IGC1.

2 HEALTH AND SAETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS PLAN (POLICY)

1 A. Outline the key elements of a health and safety management system.

POLICY
ORGANISING
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
MEASURING PERFORMANCE
REVEIWING PERFORMANCE
AUDITING

B. Identify documents that may be examined when reviewing an organisations health and
safety management system

HSE Policy
Risk Assessments
Training Records
Maintenance and Inspection records
Audit findings

2. a. outlines the factors that should be considered during the planning stage of safety
management system.

Policy statement that outlines aims and objectives

Commitment from the management
Lines of responsibility
Bench marks
Realistic targets

b. review (evaluation) is a key element of a health and safety management system identify three parts of this element and give an example in each case

Active and Reactive monitoring: Example: Safety Inspections and Accident
investigations;

Health and Safety Performance Review : Example: if aims and objectives were met

Auditing : could be internal or external compliance checks with the health and safety
management arrangements and procedures set in the workplace

3. a Identify the economic benefits that an organisation may obtain by implementing a

successful health and safety management system

Reduce number of accidents

Reduced sickness absence
Reduced insurance premiums
Reduced civil claims
Reduced fines and penalties
Improved production

b. discuss the possible results of a poor implementation of a health and safety

management system

increase in accidents
medical expenses
compensation claims
poor image and reputation
lowered morale
accident investigation costs
production delays
high staff turnover
enforcement actions

4. a outline the role of the health and safety policy in decision making in an organisation
Evidence shows that a well considered policy contributes to business efficiency and
continual improvement throughout the organisation. it helps to minimise financial losses
arising from avoidable accidents and demonstrates to the workforce that accidents are not
necessarily the fault of any individual member of the workforce. A good health and safety
policy helps to ensure that there is a systematic approach to risk assessment, and sufficient
resources, in terms of people and money, have been allocated to protect the health and
safety and welfare of the workforce. It can also support quality improvement programmes
which are aimed at continual improvement.
b. identify the three main sections of a health and safety policy document and explain the
purpose and general content of each section
1. The Policy statement of intent containing aims and objectives. This section demonstrates
management commitment. Sets direction towards achieving the goals.
2. The organising section defines the names, positions and duties of those within the
organisation or company who have a specific responsibility for health and safety.

3. The arrangements section of the health and safety policy gives details of the specific
systems and procedures used to assist in the implementation of the policy statement. This
will include health and safety rules and procedures and the provision of facilities such as a
first aid room and washrooms.

c. outline the responsibilities of a chief executive in relation to the health and safety policy
1. CEO is responsible and accountable for the health and safety performance within the
organisation
2. ensure that adequate resources are available for the health and safety requirements
within the organisation
3. approve, introduce and monitor all site health and safety policies, rules and procedures
4. review the policy for its effectiveness

5 a. Explain the purpose of the statement of intent section of a health and safety policy
This section of the policy identifies that the aims which should cover health and safety,
welfare and relevant environmental issues. This shows a commitment to the basic
requirements of access, egress, risk assessments, safe plant and systems of work, use,
handling, transport and handling of articles etc. A commitment to any additional
requirements such as emergency procedures etc., employee consultation, provision of
necessary resources etc.
b. outline the six topics that may be addressed in this section of the health and safety
policy

a specific reduction in the number of accidents

a reduction in the level of sickness absence
a specific increase in the number of employees trained in the health and safety
a reduction in the number of civil claims
no enforcement notices from the enforcement agency
ensure all employees are consulted with effective communication

c. explain why a health and safety policy should be signed by the most senior person in an
organisation
The statement should be signed and dated by the most senior most person in the
organisation. This will demonstrate management commitment to health and safety and give
authority to the policy. It will indicate where ultimate responsibility lies and the frequency
with which the policy statement is reviewed.
d. outline the indications that the objectives within the statement of intent of the health
and safety policy are not reflected in the health and safety performance of an
organisation

increase in accident rates

issue of non-compliances
increase in staff turnover
increase in civil claims

6 a. Outline the key functions that should be included in the health and safety
organisational structure of a company.

Accident investigation and reporting

Health and safety training and information
Health and safety monitoring and audit
Health surveillance
Monitoring of plant and equipment, their maintenance and risk assessment
Liaison with external agencies
Management and / or employee safety committees

b. identify the categories of persons that would be found in the health and safety
organisational structure

Directors
Senior Managers
Supervisors
Health and safety advisers
Fire marshals
First aiders

c. identify six employee responsibilities which could be included in the organisation

section of a health and safety policy

Responsibility for setting the policy

Responsibility for checking day to day compliance

Responsibility for representing employees during consultation meetings and on
other health and safety issues.

Responsibility of taking reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and
others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsible for safe evacuation of the building in an emergency

Responsible for administering first-aid to injured persons

7 The arrangements section is an important part of a health and safety policy.

a. Identify the information that should be contained in it
Give details of the specific systems and procedures used to assist in the implementation of
the policy statement. This will include health and safety rules and procedures and the
provision of the facilities such as first aid room, wash room, fire fighting equipment. Local
codes of pactice to be included.
b. Outline the key areas that should be addressed within it

Accident and ill health reporting procedures

Fire drill procedure

Use of PPE

Machinery safety

Risk assessment

First aid

Fire fighting equipment

Managing contractors

Work at height

Stress management
8 a. Outline the occasions when a health and safety policy should be reviewed

Significant organisational changes

Changes in key personnel
New work methods introduced
Changes in legislation
Changes in technology
Enforcement action
Accident rates increasing

c. Describe FOUR external and FOUR internal influences that might initiate a health
and safety policy review
Internal influences

Management Commitment

Communications

Competence

Production and service demands
External influences

Societal concern
Legislation
Insurance companies
Commercial stakeholders

9 a. Explain why it is important for an organisation to set performance targets in terms of

its health and safety performance
Health and safety performance targets are an important part of the statement of intent
because:

They indicate that there is management commitment to improve health and safety
performance

They motivate the workforce with tangible goals resulting, perhaps, in individual or
collective rewards

They offer evidence during the monitoring, review and audit phases of the
management system

b. outline SEVEN types of performance target that an organisation might typically set in
relation ot health and safety

a specific reduction in the number of accidents

a reduction in the level of sickeness absence
an increase in the reporting of accidents/nearmisses
reducing civil claims
reducing insurance premiums
increase in risk assessments
effective communication procedures

d. outline the importance of benchmarking health and safety performance and

identify
An example of information that could be used for benchmarking
Benchmarking helps in finding ways to meet the set objectives and can guage the
organisations success and shortcomings.
To meet a national average accident rate could be an example of bench marking.

10. a outline why it is important to maintain and promote good standards of health and
safety within an organisation
Moral - add more info to explain this
Legal
Financial

b. identify sources of information and guidance that may be used to maintain and
promote good standards of health and safety in the organisation
internal and external sources of information add more info

c. outline the actions that the board of directors can take to promote good health and
safety standards within an organisation
write about employers responsibilities.