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A guide to your Health and Safety Manual Template

We outline steps below of what you are to do once you download your Essentials Health and Safety Policy and Manual Template

Health and Safety Manual

The health and safety manual template covers several aspects of health and safety and includes your Health and Safety Policy.

ACTION: Read through the Health and Safety Manual to understand the information provided.

ACTION: Ensure that the Health and Safety Policy is signed and dated by the Company Director / Owner.

REVIEW: It is good practice to review your health and safety policy every 12 months to ensure that it is still appropriate to your organization.

Risk Register

Identify the hazards you have in your workplace and record them. The risk register template can be used for this.

ACTION: For each of the hazards on the risk register, decide whether you can eliminate the hazard. If yes, record the date it was eliminated.

ACTION: For the remaining hazards, implement control measures that reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable.

ACTION: Record the date you implemented your control measures.

ACTION: When you identify a new hazard, add it to the Risk Register with control measures and ensure your workers and contractors are informed.

REVIEW: Review your risk register with your workers on a regular basis. Ask yourself – are the control measures still working and adequate? Make changes where necessary. Keep a record of this review.

Worker Training

All workers should be trained and competent for the work they are undertaking.

ACTION: Complete safety induction training with each worker before they start work. Record this on the Safety Induction Training Form Template.

ACTION: Document worker qualifications and training. The Individual Training Competency Record can be used for this.

REVIEW: Update records as new skills are added or refresher training is done.

Worker Involvement

ACTION: Hold regular safety meetings / discussion with your workers – keep a record of these.

ACTION: On site discussions / meetings can be recorded using the Safety Meeting Form Template

Contractors

Ensure the contractor is qualified to do the work and is aware of the hazards / risk controls in your workplace.

Ensure the contractor explains the hazards and risk controls for their work.

Ensure that work is coordinated so that it is completed safely.

ACTION: Before contractors start work, get them to complete the Contractor Pre-Assessment Form Template. Review and sign off this form.

REVIEW: Watch your contractor to ensure they are following safe working practices.

Hazardous Substances

You may have hazardous substances in your workplace e.g. petrol and diesel.

ACTION: Prepare a hazardous substance inventory and ensure it is available to emergency services. WorkSafe New Zealand has a Hazardous Substances Calculator on their website that can be used to generate an inventory. Consumer products used in similar amounts used at home can be excluded from this list.

ACTION: Train your workers in the safe use and handling of hazardous substances.

ACTION: Ensure that a current Safety Data Sheet is available where the hazardous substance is being used.

ACTION: Ensure that you follow the requirements of the Safety Data Sheet for use and storage.

Emergency Plan

ACTION: Complete the Emergency Plan Template and put it up in the workplace. Communicate this to your workers.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

All accidents, incidents and near misses should be reported and investigated.

If you have a notifiable event (injury, illness or incident) – you must tell WorkSafe New Zealand as soon as possible and keep the scene secure and undisturbed. More details on what a notifiable event is and how to report them can be found on the WorkSafe website www.worksafe.govt.nz

Use the Non-notifiable Accident, Incident and Near Miss Template form for anything that is non-notifiable.

REVIEW: If the cause of the workplace accident / incident / near miss is either a new hazard or the risk controls for an existing hazard not being sufficient ensure you make changes in your workplace to address these. Add this information to your risk register and let your workers know.

Prepared by:

Leigh Tobeck
Health and Safety Systems Ltd
Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health
QSA Accredited Safety Auditor
Grad- NZISM
National Diploma Adult Education & Training - Level 5