IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 1
860409 Unit IGC1 Management of International health and safety Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 2 860409 Element 2
Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 3 860409
2.1 Explain the purpose and importance of setting policy for health and safety 2.2 Describe the key features and appropriate content of an effective health and safety policy Learning outcomes Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 4 860409 2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for health and safety 2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an organisations health and safety policy Contents of element Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 5 860409 2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for health and safety 2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an organisations health and safety policy Contents of element Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 6 860409
European Union and International Laws / Regulations set out an obligation to manage the risks that organisations create A cornerstone of this was seen to be the establishment of an active health and safety policy In the United Kingdom (UK): - Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HASAWA) 1974 - Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999
The purpose and importance of setting policy Role of the health and safety policy in decision making Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 7 860409
Without active management any attempt at organised accident prevention will be restricted and predominantly reactive Many employers are required to have a health and safety policy by the national or local legislation A policy is a personal thing setting out a particular organisations position at that point in time Organisations differ greatly in their goals, risks, structure and what they feel capable of committing themselves to
The purpose and importance of setting policy Role of the health and safety policy in decision making Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 8 860409
Overall aims Key principles and objectives to which the organisation is committed: Policy which is specific to the organisation and appropriate to its size Concise, clearly written, dated and signed Communicated to all persons working under the control of the organisation Reviewed for continuing suitability The purpose and importance of setting policy Policy Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and safety policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 9 860409
Overall aims Additional elements to consider: Protecting the safety and health of all members Complying with relevant OSH national/international laws and regulations Setting and reviewing OSH objectives Documented, implemented and maintained Consulted and encouraged to participate actively in all elements of the OSH management system Continually improving the performance The purpose and importance of setting policy Policy Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and safety policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 10 860409
Health and safety roles and responsibilities of individuals within an organisation The employer must allocate responsibility, accountability and authority for the development, implementation and performance of the OSH management system Policy statement itself should be made effective by the dating and signature of the most senior accountable person Worker participation is an essential element of the OSH management system in the organisation The purpose and importance of setting policy Policy Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and safety policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 11 860409
Specifying the arrangements for achieving general and specific aims To be effective the policy should be: In a number of formats Effectively communicated Revised as appropriate Monitored through audits
The purpose and importance of setting policy Policy Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and safety policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 12 860409 2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for health and safety 2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an organisations health and safety policy Contents of element Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 13 860409
General statement of intent Signatory to statement Setting objective and quantifiable targets Concept of benchmarking The key features and appropriate content Setting targets Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 14 860409 Allocation of responsibilities Lines of communication Feedback loops The role of the line manager Monitoring effectiveness Organising for health and safety The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 15 860409
Importance of specifying the organisations arrangements for: Planning Organising Controlling hazards Monitoring compliance with and assessing the effectiveness of the arrangements Health and safety arrangements The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 16 860409
Main headings of arrangements that could be detailed in the health and safety policy might include: General arrangements: Finance Planning Organising Control of hazards Consultation
Communication Competence Accident and hazard reporting Monitoring compliance Health and safety arrangements The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 17 860409
Specific arrangements for hazards, such as those relating to: Fire Electricity Manual handling Work at a height
Health and safety arrangements The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 18 860409
Changes through time Technological advances Organisation - reorganisation Legislation updates Monitoring - gap analysis Reviewing the policy The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 19 860409
In the UK it is a mandatory requirement under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HASAWA) 1974, that employers have a health and safety policy Information on policy requirements can be found within management system guidance such as OHSAS 18002: Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems Standards and guidance relating to health and safety policy The key features and appropriate content Policy Copyright RMS Publishing IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 20 860409 2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for health and safety 2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an organisations health and safety policy Contents of element Policy