Sample Safety Policy Template

Sample Safety Policy Template resources are critical for businesses looking to create a safer, more compliant work environment.

At the beginning of this guide, you’ll find everything you need to understand, draft, and implement an effective Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy for your team.

A strong safety policy is more than just paperwork—it’s your company’s commitment to protecting your workers, meeting legal obligations, and building a culture of safety.

This article provides a free Sample Safety Policy Template, practical guidance on how to customize it, and links to additional resources you can use right now.

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Why You Need a Sample Safety Policy Template

A Sample Safety Policy Template simplifies the process of creating a clear, professional, and legally compliant OH&S policy. Many businesses struggle to write a policy from scratch, risking missed requirements or vague commitments that fail to protect workers.

Using a template helps you:

• Meet legal obligations in your jurisdiction
• Clearly communicate responsibilities
• Foster a safety-first culture
• Standardize expectations for all employees
• Reduce incidents and liabilities

By adopting a Sample Safety Policy Template and adapting it to your workplace, you save time while ensuring nothing essential is left out.

For a detailed breakdown of creating safety policies, you can explore our internal guide.

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Benefits of a Strong Safety Policy

A well-developed policy isn’t just a compliance document. It’s a tool for building trust, reducing injuries, and improving productivity.

Key benefits include:

• Legal compliance: Meeting standards from OSHA, CCOHS, or local authorities
• Reduced incidents: Clear procedures reduce accidents and near misses
• Improved morale: Workers feel valued when safety is prioritized
• Better communication: Everyone knows their role and responsibilities
• Continuous improvement: A policy sets the stage for ongoing safety audits and training

Want more safety resources? Check out our Toolbox Talk Topics for easy ways to keep safety conversations going.

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What’s Included in Our Free Sample Safety Policy Template

Our Sample Safety Policy Template is designed for easy customization. It includes all the key sections your workplace should have:

• Policy Statement: The company’s commitment to health and safety
• Purpose: Why the policy exists
• Scope: Who it applies to
• Objectives: What the policy aims to achieve
• Responsibilities: Clear roles for management, supervisors, workers, and visitors
• Consultation and Communication: How workers are involved
• Hazard Identification and Risk Management: Steps for controlling risks
• Training and Competency: Ensuring workers know how to work safely
• Incident Reporting and Investigation: How to handle incidents and learn from them
• Continuous Improvement: Keeping the policy effective over time
• Legislative Compliance: Aligning with laws and standards
• Policy Review and Approval: Keeping the document current

These sections provide a comprehensive foundation that you can easily edit to suit your industry, location, and team size.

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How to Customize Your Sample Safety Policy Template

A Sample Safety Policy Template is only the beginning. To be truly effective, you must adapt it to your unique workplace.

Here are some tips:

• Add your company name and logo
• Reference specific local regulations (e.g., OSHA in the U.S., CCOHS in Canada)
• Define site-specific hazards and controls
• Clarify roles for your actual organizational structure
• Include PPE requirements specific to your work
• Schedule regular reviews and updates

For extra guidance on local laws, see:

• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (DoFollow)
• OSHA’s Law and Regulations (DoFollow)

These authoritative sites offer excellent guidance to make sure your policy complies with your region’s requirements.

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Free Download: Sample Safety Policy Template

We’ve created a free Sample Safety Policy Template you can download and customize immediately.

📥 Download the Sample Safety Policy Template (PDF)

This editable document is structured with all the key sections above. You can open it in Word or any text editor to make changes.

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How to Use the Sample Safety Policy Template Effectively

✅ Train your team: Review the policy with all employees, supervisors, and contractors.

✅ Get sign-off: Have management approve and sign the policy to demonstrate commitment.

✅ Post and distribute: Make the policy accessible in common areas and online.

✅ Review annually: Set a reminder to update it each year or when operations change.

✅ Incorporate into your safety program: Use it alongside other documents like risk assessments, safe work procedures, and training records.

Conclusion: Start with Our Sample Safety Policy Template

Sample Safety Policy Template resources are essential for businesses that care about their people and want to build a strong safety culture. By starting with our free template, you’ll save time, meet legal obligations, and demonstrate real commitment to your team’s well-being.

Don’t wait for an incident to force change. Be proactive. Download our Sample Safety Policy Template today and take the first step toward a safer, healthier workplace.

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[Company Name] Occupational Health and Safety Policy

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1. Policy Statement

[Company Name] is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, contractors, visitors, and the public. We believe that all incidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses are preventable.

We will actively work to eliminate hazards and reduce risk through consultation, training, safe work practices, and continuous improvement of our health and safety management system.

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2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline [Company Name]’s commitment to occupational health and safety (OH&S), define responsibilities, and establish a framework for achieving and maintaining a safe workplace.

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3. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, subcontractors, visitors, and any other persons present at [Company Name] worksites or engaged in company activities.

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4. Objectives

• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Comply with all applicable OH&S legislation and standards
• Promote employee health, safety, and well-being
• Continuously improve OH&S performance
• Foster a proactive safety culture through consultation and participation

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5. Responsibilities

5.1 Management

• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to health and safety
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation and standards
• Provide safe work procedures, equipment, and training
• Identify, assess, and control workplace hazards
• Consult and communicate with employees on safety matters
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions

5.2 Supervisors

• Lead by example in safe work practices
• Ensure workers are trained and competent
• Conduct regular workplace inspections
• Enforce safe work procedures and PPE requirements
• Report and investigate incidents promptly

5.3 Employees

• Work safely and follow all safety procedures
• Use PPE as required
• Report hazards, incidents, and near-misses immediately
• Participate in safety training and meetings
• Cooperate with management in implementing this policy

5.4 Contractors and Visitors

• Comply with [Company Name]’s safety requirements
• Follow site rules and instructions
• Report any hazards or incidents

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6. Consultation and Communication

[Company Name] is committed to consulting with workers and their representatives on matters that affect their health and safety. We will:

• Provide opportunities for participation in hazard identification and control
• Hold regular safety meetings and toolbox talks
• Distribute safety information and updates
• Maintain open lines of communication

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7. Hazard Identification and Risk Management

We will implement systems to:

• Identify hazards through inspections, reporting, and assessments
• Assess risks using standard risk assessment methods
• Eliminate hazards where possible
• Control risks using the hierarchy of controls
• Review and monitor control measures regularly

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8. Training and Competency

[Company Name] will ensure all workers:

• Receive appropriate safety induction and training
• Are competent to perform their work safely
• Participate in ongoing refresher training as needed

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9. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, injuries, illnesses, and near-misses must be reported immediately. [Company Name] will:

• Investigate all incidents to identify root causes
• Implement corrective and preventive actions
• Communicate findings to workers
• Maintain incident records

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10. Continuous Improvement

We are committed to reviewing and improving our safety management system by:

• Conducting regular audits and inspections
• Monitoring performance against safety objectives
• Reviewing this policy annually or as required
• Incorporating feedback from workers and other stakeholders

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11. Legislative Compliance

[Company Name] will comply with all relevant occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, and codes of practice in the jurisdictions where we operate.

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12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or whenever there are significant changes to work processes, legislation, or other factors that may impact health and safety.

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13. Approval and Commitment

Signed: ______________________
Name: [Authorized Representative]
Title: [Title or Position]
Date: [Date]

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This policy replaces any previous Occupational Health and Safety policies issued by [Company Name].