What are my H&S responsibilities?
Employees must use any machinery, equipment, dangerous substance, transport equipment, means of production, safety device, equipment or clothing provided to them by their employer in accordance both with any training in the use of the equipment concerned which has been received by them; and the instructions on use which have been provided to them by their employer in compliance with health and safety law.
The duty to apply their training includes not only training provided by the current employer, but also any training from past employers, manufacturers, educational establishments or elsewhere.
Not intentionally or recklessly to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.
Employees must obey safety signs and information.
Employees must inform their employer, or someone he has appointed with specific responsibility for their health and safety: of any work situation they reasonably consider to be dangerous; of any matter they reasonably consider represents a shortcoming in their employer's health and safety arrangements.
This reporting duty only requires the employee to report such a concern where it has not already been reported and where it either affects his or her own health or safety; or is connected with his or her own activities at work.
The employer should nevertheless encourage employees to report any health and safety issue that gives rise to concern.
The employer should have a clear system for employee reports of this nature, including records, investigation, action and feedback to employees.
Employees must protect themselves and all others who may be affected by their actions.
Employees must cooperate with and participate in the health and safety process.
Employees must use any PPE provided in accordance with the training and information given.
Employees must report all accidents and near misses in the Accident Book. Further information on Accident Reporting can be found by clicking here.
Employees must report the use of any First Aid equipment so it can be replaced immediatly.
What training should I be given?
Your employer is legally obliged to provide training free of charge to employees to enable them to do their jobs safely, training must be carried out during normal working hours and employees must be paid their normal basic rate of pay during training, training may include any of the following:
Basic Safety Awareness
Fire Safety and Fire Warden
First Aid
Work at Height
Display Screen Equipment
Manual Handling
Noise at Work
Plant Operation
PPE
The Safety Passport scheme provides good basic safety awareness, noise, electricity and manual handling training, it is a basic level and is not designed for those who have responsibilities for safety management, they will need something like the IOSH Managing Safely, Supervising Safely or Directing Safely. Everyone needs fire safety awareness training and some staff to be trained as Fire Wardens or First Aiders.
What PPE do I need?
Employers must determine the type of PPE required by carrying out a risk assessment, it is dependant on the type of work being carried out, it can include:
Helmets
Safety Footwear
High Visibility Clothing
Eye of Face Protection
Gloves
Hearing Protection
Fall Arrest and Work Positioning
Resporatory Protection
Employers must be provided PPE free of charge to employees, it MUST NOT be shared or pooled (to prevent unnecessary wear and infection). It should be issued brand new to an employee who then has a responsibility to look after it and report any loss, damage or wear so it can be replaced immediately.
PPE must be correctly fitting and must be compatable with any other PPE being used.
