Creating a safe and healthy working environment is a shared responsibility—but it starts with clear agreements. A Health and Safety Agreement helps ensure everyone involved understands what’s expected of them. Whether you're hiring a contractor, engaging volunteers, or coordinating shared workspaces, this agreement formally outlines the responsibilities of each party to protect health and safety.

What is a Health and Safety Agreement?

A Health and Safety Agreement is a formal contract between two or more parties that sets out who is responsible for keeping a work environment safe. One party—typically the Safety Provider—commits to providing a safe space, proper training, and safety equipment. The other party—often an employee, contractor, or visitor (the Complying Party)—agrees to follow safety procedures, report risks, and use equipment properly.

This agreement helps ensure compliance with local laws, promotes accountability, and reduces the risk of accidents and claims.

Why Use a Health and Safety Agreement?

Having a written Health and Safety Agreement in place is not just good practice—it can be crucial for legal protection and risk management. It:

1. Clarifies responsibilities so there’s no confusion about who must do what.
2. Reinforces legal compliance with health and safety legislation.
3. Reduces liability in case of accidents or safety breaches.
4. Encourages safer behaviour by setting clear expectations.
5. Builds trust with staff, contractors, and visitors who want to feel secure on site.

Without one, organisations risk misunderstanding, reputational harm, and exposure to legal claims.

How to Create a Health and Safety Agreement with Bind

You can create a fully tailored Health and Safety Agreement in minutes using Bind. Tell Bind what Agreement you want, answer simple questions about the parties and environment, and let Bind generate a document suited to your situation.

You can also edit the agreement with AI assistance, add signatures digitally, and store it securely in one place. Whether you’re running a warehouse, an office, or a construction site, Bind makes it easy to get safety covered.

What Should a Health and Safety Agreement Include?

A strong Health and Safety Agreement typically contains the following sections:

• Parties involved
  Identifies the Safety Provider and the Complying Party.
• Responsibilities of the Safety Provider
  Outlines commitments to provide safe conditions, training, PPE, and inspections.
• Responsibilities of the Complying Party
  Covers the duty to follow procedures, report risks, attend training, and cooperate in inspections.
• Handling hazardous materials or equipment
  Optional section covering safe handling procedures.
• Accident and incident reporting
  Immediate reporting obligations and follow-up investigation process.
• Emergency procedures
  Expectations around evacuations, first aid, and protocol awareness.
• Ongoing safety training
  Optional clause requiring ongoing participation in safety education.
• Termination
  Explains how and when the agreement can be ended.
• General provisions
  Includes governing law, confidentiality, notices, amendments, and dispute resolution.
• Acknowledgment
  Confirms the parties have read and agreed to the terms.

Who Needs a Health and Safety Agreement?

A Health and Safety Agreement is valuable in many different industries and situations—not just construction or manufacturing. Any organisation that involves physical workspaces, site visits, or equipment use can benefit from putting clear safety commitments in writing.

Here are some practical examples of who should use a Health and Safety Agreement:

1. Construction Companies Hiring Subcontractors
A building contractor hires subcontractors (e.g., electricians or scaffolders) to work on-site. Each subcontractor signs a Health and Safety Agreement confirming they understand site rules, PPE requirements, and reporting protocols.

2. Warehouses Employing Temporary Staff
A logistics company brings on agency workers during peak season. These workers handle forklifts and heavy goods, so the company issues Health and Safety Agreements outlining safe lifting techniques, machinery use, and emergency procedures.

3. Offices Hosting External Consultants or Freelancers
An IT consultancy invites freelance developers into their shared workspace. Even in low-risk environments, the firm ensures consultants sign an agreement covering basic safety practices like fire exits, reporting procedures, and workstation ergonomics.

4. Event Organisers Working with Volunteers
A festival organiser relies on volunteers to help manage crowds and serve food. Volunteers sign a Health and Safety Agreement to confirm they’ll follow safety briefings, hygiene protocols, and emergency evacuation plans.

5. Schools or Research Facilities Involving Visitors or Trainees
A university lab allows visiting researchers or students to use its facilities. A Health and Safety Agreement ensures everyone knows how to handle equipment safely and report spills or injuries immediately.

Common Questions About Health and Safety Agreements

Is it a legal requirement?
While not always mandatory, a written Health and Safety Agreement supports compliance with local health and safety laws and can serve as evidence of due diligence.

Can this agreement be used with contractors or volunteers?
Yes. The agreement is suitable for employees, temporary workers, volunteers, interns, and any other individuals operating in environments where safety duties apply.

What happens if someone breaks the agreement?
Failure to follow the agreement may result in disciplinary action, contract termination, or, in serious cases, legal consequences. The document sets out how incidents should be handled.

Does this replace a company’s Health and Safety Policy?
No. The policy outlines your overall approach. This agreement ensures that specific individuals commit to following it.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Health and Safety Agreement?

Without a Health and Safety Agreement:

• Roles and expectations may be unclear, leading to unsafe behaviour.
• Organisations may struggle to prove they took reasonable steps to prevent harm.
• Investigations after an incident may be hindered by a lack of documentation.
• Legal liability may increase if someone is injured and proper agreements were not in place.

A clear agreement protects both the organisation and the individuals involved.

Health and Safety Agreement – free template

This Health and Safety Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between:

(1) [Company Name], a company incorporated in [Country], with Company Number [Number], and having its registered office at [Address]; and  
(2)[Company Name], a company incorporated in [Country], with Company Number [Number], and having its registered office at [Address]
(collectively, the “Safety Provider”); and  
(3)[Company Name], a company incorporated in [Country], with Company Number [Number], and having its registered office at [Address](the “Complying Party”).

The Parties agree as follows:

Safety Provider’s Responsibilities
- Maintain a safe and healthy environment.  
- Provide health and safety training.  
- Supply necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).  
- Conduct safety checks and audits.  
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Complying Party’s Responsibilities
- Follow safety instructions and procedures.  
- Use PPE correctly.  
- Report accidents, near-misses, or hazards immediately.  
- Participate in training.  
- Cooperate with investigations and inspections.

Accident and Incident Reporting
All accidents or near-misses must be reported immediately. The Safety Provider will investigate and take corrective action.

Emergency Procedures
The Complying Party agrees to follow all emergency protocols and familiarise themselves with procedures before beginning any work.

Termination
Either Party may terminate this Agreement with 30 days’ written notice. Existing obligations remain in force until that date.

General Provisions
- Entire Agreement: Supersedes all prior health and safety discussions.  
- Amendments: Must be in writing and signed.  
- Severability: If part of the Agreement is invalid, the rest remains effective.  
- Force Majeure: No party is liable for delays due to events beyond their control.  
- Confidentiality: Health and safety information must be kept confidential.

Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by [Country] law. Disputes will be settled in the courts of [City, Country].

Acknowledgment
The Parties confirm they have read, understood, and agree to this Agreement.

Signatures
This Agreement has been signed digitally.

Create a Health and Safety Agreement in minutes with Bind

Bind is the easiest way to quickly and accurately create up-to-date legal agreements and workplace policies. You can build a custom Health and Safety Agreement tailored to your specific needs, edit it with or without AI, sign it digitally, and manage it securely—all from one place.