What are health and safety Policies and Procedures?
If your business has five or more employees, the law requires you to have a written health and safety policy. Even if you have fewer than five employees, it’s best practice to have one in place.
Your health and safety policy is your commitment to keeping people safe at work. It outlines the measures you put in place to protect everyone and ensure a safe working environment. It should include:
✔ A statement of intent – your promise to protect health and safety.
✔ Roles & responsibilities – who is responsible for what.
✔ Arrangements – what steps need to be taken to deliver the policy.
Your procedures support your activities, and bring the policy to life. They set out the day-to-day actions that keep people safe at work – from risk assessments to emergency plans and safe working practices.
A well-written policy and clear procedures help your business stay compliant and create a safer workplace.
Why do you need health and safety Policies & Procedures?
Health and safety policies and procedures aren’t just about ticking a box – they help protect your people, your business, and your reputation. Here’s why they matter:
✅ Legal Compliance – If you have five or more employees, the law requires you to have a written health and safety policy. Clear procedures help you meet legal duties and avoid penalties.
✅ Protects People – A well-structured policy and practical procedures reduce workplace risks, prevent accidents, and create a safer environment for employees, contractors, and visitors.
✅ Boosts Efficiency – When everyone knows their responsibilities and how to work safely, there’s less confusion, downtime, and disruption.
✅ Demonstrates Commitment – A strong health and safety culture shows employees and clients that you take safety seriously, building trust and credibility.
✅ Reduces Costs – Fewer accidents mean lower insurance premiums, reduced sick leave, and less compensation risk.
A clear, tailored policy backed by practical procedures ensures health and safety isn’t just a bunch of documents on a shelf—it becomes part of your everyday operations.
How can ApplaudBC help?
At ApplaudBC, we support you in the way that works best for your business. You can choose from our H&S Documentation Package (checkout our H&S Packages page), which provides customisable templates for policies and procedures, or we can work with you to develop policies tailored to your processes and help implement them in your organisation. Or anything in between!
Whichever option you choose, we make sure your policies and procedures are manageable, practical, and beneficial—helping you stay compliant while making health and safety work for your business.
Our typical process for development of documentation:
1. Review
Review existing documentation against requirements and identify gaps to be filled
2. Data gathering
Gather information needed to develop documentation - this may be a chat with the relevant people or a visit to site to observe ....
3. Develop documentation
Write documentation in line with specific needs of business. Opportunities for feedback so that 100% accurate.
4. Delivery and implementation
Deliver in preferred format. Support in implementation such as training, briefings, audit of new processes etc.
Need help getting it right? Get in touch – we’ll make sure your policies and procedures are practical, effective, and tailored to how your business really works.