Step 2: Share Your Values in a Health & Safety Policy Statement
Make Safety Everyone's Top Business Priority
What is a Health & Safety Policy?
A Health & Safety policy is a written statement of the employer's commitment to protect the Health & Safety of employees at work. It sets the tone for Health & Safety activities and lets everyone know that Health & Safety is a priority in your workplace.
What Every Health & Safety Policy Should Include
A good Health & Safety policy should be simple and easy to understand. It does not need to be longer than a few paragraphs.
- A statement of the employer's vision of, and commitment to, workplace Health & Safety
- The Health & Safety goals and objectives of the organization
- A commitment to comply with the law
- An outline of the responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the workers
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How Do I Write a Health & Safety Policy?
Here are some guidelines to help you create a Health & Safety policy for your business:
Basics of a Health & Safety Policy Statement
Using simple, concise sentences, your policy should state:
- That management is committed to creating and maintaining an accident- and illness-free workplace
- That the safety of employees, the public, and the company's operations is vital to the success of the business
- That the company intends to comply, as a minimum, with all Health & Safety laws
- That Health & Safety will take priority over speed and production, and must become a key part of quality customer service
- That each employee will be provided, through training and education, with the means, resources and opportunity to become a full partner in the Health & Safety system
- That each individual in the company, from employer to supervisor to worker, has a distinct responsibility for Health & Safety, a role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment and an accountability for safe work performance and hazard reporting and correction
- That a partnership will involve the Joint Health & Safety Committee/Health & Safety Representative, management and workers to identify and resolve potential issues/problems as quickly as possible
- That through continuous, cooperative and joint efforts, a positive climate will be created and Health & Safety goals will be achieved
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Effective Health & Safety Policy Statements must be:
- Signed by the CEO and/or senior manager on site
- Dated and reviewed annually for accuracy, relevance to the business' ideals and to reflect any changes within the business
- Communicated to each employee and posted in a common location
- Included in business and staff meetings, operational checks, training sessions, annual business goals and objectives
- Kept at the forefront of business practices, new initiatives and customer service
Awareness - Share Your Views
Effective Health & Safety policies are kept at the forefront of business practices, new initiatives and customer service. All employees should be provided with a copy of the policy. It should also be posted in a location that is accessible to all employees and should be reviewed every year to ensure it still applies to your workplace.
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Basic Health and Safety Terms
This glossary provides a quick reference to common health and safety terms used throughout the Six Step Guide to Health and Safety.
Did you know?
You have the right to refuse unsafe work, under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
