WSH Policy And Objectives Audit Checklist

WSH Policy And Objectives Audit Checklist

Senior Management   shall devise an audit checklist with questions targeted  at WSH policy and objectives to determine the relevancy based on the identified five areas of the set WSH policy and
objectives and key  staff members in charge of critical safety areas  shall be consulted

S/N	Question	Select Answer as appropriate
		Yes	No
1	Does the WSH policy statement express a commitment to health and safety? Are obligations towards employees made clear?
2	Does it say which senior officer is responsible for seeing that it is implemented and for keeping it under review, and how this will be done?
3	Is it signed by senior executive?
4	Have the views of managers and supervisors, safety representatives and safety committees been taken into account?
5	Were the duties set out in the statement discussed with the people concerned? Do they understand how their performance is to be assessed and what resources they have to carry out their tasks safely?
6	Does the statement make clear that cooperation on the part of all employees is vital to the success of the health and safety policy?
7	Does it say how employees are to be involved in health and safety matters, for example, by being consulted, by taking part in inspections, or by sitting on a safety committee?     Does it show clearly how the duties for health and safety are allocated, and are the responsibilities at different levels described?
8	Does it say who is responsible for the following matters?         Investigation reports and accident records.         Fire precautions and evacuation procedures.         First aid.         Safety inspections.         Training program.         Ensuring legal requirements are met.
9	Is management solely responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment?
10	Is employer's concern for health and safety as great as concern for economic financial and marketing matters?
11	Does it include the names of individual managers who are responsible for making the safety policy work in specific areas or departments?
12	Does it include the names of individual managers who are responsible for making the safety policy work in specific areas or departments?
S/N	Question	Select Answer as appropriate
		Yes	No
13	Does it state the employers duty to give instruction and training in health and safety to all employees?
14	Does it outline the development and maintenance of health and safety roles and procedures?
15	Does it include planned programs for health and safety at work?
16	Does it ensure that health and safety matters will be taken into account when planning new methods processes or premises?
17	Does it include arrangements for disclosing information, including multilingual information, on health and safety and welfare matters?
18	Does it include arrangements for disclosing information, including multilingual information, on health and safety and welfare matters?
19	Does it explain how money is to be made available to health and safety
20	Do all employees have copies of their employer's safety policy?
21	Are workplace representatives consulted about periodic revisions and updating of the employer's safety policy?
22	Has the policy been reviewed with the health and safety committee?
23	Does it state who will review the policy and how often it will be reviewed?
24	Are there effective arrangements for drawing the policy to the attention of all employees?
25	Is the delegation of duties logical and successive throughout the organization?
26	Is it clear that the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with senior management?
27	Are the responsibilities of senior managers written into the policy or into job descriptions?
28	Are there procedures and controls in place that ensure accountability?
29	Is safety and health performance an essential ingredient of performance appraisals?
30	Do line managers understand and accept the nature of their safety and health responsibilities?
31	Are there arrangements for liaison with contractors?
32	Are all individuals aware of their legal responsibilities?

Audit Results Of WSH Policy And Objective

The organization WSH policy and objectives shall be revised and aligned according to  the audit results which are based on the elements of
 
   . Management Commitment and Responsibility ;
   . Safety Accountability of Managers ;
   . Appointment of Key Safety Personnel ;
   . The Emergency Response Plan; and
   . Documentation 
                                       

S/N	Question	Select Answer as appropriate
		Yes	No
1	Does the WSH policy statement express a commitment to health and safety? Are obligations towards employees made clear?
2	Does it say which senior officer is responsible for seeing that it is implemented and for keeping it under review, and how this will be done?
3	Is it signed by senior executive?
4	Have the views of managers and supervisors, safety representatives and safety committees been taken into account?
5	Were the duties set out in the statement discussed with the people concerned? Do they understand how their performance is to be assessed and what resources they have to carry out their tasks safely?
6	Does the statement make clear that cooperation on the part of all employees is vital to the success of the health and safety policy?
7	Does it say how employees are to be involved in health and safety matters, for example, by being consulted, by taking part in inspections, or by sitting on a safety committee?
8	Does it show clearly how the duties for health and safety are allocated, and are the responsibilities at different levels described?
9	Does it say who is responsible for the following matters?         Investigation reports and accident records.         Fire precautions and evacuation procedures.         First aid.         Safety inspections.         Training program.         Ensuring legal requirements are met.
10	Is management solely responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment?
11	Is employer's concern for health and safety as great as concern for economic financial and marketing matters?
12	Does it include the names of individual managers who are responsible for making the safety policy work in specific areas or departments?
12	Does it include the names of individual managers who are responsible for making the safety policy work in specific areas or departments?
S/N	Question	Select Answer as appropriate
		Yes	No
13	Does it state the employers duty to give instruction and training in health and safety to all employees?
14	Does it outline the development and maintenance of health and safety roles and procedures?
15	Does it include planned programs for health and safety at work?
16	Does it ensure that health and safety matters will be taken into account when planning new methods processes or premises?
17	Does it include arrangements for disclosing information, including multilingual information, on health and safety and welfare matters?
18	Does it include arrangements for disclosing information, including multilingual information, on health and safety and welfare matters?
19	Does it explain how money is to be made available to health and safety
20	Do all employees have copies of their employer's safety policy?
21	Are workplace representatives consulted about periodic revisions and updating of the employer's safety policy?
22	Has the policy been reviewed with the health and safety committee?
23	Does it state who will review the policy and how often it will be reviewed?
24	Are there effective arrangements for drawing the policy to the attention of all employees?
25	Is the delegation of duties logical and successive throughout the organization?
26	Is it clear that the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with senior management?
27	Are the responsibilities of senior managers written into the policy or into job descriptions?
28	Are there procedures and controls in place that ensure accountability?
29	Is safety and health performance an essential ingredient of performance appraisals?
30	Do line managers understand and accept the nature of their safety and health responsibilities?
31	Are there arrangements for liaison with contractors?
32	Are all individuals aware of their legal responsibilities?

