Health and Safety Statement

Health and Safety Statement Ireland

Can We Help With Your Safety Statement?

If you operate a business in Ireland, then the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 states you must have a valid and relevant Health and Safety Statement for that business.

A Health and Safety Statement is a written document, signed and dated by the employer, and sets out how the employer will safeguard:

  • The safety and health of employees including temporary and part time workers, at their place of work;
  • The safety and health of other people (including but not restricted to customers, contractors, visitors and members of the public) who might be at the workplace.

The Health and Safety Statement expresses the employers commitment from the highest level of management to ensure the safety and health of their workforce. Furthermore, it commits the company to providing the resources necessary to maintain safety and health laws and standards.

All Health and Safety Statements must be site specific to the business activities for which they are written. Despite this, many so called professional firms offer generic Health and Safety Statements for businesses -These are both dangerous and indeed illegal.

So why take the chance? Failure to have a relevant up-to-date, site specific Health and Safety Statement can result in the Health and Safety Authority initiating criminal proceedings against owners, Directors and Senior Managers of those offending firms.

We provide Health and Safety Statement Consultancy for small, medium and large businesses and organisations, having been in the business of safety in the workplace for the past 10 years.

We offer our tailored Health and Safety Statement services using only health and safety specialists, thereby ensuring the highest levels of professionalism and affordability.

The benefits of using our services include protection of employees, legal protection for the business, i.e. reduced likelihood of criminal / civil prosecution, and economic benefits.

We would welcome the opportunity to submit a proposal for the development of your organisation's Health and Safety Statement.

Some Health and Safety Statement Information

What is a Health and Safety Statement?

A Health and Safety Statement is a Safety Management System compromising of relevant health and safety policies and procedures aimed at safeguarding employees and other parties affected by the organisations activities. A Health and Safety Statement should also include a Risk Assessment which identifies the hazards, risks, type of risk, people at risk and control measures for managing the risk. A Health and Safety Statement is a legal requirement under section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Who has to have one?

Every employer in Ireland irrespective of employee number must have a Health and Safety Statement in place. Some organisations which are based internationally confuse this requirement as in some countries there is a minimum employee number or sector requirement before a Health and Safety Statement is required. In Ireland this is not the case and it is an absolute requirement for all employers.

How often should it be updated?

Your Health and Safety Statement should be updated at least once per year.

It may have to be updated more frequently if any of the following apply.

  • Changes to work activities, processes, premises or equipment,
  • On the direction of a Health and Safety Authority Inspector.

Who should see the Health and Safety Statement?

The Health and Safety Statement should be brought to the attention of all employees annually or more regularly if it is changed or updated. Other stake holders should also be familiar with it such as contractors, tenants / landlord in a multi tenanted building etc..

What is involved in the development of a Health and Safety Statement?

  1. Draw up a Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.

    The Health and Safety Statement should firstly have a management declaration which is a written commitment to the implementation, management and review of the document.

    There should also be other policies and procedures.

    Some examples would include.
    • Management Responsibilities
    • Employee Responsibilities.
    • Health and Safety Training
    • Employee Well-Being.
    • Accident Reporting and Accident Investigation.

  2. Carry out a Risk Assessment

    Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a duty on all employers to carry out a Risk Assessment. A Risk Assessment should

    Step 1: Identify Hazards
    The first step in safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of employees and other parties affected by the organisations work activities is to identify what the hazards are. A hazard is something which has the potential to cause harm.

    Step 2: Decide who may be Harmed, and How.
    This could include employees, contractors, members of the public etc.

    Step 3: Assess the Risks and Develop Controls.
    The risk should be assessed as low, medium or high and appropriate controls selected in accordance with the general principals of prevention.
    The general principles of prevention start at avoiding the risk first then reducing the risk. Lastly come the provision of training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where appropriate.

    Step 4: Record Findings
    The Risk Assessment must be recorded and included within the Health and Safety Statement.

    Step 5: Review the Risk Assessment.
    The Risk Assessment should be reviewed at least annually or more frequently should the work activities change, or upon the direction of a Health and Safety Authority Inspector.

3.Implementation of your Health and Safety Statement Documentation

Once complete the Health and Safety Statement should be implemented throughout the organisation.

There should be adequate personnel, resources and commitment to its implementation.

4. Reviewing your Health and Safety Statement at Least Annually

A review mechanism needs to be implemented in line with our above recommendations.This may be annually or at more regualr intervals as per the requirements and reasons laid out under current health and safety legislation.

We can help with your Health and Safety Requirements

We have vast experience with developing Health and Safety Statements and would be delighted to provide a quote. To enable us provide you with a quote please provide the following information.

  • Location of your premises
  • Size of premises
  • Description of premises including any specific hazards.
  • Number of employee

Please contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Health and Safety Statement Consultants | Health and Safety Statement Experts in Ireland
Help