Free health and safety policy template
Write your health and safety policy in HSE's three parts: a statement of intent, who is responsible for what, and the arrangements you have in place. If you employ 5 or more people, the law says it must be written down.
Choose your type of workplace and the arrangements fill in with suggested wording you edit to match what you really do. Then download an editable Word copy or save a PDF. No sign-up, and your work is saved on your device as you go.
Free, no sign-up. What you type stays on your device.
The three parts
- Statement of intent. Your commitment to managing health and safety and what you aim to achieve, signed by the most senior person.
- Responsibilities. The names and roles of the people responsible for health and safety overall, day to day and for each area, and what every employee must do.
- Arrangements. The practical steps: risk assessments, consulting staff, equipment, substances, training, first aid, monitoring and emergency procedures.
Make the first aid section true
A policy is only as good as what happens in practice. Before you sign it, use the first aid needs calculator to check you have enough first aiders, the first aid notice to tell staff who they are, and the training matrix to keep their certificates in date.
The structure follows HSE's health and safety policy template. Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Common questions
Do I need a written health and safety policy?
If you employ 5 or more people, you must write your health and safety policy down. Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires it. With fewer than 5 employees you still need a policy, but you do not have to write it down, although it is useful to.
What should a health and safety policy include?
HSE's template has three parts: a statement of intent, setting out your commitment to managing health and safety and your aims; the responsibilities, naming who is responsible for what; and the arrangements, the practical steps you take to meet your aims, such as risk assessments, training, first aid and fire procedures.
Who should sign the policy?
The employer or the most senior person in the business signs the statement of intent, which shows the commitment comes from the top. Date it and set a review date.
How often should a health and safety policy be reviewed?
HSE says the policy should be reviewed regularly. Most businesses review it once a year and whenever something significant changes, such as new premises, new work activities or after a serious accident.
Do I have to share the policy with employees?
Yes. You must share the policy, and any changes to it, with your employees. Many businesses include it in the staff induction and keep a copy where everyone can read it.
Is a health and safety policy the same as a risk assessment?
No. The policy says how you manage health and safety and who does what. A risk assessment looks at the hazards in your workplace and the controls for each one. The policy commits you to carrying out risk assessments; our free risk assessment template helps you write them.
Where is my policy saved?
Only in your own browser on this device. Nothing is sent to Amber Training. Download the Word copy or save a PDF to keep it safe and share it, and use Start again to clear it from this device.
Sources
- HSE, Prepare a health and safety policy
- HSE, How to write your policy
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2
This tool gives general guidance based on the sources above. It is not legal advice, and your own assessment of your workplace decides what you need.
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