Health and Safety Executive

Eliminating Duplication: H&S Policies and Recording

H&S Arrangements

Steve Woolley (Head Enforcement Policy Unit)

Ron Griffiths (Enforcement Policy Unit)

Employers of 5 or more:-

Section 2(3) HSWA – write a health and safety policy

Regulations 3, 4 and 5 of MHSWR – Do the risk assessment, record the significant findings, implement and record the arrangements

Two duties or one?

Room for confusion?

Proposed way forward:-

• Aim to be clear what is required

• Build on simplification work started by the Sensible Risk Management campaign.

• Join up with other HSE work streams on health and safety management systems – while recognising that detailed approaches are not suited to all businesses.

 

• Ensure resulting key messages are communicated clearly and simply

• Revise and update HSE guidance, including internal guidance to inspectors.

  

Questions for Forum Members

        

• Do businesses spend resources producing two documents - a health and safety policy and a written record of arrangements?

•   Do businesses: - write these themselves? employ a consultant? take advice from trade associations, etc?

•   What is the impact of the duties: - a real driver to get sensible arrangements in place? Simply a way to keep large clients happy? Etc.....?

•   Is the cost significant – how much?