Setting WSH Objectives

Setting WSH Objectives in line with risk assessment results   

WSH objectives should include the aim to reduced the risk levels of identified risky activities based on the results of the risk assessment

The risks identified in the risk assessment can be prioritized and  suitable control measure implemented according to the hierarchy of change to either reduce the risk to an acceptable level or eliminate them completely

At this stage, the objective of the WSH policy shall be set based on risk assessment results and the reduction of risks.

Similarly, an organization can also implement additional WSH program as an objective of the WSH policy which is necessary to ensure safety and health of person at work for any specialized work activity, handling of hazardous materials and high risk equipments

Objectives of WSH policy can also be set to ensure the implementation of effective control measures to address the causes of any incidents.

However the organization should conduct thorough investigation into incidents and establish appropriate and effective control measure to prevent recurrence of that incident

Information which an organization can collect from their WSH records which may include but not restricted to

·         Type of hazards
·         Possible types of accidents and ill health due to the hazards and
·         Persons that can be victims of the accident or ill health
·         Type of materials, process involved
·         Dangers associated with the process
·         Acceptability level of risk
·         Accident frequency rates
·         Number of non-compliances

And to address the causes of incidents, an organization can adopt control measures which may include but not restricted to

·         Identify existing risk control measures
·         Review effectiveness of such controls and the consequences of failure
·         Assess potential severity of the hazards
·         Determine likelihood of occurrence, and
·         Assess risk level based on severity and likelihood

 Objectives relevant to the risk assessment results

We will ensure the risk level of all work activities in our organization shall not exceed medium level through development implement and regularly review the hazard identification programmes ,risk assessment programmes and risk control programmes

We will implement effective preventive measures to achieve zero incidents in any particular specific hazards

We will implement business continuity plan and crisis management plan to ensure our business is not affected by any medical emergency situation or crisis

Coordinate management review of WSH policy                     

WSH policy outlines the methods and processes that the organization will use to achieve desired safety outcomes. In reviewing the WSH policy, Senior management shall consult with key staff members in  charge of safety critical areas that needs improvement                                  

Consultation will ensure that the WSH policy and objectives are relevant to all staff and there is a sense of shared responsibility for the  safety culture in the organization

To review the WSH Policy and objectives, we can divide them into 5 areas

·         Management Commitment and Responsibility;

·         Safety Accountabilities of Managers;

·         Appointment of Key Safety Personnel;
·         The Emergency Response Plan; and
·         Documentation

                                           

Communication of WSH policy to stakeholders

Communication of WSH policy to stakeholders

An effective WSH policy management includes but not limited to:

·  Clearly defined and communicated to relevant stakeholders,
·  Backed up by sound arrangement and put into practice,
·  Reflected in day-to-day attitudes and actions of people, and
·  Monitored

Thee identified stakeholders to whom the WSH policy have to be communicated to are employees, unions, contractors, suppliers, customers and regulatory agencies

Communication of WSH policy                          
There are many ways in which WSH policy can be communicated to stakeholders and one of the way is to make the WSH policy available to the stakeholders                          

Ways in which WSH policy can be communicated includes but not limited to:

