health and safety at work

What is an occupational health and safety (OH&S) program? A health and safety program is a definite plan of action designed to prevent accidents and occupational diseases. Some form of a program is required under occupational health and safety legislation in most Canadian jurisdictions. A health and safety program must include the elements required by the health and safety legislation as a minimum.
Because organizations differ, a program developed for one organization cannot necessarily be expected to meet the needs of another. This document summarizes the general elements of a health and safety program. This should help smaller organizations to develop programs to deal with their specific needs. Because many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the resources of larger organizations, it is even more vital that SMEs involve all employees in health and safety activities. The more comprehensive the program is, the more employee involvement can be expected.

What is a policy statement?
An organization's occupational health and safety policy is a statement of principles and general rules that serve as guides for action. Senior management must be committed to ensuring that the policy is carried out with no exceptions. The health and safety policy should have the same importance as the other policies of the organization.
The policy statement can be brief, but it should mention:
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management's commitment to protect the safety and health of employees the objectives of the program the organization's basic health and safety philosophy who is accountable for occupational health and safety programs the general responsibilities of all employees that health and safety shall not be sacrificed for expediency that unacceptable performance of health and safety duties will not be tolerated
The policy should be:

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stated in clear, unambiguous, and unequivocal terms signed by the incumbent Chief Executive