Why is health and safety everyone’s responsibility?

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Why is health and safety everyone’s responsibility?

Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for health and safety in the workplace is down to employers. But health and safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. While employers have primary responsibility for all health and safety matters, all employees play a crucial role in preventing accidents and work-related illness.

Employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. Employees must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.

No employer can be expected to spot every hazard that may occur in the workplace. Workplace culture must encourage everyone to report anything that may contravene health and safety regulations or may cause harm to fellow workers.

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act and what does it do?

The Health and Safety Executive  defines the Act as “the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It’s sometimes referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA.”

It sets out the general duties which:

• employers have towards employees and members of the public
• employees have to themselves and to each other
• certain self-employed workers have towards themselves and others

The Act places a general duty on employers to ‘ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees’.

How do you manage health and safety in the workplace?

There are steps you can take to make sure that you comply with health and safety legislation and that both employers and employees are safe:

• You can appoint health and safety champions
• Make sure there’s an up to date health and safety policy (and that everyone knows about it!)
• Carry out regular risk assessments
• Ensure all machinery is regularly checked, maintained and that all employees using it are correctly trained
• Appoint a first aider (or more than one if your organisation is larger)

What rights do employees have?

All workers are entitled to work in a safe environment, free from risks and hazards. If you suspect that relevant health and safety legislation is not being followed in your workplace, you should speak with your employer.

I’ve had an accident at work due to negligence – what do I do?

Accidents do happen from time to time, and you are within your rights to make a claim against your employer if you’ve suffered an accident at work due to negligence. But you’re not automatically eligible for any compensation.

You must ensure that your accident did occur because of your employer’s negligence and not because of any misconduct or lack of due care and attention on your part.

If you believe your accident was due to employer negligence then you could speak to a personal injury solicitor. They will be able to advise you of whether you would have a strong case under any health and safety in the workplace legislation and what to do next.

Bowcock & Pursaill’s team of Personal Claims and Disputes solicitors cover a range of issues in including personal injury claims and can offer advice on how to proceed with any claims for accidents at work.

Get in touch today to talk to one of our friendly team.