Safety Policy

Statement of intent

This is the health and safety policy statement of [company name] (the "Company", "we", "us", "our").

Our health and safety policy is to:

provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, including safe access to and egress from the workplace

prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health

manage health and safety risks in our workplace and ensure arrangements are in place for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventive and protective measures

provide clear instructions and information, and adequate training, to ensure employees are competent to do their work

provide personal protective equipment

consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety

provide and maintain safe plant and equipment

ensure safe handling and use of substances

maintain safe and healthy working conditions

implement emergency procedures, including evacuation in case of fire or other significant incident

ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all personnel in accordance with applicable UK health and safety legislation, and comply with all applicable statutory requirements, Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), and relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive

review and revise this policy regularly

Signed

Date: [date]

Print name: [signatory name]

Review date: [review date]

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Overall and final responsibility for health and safety:

[person responsible for health and safety overall]

Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice:

[person with day-to-day responsibility for health and safety]

Individuals responsible

Competent persons shall be appointed to assist the Company in undertaking the measures needed to comply with health and safety law. Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy, carrying out risk assessments, ensuring staff receive appropriate training and supervision, and enforcing safe systems of work. The Company will ensure adequate resources (time, financial and human) are provided to implement this policy effectively.

To ensure health and safety standards are maintained/improved, the following people have responsibility in the following areas: [individuals and responsibilities]

All employees should:

co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters and comply with any information, instruction and training provided

take reasonable care of their own health and safety

not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare

report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person (as detailed above)

Arrangements for Health and Safety

Risk assessment

We will complete risk assessments that are suitable, sufficient, specific (as applicable), and recorded where required by law

We will implement preventive and protective measures identified by risk assessments and prioritise risks in accordance with the hierarchy of control

We will review risk assessments when working habits or conditions change

Training

We will provide staff and subcontractors with health and safety inductions and provide appropriate training (including working at height, asbestos awareness and electrical safety). Training will be provided on recruitment, on change of role, when new risks are introduced, and periodically as a refresher. Records of training will be maintained

We will provide personal protective equipment and ensure supervision is provided as necessary to ensure competence, particularly for new or young workers

We will make sure suitable arrangements are in place for employees who work remotely

Consultation

We will consult staff routinely on health and safety matters as they arise and formally when we review health and safety. Consultation will be carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, including with elected safety representatives or directly with employees where no representatives are appointed

Evacuation

We will ensure escape routes are well signed and kept clear at all times

We will ensure emergency procedures cover foreseeable emergencies, including fire, first aid incidents, and other serious and imminent dangers

Evacuation plans will be tested from time to time and updated if necessary

We will ensure suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments are carried out and that appropriate fire prevention and detection measures are implemented

Incident reporting and investigation

We will ensure all accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health are reported, recorded and investigated where appropriate

Reportable incidents will be notified to the relevant enforcing authority in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Monitoring and Review

The Company will monitor health and safety performance through inspections, audits and review of incidents. This policy and associated arrangements will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are significant changes.