Health and Safety Policy (UK)
Updated 21 April 2026
Health and Safety Policy template for a UK-based organisation as required under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, with additional requirements imposed by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Health and Safety Policy
This policy is based on the Health and Safety Executive template and example from gov.uk, with additional details added.
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
Add to and/or amend this list as applicable
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]
List individuals and their responsibilities, such as those responsible for first aid, accidents, work-related ill health, investigations, emergency procedures, fire and evacuation, maintaining equipment, etc.
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
Add to and/or amend this list as applicable
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
Add to and/or amend this list as applicable
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
Add to and/or amend this list as applicable
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
Add to and/or amend this list as applicable
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.
About this template
What is this template?
Health and Safety Policy (UK) is a free, ready-to-use Health and safety template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Health and safety template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Health and safety usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.