Health and Safety Policy Arrangements – Consultation with Employees

Consultation with employees is a fundamental aspect of health and safety management in the workplace. It involves actively engaging with staff members to discuss health, safety, and welfare matters, ensuring their views and concerns are heard and considered. Effective consultation helps identify potential hazards, assess risks, and develop practical solutions, fostering a collaborative and proactive safety culture. In the UK, employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to consult with their employees or their representatives on health and safety issues. This process not only enhances workplace safety but also promotes employee involvement and empowerment, leading to a more motivated and productive workforce.

Take a look at the information below for things you might want to include in your own H&S policy…

Feel free to copy / paste this list, and you can find out more about our full H&S policy here.

The [Proprietor / Directors] of [My Company] will ensure that;

  1. The management team operates an open-door policy relating to health and safety issues, thereby allowing employees to initiate the consultation where required.
  2. The management team will consult employees in relation to:
  3. New machinery, working methods or changes to premises / workstation layouts are introduced which may affect health and safety.
  4. Arrangements for getting competent people to help them comply with H&S laws.
  5. Information on the risks and dangers arising from their work, and the measures to eliminate or reduce the risk.
  6. Planning and organisation of H&S training.
  7. The H&S related consequences of introducing new technology.
  8. Consultation with employees is carried out in good time, and allow employees time to consider the matters being raise and provide responses.
  9. Consultation is carried out by a method that suits the subject matter:
  10. Toolbox talks : Informal, day-to-day H&S related issues.
  11. Inductions : For new employees, and employees attending new sites.
  12. Risk Assessments and Method Statements : For communication of the hazards associated with the work and appropriate control methods.
  13. Staff meetings : May be called specifically to address a concern, discuss work methods or introduce new equipment.
  14. Training : Where possible, training will be held on company premises in order to promote discussion of specific H&S issues that may be raised.
  15. As far as possible, all employee consultation is accurately recorded and records of attendance retained.

    Our minimum health and safety performance standards will be obtained from; but not restricted to;

    • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
    • The Health and safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

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    Written By Ian