HSE policies and procedures for regulatory compliance generally include several key components. These are designed to ensure a safe and healthy working environment, and to meet legal requirements.

Key areas covered include:

• A statement of the employer's policy regarding the protection and maintenance of worker health and safety.
• Identification of existing and potential risks to worker health and safety, along with measures to control these risks.
• Emergency response procedures.
• Defined responsibilities for employers, supervisors, and workers.
• Regular workplace inspections.
• Control plans for hazardous substances.
• Training programs for safe work practices.
• Incident investigation procedures.
• Strategies for worker participation in health and safety activities.
• Regular review and revision of the health and safety program.

[2] [3] An effective health and safety policy should:

• Acknowledge the employer's ultimate responsibility for worker health and safety.
• Involve senior management and worker representatives in policy preparation.
• Hold all management levels accountable for health and safety responsibilities.
• Commit to complying with all applicable OHS legislation.
• Be consistent with workplace objectives.
• Commit to protecting worker health and safety by eliminating hazards and reducing risks.
• Be relevant to the organization's needs and risks.
• Provide a foundation for OHS goals and targets.
• Be of equal importance to other organizational policy objectives.
• Be well-documented, communicated, and available to all parties.
• Strive for continual improvement. [4]

To effectively implement a health and safety policy:

• Clearly define, assign, communicate, and apply OHS responsibilities throughout the organization.
• Establish methods of accountability.
• Implement procedures and program activities that support the OHS policy.
• Provide financial and other resources.
• Ensure responsibilities for carrying out policy objectives are clearly communicated and understood. [1]

The policy should be communicated through various means, including:

• Orientation and ongoing 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.
• Demonstration of senior management commitment. [1] [5]

To monitor the effectiveness of the policy:

• Use key performance indicators to track progress in meeting OHS goals and targets.
• Conduct training effectiveness reviews.
• Regularly audit and review the OHS policy and program. [5]

The policy should be reviewed at least annually or when there are workplace changes affecting health and safety. The revised policy must be communicated to all relevant parties. [5]

A comprehensive workplace health and safety program includes:

1. Occupational health and safety (the physical work environment) 2. Psychosocial work environment (organizational culture and the organization of work) 3. Workplace health promotion (wellness) 4. Organizational community involvement

These components should be integrated and not addressed separately. [7]

Management must demonstrate commitment by providing resources, ensuring training, making health and safety information available, including health and safety performance in employee appraisals, and attending health and safety meetings. [6]