Who is Responsible for Health and Safety?
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When it comes to answering the question of who is responsible for health and safety in the workplace, the answer is quite simple. Employees have their own responsibility to adhere to health & safety regulations, but the buck stops with the employer.
As an employer, you have an obligation to prioritise the health of safety of employees and other visitors in the workplace.
As an employer, you have an obligation to prioritise the health of safety of employees and other visitors in the workplace.
This means that you have a duty of care in managing risks and issues that could threaten the health and safety of the work environment.
What the law says: employer health & safety responsibilities
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) states that the employer is the main party responsible for employee safety, and must provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees.
However, this legislation also states the responsibilities of other people within the workplace, including contractors/self-employed, and employees.
There are more regulations under HSWA that further indicate the responsibilities of employers in health and safety at work. They cover a wide array of issues in the workplace, ranging from manual handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more.
Who enforces these regulations?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the nation’s regulator for workplace and health and safety, meaning that this authoritative body enforces the legislations and regulations concerning health and safety at work.
Therefore, it is the HSE who gives regulatory guidance regarding who is responsible for health & safety in the workplaces and what their responsibilities are.
Therefore, it is the HSE who gives regulatory guidance regarding who is responsible for health & safety in the workplaces and what their responsibilities are.
What this means in practice
For business owners, the law requires that you must:
- Complete risk assessments
- Provide adequate facilities and protective equipment for employees
- Properly maintain the work environment
- Hire a competent person who is responsible for safety management and making sure that the workplace is compliant with safety law
- Create and enforce a health and safety policy that everyone must follow, fostering a safety culture within the workplace
Employee health & safety responsibilities
The employer is not the only person who is legally responsible for health and safety at work - employees also have their own duties in terms of adhering to workplace safety standards.
All employees have rights and responsibilities regarding health and safety in the workplace. If you’re an employee, it’s important that you are aware of both your duties and your entitlements.
Your health and safety responsibilities at work
For employees, the following responsibilities apply:
- Attend training to ensure they are aware of safety procedures and know how to work safely
- Follow safety practices and wear appropriate personal protective equipment as necessary
- Report identified hazards or risks to senior members of staff
- Take care of your own and others’ health and safety
Your health and safety entitlements at work
As an employee, you also have health and safety rights at work, such as:
- All risks to yourself should be controlled by your employer (to the best of their ability)
- Being informed about any potential hazards related to your work
- Having a safe place of work that includes appropriate facilities and provisions that maintain your health and safety
What to do if…
There are many scenarios, posing health and safety risks, that could occur while at work. Here is what you can do in these situations:
- You spot a possible hazard or health and safety risk in equipment/machinery - Tell your supervisor immediately and warn your colleagues, preventing them from using it until further notice.
- You believe that your workplace is unsafe and doesn’t adhere to health and safety law - Consult your safety representative and/or supervisor; if your concerns go unheard, report your concerns to HSE.
- You are unsure of how to use specific equipment - Avoid using the equipment and speak with your supervisor about attending relevant training sessions on how to safely use the equipment.
Rest assured that you are entitled to a safe working environment, and your employer has a duty to provide this to their employees.