1.3.2 Directors and Senior Managers

The directors and senior managers should set the direction for effective health and safety management. Board members need to establish a health and safety policy that is much 

more than a document – it should be an integral part of your organisation’s culture, of its values and performance standards. 

They should take the lead in ensuring the communication of health and safety duties and benefits throughout the organisation. Executive directors must develop policies to avoid health and safety problems and must respond quickly where difficulties arise, or new risks are introduced; non-executives must make sure that health and safety is properly addressed.

Top management demonstrating can demonstrate commitment by:

• Making resources available to design, implement and maintain the occupational health and safety management system
• Defining roles and responsibilities
• Appointing senior managers with specific responsibility for health and safety
• Appointing competent people (internal and external, including specialists) to help the organisation meet its health and safety obligations
• Reviewing health and safety performance.