Many companies still ask what makes a good health and safety strategy? Bob Towse, head of technical and safety at the HVCA, recommends the following 10-point plan
1. Health and Safety Policy - companies should put a policy in place that sets out how health and safety will be managed within their businesses. The policy should identify the personnel responsible and it should be reviewed annually at least. It should ensure that the health of employees and sub-contractors is not damaged by the work they do.

2. Safe Systems of Work - a process should exist to enable you to set out a safe system of work, which minimises risks to the workforce.

3. Access to Competent Advice - it should be possible to discuss health and safety matters with a person who has experience, skill and expertise in this area. This could be a suitably qualified employee or an external consultant.

4. Risk Management - a system needs to be in place to ensure that danger and hazards are identified, with risks assessed and safe systems of work introduced. These systems and procedures should be relayed to the workforce and any contractors, and then carefully monitored.

5. Worker Engagement - a style of management should apply that encourages both employees and sub-contractors to identify concerns knowing that these will be swiftly acted upon and addressed.

6. Accidents and Incidents - systems need to be in place that enable you to react to accidents and incidents. These should include investigation and recording - including any 'near misses' - along with the application of lessons learned through changes to working practices.

7. Training and Competence - all employees and contractors should be properly trained and, where necessary, retrained. A record should be kept of the skills and qualifications of employees at all levels, including contractors, to ensure that any intended tasks are appropriate to their skill-set.

8. Workplace Management - firms should regulate the workplaces under their control to ensure that all employees, contractors and others who could enter the site are not placed in any danger.

9. Record Keeping - recording systems must be in place so you can demonstrate that guidelines have been followed and appropriate measures taken. Companies are advised to maintain annual statistics of their health and safety performance for supplying to the HVCA on request.

10. Environmental Management - an environmental policy and management system should be in operation. Companies should have systems and processes in place to ensure that waste is minimised, separated, transported and managed correctly.

For more information contact Bob Towse on 020 7313 4928 (btowse@hvca.org.uk).