THE LAW

In Kenya, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 requires that every business must have a policy for managing health and safety.

A health and safety policy sets out your general approach to health and safety. It explains how you, as an employer, will manage health and safety in your business. It should clearly say who does what, when and how.

The Law states, that every occupier shall ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all persons working in his workplace. This includes the provision and maintenance of plant, systems and procedures of work that are safe and without risks to health. Every occupier shall carry out appropriate risk assessments in relation to the safety and health of persons employed and, on the basis of these results, adopt preventive and protective measures to ensure that under all conditions of their intended use, all chemicals, machinery, equipment, tools and process under the control of the occupier are safe and without risk to health.

As an employer, you should prepare and, as often as may be appropriate, revise a written statement of your general policy with respect to the safety and health at work of your employees. In addition, you must share the policy, and any new changes made to it, with your employees. The health & safety statement should be displayed where employees and visitors can see it.

Here are some of the health and safety act requirements every business must ensure;

• appoint a competent person
• prepare a health and safety policy
• carry out risk assessments
• provide information and training to workers
• have the right workplace facilities
• consult your workers regarding health & safety matters
• provide first aid facilities in work
• report work related accidents and illness within seven days
• ensure safe plant and equipment etc.

WHAT RHEMA-HELEN CONSULTING CAN OFFER

• create a robust environmental health ad safety management system
• preparation of health and safety policy
• health and safety statement
• aircraft 
• risk assessment
• equipment safety
• method statement
• safe systems of work procedures
• fire risk assessment
• manual handling training
• site inspections and audit
• Control of Substances Harmful to Health (COSHH) assessment
• behavioural change for employees and contractors
• contractors management - permit to work system
• accident at work investigation