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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 1

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Unit IGC1
Management of
International health
and safety
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 2
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Element 2

Policy
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 3
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2.1 Explain the purpose and importance of setting
policy for health and safety
2.2 Describe the key features and appropriate content
of an effective health and safety policy
Learning outcomes
Policy
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 4
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2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for
health and safety
2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an
organisations health and safety policy
Contents of element
Policy
Copyright RMS Publishing
IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 5
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2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for
health and safety
2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an
organisations health and safety policy
Contents of element
Policy
Copyright RMS Publishing
IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 6
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European Union and International Laws / Regulations set
out an obligation to manage the risks that organisations
create
A cornerstone of this was seen to be the establishment of
an active health and safety policy
In the United Kingdom (UK):
- Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HASAWA) 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
(MHSWR) 1999

The purpose and importance of setting policy
Role of the health and safety policy in decision making
Policy
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Without active management any attempt at organised
accident prevention will be restricted and predominantly
reactive
Many employers are required to have a health and safety
policy by the national or local legislation
A policy is a personal thing setting out a particular
organisations position at that point in time
Organisations differ greatly in their goals, risks, structure
and what they feel capable of committing themselves to

The purpose and importance of setting policy
Role of the health and safety policy in decision making
Policy
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Overall aims
Key principles and objectives to which the organisation is
committed:
Policy which is specific to the organisation and appropriate
to its size
Concise, clearly written, dated and signed
Communicated to all persons working under the control of
the organisation
Reviewed for continuing suitability
The purpose and importance of setting policy
Policy
Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and
safety policy
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Overall aims
Additional elements to consider:
Protecting the safety and health of all members
Complying with relevant OSH national/international laws
and regulations
Setting and reviewing OSH objectives
Documented, implemented and maintained
Consulted and encouraged to participate actively in all
elements of the OSH management system
Continually improving the performance
The purpose and importance of setting policy
Policy
Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and
safety policy
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Health and safety roles and responsibilities of
individuals within an organisation
The employer must allocate responsibility, accountability
and authority for the development, implementation and
performance of the OSH management system
Policy statement itself should be made effective by the
dating and signature of the most senior accountable
person
Worker participation is an essential element of the OSH
management system in the organisation
The purpose and importance of setting policy
Policy
Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and
safety policy
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Specifying the arrangements for achieving general and
specific aims
To be effective the policy should be:
In a number of formats
Effectively communicated
Revised as appropriate
Monitored through audits

The purpose and importance of setting policy
Policy
Aims, objectives and key elements of a health and
safety policy
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 12
860409
2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for
health and safety
2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an
organisations health and safety policy
Contents of element
Policy
Copyright RMS Publishing
IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 13
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General statement of intent
Signatory to statement
Setting objective and quantifiable targets
Concept of benchmarking
The key features and appropriate content
Setting targets
Policy
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Allocation of responsibilities
Lines of communication
Feedback loops
The role of the line manager
Monitoring effectiveness
Organising for health and safety
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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Importance of specifying the organisations arrangements for:
Planning
Organising
Controlling hazards
Monitoring compliance with and assessing the effectiveness of
the arrangements
Health and safety arrangements
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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Main headings of arrangements that could be detailed in the
health and safety policy might include:
General arrangements:
Finance
Planning
Organising
Control of hazards
Consultation

Communication
Competence
Accident and hazard
reporting
Monitoring compliance
Health and safety arrangements
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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Specific arrangements for hazards, such as those relating to:
Fire
Electricity
Manual handling
Work at a height

Health and safety arrangements
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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Changes through time
Technological advances
Organisation - reorganisation
Legislation updates
Monitoring - gap analysis
Reviewing the policy
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 19
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In the UK it is a mandatory requirement under the Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act (HASAWA) 1974, that
employers have a health and safety policy
Information on policy requirements can be found within
management system guidance such as OHSAS 18002:
Guidelines on occupational safety and health
management systems
Standards and guidance relating to health and
safety policy
The key features and appropriate content
Policy
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IGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 2 - v.1.0 - Slide 20
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2.1 The purpose and importance of setting policy for
health and safety
2.2 The key features and appropriate content of an
organisations health and safety policy
Contents of element
Policy