Health & Safety Policy

(England & Wales)

Create your health and safety policy with company details, management responsibilities, organisation structure, workplace hazards, and review arrangements.

Professionally drafted — structured following the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Section 2(3)) requirements for England and Wales.

Download a professionally drafted health and safety policy template, also known as an H&S policy, workplace safety policy, or safety policy statement. Covers general statement of intent signed by senior management, organisation and responsibilities from directors to employees, arrangements for risk assessment, training, emergency procedures, accident reporting, health surveillance, workplace inspections, contractor management, and policy review. Required under Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for every employer with five or more employees. Supports duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, and HSE enforcement requirements. Suitable for small businesses, growing companies, construction and trades, healthcare and care, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, office-based employers, and self-employed with staff. Structured following Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for England and Wales.

One-time payment: £10
✓ Lifetime access • ✓ Lifetime updates • ✓ Fully editable • ✓ Based on UK law • ✓ Instant download
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
Build your health and safety policy first — preview every section before purchase. Only pay when you're happy.
Interview and editor — both included with your purchase.
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🎯 Two creation methods — same professional document

Whether you prefer step-by-step guidance or a traditional form, both methods produce the identical professionally-formatted health and safety policy. Choose the style that suits you.

Recommended

Smart Interview

One screen at a time — less overwhelming, nothing missed.

  • Guided policy creation process
  • Conditional sections based on your business
  • See your progress as you go
Completion Time
~10 min
📋

Classic Editor

Everything on one page — faster if you know what you need.

  • See all fields at once
  • Easier to review and compare
  • Fewer clicks
Completion Time
~7 min

🔒 Your data never leaves your device — saved locally in your browser only

♻️ Unlimited use — generate policies for every business and workplace

💡 H&S Starter Pack — 5 templates for £29 (save £21)

Health & Safety Policy, Risk Assessment, Fire Safety, COSHH, Lone Worker

Structured following UK H&S legislation.

✓ One-time payment | ✓ Lifetime updates | ✓ No subscription

Who Needs a Health & Safety Policy?

Every employer with 5+ employees must have a written health and safety policy. This template covers all organisation types under HSWA 1974.

Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires every employer with five or more employees to prepare and maintain a written health and safety policy, covering a statement of intent, organisation, and arrangements — brought to the attention of all employees.▼ Tap below to read more

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What the Law Says About Health & Safety Policies

Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires every employer with five or more employees to prepare and maintain a written statement of general policy on health and safety, the organisation for carrying out the policy, and the arrangements for implementing it. The key requirements are:

  • Written statement of general policy: A declaration of your commitment to health and safety, signed by a senior person (usually the managing director or chief executive)
  • Organisation: Details of who is responsible for what — from board level to employee responsibilities
  • Arrangements: The practical steps you will take — risk assessments, training, emergency procedures, incident reporting, and more
  • Brought to attention: The policy must be communicated to all employees — issued, displayed, or accessible to them
  • Reviewed appropriately: The policy must be revised when there are significant changes in your business or legal requirements
  • Kept in line with change: Updated to reflect new processes, workplace changes, or changes in the law

The HSE emphasises that a health and safety policy is not a one-off document — it is a living statement that demonstrates your organisation's commitment and framework for managing health and safety.

A health and safety policy structured following HSWA 1974 has three parts: a general statement of intent signed by senior management, an organisation section defining responsibilities from board to employees, and arrangements covering risk assessments, training, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.▼ Tap below to read more

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What Should a Health & Safety Policy Include?

Part 1: General Statement of Intent

  • Commitment signed by the senior person (managing director, chief executive, or equivalent)
  • Statement of organisational commitment to the health and safety of employees and others
  • Acknowledgement of legal duties and moral responsibilities
  • Statement of the business's general approach to health and safety

Part 2: Organisation

  • Board/management responsibilities for health and safety oversight
  • Senior responsible person (director or manager with H&S responsibility)
  • Health and safety officer or consultant contact details (if applicable)
  • Line manager responsibilities at each level
  • Employee responsibilities and involvement in safety matters
  • First aider and fire warden contact details

Part 3: Arrangements

  • Risk assessment procedures and review frequency
  • Training and competence arrangements
  • Health and safety communication and consultation methods
  • Workplace inspection and monitoring procedures
  • Accident and incident reporting arrangements
  • Emergency procedures (fire, evacuation, first aid)
  • Hazard-specific arrangements (manual handling, DSE, noise, etc.)
  • Induction and onboarding procedures for new employees
  • Contractor and visitor management
  • Health surveillance arrangements (if applicable)

Our health and safety policy template includes a title page, statement of intent, organisation and responsibilities, named first aiders and fire wardens, workplace hazard identification, existing safety arrangements, risk assessment procedures, training requirements, communication methods, emergency procedures, accident reporting, and policy review arrangements.▼ Tap below to read more

