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What details need to be included in a safety policy?

• 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 or 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

What are the top safety policies that should be set in the workplace?

Incident reporting policy

An incident reporting policy outlines your expectations when an employee experiences a safety incident at work. Employees should know to report on-the-job injuries quickly, but this policy goes beyond injury reporting. An “incident” could be a minor, report-only injury or even a near-miss incident in which no one gets hurt. Conducting investigations for all incidents will arm you with the most information to make safety improvements and prevent injuries from happening at all.

Drug and alcohol policy

It might seem like a given that you expect your employees to come to work free from the effects of drugs and alcohol. However, you still need a substance use policy outlining your expectations. Be sure to include the misuse of prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs and alcohol.

This policy is also a great avenue to inform your employees about your drug testing policy. If you conduct post-offer, random, reasonable suspicion or post-incident testing, have your employees sign off on that knowledge. Note that post-incident testing should be done within 24 hours of an incident.

Safe driving policies

Chances are, a good portion of your employees drive a vehicle. Even if they don’t drive for work, they might drive to and from work. Because driving is so common – and so hazardous – we recommend several driving-related safety policies.

• Distracted driving policy: The most common distraction while driving is cellphone use, but drivers can also be distracted by eating, grooming, reaching for objects or even conversations with passengers. Have employees sign an agreement to minimize distractions, and specifically cellphone use, while driving.
• Defensive driving policy: We strongly support defensive driving training for all employees, regardless of role in the company. This policy outlines the tenets of defensive driving, making employees more aware of simple ways they can be safer on the road.
• Seat belt policy: Wearing a seat belt can reduce your risk of death by about 45% in a car crash. While you hope your employees are already wearing their seat belts, it’s important to have them sign a policy promising to do so, every time.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) policy

If your employees regularly do work that requires personal protective equipment, it’s smart to have a policy that states the circumstances under which employees must wear special gear and the proper ways to use it. It’s especially important to review this information with new hires who might not be used to wearing PPE.

Lockout/tagout policy and procedures

A lockout/tagout program protects employees from the unexpected activation or release of energy from machinery. When you train employees on your company’s lockout/tagout procedures, be sure to have them sign an agreement to follow protocol every time they use hazardous equipment.

Transitional duty policy

A return to work program is an important part of claims management. A transitional duty policy lets your employees know that you support an earlier return to work by offering transitional or “light duty” options if an injury prevents them from doing their regular job.