A health and safety management system entails your workplace policies, your planning process for accidents (as well as accident prevention), the responsibilities of management, and how you will execute these processes effectively. It also looks at how your business will gauge and review your performance.
Although it is a legal requirement to have written evidence of your policies if you employ five or more people, a health and safety management system is not just paperwork. It is essential that you are thorough and conscientious when it comes to adopting a management system. They are after all a scheme for creating a safer work environment by managing and reducing risks in the workplace And who wouldn’t want that?
For some businesses it may be beneficial to implement ISO 45001. This is an international standard for health and safety at work developed by national and international standards committees independent of government.
This will not be the best fit for all businesses though. For smaller businesses HGS 65 may be a better fit. Some industries have specific frameworks.
What are the benefits of a health and safety management system?
Whilst you are not legally mandated to have a formal management system when it comes to health and safety, it can be a helpful tool to provide a structured framework to ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all. Any Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation will look at the systems in place.
Having a health and safety management system will standardise your processes so that everyone knows what they are doing and what needs to be done should an accident occur. You will also be able to track incidents to help prevent future occurrences.
By taking a proactive approach to health and safety management systems, you are reducing the likelihood of harm to your business and the people in it. When accidents occur, you may incur costs not only human and financial but to your reputation as a business too. Investing in a robust management system will keep costs and losses down and should boost staff morale knowing they are being cared for in the workplace.
How can we help you?
At the Health & Safety Dept we will get to know your business thoroughly and involve all stakeholders, to ensure that the health and safety management system you adopt for your business is exactly what is needed. We help you create a robust system that fits your business and complies with all laws that cover your industry.
Outsourcing your health and safety needs to us means that you get expert input with the benefit of a reduced financial output. For many SMEs the cost of having an in-house specialist just isn’t financially feasible. We are here to give you the expertise you need for all things health and safety, keeping your business running smoothly without the costly pressure of employing someone to do it.
Whether you want to implement ISO 45001 or HGS 65, or discuss a bespoke health and safety management system for your business, then don’t hesitate to contact the Health & Safety Dept for peace of mind.
