Develop a Health & Safety Policy

What is a Health & Safety Policy?

Your business’s Health & Safety Policy declares your commitment to creating the safest environment for your workers, both physically and psychologically. The policy is your promise to protect your workers and contractors from any and all workplace hazards.

Your Health & Safety Policy can be short and simple – one page is generally enough. It should include:

• A definition of a physically and psychologically healthy and safe workplace
• A commitment to reaching your health and safety goals
• The ways you’re prioritizing workplace health and safety
• Your responsibilities as the employer, as well as the responsibilities of managers, supervisors, and workers
• An agreement of compliance with local law, policy, and industry best practices

The policy should be reviewed and signed each year by either the business owner or the highest-ranking senior executive. Make sure you provide a copy to every worker – including new hires and contractors – and post the policy where everyone in the workplace can see it. Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier and safer workplace!

For more information:

• Health and Safety Policy Template (go2HR)
• Health and Safety Manual Template (go2HR)
• Create a Health and Safety Policy(WorkSafeBC)
• Workers Compensation Act, section 21, General Duties of Employers

go2HR is BC’s tourism and hospitality, human resources and health & safety association driving strong workforces and safe workplaces that deliver world class tourism and hospitality experiences in British Columbia. Follow us on LinkedIn or reach out to our team.