Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Health and safety professionals
– Such profession-
als will often be appointed by the organization to man-
age the occupational health and safety management 
system and monitor its implementation. They will, 
therefore, have a particular interest in the develop-
ment of the system, the design of objectives and the 
defi nition of targets or goals. Unless they have a direct 
line management responsibility which is not very com-
mon, they can only act as advisers. The appointed 

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health and safety professional also liaises with other 
associated competent persons, such as for electrical 
appliance and local exhaust ventilation testing.
External stakeholders include
➤
Insurance companies
– As compensation claims 
increase, insurance companies are requiring more 
and more evidence that health and safety is being 
effectively managed. There is increasing evidence 
that insurance companies are becoming less pre-
pared to offer cover to organizations with a poor 
health and safety record and/or occupational health 
and safety management system.
➤
Investors
– Health and safety risks will, with other 
risks, have an effect on investment decisions. 
Increasingly, investment organizations require evi-
dence that these risks are being addressed before 
investment decisions are made.
➤
Regulators
– In many parts of the world, particu-
larly in the Far East, national regulators and legisla-
tion require certifi cation to a recognized international 
occupational health and safety management system 
standard. In many countries, regulators use such a 
standard to measure the awareness of a particular 
organization to health and safety issues.
➤
Customers
– Customers and others within the sup-
ply chain are increasingly insisting on some form of 
formal occupational health and safety management 
system to exist within the organization. The con-
struction industry is a good example of this trend. 
Much of this demand is linked to the need for cor-
porate social responsibility and its associated guide-
lines on global best practice.
➤
Neighbours
– The extent of the interest of neigh-
bours will depend on the nature of the activities of 
the organization and the effect that these activities 
have on them. The control of noise, dust and other 
atmospheric contaminants are examples of common 
problem areas which can only be addressed on a 
continuing basis using a health and safety manage-
ment system.
➤