A comprehensive master record keeping policy should include several key elements to ensure compliance with safety regulations and documentation requirements. These elements include commitment, responsibilities, communication, and continuous improvement.

• Acknowledge employer 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 compliance with OHS legislation
• Align with workplace objectives for efficiency and predictability
• Commit to protecting worker health and safety by eliminating hazards and reducing risks
• Be relevant to the organization's OHS hazards and risks
• Provide a foundation for OHS goals and targets
• Be of equal importance to other organizational policy objectives
• Be well-documented, posted, communicated, and available to all relevant parties
• Continually improve the policy

[1]

• Individual responsibilities
• Legal responsibilities
• Accountability systems
• Promotion of health, safety, and well-being awareness
• Education and training needs
• Reporting and correcting health and safety deficiencies
• Injury and illness control information

[2]

• 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

[2] [4]

• Using key performance indicators
• Training effectiveness reviews
• Regularly auditing and reviewing the OHS policy and program

[4] The policy should be reviewed at least annually or when changes occur in the workplace that affect the policy or worker safety. The OHS policy must be recommunicated to all relevant parties whenever it is revised. [4]

A checklist can help review existing or new policies to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.

• Specifies senior officer responsible for implementation and review
• Signed by a senior executive
• Incorporates views of managers, supervisors, safety professionals, health and safety committees, representatives, and workers
• Duties are discussed with the people concerned
• Makes clear that cooperation is vital
• States how workers are involved in health and safety matters
• Shows how duties are allocated and responsibilities described
• Specifies who is responsible for various safety matters
• Ensures health and safety matters are considered when planning new methods, processes, or premises
• Includes arrangements for disclosing information
• Ensures all workers have copies of the health and safety policy
• Health and safety committees or representatives are consulted about revisions
• States who will review the policy and how often
• Effective arrangements for drawing the policy to the attention of all workers
• Delegation of duties is logical and successive
• Ultimate responsibility for safety rests with senior management
• Procedures and controls ensure accountability
• Health and safety performance is an essential ingredient of performance appraisals
• Line managers understand and accept their health and safety responsibilities
• Arrangements for liaison with contractors
• All individuals are aware of their legal responsibilities

[3] [5]