Health and Safety Policy

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER]

Revision Date: [DATE]

Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE]

Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This health and safety policy document is for company-wide implementation, including employee acknowledgement and sign-off procedures, addressing all relevant occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines.

2. Definitions

Policy A plan of action; a course or method of action that has been deliberately chosen and that guides or influences future decisions. [1]

OHS policy Intentions and direction of an organization, as formally expressed by its top management. [5]

Procedures A specified way to carry out an activity or a process. [2]

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

• Hold all levels of management accountable for carrying out health and safety responsibilities [1]

3.2 Workers

• Workers have a duty to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of themselves and their coworkers, which includes following safe work practices and complying with legal requirements. [8]

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

Communication of Policy: The policy must be communicated to relevant parties in languages they understand. Ways in which the OHS policy and responsibilities can be communicated include through orientation (induction) and on-going training. [3] [3]

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Pre-Job Briefing: A pre-job briefing should be conducted to ensure all workers understand the health and safety policy and their responsibilities.

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

1. Policy Preparation: Involve senior management and worker representatives in the preparation of the policy. [1]
2. Policy Approval and Signature: The written policy statement is a pledge to employees and therefore the employer is ultimately responsible for its content. It should be approved, dated, and signed by the senior executive of the organization (e.g., the president or chief executive officer). [2]
3. Policy Communication: The policy must be communicated to relevant parties in languages they understand. Ways in which the OHS policy and responsibilities can be communicated include through orientation (induction) and on-going training, health and safety committees, job descriptions, website, notice board postings, and reminders, safety talks, meetings, and refresher training, senior management attendance at safety meetings, and demonstration of senior management commitment through effective review and response to committee recommendation inspection reports, incident investigations, and health and safety program evaluations. [3] [3] [4]
4. Policy Monitoring and Updates: After the OHS policy has been prepared and implemented, it must be monitored to assess its effectiveness. The policy must be updated where improvements are needed. [4]
5. Policy Review Frequency: It is recommended that the OHS policy be reviewed at least annually. A review may also be conducted before the scheduled revision date, especially when there is a change to the workplace that affect the policy, or the health and safety of workers. [4]
6. Policy Recommunication: The OHS policy must be recommunicated to all relevant parties whenever it is revised. [4]

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

• The health and safety policy should have the same importance as the other policies of the organization. [7]
• Senior (or top) management must be committed to ensuring that the policy is carried out with no exceptions. [7]
• Responsibility should be extended throughout the organizational structure to ensure policy objectives will become integrated into all activities. [3]
• Ensure that health and safety matters will be taken into account when planning new methods processes or premises. [6]

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

Emergency procedures are plans for dealing with emergencies such as fires, explosions, major releases of hazardous materials, violent occurrences, or natural hazards. When such events occur, the urgent need for rapid decisions, shortage of time, lack of resources, and trained personnel can lead to chaos. [9]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

Occupational health and safety legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions requires that specific injuries and certain categories of incidents must be reported. [9]

Incidents are investigated so that measures can be taken to prevent a recurrence of similar events. The investigation represents an "after-the-fact" response for any particular mishap. However, a thorough investigation may uncover hazards or problems that can be eliminated "before-the-fact" for the future. After causes have been determined, prompt follow-up action is required to achieve the purpose of the investigation. [9] [9]

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION]

Date: [APPROVAL DATE]

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