Health and Safety Policy from the NICEIC

Published: 18 November 2003 Category: Other

All NICEIC members need to comply with Health and Safety requirements which are incorporated in the Electrtechnical Assessment Scheme.

Changes to the NICEIC Rules Relating to Enrolment, which come into effect on 1st April 2003, will require all applicants and existing Approved Contractors to have a written health and safety policy.

The revised rule reads as follows:

Rule 4: Qualifications for Enrolment

(1) An enterprise may apply for enrolment as an Approved Contractor if it:

(i) has a written health and safety policy statement and carries out risk assessments as appropriate

All Approved Contractors will be required by Rule 15(2) of the revised Rules to demonstrate compliance with the new health and safety requirement given in Rule 4 during each periodic assessment, regardless of the number of employees. This requirement mirrors that embodied in the Government's Quality Mark scheme, and is also being incorporated in the Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme, at the suggestion of the NICEIC.

Where Approved Contractors or Conforming Bodies are unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the NICEIC Area Engineer that they have a written policy statement and undertake Risk Assessments, the Area Engineer will record this as a non-compliance although, in the first instance, usually not as a major non-compliance. This will provide adequate time for Approved Contractors to meet the new health and safety requirement in the NICEIC Rules. A major non-compliance is likely to be awarded if the requirement is found not to have been met on subsequent assessment visits.

Why do I need a health and safety policy?

There are three main reasons to have a written statement of your health and safety policy:

•	It is a legal requirement if you employ five or more people.
•	If your health and safety policy is written down and put into practice, it should lead to sound health and safety practices in your business.
•	As from 1 April 2003, it will be a requirement for continued Enrolment with the NICEIC, regardless of the number of employees.

What does the law actually require?

Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states:

'Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all his employees'.

The requirements cover all employees including trainees, whether they are employed at one or several sites.

In summary, the written statement must:

•	state your general policy on health and safety
•	describe the organisation and persons' responsibilities for health and safety
•	describe the arrangements for carrying out the policy
•	be brought to the notice of all your employees
•	be revised whenever appropriate, and every revision must be brought to your employees' attention.

Further guidance is available in the HSE publication - 'Stating your Business - Guidance on Preparing a Health and Safety Policy Document for Small Firms' available for download below, or by contacting HSE Books on: 01787 881165.