Health and safety arrangements and procedures

What you need to know

The plain-English guidance that comes with this document.

• This is step three — the detail behind the policy. The classic structure is: a statement of intent (your commitment), the policy (what you'll do and who's responsible), and then arrangements and procedures (how, in practice, and who does each bit). Our health & safety policy covers the first two and the headline "how"; this document is the operating detail underneath it. For a sole trader the policy alone is often enough — this comes into its own once you've a handful of staff or you're tendering for bigger work.
• Name real people, and mean it. The value here is that it says who does what — who the first aider is, who looks after fire, who keeps the records. Fill those in with real names, not "the manager", and make sure those people know it's their job. An arrangements document with blank responsibilities is just wishful thinking.
• It's the index to your safety folder. Every arrangement here points to the form that actually does the job — the accident report, the COSHH assessment, the fire drill log and so on. Kept together, they're your complete health & safety system. If an inspector or a client asks "show me how you manage this", this document is the map.
• The trade section adds the procedures your work really needs. It's tailored to your trade, but check it against how you actually operate and add anything specific. Higher-risk trades — construction, roofing, vehicles, care, gas and electrical — should have a competent person check these arrangements, because the law expects you to draw on competent advice and the detail matters.
• Keep it honest and current. Only write down procedures you actually follow. Review these arrangements when your work, equipment or team changes, sign and date them, and keep them with your policy and your assessments.
• Applies UK-wide. The core duties are the same in England, Wales and Scotland under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSE); Northern Ireland has its equivalent Order (HSENI). Fire safety is separate and differs by nation — see your fire risk assessment.