Policy and procedure templates toolkit

What are Health & Safety Policies?

Health and safety in the workplace refers to the policies, procedures, and practices put in place to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill health at work. It includes everything from identifying hazards and assessing risks to training staff and maintaining safe working environments.

Employers have a legal duty under health and safety legislation to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees. Clear, accessible policies and procedures are vital in setting expectations and ensuring everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe workplace.

A strong health and safety culture not only keeps employees safe but also reduces absence, improves productivity, and enhances your reputation as a responsible employer. Proactive management of H&S risks helps ensure long-term organisational resilience and legal compliance.

Policy and procedure templates are essential for managing a low-risk, compliant Policy and procedure process.

Common mistakes

Understand the common mistakes employers can make when managing this area of HR, helping you reduce risk, prevent unnecessary costs and ensure the process is handled fairly, consistently and correctly.

• Using generic procedures – Failing to reflect the actual hazards, equipment and activities within the workplace.
• Failing to define responsibilities – Leaving managers and employees unclear about their health and safety duties.
• Relying on paperwork – Assuming a written policy means the required controls are operating effectively.
• Ignoring changes to work – Failing to review procedures when equipment, processes or working arrangements change.
• Not communicating procedures – Creating documents that employees are unlikely to read or understand.
• Failing to monitor compliance – Not checking whether agreed procedures are actually being followed.
• Ignoring incidents and near misses – Failing to use workplace events as opportunities to improve controls.
• Not reviewing the policy – Allowing health and safety arrangements to become outdated.

FAQs

What is a Health and Safety policy and procedure?

A Health and Safety policy and procedure sets out an organisation's approach to managing workplace health and safety, including responsibilities, controls and working practices.

Why are Health and Safety procedures important?

They help employees and managers understand what is expected and provide a consistent framework for managing workplace risks.

Who is responsible for Health and Safety?

Employers have overall legal duties, while managers, supervisors and employees may have specific responsibilities depending on their roles.

Should Health and Safety procedures be communicated?

Yes. Employees should receive appropriate information, instruction and training relevant to their work.

How often should Health and Safety procedures be reviewed?

They should be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes, incidents or other reasons to believe arrangements may no longer be effective.

Why use HRDocBox to support Health and Safety policies and procedures?

HRDocBox combines real-world HR experience, subject-matter expertise and commercial understanding to support effective Health and Safety policies and procedures with practical, tried-and-tested resources. With instant access, editable documents, ongoing updates and 12 months' access, you get practical HR support when you need it.