Health and Safety

A group’s Health and Safety Policy is essential for ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and visitors. The policy lays out a group’s position on health and safety and ensures the organisation is compliant with the law. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that all organisation’s must look after the health and safety of anyone who could be affected by their work, and this includes volunteers. As part of this process, groups must complete risk assessments and analyse the needs for their specific group.

Here are some useful links with regards to your health and safety essential needs.

• Health and Safety Executive:
  • https://www.hse.gov.uk/
  • https://www.hse.gov.uk/voluntary/index.htm
  • https://www.hse.gov.uk/voluntary/employer/risk-assessment.htm
  • You can find a Risk Assessment Template for your needs here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm
• Resource centre information on health and safety and includes sample policies: https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/health-and-safety/
• NCVO guidance: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/involving-volunteers/volunteers-and-the-law/volunteering-and-health-and-safety/#:~:text=do%20involve%20volunteers.-,Health%20and%20safety%20legislation,information%20on%20health%20and%20safety.
• Charity excellence suite of policy templates: https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/policies-required-by-law-and-charity-commission/

Download sample Health and Safety policy