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safety and occupational health : November 2016

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Health and Safety Manual

How to Write a Health and Safety Manual

The workplace safety manual is a volume of information, procedures, and policies put in place to ensure the safe operation of equipment, as well as safe contact within the work environment.
 The health and safety policy will clearly outline who is to execute certain safety procedures, as well as when and how they are to be carried out.

 Health and safety manuals are not overly complicated documents and can be written personally if the right resources are utilised to ensure they are complete and correct. The health and safety manual should clearly define your commitment to workplace health and safety, as well as identify tasks associated with maintaining a safe, professional environment
A good safety manual is fundamental in safely and responsibly managing a job site. Employees of the company will regularly consult the manual to check on company policy, find instructions and to ensure they are in compliance with company procedures.

Steps for Drafting a Health and Safety Manual.
When drafting your company's health and safety manual, it is important to keep in mind that it is not only employees that will read it. Regulators will also take a look at the document, so it is imperative to include all pertinent information both parties will need to reference.

1. Write the manual for those who will use it regularly
The manual should address the people who will be using it on a regular basis. Use the following tips to help make certain your procedures are easy to understand:

·   Use short, direct sentences, short paragraphs and simple words to keep the reader’s attention. Make sure all acronyms are explained either in an introductory section or by introducing them into the text using parenthesis. Be sure to do the same for any symbols used.

·   ·   Avoid technical jargon. Use technical terms when necessary, but be sure to provide clear definitions to avoid unnecessary confusion.

2. Prioritize the manual’s content
Content within the manual should be written in a clear and direct manner, with the most critical safety concerns being the central focus. The manual should begin by presenting and explaining any preliminary issues before leading into the main issues and follow up with any remaining concerns or information.

The layout should be easy to read and understand. The documents should be compiled using proper margins and spacing, with headings and subheadings to identify text groupings and various topics. The beginning of your manual should offer a table of contents as well as an index, and images and drawings used throughout provide excellent visual aids when strategically placed. Documents should look professional and simple, using basic black and white text with minimal shading. Use of boldface and italics is suitable for calling attention to areas of importance.

3. Gather industry standards and follow government regulations
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed standards for specific areas such as food safety management and risk management. These standards will provide you a starting place to develop your manuals.

Certain government organizations, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stipulations for practices and procedures that must be adhered to. Be sure you are informed correctly about what manuals your business requires, and what should be contained within them. Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, including lawsuits and in some cases criminal charges.

4. Be sure the job is done correctly
With health and safety manuals being such an important aspect of a company’s structure, it is vital that they are completed correctly. Taking the time to educate yourself on the guidelines as well as taking advantage of the available resources can provide significant help. If you’re unsure as to where to begin, there are professionals that can help you develop the strongest manuals possible, providing your employees with a strong tool to use in doing their job. By allowing a professional to handle the task you can be sure you have a compliant, well-drafted document.

 

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