Workers responsibilities – Health and Safety

It is common knowledge that employees need to do all that is possible to help create a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. What may not be as commonly known is the fact that workers are also responsible for their own health and safety and must help their employees to reduce the risks. Workers must ensure their actions do not put themselves or those around them at risk and help everyone meet the legal requirements set out to keep everyone safe.

The first way to help everyone is by talking to your employers about any concerns you may have or questions regarding the health and safety in your workplace. By communicating it is possible to highlight new problems, prevent accidents and work together to ensure all is being monitored and maintain for the good of everyone.

The Duties of Employees in the Work Place

It is important to be aware of what you must do to help with the health and safety in the place that you work. When you first start at the job, or are given a new position or role you should be given training. It is your duty to follow the training which is given to you and not introduce new methods which you may feel are more convenient.  Your other duties include:

• Take care of your own health and safety and the other people’s around you
• Follow the guidance and cooperate with your employees and managers
• Make your managers or employers aware of any risks which may be concerning you or procedures you are unhappy with due to inadequacy apprehensions.
• After bringing up any problems with your employers which are not addressed to your satisfaction you can contact your local enforcing authority for health and safety and also the Employment Medical Advisory Service.

Your Employer Must Also Do Things for You

• Provide health and safety training free of charge to you
• Provide adequate equipment and clothing free of charge
• Carry out risk assessments and decide what parts of your duties could pose harm and also work out how to prevent accidents or problems concerning your health from occurring through methods of work.
• Ensure there are adequate toilets, washing facilities as fresh drinking water
• There must be adequate first aid facilities available
• Have insurance which will cover you if you fall ill from work or are injured. A copy of the insurance certificate should be placed where you can view it
• Talk and discuss your health and safety with you and health and safety representatives
• Explain the risks that you face, explain how they are controlled and who is responsible for controlling them
• Work closely with all other contractors or employers in the same workplace to ensure health and safety in the workplace is protecting everyone

By working together it is possible to help prevent accidents and create a good environment to work in. Both employees and employers need to know their responsibilities and unite when it comes to preventing injury and poor health at work.  Contact health and Safety consultants to find out more about health and safety services and laws. Call 0800 1488 677 to find out more.

About David Cant

A chartered (fellow) safety and risk management practitioner with 20+ years of experience. David provides a healthy dose of how-to articles, advice and guidance to make compliance easier for construction professionals, Architects and the built environment. Get social with David on Twitter and Linkedin.