Health and Safety Blog
Setting Priorities and Targets: A Vital Addition to Your Health and Safety Policy
Aug
As small business owners, particularly in the UK, we know that a robust health and safety policy is a cornerstone of our operational framework. It not only ensures compliance with legislative requirements but also demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding everyone affected by our business activities—staff, contractors, customers, and members of the public. Yet, many of us stop at what the law mandates, often neglecting to make the policy truly our own. That’s where the “Our Priorities and Targets” section comes in, and here’s why it deserves a prime spot in your policy.
Why Include a “Priorities and Targets” Section?
This section is designed to do more than just tick a compliance box. It’s a dynamic, annually reviewed part of your health and safety policy that outlines the big-picture investments and changes you plan to implement. Think of it as a roadmap for the next 12 months (or even longer), focusing on major hazards you’ve identified and the substantial measures required to control them—measures that may entail significant investments in new equipment, extensive training, or infrastructural modifications.
What’s in This Section?
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Big Investments:
- Equipment Upgrades: For instance, a warehouse might need to invest in a forklift truck or a pallet wrapping machine.
- Infrastructure Improvements: If you have premises that need better access control, investing in an automatic gate or barrier could be essential.
- Space Management: Businesses in congested urban areas might consider renting industrial units outside town for better material storage and maneuverability.
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Consistent Priorities:
- Health and Safety: Ensuring that all individuals affected by your business operations remain safe and healthy.
- Quality and Value: Offering consistently high-quality services and the best possible value for money to your customers.
- Environmental Responsibility: Minimising the environmental impact of your business operations.
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Time-Specific Plans:
- Not all improvements can be made immediately due to time constraints, financial limitations, or seasonal business variations. For example, a logistics company that hires out catering equipment might only have the capacity to implement system improvements during their quieter winter months.
Why This Section Matters
Including this section near the front of your health and safety policy serves several crucial purposes:
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Transparency and Accountability:
- When stakeholders—be they inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), shareholders, or other interested parties—review your policy, they can clearly see your commitments and planned investments.
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Tailored Specificity:
- Health and safety policies often end up as generic documents rehashing what’s already legislated. A “Priorities and Targets” section makes your policy specific to your company’s unique challenges and plans, thereby setting you apart.
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Proactive Mindset:
- By documenting your targets and priorities, you demonstrate that you are actively thinking about the future and committed to continuous improvement. This proactive approach can be beneficial not only for compliance but also for fostering a culture of safety and excellence within your organisation.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating an “Our Priorities and Targets” section into your health and safety policy isn’t just about covering all bases—it’s about elevating your business practices. By laying out your big investments and consistent priorities, you create a clear, actionable plan that guides your company’s growth and commitment to safety. It shows everyone, from employees to external stakeholders, that you are serious about not just meeting but exceeding health and safety expectations.
So, take a moment to review your current health and safety policy. Then, think about the significant changes and investments your company needs to better control hazards and improve overall operations. Document them clearly, review them annually, and make sure this essential section reflects your company’s unique mission and challenges.
