H&S Documentation
Safety Management Systems and the Health & Safety documentation needed to support them.
What is a Safety Management System?
A Safety Management System (SMS) is the organised framework a business uses to manage Health & Safety. It brings together your policies, procedures, risk assessments, safe working methods, inspections, training, accident arrangements and records so that Health & Safety is actively managed rather than simply documented.
The documentation required should be proportionate to the size of the business, its activities and the risks involved. You do not need a mountain of paperwork; you need the right arrangements, communicated to the people who need them and kept under review.
The Main Health & Safety Policy
The main Health & Safety Policy sets out the organisation's commitment to Health & Safety, who has responsibility for managing it and the arrangements used to control workplace risks.
Other Health & Safety Policies
Depending on the business and its activities, additional policies may be appropriate, covering subjects such as workplace safety, occupational health, lone working, driving for work, work equipment or specific higher-risk activities.
Procedures
Procedures explain how particular Health & Safety arrangements are put into practice, including consultation, training, hazard reporting, inspections, maintenance, contractor control, emergency arrangements and incident management.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments identify hazards, who may be harmed, the level of risk and the measures required to control it. They should be suitable and sufficient and reviewed when circumstances change.
Safe Working Methods
Safe Working Methods, Method Statements and RAMS explain how particular tasks are to be carried out safely and turn risk assessment findings into practical instructions.
Auditing & Inspection Documentation
Inspections check workplace conditions and whether controls are being followed. Audits look more broadly at whether Health & Safety management arrangements are working effectively. Documentation can include checklists, audit reports, action plans and follow-up records.
Accident, Incident & Near-Miss Reporting
Businesses should have arrangements for reporting and recording accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses. Where an incident falls within RIDDOR requirements, the organisation must consider whether it is reportable.
Specific Health & Safety Templates
Ambergreen Safety can help prepare or review templates appropriate to your activities, including COSHH, asbestos, work at height, manual handling, work equipment, fire safety, lone working, workplace transport, lifting operations, electrical safety, noise, vibration, confined spaces, first aid, emergency arrangements and contractor management.
Keeping Documentation Under Control
Good documentation should be controlled, accessible and kept up to date. Obsolete documents should not continue to be used, reviews should be recorded and employees should know where to find information relevant to their work.
How Ambergreen Safety Can Help
We can review your existing Health & Safety documentation and help you build or improve a proportionate Safety Management System that reflects your actual business.