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What's Included in This Template

Complete Health & Safety Policy Documentation:

  • ✓ Title page with company details and description
  • ✓ General statement of intent signed by senior management
  • ✓ Organisation section — clear responsibilities from directors to employees
  • ✓ Dedicated health and safety officer/consultant details (if applicable)
  • ✓ First aiders and fire wardens contact list
  • ✓ Nature of work and workplace hazards identification
  • ✓ Existing safety arrangements documentation
  • ✓ Risk assessment and control procedures
  • ✓ Training and competence requirements
  • ✓ Communication and consultation methods
  • ✓ Emergency procedures (fire, evacuation, first aid)
  • ✓ Accident and incident reporting procedures
  • ✓ Policy review frequency and sign-off arrangements
  • ✓ Professional formatting ready for print, PDF, and digital distribution

Employers without a written health and safety policy face HSE enforcement notices, unlimited fines for breaches of Section 2(3), personal liability for directors and senior managers, insurance complications, and reputational damage — risks that grow with business size and workplace hazards.▼ Tap below to read more

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Risks of Not Having a Written Policy

What Can Go Wrong:

  • HSE enforcement: The Health and Safety Executive can issue improvement or prohibition notices if you fail to provide a written policy as required by law
  • Unlimited fines: Breaches of Section 2(3) can result in unlimited fines for organisations and imprisonment for individuals responsible
  • No evidence of commitment or system: Without a written policy, it is difficult to demonstrate that you have a health and safety management system in place
  • Increased personal liability: Directors and senior managers can face personal prosecution and disqualification from the Companies House register
  • Insurance complications: Employers' liability insurers may reduce cover or refuse to pay claims if a written policy is not in place
  • Reputational damage: Failure to meet basic legal requirements damages customer trust and employee confidence

A written health and safety policy is not just a legal requirement — it is fundamental to protecting your people, demonstrating commitment, and managing risk effectively.

⚠️ After you download — CRITICAL:

The statement of intent must be signed and dated by a senior responsible person (typically the managing director, chief executive, or equivalent). Bring the policy to the attention of all employees — display it on noticeboards, include it in induction packs, or circulate digitally. Review the policy whenever there are significant changes to your business, processes, or workforce — and record each review with a date and signature. Keep signed originals accessible for HSE inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a consultant charge for a health and safety policy?

Health and safety consultants typically charge £500 to £2,500+ for a bespoke written policy, depending on business size, industry risk level, and whether ongoing support is included.

Our template at £10 provides the professional framework based on HSE guidance — many small and medium businesses complete their policy confidently using the template alone. Consider consultant review if you operate in high-risk sectors such as construction, manufacturing, or chemicals.

Can I write my own health and safety policy without a consultant?

Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a consultant — the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires you to have a written policy, not that a consultant must write it.

Our template guides you through the three required sections (statement of intent, organisation, arrangements) based on HSE guidance. Many businesses complete this confidently without additional help. Consider professional review if you have complex or high-risk activities.

Is a written health and safety policy a legal requirement?

Yes. Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires every employer with five or more employees to prepare and maintain a written statement of general policy on health and safety, the organisation for carrying it out, and the arrangements for implementing it. The policy must also be brought to the attention of all employees.

Even with fewer than five employees, documenting your policy is recommended good practice and may be required by insurers, clients, or tender processes.

What's the difference between a health and safety policy and a risk assessment?

The health and safety policy is your overall commitment and framework — it sets out what you will do and who is responsible. Risk assessments are separate evaluations of specific hazards in your workplace, required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

You need both: the policy sets the structure, risk assessments address the detail. We offer templates for both, and they work together.

How often should the health and safety policy be reviewed?

There is no fixed legal interval, but the policy must be revised whenever there are significant changes in your business or legal requirements. This includes new processes, workplace changes, changes in staff with health and safety responsibilities, after serious incidents, or when legislation changes.

Many organisations review their policy annually as good practice, even without significant changes, to confirm it remains accurate.

What if UK law changes after I purchase?

You receive free lifetime updates — no subscription required, no monthly fees, ever.

We monitor UK law changes and update templates accordingly. When we release an updated version, it appears free in your My Templates page. No extra charges. No recurring fees. You always have the most current version.

Is this really £10 one-time, or will I be charged monthly?

£10 one-time. That's it. No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no "free trial" traps.

Here's what we don't do: Other sites advertise "free templates" — you spend time filling one in, then they demand your card for a "free trial" that charges £35–£42/month when you forget to cancel. Worse, many are US-based and won't apply under UK law. (Read about the scam)

We're different: £10 upfront for the document you actually need. Build it, preview it, pay only when you're happy. Own it forever with free lifetime updates. Based on UK law. No subscription fatigue.

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