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Health and safety policy template

Write your health and safety policy in the three parts HSE describes: a statement of intent, who is responsible for what, and your practical arrangements. Every box starts with example wording for a small business; change it to match what you actually do, then download a PDF to sign and share with your staff.

1 Statement of intent

Business name Signed by Statement Date Review by

2 Responsibilities

Names and positions of the people with specific duties. Leave a box empty if it does not apply.

Overall responsibility for health and safety Day-to-day responsibility Risk assessments First aid and accident book Fire safety and evacuation Training and induction Equipment checks and maintenance Hazardous substances (COSHH) All employees

3 Arrangements

What you do in practice. Edit or clear each box.

Risk assessment Consulting employees Training and information Equipment and machinery Hazardous substances First aid and accidents Fire and emergencies Work equipment, welfare and workplace Other arrangements

The three parts of a health and safety policy

Statement of intent: your commitment to managing health and safety and your aims. The employer or most senior person signs it and reviews it regularly.
Responsibilities: the names, positions and roles of the people with specific health and safety duties.
Arrangements: the practical things you do to meet those aims, such as risk assessments, training, first aid and fire safety.

Is a health and safety policy a legal requirement?

Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to prepare a written statement of their health and safety policy and the arrangements for carrying it out, and to bring it to the notice of employees. Employers with fewer than 5 employees are exempt from writing it down.

How long should it be?

As short as it can be while still being accurate. HSE says the policy should clearly set out who is responsible for what, when things happen and how they are done. A small, low-risk business does not need a long document.

How often should I review it?

Regularly, and whenever something significant changes, such as new premises, new work or a change in who is responsible. Tell your employees about any changes.

Is the policy the same as a risk assessment?

No. The policy says how you manage health and safety; the risk assessment looks at the specific hazards in your work. You need both, and the policy should say how risk assessments are done.

Sources: HSE “Preparing a health and safety policy” and “How to write your policy”, legislation.gov.uk Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s. 2(3) and SI 1975/1584, checked October 2026.