What is A Safety Statement?

Our Blog - What is a Safety Statement?

A Safety Statement is not a single page statement of intent which is one of the most common misconceptions, not helped by its name.

A Safety Statement is instead a Safety Management System comprising of both policies and procedures in relation to Health and Safety and a Risk Assessment which identifies, and manages risks specific to your workplace and work activities.

A Safety Statement has been a legal requirement for all businesses since 1989, but updated more recently (relative to 1989) under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

We include the specific legal requirement below under Section 20 of the act for ease of access.

"Every employer shall prepare,or cause to be prepared, a written statement (to be known and referred to in this Act as a safety statement;), based on the identification of the hazards and the risk assessment carried out under section 19 , specifying the manner in which the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees shall be secured and managed”

We have put together a short list of the most common queries we receive below regarding a Safety Statement,.

Safety Statement Common Questions.

Will a Safety Management System or Safety Statement from another country suffice in Ireland?

No A Safety Statement must be specific to Irish legislation namely the 2005 Act which we outline below which has very specific and unique requirements which apply solely to Ireland.

Do I need to bring the Safety Statement to the attention of my employees?

We refer to section 20 Part 3 of the 2005 Act.

“(3) Every employer shall bring the safety statement, in a form, manner and, as appropriate, language that is reasonably likely to be understood, to the attention of— (a) his or her employees, at least annually and, at any other time, following its amendment in accordance with this section, (b) newly-recruited employees upon commencement of employment, and (c) other persons at the place of work who may be exposed to any specific risk to which the safety statement applies.”

How often does the Safety Statement need to be reviewed?

The Safety Statement should be reviewed at least annually or more frequently should there be changes or improvements which can be made.

A direction can also be issued by a HSA Inspector for it to be updated should it be deficient in some way.

My Safety Statement is just a few short pages, should this be ok?

Safety Statements and Risk Assessment which accompany the Safety Statement do have to contain quite a lot of information.

It is not a book to be read in one go, but a Management system so as a rough guide if your Safety Statement or Risk Assessment is very brief, there is a high chance it is not adequately sufficient.

Can We Help You With a Safety Statement Quote?

Please contact us today to discuss further. We would be delighted to discuss your Safety Statement requirements and guide you in the right direction.