A formal management system can help you, as a business, to manage your health and safety. By having a system or manual you can keep all your documents functional and concise. The HSE provide guidance in the form of HSG65 Successful Health & Safety Management and there are international standards such as ISO 45001.
Another reason why businesses develop a Health & Safety System is for accreditation purposes, for compliance with Safe Contractor, CHAS, or Constructionline to name a few. For such accreditations, it is much easier to demonstrate compliance if you have all your documentation in a ‘System or Manual’.
Managing health and safety is not simply about having a Health & Safety System. Several companies who I work with have previously purchased a “quick fix” off-the-shelf Health & Safety System from a national provider and the manual has been sat on their shelf for the duration of the 3-year contract with updates simply filed away! The success of whatever system you have hinges on the attitudes and behaviours of all persons within your organisation. Success requires buy-in from senior management to provide the necessary resources to implement the system effectively, it means getting middle management and employees on board and needs creating a culture across all levels where health and safety is equally as important as every other function within the business.
Assist Health & Safety Services have extensive experience to help you and your business to finally dust off the cobwebs of your existing system or to develop a system from your existing documentation. I can help you to work towards involving your employees, changing your culture and to be more proactive and effective in your compliance with your legislative responsibilities.