Achieving acceptable standards of health and safety is an essential management objective in just the same way as achieving quality of the product. To meet these regulations printing firms will need, among other things, to assess risks and make arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventive and protective measures. Do not assume that a lack of accidents, near misses or ill health means that there is proper management of workplace hazards - good luck may be playing a part. Monitoring health and safety performance is essential if the good intentions of the safety policy are to be reflected in practical progress. Effective monitoring will reveal how successful implementation has been and highlight the improvements still needed.
Monitoring is a management responsibility.
Others who can contribute will include safety advisers, occupational hygienists, engineers, doctors and occupational health nurses. Safety committees and safety representatives need to be involved in drawing up the monitoring arrangements. Managers who implement standards will need to monitor how well they are being met. Those undertaking monitoring will be measuring levels of performance against the firm's plans and acceptable standards. They will need to ensure that the safety policy arrangements have been implemented effectively and that the arrangements cover all activities, eg not only normal working but also installation of new plant and processes, maintenance, breakdowns and emergencies.