Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

4.6.2
The promotion of health and safety 
standards
For a positive health and safety culture to be developed, 
everyone within the organization needs to understand 
the standards of health and safety expected by the 
organization and the role of the individual in achieving 
and maintaining those standards. Such standards are 
required to control and minimize health and safety risks.
Standards should clearly identify the actions 
required of people to promote health and safety. They 
should also specify the competencies needed by 
employees and they should form the basis for measur-
ing health and safety performance.
Health and safety standards cover all aspects of the 
organization. Typical examples include:
➤
the design and selection of premises
➤
the design and selection of plant and substances 
(including those used on site by contractors)

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Promoting a positive health and safety culture
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➤
the recruitment of employees and contractors
➤
the control of work activities, including issues such 
as risk assessment
➤
competence, maintenance and supervision
➤
emergency planning and training
➤
the transportation of the product and its subsequent 
maintenance and servicing.
Having established relevant health and safety stand-
ards, it is important that they are actively promoted 
within the organization by all levels of management. 
The most effective method of promotion is by leadership 
and example. There are many ways to do this such as:
➤
the involvement of managers in workplace inspec-
tions and accident investigations
➤
the use of personal protective equipment (e.g. gog-
gles and hard hats) by all managers and their visit-
ors in designated areas
➤
ensuring that employees attend specialist refresher 
training courses when required (e.g. fi rst aid and 
fork lift truck driving)
➤
full cooperation with fi re drills and other emergency 
training exercises
➤
comprehensive accident reporting and prompt fol-
low up on recommended remedial actions.
The benefi ts of good standards of health and safety will 
be shown directly in less lost production, accidents and 
compensation claims and lower insurance premiums. 
It may also be shown in higher product quality and bet-
ter resource allocation.
An important and central necessity for the promotion 
of high health and safety standards is health and safety 
competence. What is meant by ‘competence’?