Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

2.3.2 Organization of health and safety
This section of the policy defi nes the names, positions 
and duties of those within the organization or company 
who have a responsibility for health and safety. Therefore, 
it identifi es those health and safety responsibilities and 
the reporting lines through the management structure. 
This section will include the following groups together 
with their associated responsibilities:
➤
directors and senior managers (responsible for set-
ting policy, objectives and targets)
➤
supervisors (responsible for checking day-to-day 
compliance with the policy)
➤
safety advisers (responsible for giving advice during 
accident investigations and on compliance issues)
➤
other specialist, such as an occupational nurse, 
chemical analyst and an electrician (responsible for 
giving specialist advice on particular health and safety 
issues)
➤
safety representatives (responsible for representing 
employees during consultation meetings on health 
and safety issues with the employer)
➤
employees (responsible for taking reasonable care 
of the health and safety of themselves and others 
who may be affected by their acts or omissions)
➤
fi re marshals (responsible for the safe evacuation of 
the building in an emergency)
➤
fi rst aiders (responsible for administering fi rst aid to 
injured persons)
For smaller organizations, some of the specialists men-
tioned above may well be employed on a consultancy 
basis.
For the health and safety organization to work 
successfully, it must be supported from the top (prefer-
ably at Board level) and some fi nancial resource made 
available.
It is also important that certain key functions are 
included in the organization structure. These include:
➤
accident investigation and reporting
➤
health and safety training and information
➤
health and safety monitoring and audit
Figure 2.3
Good information, training and working with 
employees is essential.

---