Getting your Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) accreditation through SMAS can feel like a daunting task. One of the key components of a successful application is a robust health and safety policy. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be a massive, complicated document. We’ve helped hundreds of businesses navigate the SMAS application process, and we know exactly what they’re looking for. This post breaks down the essential elements of a SMAS-ready health and safety policy.
Key Elements for Your Policy:
- Company Identification: This might seem obvious, but your company name needs to be clearly visible on the policy, preferably on every page. A header or footer is a great place to include this information.
- Statement of Intent: This is a declaration of your commitment to adhering to all relevant health and safety regulations and prioritizing health and safety in all business operations. We’ll provide links to helpful resources on this at the end of this post.
- Signed and Dated Policy Statement: The statement of intent needs to be signed by someone with sufficient authority within the company, ideally a director or owner – someone who has the financial authority to ensure that the commitments made in the policy can be fulfilled. The policy also needs to be dated within the last 12 months, as this is a specific SMAS requirement.
- Organizational Outline: Clearly outline the organizational structure, including who is in control, who is responsible for health and safety, and the responsibilities of managers, supervisors, and employees.
- Accident and Incident Reporting Procedures: Detail your procedures for reporting accidents and incidents, specifically mentioning compliance with RIDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). Clearly state that serious incidents will be reported to the HSE.
- Welfare Arrangements: Describe how you ensure that welfare facilities are in place before starting work on a site. This could involve communication with the contractor or the use of pre-start forms. Document these procedures within your policy.
- Asbestos Arrangements: Outline your procedures for identifying and managing asbestos. This should include how you will have buildings checked for asbestos, how surveys will be conducted, and how you will handle asbestos removal by licensed contractors. Specify the level of asbestos training you will undertake, whether it’s just awareness training or if you will be conducting licensed or unlicensed work.
SMAS Specific Requirements:
SMAS looks for these specific sections within your health and safety policy. Including them directly in the policy can streamline the application process by reducing the need for separate uploads.
Important Note on Policy Detail:
While all companies applying for SMAS accreditation need to upload a health and safety policy statement, the level of detail required in the complete policy varies based on the number of employees. If you have five or more employees, health and safety legislation requires you to have a more comprehensive written policy, including risk assessments and other documentation.
By addressing these key elements in your health and safety policy, you’ll be well on your way to a successful SMAS application.
