LO 6-7 Outline and describe the legal responsibilities of employees and employers relating to safe working practices

Policies and Procedures in the Workplace

Policies and procedures are company-written rules designed to direct how a shop safely functions and work tasks are carried out. While shop policies are not in themselves legal documents, workers who do not follow workplace policies or procedures can find themselves in legal trouble. For example, if an accident occurs and the worker responsible has not followed the shop policy, the worker can be liable for the damages and injuries. If the worker was following shop policy when the accident occurred, the responsibility will likely fall on the shop rather than on the worker.

Shop policies and procedures unique to each work environment are developed around legislation that governs the workplace health and safety regulations. Procedure is a step-by-step process to complete a task in a proper and safe manner, such as the steps required to properly dispose of waste oil or antifreeze. Shop policies and safety procedures should be explained to new workers during orientation before beginning any work. While it is the employer’s obligation to properly instruct workers, employees are obligated to refrain from operating tools or equipment or undertaking tasks unless they have the proper training or are familiar with how to safely perform the work and correctly use tools and equipment.