Health and Safety Policy

This document is a policy document which outlines the approach a business takes to ensuring the health and safety of persons and employees at work. This document is designed for use by businesses which are based in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

A written health and safety policy is a legal requirement for any businesses with five or more employees. Even where an employer has less than five employees, it can still be useful to hold a written health and safety policy. Such a policy can assist in setting out an employer's commitment to health and safety while giving instructions and information to employees, customers and other third parties who have contact with the business.

This document shall provide:

• a statement on the general policy of health and safety of the business and what should be achieved through its implementation;

• the responsibilities of relevant persons for specific actions to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations; and

• what arrangements shall be made by the business in practical terms in order to ensure compliance and implementation of the policy.

Please note that this document requires companies to carry out risk assessments and other practices required of employers by the Health and Safety Executive. An employer should also consider whether it wishes to create a specific policy which deals with any risks relating to Covid-19.

How to use this document

The document should be completed with all the relevant information. There is no legal requirement for the document to be signed, however it is useful to do so in order to illustrate the employer's endorsement of the policy document. It is the duty of the employer to ensure that all aims, responsibilities and arrangements contained within this document are carried out.

It is also important to note that an employer with five or more employees has a legal duty to bring the health and safety policy to the attention of its employees. This document should should therefore be directly communicated to all employees.

The policy should also be made accessible so that it can be accessed by employees at any time. Many businesses may choose to place the policy in the staff handbook. Sometimes, the policy may be provided to the employee alongside their Contract of Employment.

Some legal commentary provides a recommendation that workplace policies should be reviewed at least annually. Where the policy is revised or altered, these revisions and alterations must be communicated effectively to employees at the earliest opportunity.

Relevant law

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/3242)

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/1471)

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (SI 1977/500)

The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/1513)

Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/917)

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2677)

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2966)

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2793)

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2792)

The Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.