Health and Safety Policy Template UK
Health & Safety Policy Template (UK)
Approx. 7 pages · 15 sectionsBranded PDF + editable WordLast reviewed:
What is a health & safety policy and who needs one?
A health and safety policy is a written statement of your commitment to managing workplace risk, who is responsible for what, and the arrangements you follow. UK employers with five or more employees must have one in writing, and public-sector buyers ask almost every bidder to provide it, whatever their size.
A written health and safety policy is expected by almost every UK public-sector buyer and is a legal requirement for employers with five or more employees. Our template covers the statement of intent, organisation and responsibilities, and arrangements for risk assessment, training, accident reporting and review.
Why buyers ask for this
Almost every UK public-sector tender asks how you manage health and safety, and it is often a pass/fail check before anything is scored. Employers with five or more staff must also have a written policy by law.
Who needs it
Every UK employer with five or more employees must have a written health and safety policy (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, s.2(3)). Smaller businesses bidding for public contracts are routinely asked for one too.
Where it comes up in a PQQ, SQ or PSQ
Under the Procurement Act 2023, supplier selection uses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) plus each buyer's own conditions of participation and quality questions. Typical questions this policy supports:
- Conditions of participation on technical ability: "Provide your health and safety policy" or "Describe how you manage health and safety"
- Construction and facilities questionnaires built on PAS 91-style health and safety modules
- Questions on RIDDOR-reportable incidents, enforcement notices and prosecutions in recent years
- Requests to name the director responsible and state when the policy was last reviewed
- – Commonly requested in selection questionnaires (e.g. health and safety sections of PAS 91-style questions)
- – Buyers often ask who is responsible and how often the policy is reviewed
- – Frequently requested alongside risk assessments and RIDDOR reporting procedures
What's inside
The full health & safety policy runs to about 7 pages (including the branded cover and document control page) across 15 sections:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Health & Safety Principles
- Legal Framework
- Risk Assessment
- Safe Systems of Work & Method Statements
- Training & Competence
- Incident Reporting & Investigation
- Contractors, Suppliers & Partners
- Welfare, Wellbeing & Occupational Health
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Work Equipment
- Records & Documentation
- Enforcement
- Review
Key points covered
- Statement of intent signed by a director
- Named responsibilities (who does what)
- Risk assessment arrangements
- Training, induction and competence
- Accident, incident and near-miss reporting (including RIDDOR)
- First aid, fire and emergency procedures
- Consultation with employees
- Monitoring and review dates
Every document carries your logo, company name, version number, approval signatory and next review date, in branded PDF plus editable Word.
UK legislation, standards and guidance it references
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- RIDDOR 2013
Excerpt preview
[Your Company Ltd] (“the Company”) is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees and anyone affected by our activities. The aim of this Policy is to: This Policy applies to: Compliance with this Policy is mandatory.
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£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. One-off payment.
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How to adapt it
- Read every section and remove anything that doesn’t reflect how your organisation actually works.
- Complete the bracketed [ADAPT] prompts with your own arrangements, people and data.
- Have the policy approved and signed by a director or equivalent, and communicate it to staff.
- Keep evidence that you follow it, and review it by the date shown.
Health & Safety Policy FAQs
Is a health and safety policy a legal requirement?
If you employ five or more people, yes: the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires a written policy. Below five it is not legally required to be written down, but public-sector buyers commonly ask to see one.
Does the template replace a risk assessment?
No. The policy explains how you manage health and safety; you still need suitable and sufficient risk assessments for your own activities.
Who should sign the health and safety policy?
The statement of intent should be signed by the most senior person, normally a director or owner. Buyers look for clear leadership, so the signatory and date are shown on the front section of the document.
What are the three parts of a health and safety policy?
HSE describes three parts: a statement of intent, the responsibilities for health and safety (who does what), and the arrangements (how you will do it, such as risk assessment, training and incident reporting). Our template follows that structure.
How much does the Health & Safety Policy template cost?
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. It is a one-off payment with no subscription, and you download branded PDF and editable Word files straight away.
Free guides
- Which policies do UK public-sector tenders ask for?
- Health and safety policy for tenders: what buyers expect
- Tender policy checklist for UK public-sector bids
General information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between buyers and change over time; always check the tender documents.