What is a Safety Statement?

Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires that an organisation produce a written programme to safeguard:

• the safety and health of  employees while they work
• the safety and health of  other people who might be at the workplace, including customers, visitors and members of the public

The Safety Statement represents a commitment to their safety and health. It should state how the employer will ensure their safety and health and state the resources necessary to maintain and review safety and health laws and standards. The Safety Statement should influence all work activities, including

• the selection of competent people, equipment and materials
• the way work is done
• how goods and services are designed and provided

It is essential to write down the Safety Statement and put in place the arrangements needed to implement and monitor it. The Safety Statement must be made available to staff, and anyone else, showing that hazards have been identified and the risks assessed and eliminated or controlled.

Under Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is a legal requirement that all organisations must compile a safety statement which is reviewed regularly.

This statement must be implemented at all levels in the organisation, integrated into all activities and communicated to every member of the workplace.

This statement provided by HMS will include

• Necessary measures to control any possible risks or hazards in your business
• Identification of hazards in the workplace
• Advice on all relevant health and safety policies and procedures
• Review and update of any current safety statement in use

We can also update safety statements if they are out of date and need to be reviewed. Statements are required to be updated annually or when there are structual or equipment changes to the workplace