KEY ELEMENTS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

 POLICY
 ORGANIZATION
 PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
 EVALUATION
 AUDIT
 ACTIONS FOR CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

Policy – It is a statement of intent made by the top management showing their commitment with
respect to aims and objectives in maintaining and practicing good safety and overall reducing
accidents or even achieving zero harm.

Organizing – This element speaks about the roles and responsibilities of various levels towards
health and safety delegation of authority and channel of communication within the organization
right from the MD to the assembly worker and also that of specialist staff.

Planning & Implementation – This element will focus on detailed arrangements to go about
achieving the targets set in the policy section. This section will have procedures for carrying out risk
assessments, accident investigations etc.

Evaluation – This includes methods to monitor and measure the performance. Some monitoring

ELABORATE THE ABOVE IF QUESTION IS ASKED FOR 8 MARKS – TEXT BOOK PAGE 19

PURPOSE OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

 A clear and concise policy contributes to business efficiency and continual improvement
 Minimizes financial loss by reducing accidents
 Leads to work force cooperation, job satisfaction and productivity
 Systematic approach to risk assessment
 Protects the H & S and welfare of the workforce
 Supports quality improvement programs for continual improvement
 Essential component of positive safety culture

Policy consists of three sections:

  Statement of intent: Overall aims of the organization; objectives and quantifiable targets;
signatory to statement shows management commitment, authority & responsibility. Will
re-state legislation principles in respect of that organisations undertaking
 Organization of H & S: - roles and responsibilities of individuals - deals with people and
their operational duties in respect of health and safety. Outline the chain of command for
health and safety management and will identify individual roles and responsibilities and
the scheme of delegation
 Arrangements: Details with practical arrangements. i.e. specific systems and procedures
that assist in the implementation of the policy statement

WHY THE POLICY HAS TO BE WRITTEN?

• To meet Legal Compliance

• Meet management systems standards (ILO-OSH 2001, OHSAS 18001)

• For Clear communication

• For Continuous Improvement

WHY THE POLICY TO BE SIGNED BY THE TOP MANAGEMENT?

• Top management Commitment

• Authority

• Responsibility
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN SETTING OBJECTIVES IN AN ORGANIZATION’S HEALTH AND
SAFETY POLICY:

 RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SETTING THE TARGETS

 ENSURING LEGAL COMPLIANCE
 HAZARDS / RISKS LEVEL
 TECHNICAL PROGRESS
 FINANCIAL / OPERATIONAL AND BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
 INTERESTED PARTIES

IMPORTANCE OF SETTING TARGETS:

 Meeting all the legal requirements

 Provision of competitive edge
 For business development
 Showcasing Management commitment
 Reducing accidents

Targets are Specific Performance requirements.

Specific reduction in:

 Number of accidents

 Cases of work related ill health

  Sickness absence

 Number of civil claims

 Enforcement notices

Increase in:

 Reporting near miss / incidents / minor accidents

 Number of H & S trained employees

 H & S audit scores

CONCEPT OF BENCH MARKING

Health and safety benchmarking is a standard that can be used for comparison and is a planned
process by which an organisation compares its health and safety processes and performance with
others to learn how to:

• reduce accidents and ill-health;

• improve compliance with health and safety law; and/or

• cut compliance costs.

ADVANTAGES OF BENCH MARKING

 Improve the reputation - this is increasingly important in getting and keeping contracts;

 Avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’ - learn from others’ experience and pick up on others’ good
ideas by comparing and contrasting how things are done;

 Develop relationships with your customers and suppliers, including contractors;

 Find out where you stand -you may think you’re better than average, or even the best,
but are you really?

 Save money and help keep your competitive edge. Savings can come, e.g:, from reduced
insurance premiums, increased productivity and reduced staff turnover;

 Improve overall management of health and safety and reduce risks to people’s health and
safety.

ORGANIZATION

The reasons for defining roles & responsibilities

 To understand their accountability

 Delegation of Authority

 Channel of Communication with feedback loop

  Competency & Training Needs

ARRANGEMENTS

• Describes how things are done

• Detailed description of policies and procedures

• Usually a long document

• Often separate from the policy document

• Unique to each organisation

GENERAL

• Development of Safe System of work

• Health and safety inspection and audit procedures

• Accident and illness reporting and investigation procedure, emergency procedures,

first aid

• Employee health and safety responsibilities

• Consultation with employees

• Communication

• Training and Supervison

SPECIFIC
• Lone working
• Housekeeping & waste disposal
• Noise
• Vibration
• Control of toxic & hazardous substances
• Fire procedures
• Control of contractors & visitors
• Transport risks

REVIEW OF THE POLICY

 Annually as part of a formal review cycle, and following:

 A change in the health and safety responsible person and/or health and safety
competent person

 Changes organisation affecting H&S responsibilities

 Changes in workplace arrangements, facilities, or the introduction of new

processes
 Introduction of new legislation / Changes in Law

 A prosecution or issuing of an enforcement notice.