H&S POLICY & SHE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
The terms ‘Health & Safety Policy’ and ‘Safety or SHE Management System’ are often confused and misunderstood, so … what is the difference?
Health & Safety Policy
A document which sets out an organisation’s approach and commitment to health and safety. It should explain how you, as an employer, will manage health and safety in the business and details who does what and when.
Remember: Where you have 5 or more employees, your policy must be written down! And you must share the policy and any changes to it, with your employees.
Sense check: Even those with less than 5 employees must have arrangements in place for managing H&S – So without it written down, ask yourself;
How would you demonstrate your arrangements if you were asked by a Client or the HSE?
How do you communicate and demonstrate the importance of H&S to your workforce?
Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Management System
A formal framework or system developed to help those responsible, manage health and safety in a methodical and effective manner. The system will often contain a number of individual policies (this the WHAT), supported by the responsibilities section (the WHO) and the individual policy arrangements (the HOW) of managing health and safety. It includes processes, procedures, and responsibilities to ensure compliance with legal requirements and improve overall performance in these areas.
There are recognised National and International standards such as ISO 45001, which may help your organisation to demonstrate health and safety standards, however in some respects they go beyond what the law requires and should be carefully considered before being adopted.
Benefits to suitable safety arrangements
There are many reasons to manage health and safety in your organisation. Successful health and safety management with appropriate supporting documentation can help you ensure compliance with the law. Further to this, it can save you money (avoiding accident-related costs, prosecutions and insurance claims), not to mention the benefits of high-levels of staff morale, productivity and business reputation.
How can Safety For help?
Safety For are able to support you with your chosen level of management system, whether ISO 45001 or along the HSE’s guidance of ‘Managing for health and safety (HSG65)’ and the Plan~Do~Check~Act approach.
We are not interested in creating paperwork and files that gather dust on a shelf for months. Our team learn about your business activities, the people involved and the associated hazards. An appropriate system is then built around the relevant health and safety legislation for your operational activities.
Support Options
1. SHE Management System Support
Our experienced team provides tailored support for developing, implementing, and maintaining your SHE Management System. We’ll work with you to ensure that your system is aligned with best practices and meets the requirements of relevant legislation, including ISO standards.
System Development: We assist in designing a SHE Management System that fits your organisation's needs.
Training & Workshops: Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to manage SHE effectively.
Ongoing Support: We offer continuous support to help you adapt to changes and improve your SHE practices.
2. Health & Safety Policy Creation and Review
A robust H&S policy is the foundation of a safe working environment. Our experts can help you create a comprehensive policy tailored to your organisation’s specific needs or review your existing policy to ensure it meets current legal standards and best practices.
Custom Policy Creation: We will draft a clear, concise, and legally compliant H&S policy that reflects your organization’s commitment to safety.
Policy Review: Our team will assess your existing policy for effectiveness and compliance, providing actionable recommendations for improvement.
Stakeholder Engagement: We’ll engage with key stakeholders to ensure the policy aligns with organisational goals and culture.
Why Choose Us?
Expertise: Our team consists of pragmatic professionals with extensive experience in SHE management and health & safety compliance.
Tailored Solutions: We recognise that every organization is unique; our services are customised to meet your specific needs.
Commitment to Safety: We are dedicated to helping you foster a culture of safety that protects your employees and enhances overall performance.
Proactive Approach: We don’t just help you meet compliance; we aim to instill best practices that go beyond the minimum requirements.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or to learn more about our services. Together, we can ensure that your organization meets its health and safety obligations and fosters a culture of well-being.
Ensure Compliance, Enhance Safety, and Foster a Culture of Well-being