Policy Development

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires certain employers to develop and implement safety policies.

To succeed, a safety policy requires both a commitment and endorsement from management and buy-in from the employees.

Generally we include three sections in a safety policy, which are:

• Statement of the policy – The employer’s commitment to managing health and safety and the goal of the policy

• Responsibility – Stating who is responsible for implementing, enacting, and tracking each element of the policy

• Arrangements of procedures – Outlines the details of procedures including the reduction of hazard policy

It may also include details about the following:

• Employee training
• Use of administrative controls, hazard isolation, locking, warnings, signs and symbols marking hazards, etc.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Removing hazardous materials or replacing them with less harmful alternatives
• Improved lighting and working environment
• Prevention of slip, trip, and fall incidents