| Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) |
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All of the components of your risk assessments and management procedures can now be combined into a series of working documents - the Safe Systems of Work (SSOW's).
The assessment process should have identified the things that need to be done. The management procedures should ensure that they are done. This combined health and safety working system is therefore designed to ensure your due diligence. In the event of an accident, if you cannot prove due diligence you will have little or no defence against legal action or civil claims. The key points that should be incorporated into the SSOW's are as follows: The regulations Each SSOW should include a note of the Specific Regulations, ACOPs Industry Standards, etc. that apply to the particular aspect of health and safety covered (e.g. noise) and a brief description of what you are obliged to do to comply. Policy statement Your policy on the particular aspect of health and safety should be stated, along with who is responsible for ensuring that the policy is implemented. Risk assessment The significant findings of the risk assessments with regard to the specific topic should be noted and attention should be drawn to the detailed assessment records that are on file and who is required to read them. This will only apply to those employees who work in areas or carry out procedures that were assessed as presenting risks. The assessment records will mention any specific controls but the SSOW should specify whether any general control measures are required (such as the provision of safety notices), when they will be implemented (priority rating) and what interim measures must be adopted. It should also specify any control measures already in place that must be complied with. For most organisations this can be a mammoth task and AF Consulting are able to assist you in this area. We can complete a diagnostic on the paper work side of your Health & Safety provisions and prepare a safe system of work file. We are also able to walk through this process with you to ensure that these systems are implemented and monitored in the future. If you would like more information on SSOW please contact us on 01594 836141 or e mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |