Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2.2
Maximising staff involvement
be undermined by poorly written, poorly structured safety
policies.
However, organisations that experience higher out-
put, higher quality of service delivery and an enhanced,
motivated workforce do the same things, they:
Figure 2.1
ACoP of Management of health and safety at
work
2.1.2
Maximising staff involvement
➤
Recognise the benefi ts of a competent, committed,
enthusiastic and fi t workforce
Those organisations that involve their staff in planning
and managing safety issues in the workplace not only
are complying with the requirements under the RRFSO
to consult with staff, but will also reduce the fi re risks
associated with their undertaking. Well-organised com-
panies manage all their functions effectively and rec-
ognise the key role that effective health and safety
management has in terms of business development and
survival.
A clear, effectively communicated, policy that has
involved staff and those who may interact with it (contract-
ors, co-employers, etc.) will make an organisation more
effi cient in the day-to-day decision-making process that
refl ects and supports the management system in which
they are made.
When a line manager who is responsible for a high
risk process in a petrochemical plant is empowered to
make safety critical decisions and the same manager
is aware of the company's safety policy and the ethos
behind it, the decisions made for undertaking the
process are more than likely to refl ect the safety of the
site personnel, visiting contractors and the effects on
members of the public in addition to the production
schedules that need to be met.
The best safety policies are integrated with human
resource management, acknowledging that people are
a key resource in the management of both safety and
production. Human resource management policies can
➤
Establish arrangements for the promotion of
accident-free work practices
➤
Positively promote ill-health management systems.
An effective safety management system and the policy
contained within have a direct bearing upon an organ-
isation's safety culture and therefore how a policy is
written will have a signifi cant effect.
When conducting safety audits and reviews, which
take an in-depth look at an organisation's safety manage-
ment system, the initial documentation that is likely to be
requested will be a copy of the safety policy. The policy
and the statement of intent itself are generally seen as
being an underpinning requirement of any successful
safety management system. Therefore a well-written,
well-presented policy is also likely to attract business
opportunities, particularly when work is being contracted
out, as in the case of the construction industry sector.
2.1.3 Avoiding loss
A clear, effective safety policy will aid the prevention
of human suffering and fi nancial loss as a result of the
work activities of any organisation.
The safety culture of an organisation will refl ect the
safety policy. Thus a well-written policy will enable the
organisation and those within it to identify hazards and
