NEBOSH National General Certificate Health and Safety Policy and Organising Syllabus

Health and Safety Policy and Organising syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Health and Safety Policy and Organising in NEBOSH National General Certificate, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Health and Safety Policy

   3 topics

   • Purpose and Legal Requirement for a Policy
     • The five-employee threshold for a written policy
     • Demonstrating management commitment
   • The Three Components of a Policy
     • Statement of intent
     • Organisation section
     • Arrangements section
   • Reviewing the Policy
     • Triggers for review such as legislation or accidents
     • Signs a policy is ineffective
2. 2

   Organising for Health and Safety

   4 topics

   • Roles and Responsibilities at All Levels
     • Directors and senior management
     • Middle managers and supervisors
     • Health and safety practitioners
   • Effective Leadership and Director Responsibilities
     • INDG417 leading health and safety guidance
     • Defining the safety culture from the top
   • Competent Persons and Health and Safety Assistance
   • Control of Contractors
     • Selecting and approving contractors
     • Shared duties and information exchange
     • Client responsibilities for contractor safety
3. 3

   Consultation and Worker Involvement

   3 topics

   • Legal Requirements for Consultation
     • Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
     • Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
   • Safety Representatives and Safety Committees
     • Functions of trade-union appointed representatives
     • Membership and effective operation of committees
   • Benefits of Worker Participation

Health and Safety Policy and Organising flashcards for NEBOSH National General Certificate

23 of 51 cards from the Health and Safety Policy and Organising deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a health and safety policy?

   A written document setting out an organisation's intentions, aims and objectives for managing health and safety, and the arrangements and people in place to achieve them. It demonstrates management commitment and direction.

2. What is the legal requirement under UK law for an organisation to have a written health and safety policy?

   Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 2(3), every employer with five (5) or more employees must prepare and keep up to date a written statement of their general health and safety policy and bring it to the attention of employees.

3. Below what number of employees is a written health and safety policy not legally required (though still good practice)?

   Fewer than five (5) employees. Employers with four or fewer employees do not need to put the policy in writing, but they still have all other health and safety duties.

4. What are the three components (sections) of a health and safety policy?

   1) The Statement of Intent (general policy statement), 2) The Organisation section (roles and responsibilities), and 3) The Arrangements section (practical systems and procedures).

5. What is the purpose of the Statement of Intent within a health and safety policy?

   To declare the organisation's commitment to and aims for health and safety, set measurable objectives and goals, demonstrate senior management leadership, and be signed and dated by the most senior person (e.g. CEO/MD).

6. Who should sign and date the Statement of Intent, and why?

   The most senior person in the organisation (e.g. the Managing Director or CEO). This demonstrates top-level management commitment and gives the policy authority.

7. What does the 'Organisation' section of a health and safety policy describe?

   The allocation of health and safety roles, responsibilities and reporting relationships — the 'who is responsible for what and to whom' — showing the chain of command and accountability throughout the organisation.

8. What does the 'Arrangements' section of a health and safety policy describe?

   The practical systems, procedures and processes for managing health and safety in practice — the 'how' — e.g. risk assessment, training, emergency procedures, consultation, accident reporting, maintenance and welfare.

9. Give four examples of items typically covered in the Arrangements section of a policy.

   Any four of: risk assessments; safe systems of work and permits; training and information; accident/incident reporting and investigation; emergency procedures; consultation with workers; PPE provision; health surveillance; maintenance of equipment; welfare facilities.

10. What features should the objectives set out in a Statement of Intent ideally have?

    They should be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound — so progress can be monitored and the policy reviewed against them.

11. List four circumstances that should trigger a review of the health and safety policy.

    Any four of: significant time has passed (e.g. annually); after an accident or near miss; following enforcement action; changes in legislation; new processes, equipment or technology; organisational/personnel changes; results of audits or monitoring; consultation feedback from workers; change in work location or premises.

12. Why is it important to review and revise the health and safety policy periodically?

    To ensure it remains relevant, accurate and effective; reflects current activities, legislation and risks; addresses lessons learned from incidents; and continues to drive improvement. An out-of-date policy can become meaningless and unenforceable.

13. How often, as good practice, should a health and safety policy be reviewed even if nothing else changes?

    At least annually (every 12 months), to confirm it remains current and effective.

14. Name four reasons why a health and safety policy might fail to be effective in practice.

    Any four of: policy is out of date; statements are vague/aspirational with no measurable goals; no resources allocated to achieve aims; lack of senior management commitment/leadership; not communicated to workers; responsibilities not clearly assigned or understood; no monitoring or review; written by consultant with no organisational input.

15. What are the general health and safety duties of an employer to employees under Section 2 of HSWA 1974?

    To ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees — including safe plant and systems of work, safe use/handling of substances, information, instruction, training and supervision, a safe workplace, and a safe working environment with adequate welfare.

16. What does the legal phrase 'so far as is reasonably practicable' mean?

    That the degree of risk must be balanced against the cost (time, money, effort) of the measures needed to control it. If the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk, the measure need not be taken. The duty-holder must prove this balance.

17. What are the duties of employees under Section 7 of HSWA 1974?

    To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others affected by their acts/omissions, and to co-operate with their employer so far as necessary to enable the employer to meet its legal duties.

18. What duty does Section 8 of HSWA 1974 place on every person?

    No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare (e.g. machine guards, fire extinguishers, PPE).

19. What duties does Section 3 of HSWA 1974 place on employers?

    To conduct their undertaking so far as is reasonably practicable so that persons not in their employment (e.g. contractors, visitors, the public) are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

20. What is the duty of directors and senior managers regarding health and safety leadership?

    To provide visible, active leadership; set the health and safety direction and culture; ensure adequate resources; integrate health and safety into business decisions; and be accountable for the organisation's health and safety performance.

21. According to HSE/IoD guidance 'Leading Health and Safety at Work', what are the three essential principles for directors?

    1) Strong and active leadership from the top; 2) Worker involvement (engaging the workforce); and 3) Assessment and review (gaining assurance through monitoring and performance reporting).

22. Give three examples of how a director can demonstrate visible, active leadership in health and safety.

    Any three of: carrying out workplace safety tours/inspections; chairing safety committee meetings; receiving and acting on performance reports; allocating resources and budget; setting objectives and reviewing them; leading by example by following rules and wearing PPE; investigating serious incidents personally.

23. Why is good standard-setting (leadership) by management important for health and safety culture?

    Because managers set the example others follow; if they visibly prioritise safety and follow the rules, workers are more likely to comply. Poor management commitment leads to a poor safety culture and unsafe behaviour.

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