§  Company policy and procedure manuals;
§  Employee rule books;
§  Employee handouts /pay check enclosures;
§  WSH policy and procedures manual;
§  Standard job procedures manual;
§  WSH Committee or representative;
§  Reference in job descriptions;
§  Notice board announcements and reminders;
§  Workplace safety and health talks and meetings;
§  Workplace safety and health meetings at which managers stress commitment to the policy;
§  Regular discussion of safety and health at production, quality, planning and other meetings;
§  Effective review of and response to your WSH committee or representative’s recommendations;
§  Effective review of and response to inspection reports, accident investigations, and WSH program evaluations.
§  Launching in company’s website and intranet;
§  Incorporating in contracts and agreements.
§New employee induction & orientation and other training programs
The success of any organization WSH policy depends on the performance of it’s workforce that is,
to achieve desired results, every person at work must know their responsibilities.In general the generic
roles and responsibilities of  stake holders are along the lines of:            
Individual obligations:
Individuals have a responsibilities and obligations to carry out their assigned duties                          
Senior management                                    

This level is concerned with strategy across the organization as a whole, including setting policies and broad objectives, allocating resources (finance and personnel) and approving plans

· Provide policy direction and planning
· Review control information
· Delegate responsibility /authority
· Allocate budget
· Provide active support
· Hold middle management responsible

Middle or department section management:

This level is concerned with the detailed plan to achieve the broad
objectives and the organization direction of the resources to achieve
operational effectiveness

· Setting up programs and procedure for each part of the department/section.

· Communicating and consulting with supervisors and employees to provide clear information about
   what is required of them.
· Maintaining records.
· Provide active support
· Hold the managers accountable for safe operation
· Make sure line managers have adequate resources and support
· Assist the WSH committee or representative

First-line management or supervisors:

This level is concerned with the technical operation of work activities
and, in terms of health and safety, will work closely with operators to
ensure that programs and procedures are carried out properly. This will
involve                   

· Instruction, monitoring, inspection
· Providing information and equipment as necessary to ensure compliance.
· Train operators and others.
. Supervise employees to ensure that correct work procedures are followed.
· Communicate hazard information and control procedures
· consult with employees
· Provide feedback to senior executive.
· Cooperate with the safety and health committee or representative
· Hold accountable those managers, supervisors, and workers reporting to them

Every person at work:

·         Responsibility for acting safely at all times in the course of their duties at work
·         Report all unsafe conditions, injuries and incidents to supervisors immediately
·         Comply with company rules and procedures
·         Report all injuries for First Aid ,no matter how minor
·         Use machinery, equipment, and materials, only as authorized
·         Follow job procedures
·         Cooperate with the WSH Committee or representative
·         Wear personal protective equipment as required

WSH officers/coordinators:

·   Discharge his duties as relevant in the WSH Act-2006
·   Implement and maintain proper procedures of WSH Management and recording system
·   Responsible for providing specialist knowledge and skills to support management and employees
    in understanding
    and implementing appropriate safety measures
·   To measure, monitor and review the organization WSH performance

Contractors:

·         Familiarize themselves with the organizations WSH management system
·         Take prompt corrective action to remove any unsafe or unhealthy work condition
·         To maintain effectively such corrections
·         Develop special Training program for workers engaged in hazardous and accident prone
          operations
·         Ensure good house keeping is practiced in the work place

Coordinate Management Meeting For Formulation Of WSH Policy

Coordinate Management Meeting For Formulation Of WSH

The process of coordinating management meeting for formulation of WSH policy involves 6  steps namely:

   i)Schedule date and time of meeting
   ii)Arrangement of meeting venue and facilities
   iii)Drafting meeting agenda
   iv)Sending out meeting notifications
    v)Sending reminders for meeting
   vi)Arrangement for meeting minutes to be taken

It is the responsibility of the WSH Committee secretary or the WSH officer to check the availability of the stake holders before scheduling the date and t ime of the meeting and arranging a meeting venue convenient to all stake holders

The meeting venue should be selected on the merits of their convenience and  comfort to the stake holders and relevant visual aids equipments such as  projector shall be arranged & set up in the meeting room for effective presentation of information for formulation of WSH policy.

Lightings & the temperature of the meeting room shall be adjusted too to  ensure a cosy yet serious ambience. Similarly, portable drinking mineral water,writing pads and stationary shall also be provided to the stake holders for notes taking purposes

The meeting agenda shall be drafted by the secretary and be circulated to all  the members prior to the meeting. The agenda should be drafted after taking  into consideration all the safety aspects with all departments and should also include the minutes of previous meeting.         

The WSH Committee secretary shall send out meeting notification to all members providing them with information on the meeting date and time and the meeting venue days before the actual meetin

Final gentle reminders shall be sent to all the members to remind them of the scheduled meeting and that attendance for the meeting will be taken down and at the same time confirming their attendance

And before the meeting commence WSH Officer or secretary of the WSH committee shall make all the arrangements to record the minutes of meeting and to ensure that the minutes are filed in a designated file for maintenance of minutes of previous meeting