Health and safety policy template

[Company name] is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of everyone who works for us and anyone affected by our work. We will: prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health by managing the risks in our workplace; provide clear instruction, information, training and supervision so that people can do their work safely; consult our employees on matters affecting their health and safety; provide and maintain safe equipment and a safe place of work; and review this policy at least once a year and whenever our work changes.

Signed: [name], [most senior person, for example Managing Director]. Date: [date]. Review due: [date].

Overall and final responsibility for health and safety: [name, role]. Day-to-day responsibility for putting this policy into practice: [name, role]. Our competent person, appointed to help us meet our health and safety duties: [name, role, or external adviser]. Responsible for specific areas: [fire safety - name]; [first aid - name]; [risk assessments - name]; [training records - name]; [premises and equipment maintenance - name].

All employees must: co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety; take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others; not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety; and report health and safety concerns to [name or role] promptly.

We identify the hazards in our work, assess the risks, put controls in place, record the significant findings and review the controls. Assessments are carried out by [role], are kept at [location] and are reviewed [annually] and after any accident, near miss or significant change. Specific assessments are completed for [display screen equipment, manual handling, lone working, work-related stress, new and expectant mothers, young workers].

Every new starter receives a health and safety induction on their first day covering fire procedures, first aid, accident reporting and the risks of their role. Job-specific training is given before a task is carried out unsupervised and is repeated [when the risk changes / every X years]. Training takes place in working hours and is free. Records are kept by [role] at [location]. The health and safety law poster is displayed at [location] [or: each worker is given the leaflet].

We consult employees on health and safety through [team meetings / elected representatives / trade union safety representatives]. Anyone may raise a concern at any time with [role] and will be told what has been done about it.

The first aid kit is kept at [location] and checked [monthly] by [role]. Our appointed person for first aid is [name]; trained first-aiders are [names]. All accidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health are recorded in the accident record at [location] and reported to [role], who investigates and decides whether a report is required under RIDDOR.

The fire risk assessment is carried out by [name or organisation], recorded in full and reviewed [annually]. Escape routes are checked [daily] by [role]. Fire alarms are tested [weekly], extinguishers are serviced [annually] and an evacuation drill is held [every six months]. The assembly point is [location]. Fire wardens are [names].

Equipment is maintained by [role] and faults are reported to [role] and taken out of use until fixed. Electrical equipment is visually checked by users and inspected or tested at intervals based on risk by [name or contractor]. Hazardous substances are assessed before use and stored at [location]. Workstations used with display screens are assessed when a person starts, when they move and when they report a problem.

The same standards apply wherever our people work. Anyone who works from home completes a workstation self-assessment. Anyone who works alone or off site follows the check-in arrangements at [location]. Driving for work is covered by [the driving policy].