what is the purpose and essential content of the health and safety policy?

Answer 1

To demonstrate to employees, subcontractors and visitors the general ethos of the Health and safety Management System, together with a statement of that the top management of the organisation has the necessary resources to carry out the policy and is committed to so do.

Answer 2

The main purpose of a Health and Safety policy is to protect the COMPANY. If it helps the people along the way then that's great but the main reason the company complies is to avoid being taken to court. Every company with more than 5 employees must have a health and safety policy.

There are many courses you can take to learn the basics as it can be quite complicated. You need to have a manual which contains risk assessments of every possible risk. You need to make everyone aware of health and safety which includes that they are sitting correctly at their desk, that the fire extinguishers are correct, that the first aid box is stocked correctly and that there is a health and safety noticeboard up. Every new member of staff must have a health and safety briefing and every existing member of staff to fill in a questionnaire. I would not advise tackling it without going on a course first.

Answer 3

The purpose of a Health and Safety policy is to have a plan for avoiding and dealing with accidents in the workplace. The essential content varies with the workplace. There are limits of exposure to certain chemicals and gasses. There may be limits on smoking. Hazards are listed and labeled. The location of first aid kits and other devices should be listed. There should also be a clear evacuation plan in the case of a fire or other emergency.

Answer 4

Its only there for insurance

You don't want to know the content, apart from fire it varies in different places according to the nature of the work but is always boring and stupid

Answer 5

In effect Common Sense. It needs everyone to take adequate care of their working environment and their actions as not to cause any harm or injury to others. This is especially true for those who affect the work environment, such as mgt.

Answer 6

Maybe these will help:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg275.pdf

http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/SafPolnfo.html

(This is Ozzie but quite interesting)
http://www.workcover.act.gov.au/pdfs/infobulletins/health_and_safety_policy_preparation.pdf

Answer 7

so that people can sue companies when they are not followed to the letter