Policy on the format and implementation of Health and Safety policies

Health and Safety policies will:

1. Provide sufficient detail and be written clearly in a manner that can be understood by everyone and will take account of legislative requirements, where appropriate.

2. Not duplicate information already described elsewhere and if new policies supersede others, then these will be withdrawn and archived.

3. Provide minimal detail on procedures. These will be covered in full within the supporting Codes of Practice and guidance documentation.

4. Include description of any specific roles or approvals required (namely, those not already covered by the College Safety Management System).

5. Be circulated for consultation, in the first instance, to all members of the Safety Department and, where appropriate, the Occupational Health Department.

6. Then be circulated to DSOs / FSMs for further consultation. If relevant, Facilities Management, Building Projects, or any other stakeholders will also be consulted.

7. Be approved by College Health and Safety Committee then the College Health and Safety Consultative committee before release to the College community.

8. Be issued with associated “implementation and support tools” via the Safety Department or Occupational Health website. These will include for example, written guidance, risk assessment templates and training programmes. These will also be issued with approval dates and review dates.

9. Be announced via email to Heads of Departments, copied to College Principals, Faculty Safety Managers, Campus Safety Managers, Divisional / Departmental Safety Officers and Faculty Operating Officers. New policies will also be publicised via the Health and Safety Matters Newsletter, the Safety Department website and Campus and Departmental / Divisional / Faculty Health and Safety Committees.

10. Be reviewed as necessary after any major accident or incident or change in legislation, but at minimum, at least every 5 years. Only significant changes will be reissued for consultation. The Safety Director or Occupational Health Director will make the decision as to whether the changes are significant.

11. Responsibility for implementation lies with the Faculties and Departments.

12. Implementation will be checked during audits and inspections.