Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Looking after your business
A health and safety policy sets out your general approach and objectives (your vision) and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how.
If you have five or more employees, you must write your policy down.
A written policy statement shows your staff, and anyone else, your commitment to health and safety. It should describe how you will implement and monitor your health and safety controls. It should be reviewed regularly.
A policy is different from a risk assessment. A policy shows the general vision and arrangements for the whole business and is broader than a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a systematic review of how you eliminate and control each significant hazard, and whether you are doing enough.
A policy will only be effective if acted upon and followed by you and your staff.
You can use this forms to complete your policy statement:
