Health and Safety Policy Arrangements – Risk Assessments, Method Statements and Safe Systems of Work
Risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work are fundamental elements of workplace health and safety management. Risk assessments involve identifying potential hazards, evaluating the likelihood and severity of risks, and implementing control measures to mitigate them. Method statements provide detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to perform specific tasks safely, ensuring that all safety precautions are understood and followed. Safe systems of work integrate these assessments and statements into a structured approach to managing tasks, ensuring that all work activities are conducted safely and efficiently. In the UK, adherence to these practices is vital for legal compliance, particularly under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and for fostering a proactive safety culture that minimises accidents and promotes employee well-being.
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;
- A competent person will carry out all Risk Assessments/reports/etc. listed below. With assistance from specialist sources when required.
- Each task/job is assessed before being carried out and where there is deemed to be significant risk a full Risk Assessment will be undertaken.
- Any risk assessment undertaken will take into consideration the General Principles of Prevention (MHSWR 99 Reg 4)
a. avoiding risks;
b. evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided;
c. combating the risks at source;
d. adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate and to reducing their effect on health;
e. adapting to technical progress;
f. replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous;
g. developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working environment;
h. giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures; and
i. giving appropriate instructions to employees. - The combination of hazards and controls will be rated using a specific system as attached to all risk assessments to calculate residual risk. Where the residual risk rating is found to be medium or high, additional controls will be required.
- Method statements/written procedures/safe systems of work/permits to work/etc. produced from the above assessments will be communicated to all appropriate persons.
- Any changes in the work environment that could affect the initial Risk Assessment are identified and the assessment is reviewed,
- Any control measurers identified in the above risk assessments will be put in place to prevent, reduce or control exposure to personnel and/or others who may be affected
- Control measurers required for Manual Handling Operations will normally be identified and implemented from the initial Risk Assessment
- Whenever there is significant risk from a manual handling operation that is not identified in the general risk assessment, specific Manual Handling Operations assessments will be carried out. (see manual handling section)
- Any Personal Protective Equipment selected and supplied as a last resort control measure will be assessed as to ensure its suitability to; the person, the task, the environment, combinations of PPE, etc.
- Specific assessments will be carried out for young persons, persons with disabilities and new or expectant mothers,
- The results/outcomes of any/all of the above assessments and any method statements, written procedures, safe systems of work, permits to work, control measures, PPE requirements, etc. produced from the risk assessment will be communicated to the relevant personnel, who will also receive any training required to ensure that the outcomes of the above assessments are met
- All the above assessments and subsequent control measures will be regularly monitored and reviewed as appropriate, taking into account new materials, equipment, legislation, work practices, etc.
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 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• HSE’s 5 steps to risk assessment
• And relevant legislation, guidance, manufacturer’s instructions, etc. connected to the activity being assessed
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