When it comes to running a global business, few areas are as vital - and often overlooked - as health and safety. It’s not just about avoiding fines or ticking compliance boxes. It’s about protecting your people, wherever they are in the world, and showing that safety is a core part of your company’s values.

But writing a truly global Health and Safety at Work policy is no small task. National requirements vary significantly, from reporting obligations to workplace risk assessments, and from mental health mandates to environmental standards.

At ThinkGlobal HR, we help clients create policies that are not only legally compliant, but operationally realistic and culturally grounded.

Quick Tips

• Anchor your policy in universal values: dignity, wellbeing, prevention, and accountability

• Map legal obligations in every country you operate

• Consider regional expectations around workplace health, mental health, and ergonomics

• Embed employee voice in policy development through surveys or focus groups

• Link health and safety to leadership accountability and proactive communication

Start with a Global Framework, Then Localise

The PageGroup Global Health and Safety Policy (2023) offers a useful example of a well-structured, values-led approach. It begins with overarching principles: prevention, consultation, training, and compliance. These principles can act as your global spine - but the detail must bend to meet local law.

For example:

• In Germany, risk assessments are a legal requirement before introducing new technology or processes.

• In Japan, overwork and mental health (karoshi) are major health and safety priorities, and companies must monitor overtime closely.

• In Brazil, the Ministry of Labour mandates formal CIPA (Internal Commission for Accident Prevention) committees in most companies.

• In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places clear duties on employers to protect employees and others from harm.

• In Singapore, employers must report workplace injuries within 10 days and conduct incident investigations within 21 days.

A one-size-fits-all policy won’t work. Instead, start with shared commitments, and then provide appendices or region-specific chapters that reflect local compliance and culture.

Make Safety Everyone’s Business

A policy is only as effective as its implementation. To bring it to life:

• Train managers on their legal obligations and local nuances

• Encourage employee participation in safety improvements

• Translate documents into relevant languages to avoid misunderstanding

• Regularly review and update policies after workplace changes, audits, or new legal developments

In one project, I worked with a global manufacturer operating across eight countries. We co-created a modular policy: the core document focused on prevention, training, and communication, while each country added its local statutory duties. It not only passed inspections in all regions but boosted trust in leadership.

Mental Health and Remote Work: The New Frontiers

As remote and hybrid work become standard, health and safety policies must evolve. That means considering:

• Ergonomic risks from home working setups

• Mental health stressors, isolation, and burnout

• Working time expectations across time zones

• Digital safety (e.g. eye strain, tech fatigue)

The WHO’s global guidance now recommends employers treat psychosocial risks with the same seriousness as physical ones. A modern policy should reflect this shift.

A Real Example: Local Nuance in Global Policy

A US-headquartered SaaS company reached out after expanding into five new countries. They had a global policy in place, but local teams flagged gaps. Together, we updated the policy to include:

• Local emergency contacts and procedures

• Required safety committee structures

• Annual training mandates by jurisdiction

• Guidance for remote work ergonomics and mental health

The result was a robust, locally aligned policy that made staff feel seen and supported.

Final Thoughts

Health and safety should never be reduced to a line in the employee handbook. It’s a statement of care and competence. As businesses scale, building a responsive, locally grounded safety policy isn’t just best practice - it’s essential.

What’s next for your global people strategy?

Book a free HR audit or compliance check-in with ThinkGlobal HR. We’ll help you assess your current health and safety practices, map legal requirements across borders, and craft a policy that keeps your people - and your reputation - safe.