What is a Health and Safety Policy?

A Health and Safety Policy sets out the company's commitment to providing a healthy and safe working environment for the employees. 

The purpose of this policy is to outline the

• company's responsibilities and duties in protecting the health and safety of employees;
• preventive methods to be taken by the company in case of emergencies; and 
• procedure for reporting a breach of the policy. 

This template for health and safety policy provides for:

• health and safety training module for employees
• Safety equipment and protective gear for specific roles
• Fire drills, first aid box and general hygiene
• health and safety committee
• accident reporting procedures
• policy violations

How to Use the Document? 

The document should be used by Company's senior management while drafting health and safety policy. 

The Company should notify its employees whenever this policy undergoes major changes.

Relevant Hong Kong Laws

Employers in Hong Kong have a common law duty to take reasonable care of employees' health and safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Cap. 509) provides for safety and health protection to employees in the workplace. It outlines the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, supervisor and worker to prevent workplace injuries and illness.

The maximum fine for breaches of general duties to ensure the safety and health of employees under OSHO is currently set at HK$200,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are occupational health issues?

Occupational health refers to physical and mental well-being in the workplace. Therefore, if anything causes a risk or hazard to an employee at the workplace whether physical or mental then that is an occupational health issue.

Why is Health and Safety Policy important?

A Health and Safety policy embodies the company's commitment to protecting the well being of the employees. It helps in identifying risks involved in the work and prevents occupational accidents. Also, it outlines the individual responsibility to ensure the precautions are properly carried out.

What should employers do?

Apart from having a policy, the employers can take steps to ensure the worksite is suitable and the equipment is safe to use by conducting onsite checks regularly. They should train the employees on how to deal with the risks at the workplace.