Who is responsible for health & safety in the workplace?

Did you know that under health and safety law in the UK, most of the health and safety responsibility in the workplace lies with the employer?

All employees have the right to work in places where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled, and it is the employer’s duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their staff.  Breaching health and safety regulations is a criminal offence. By not following the law, companies can face serious consequences, including fines and prison sentences.  

A common misconception when it comes to workplace health and safety is the belief that all responsibility lies with the employer. Whilst employers hold considerable responsibility to protect their workers, it is not theirs alone. In reality, everyone is responsible for health and safety in the workplace.

Workers have a duty to protect their own health and safety, as well as that of others who may be affected by their actions in the workplace. They should co-operate with their employers, and co-workers, to ensure everyone meets the legal requirements.

Health and Safety Responsibilities for the Employer.

Employers have a legal duty to look after the health, safety, and wellbeing of anyone who works on or visits their premises. This includes their staff, but also customers, visitors, temporary workers, and contractors.

Employers must undertake several key duties to ensure they are meeting their legal health and safety requirements.

1. Carry out risk assessments and write method statements - employers must inspect the workplace to identify dangers and risks, putting procedures and safety precautions in place to protect people. The instructions for these safety measures should be communicated in documents known as method statements.
2. Implement safety procedures – the installation, maintenance, and management of anything the workplace needs to ensure people’s safety is down to the employer to implement. For example, replacing old equipment, improving manual handling routes, and providing up-to-date training.
3. Consult with employees regarding health and safety – consulting with staff about health and safety issues can protect everyone from harm. Employees can give valuable insight into any genuine hazards they might encounter.
4. Write and communicate health and safety policies – in companies with more than 5 employees, it is a legal requirement for health and safety policies to be written up. It’s good practice though, even if there are fewer than 5 staff. These policies should make workers aware of any health and safety procedures in place, including communicating how to get first-aid treatment, and what to do in an emergency. Once they’re written up, they should be communicated to the whole company and updated whenever there are changes.
5. Display the health and safety law poster – The health and safety law poster must always be displayed, in a prominent position, where every worker can see it. It conveys important information about health and safety responsibilities, and it is a legal requirement that it can be seen.
6. Provide health and safety training to staff –a certain level of health and safety knowledge is required for staff to understand any risks they may face in the workplace, and how they should act if they encounter them. This training should be tailored to a worker’s role – e.g., those lifting and handling heavy items should receive manual handling training, or those working at heights may need suitable training to do so safely.
7. Provide appropriate PPE and safety equipment – the employer must provide, free of charge, any protective clothing or equipment that’s necessary for the employee at work. This includes clothing, shoes, boots, eye and ear protection, masks, gloves etc. They are also responsible for ensuring it’s properly looked after.

Health and Safety Responsibilities for the Employee.

Whilst employees have fewer responsibilities than their employer, they still have a legal requirement to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of a safe working environment. Without everyone’s involvement, companies wouldn’t be able to effectively implement safety measures in the workplace.

To fulfil their responsibilities, workers should:

1. Follow any health and safety training they are given –it is the employer’s responsibility to give health and safety training, but it is the responsibility of the individual to follow what they have learned and apply this knowledge in their workspace.
2. Follow health and safety policies –again, whilst it is the employer’s responsibility to write a health and safety policy, it is down to the employee to fulfil these precautions. Staff should adhere to appropriate safety procedures and implement any required safety measures before starting a task.
3. Stay up to date with health and safety policies –when an employer communicates any changes to company health and safety policies, employees should take the time to read and understand them. If staff ever feel the need to refresh their health and safety knowledge, they should use their initiative to revisit the appropriate documentation.
4. Co-operate with their employer –when an employer consults their employees about health and safety matters, staff should give full, honest opinions and insights. This co-operation will assist in the creation of effective health and safety policies and procedures, that will ultimately protect everyone on a worksite.
5. See something? Say something –employees should report safety risks and inadequate precautions. If workers encounter hazards such as faulty equipment, ineffective PPE or safety precautions that do not mitigate risk, they are required to say something to their employer, a senior member of staff, or the nominated health and safety representative for their business.

What can I do to ensure health and safety in the workplace?

Everyone should be aware of the risks, policies, and procedures in place to ensure health and safety in the workplace. When every individual successfully follows safety instructions along with taking some initiative, the workplace can remain safe and efficient, ensuring everyone is protected from harm or ill-health.

Once risk assessments have been undertaken, and appropriate safety measures communicated, everyone should be proactive in reducing and removing risks. Workplace safety should not be limited to a set of rules, instead, it should be part of the culture, where all workers feel comfortable in raising their concerns about risks and hazards.

Both employers and employees should adopt a proactive attitude towards workplace safety, to ensure everyone is protected, and the business operates as efficiently as possible. Being aware of hazards, refusing to take risks and following safety precautions will improve workplace health and safety for everyone.

Upskill your team, with expert training.

CT Health & Safety deliver a range of interactive training courses designed to educate employees and encourage proper health & safety practice.

For more information, call 07956 074798 or email clive@cthealthandsafety.com.