Key health and safety documentation

Health and safety documents can vary depending of the nature and scope of a company's activity and business, but there are general documents of this type which have to be prepared. To be in conformity with all the relevant laws and regulations, such documents have to be prepared by professional specialists in the legal area.

The health and safety documents and forms that a company has to have should include the emergency action procedures outlined in detail, as well as an evacuation plan to be on the ready in the event of emergencies owing to accidents or to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, etc.

When the company uses machinery, the documents to be prepared in this respect comprise the machinery inspection and service logs and documents which are proof that the machinery is inspected and serviced as regularly as necessary and meets the safety requirements for the specific environment and activities.

When the company uses substances such as chemicals and solvents that carry hazards for the health and safety of the employees, the health and safety documents and forms should include a list of all the hazardous substances: chemicals, solvents, etc. There should also be documents which contain instructions for the employees who have to work with such hazardous substances during the implementation of their duties.

An important part of the group of documents regarding health and safety is the group of reports which are proof of government and relevant authorities inspections carried out. Inspections by the government and the respective authorities commonly include the inspection of sanitation, the fire safety conditions, the structural safety of the work environment - the premises and buildings and structures, the environmental compliance, as well as other reports as appropriate for the respective scope of business of the specific company.

The documentation related to health and safety can also vary depending on the age and status of the employees of the specific company. There can be more detailed, different or supplementary documents and forms regarding employees who are young workers, or young people who are under 15 years old. There can be also specific health and safety documents and forms when employers engage subcontractors, volunteers, or people who are undergoing on the job training. The accident and injury documentation is another part of the documentation regarding health and safety norms: it includes documents which are related to the health and safety of the employees of a specific company.

The importance of the relevant health and safety documents and forms is high, because with the aid of such sets of documents drawn up by professional lawyers in conformity with all the applicable laws and regulations employers can ensure the safe and healthy environment in the workplace. The availability of such documentation which ensures that all the employees have been properly instructed and all the machinery and equipment are regularly serviced is a guarantee that the needed measures have been taken and are taken to avoid grave and costly accidents. With the aid of such documentation employers can ensure the higher retention of staff and to increase the productivity and efficiency in the workplace.