Use this template as a foundation for your health and safety policy.

---

Health and Safety Policy

[Company Name]

Policy Owner: [Name/Title] Last Reviewed: [Date] Next Review: [Date]

---

Part 1: General Statement of Policy

Statement of Intent

The health and safety of our employees is of paramount importance. We are committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees and anyone else who may be affected by our work activities.

We recognise our duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation.

Our Commitment

[Company Name] will:

• Provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment
• Provide adequate control of health and safety risks arising from work activities
• Consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety
• Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
• Ensure safe handling, storage and use of substances
• Provide adequate training, information, instruction and supervision
• Ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks
• Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
• Maintain safe and healthy working conditions
• Review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals

Resources

We will provide adequate resources to implement this policy, including:

• Competent health and safety advice
• Equipment and facilities needed to work safely
• Training for all employees
• Time for health and safety activities

This policy will be reviewed annually and revised as necessary.

Signed: _________________________

Name: [Senior Person's Name]

Position: [Managing Director/CEO]

Date: _________________________

---

Part 2: Organisation (Responsibilities)

Overall Responsibility

[Name], [Title] has overall responsibility for health and safety within the organisation.

Day-to-Day Responsibility

[Name], [Title] is responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented on a day-to-day basis.

Management Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors are responsible for:

Responsibility	Detail
Safe systems of work	Implementing and monitoring
Risk assessments	Conducting and reviewing
Equipment	Ensuring safety
Training	Ensuring completion
Reporting	Investigating incidents
Consultation	With team members

Employee Responsibilities

All employees must:

Responsibility	Detail
Take reasonable care	For their own health and safety
Take reasonable care	For others affected by their actions
Cooperate	With safety procedures
Report	Hazards and defects
Not interfere	With safety equipment
Use	Equipment properly
Attend	Required training

Competent Persons

Role	Name	Contact
Health and Safety Lead	[Name]	[Contact]
First Aiders	[Names]	[Locations]
Fire Wardens	[Names]	[Locations]
[Other competent persons]	[Names]	[Contact]

---

Part 3: Arrangements

Risk Assessment

We will:

• Assess risks to employees, visitors, contractors, and others
• Record significant findings where we employ 5 or more people
• Review assessments when circumstances change
• Implement control measures to reduce risks

Safe Systems of Work

We will:

• Identify hazardous activities and develop safe working procedures
• Ensure employees follow safe procedures
• Provide necessary equipment and training
• Monitor and review procedures regularly

Training

Training Type	When Provided	Records
Induction	Before starting work	Signed form
Job-specific	Before undertaking task	Training record
Refresher	Annually/as needed	Training record
Updates	When procedures change	Training record

Equipment

We will:

• Provide suitable and safe equipment
• Maintain equipment in safe working order
• Inspect and test as required
• Provide training on safe use
• Replace defective equipment promptly

Workplace Safety

We will maintain:

Area	Standard
Floors and traffic routes	Clear, free from trip hazards
Lighting	Adequate for tasks
Temperature	Reasonable and comfortable
Ventilation	Adequate fresh air
Welfare facilities	Clean, accessible
Workstations	Ergonomically suitable

First Aid

Provision	Detail
First aiders	[Number] trained first aiders
First aid kits	Located at [locations]
Eyewash	[If applicable - locations]
Information	Displayed on noticeboards

Accident Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to [Name/Role].

We will:

• Record all accidents in the accident book
• Investigate accidents to prevent recurrence
• Report incidents to HSE under RIDDOR where required
• Review accident data to identify trends

Fire Safety

Measure	Detail
Fire risk assessment	Completed and reviewed annually
Fire alarms	Tested weekly
Fire extinguishers	Inspected annually
Emergency exits	Kept clear at all times
Evacuation drills	Conducted [frequency]
Fire wardens	[Names/locations]

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

We will:

• Assess workstations for DSE users
• Provide suitable equipment and furniture
• Provide training on DSE use
• Offer eye tests for DSE users
• Allow regular breaks from screen work

Manual Handling

We will:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible
• Assess risks where manual handling cannot be avoided
• Reduce risk of injury using appropriate controls
• Provide training in safe handling techniques

Hazardous Substances (COSHH)

We will:

• Identify hazardous substances in the workplace
• Assess risks from substances
• Prevent or control exposure
• Maintain control measures
• Provide information, instruction and training
• Provide health surveillance where required

Contractors

Requirement	Detail
Competence check	Before appointment
Risk assessments	Reviewed before work
Induction	Before starting work
Supervision	As appropriate
Performance	Monitored

Consultation

We will consult with employees on:

• Changes affecting health and safety
• Health and safety information
• Training
• Consequences of introducing new technology

Monitoring and Review

We will:

• Conduct regular workplace inspections
• Monitor compliance with this policy
• Review accident and incident data
• Audit health and safety arrangements
• Review this policy at least annually

---

Document Control

Version	Date	Author	Changes
1.0	[Date]	[Name]	Initial version

---

Key Contacts

Role	Name	Contact
Health and Safety Lead
First Aid
Fire
Emergency Services	999
HSE	0345 300 9923