We are trying to put together a safety policies for our organization, most of which will end up in the employee handbook.   Has anyone had experience with software programs that could help us write these policies? 

I have heard of a few customize policy writers, mostly with an HR focus.  But I am wondering whether they would really help, or if they are so much boilerplate that they are not very useful.

Thanks

SS

Overall my opinion is that sample policies from outside your organization are helpful.  You can't be slavish about following them though. Instead, use them as a guide and as a stimulus to your thinking - they are always going to suggest points that wouldn't have occurred to you otherwise. It's almost a guarantee that they will improve your overall program..

The one danger I can think of is the obvious one.  If you just use the canned policy without applying it to your unique situation you will have a less than perfect program. In many cases the sample polices will be better than what you might have come up with on your own, but they will not be as good as if you considered your location, processes, and company culture in the programs and policies.

To give you an idea of what is out there, Safety.BLR.com has dozens of sample written plans on every major safety topic at http://safety.blr.com/single_type.cfm/type/53/state/155.  Plus over 50 sample policies at http://safety.blr.com/single_type.cfm/type/54/state/155.  There are many other sources available elsewhere on the Internet and in various publications.

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BLR EHS Editor