For a safe and healthy workplace
The law places specific responsibilities for managing health and safety on employers and employees. Here's a broad outline of how this applies to employees.
Your responsibilities
As an employee you have legal duties. These include:
- taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do
- co-operating with your employer on health and safety
- correctly using work items provided by your employer, including personal protective equipment, in accordance with training or instructions
- not interfering with or misusing anything provided for your health and safety or welfare. Your employer must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this.
Read the enforcement policy (environmental health and trading standards)
Health and safety queries
If you have specific queries on health and safety issues in your workplace, first ask your boss, or - if you have one - your safety representative or trade union representative.