A Safety Statement Will Make You Sigh With Relief
25 April 2018
Safety Statements in the workplace
What is a safety statement?
A safety statement is a company’s commitment in writing to a safe and healthy workplace.
The Safety statement is a legal requirement under the Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires that an organisation produce a written programme to safeguard:
- the safety and health of employees while they work
- the safety and health of other people who might be at the workplace, including customers, visitors and members of the public
The Safety Statement should influence all work activities, including
- the selection of competent people, equipment and materials
- the way work is done
- how goods and services are designed and provided
The Safety Statement must be site specific and be based on a written risk assessment. It cannot be generic and must be communicated in a form manner and language that is likely to be understood by all concerned.
What are the benefits of having a safety statement?
An organisation will see benefits such as,
- Legal Compliance
- Improved safety performance which will lead to a reduction in lost working time
- Improved worker morale
- Reduced chance in insurance premium hikes *
- Reduced chance of legal costs.
* An insurance company may refuse cover if you do not have a valid safety statement
Who should have a safety statement?
All employers, self-employed persons and sole traders
How often should it be reviewed?
At least annually or in the event of changes to the business operations, personnel or working environment.
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