HSE Guidance for Company Directors

‘Protecting the Health and Safety of employees or members of the public who may be affected by your activities is an essential part of risk management and must be led by directors’ (Source: www.iod.com)

The introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act in April has reinforced the need for directors to look closely at the management of Health and Safety within their organisations.

In a joint publication titled 'Leading Health and Safety at Work', the Institute of Directors and the Health and Safety Executive has set out the agenda for effective Health and Safety management.   

The document is aimed at directors, governors, trustees, officers and their equivalents in the private, public and voluntary sectors. It details the core actions that a board or individual director should take with respect to managing Health and Safety.

These are the same whatever the size of your organisation:

1. Plan

• Plan how you are going to manage Health and Safety; if you employ 5 people or more you need to write your plan down.
• Check your plan with your staff – winning their involvement can ensure your plan works.

2. Deliver

• Put your plan into practice.
• Provide the resources to carry it out.
• Assess and deal with the real risks that you and your staff face, sensibly, responsibly and proportionately – don’t waste your time and effort on trivial risks and unnecessary paperwork.
• If you take on new work practices or new people, consider whether there are any Health and Safety issues to take into account.
• Use competent Advisers.

3. Monitor

• Keep in touch with events and developments – in small organisations, it is often easier to do so, so don’t waste this advantage.

4. Review

• Take stock of how you are doing on a regular basis, or when any serious incident occurs.

The document goes on to outline the benefits of good Health and Safety management.

These are:

• Reduced costs and reduced risk – employee absence and turnover rates are lower, accidents are fewer and the threat of legal action is less.
• Improved standing among suppliers and partners.
• A better reputation for corporate responsibility among investors, customers and communities.
• Increased productivity – employees are healthier, happier and better motivated.

Strong and active leadership from the top is essential for continual improvement. Commitment from directors and senior management must be clearly visible to the workforce. Clear communication between directors and employees, along with integration of Health and Safety into all decision making processes, will also underpin good performance.

There is much to be gained by involving the workforce in the process, providing them with the correct training and knowledge base will make the workplace safer. Listening to their concerns and acting upon them as appropriate will demonstrate a commitment for continual improvement.

Auditing, monitoring and reviewing your procedures will identify areas where the systems are not effective or changes are required.   

The full document is available from either the Health and Safety Executive or the Institute of Directors.

References

www.hse.gov.uk/leadership
www.iod.com/hsguide