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Health and Safety Manual – Tips

What to do once you download your Ideal 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

The Risk Register lists the hazards you may have in your industry. Identify the additional hazards your workplace may have.

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 each of the remaining hazards on the risk register, assess your initial risk.

ACTION: Record / review the control measures on the risk register and assess your residual risk. If the level of risk remains too high implement additional control measures.

ACTION: Record the date you implemented your control measures.

ACTION: When you identify a new hazard, add it to the Risk Register 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. The Monthly Safety Review Template can be used to document this.

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

Site Risk Assessment

ACTION: Complete a pre-start risk assessment before you start work on site.

Options to record this information on are:

• Pre-Start Form Template

• Task Analysis Template

• Site Specific Safety Plan 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. You don’t need an inventory if the only hazardous substances you have are consumer products in amounts similar to those used at home.

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