Career Technical

Module 2 Education at Abu Dhabi

Polytechnic

*ADPoly is a post-secondary unit of the Institute of Applied Technology

EMET-2001  Health Safety & Environment

Section 1
Management of international health and safety
2
Module 2

Health & Safety Management

Systems – Policy
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
3

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, student should be able to:
1. Outline the key elements of a health and safety
management system

2. Explain the purpose and importance of setting policy for

health and safety

3. Describe the key features and appropriate content of an

effective health and safety policy.
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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Introduction
Every organization should have a clear policy for the
management of health and safety so that everybody associated
with the organization is aware of its health and safety aims and
objectives and how they are to be achieved.

For a policy to be effective, it must be honoured in the spirit as

well as the letter. A good health and safety policy will also
enhance the performance of the organization in areas other than
health and safety, help with the personal development of the
workforce and reduce financial losses.
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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Key elements of H&S management systems - ILO-OSH 2001
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 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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The Health and Safety policy consists of three basic
parts or sections
1. General statement of intent / Policy Statement
2. Organisation
3. Arrangements

The General statement of intent / Policy Statement

Statement of commitment to health and safety and issued by company directors

This General statement of intent / Policy Statement should include:

 A commitment to the effective management of health and safety risks arising from the
normal operations of the organization

 The name or job title of the senior accountable person in the organization who is
responsible for health and safety
 The name of the Health and Safety Adviser, any safety representatives
 A commitment to risk assessment, emergency procedures
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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General statement of intent / Policy Statement:

 The aims and objectives should be set and agreed by the
health and safety committee, following consultation with
safety representatives
 Policy Statement should be signed by the person at the top
of the organisation (Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing
Director (MD), …etc) for two reasons:
1. Signal senior management commitment to effectively
managing health and safety
2. To authorize the H&S policy, and dated to indicate when the
current statement was prepared and provide a reference point
fro review
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Systems – Policy
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The general statement of intent may recognise some

general objectives that have to be achieved by the
organisation, such as:

 Meeting legal obligation

 Provision of safe workplace, safe equipment and safe
system of work, information, training, instruction and
supervision
 Risk assessment of all relevant workplace activities
 Provision of adequate resources such as expert H&S
advice
 Effective communication and consultation with workers
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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Common health and safety performance targets:

 A specific reduction in the number of accidents, incidents and
cases of work-related illness
 A reduction in the level of sickness absence
 A specific increase in the number of minor accidents and near miss
incidents
 A reduction in the number of civil claims
 No enforcement notices from the relevant ‘Enforcement Agency’
 A specific improvement in health and safety audit scores
 Achievement of a nationally recognised health and safety
management system (e.g. ISO 45001, OSHAD)
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Systems – Policy
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The organization section of the policy should define the

duties and responsibilities of the all people within the
organization and also who are responsible for the
development and communication to the workplace of the
health and safety policy.

key personnel to be identified are:

 the most senior accountable person for managing
occupational health and safety and
 the Health & Safety Competent Person.
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Systems – Policy
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The arrangements section of the policy will outline the

arrangements in place within the organization for meeting
any specific hazards, legal requirements, etc.

This will include health and safety rules and procedures

and the provision of facilities, such as a first aid room and
wash rooms.

The purpose of the arrangements section of the policy is to

establish how the safety policy is to be achieved.
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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The more common items normally included in the
arrangements section of the health and safety policy:

1. Employee health and safety code of practice

2. Accident and illness reporting and investigation procedures
3. Welfare and first-aid provision
4. Control of contractors and visitors
5. Emergency procedures
6. Identifying and supplying H&S information, training,
instruction and supervision
7. Procedures for undertaking hazard identification, risk
assessments and control measures
8. Control of exposure to specific hazards (noise, vibration,
radiation, manual handling, hazardous substances, etc.)
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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The best control systems will deteriorate over time, or

become obsolete as a result of change, new processes, etc.

Therefore it makes sense to periodically review the policy to

ensure it remains effective, measure the aims and objectives
and update the organizational and arrangement sections as
necessary.
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Systems – Policy
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There are several reasons to review the health and
safety policy. The more important reasons are:

Significant organizational changes may have taken place

There have been changes in key personnel
There have been changes in legislation and/or guidance
New work methods have been introduced
There have been changes following consultation with
employees
The monitoring of risk assessments or accident/incident
investigations indicates that the health and safety
policy is no longer totally effective;
Information from manufacturers has been received;
Advice from an insurance company has been received;
The findings of an internal / external health and safety audit;
After the passage of time (e.g. an annual review is a common practice)
 Module 2: Health & Safety Management
Systems – Policy
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1 a Outline the general content of the three sections of

health and safety policy?
b Explain why the most senior person in an organization
sign the health and safety policy?

2 Outline the typical content of the H&S arrangements section

of a health and safety policy?

3 Outline circumstances that would require a health and safety

policy to be reviewed?