www.consultnet.ie

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.

Links to Information Sources on Safety Statements:

HSA information on the Safety Statement

HSA guidelines on Preparing a Safety Statement

HSA Safety Statement and Risk Assessment FAQs

Access to information on and the Safety Statement at UCD

ESB Safety Statement

UCC Safety Statement

UL Safety Statement

WIT Safety Statement

DCU Safety Statement

DIT Safety Statement

Trinity College Safety Statement

NISO on the Safety Statement

Teagasc on Farm Safety Statement

BASIS on Safety Statements

SIPTU on the Safety Statement

UK HSE Example Risk Assessments