Health and Safety Law - What you should know
The Employer
As an employer you have a duty under the law to protect the health, safety and welfare of your employees, so far as is reasonably practicable, and to consult and keep them informed about health and safety matters including:-
- Ensuring that the workplace is safe and without risks to health
- Ensuring that safe systems of work are set and followed in respect of plant and machinery
- Ensuring the safe storage, transport and use of articles and substances
- Providing adequate welfare facilities
- Providing the training, information and instruction and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety
In particular you must:
- assess the risks to the health and safety of your employees.
- enforce the necessary health and safety measures identified in the assessment as being necessary.
- set up emergency procedures.
- ensure the correct suitability of equipment for its intended purpose and maintenance of that equipment.
- provide information and training as required in respect of manual handling and hazardous substance handling operations.
- provide free of charge any protective clothing or equipment where risks are not controlled by other means.
- install safety and hazard warning signs as appropriate.
- five or more employees – record in writing the significant finding of the risk assessment and the arrangements for health and safety measures.
- five or more employees - produce a health and safety policy statement, including the current health and safety organisation/arrangements, and bring it to employees’ attention.
- in consultation with the safety representative/employees, appoint where needed a competent person to assist with health and safety responsibilities.
- take the necessary precautions where possible risk exists from explosive or flammable hazards as well as electrical equipment, noise and radiation.
- provide first aid facilities and report certain injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences as required under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
- provide health surveillance as appropriate.
- ensure that the workplace meets requirements for ventilation, temperature, lighting, noise, washing, sanitary and rest facilities.
The Employee
As an employee you have a responsibility to look after yourself and others and legal duties that include to:-
- co-operate with your employer on health and safety issues
- in accordance with training or instruction, ensure correct use of the tools of your work, including personal protective equipment, provided by your employer
- take reasonable care, by what you do or do not do, of both your health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work
- not misuse or interfere with anything provided for your health, safety and welfare
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