Safety Charter

1.	Employers and employees are at the heart of the safety culture. They must develop the values and practices which underpin health and safety at work. The Labour Department has drawn up a framework for introducing a Safety Management System covering all key aspects of concern in the workplace. Our aims are to inform, stimulate and assist employers and employees in promoting safety management and culture in the workplace.
2.	Safety has to be the first consideration at work. It comes before comfort and even efficiency.
3.	Employers and employees must therefore work together to translate legal requirements and best practice into working procedures most relevant to their particular needs.
4.	Employers in partnership with their employees should plan, communicate, implement and evaluate their own version of the system for maximum impact and effectiveness at their place of work. The Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council are ready to provide advice and guidance.

Under the Charter, a safety management system basically covers the following areas:

Policy — It defines employers' commitment to communicating, implementing and maintaining a safe workplace.
Planning — It ensures projects are reviewed at the design stage so as to minimize future risks. It also ensures plans are in place to deal with emergencies safely and effectively.
Procedures — They make sure employees understand clearly the in-house safety rules and regulations, and their obligations.
Investigations — They ensure all accidents and incidents at work are analyzed, conclusions are properly drawn and appropriate action taken.
Subcontracting — It governs the responsibilities of your contractors, so that they are fully aware of, and are capable of meeting your organization's safety management obligations.