Work Safety

The safety of ourselves and that of others around us is our first and foremost responsibility. In fact, employees are legally obliged to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. Every employee has certain rights as well as responsibilities to guarantee his safety and that of his co-workers. Employers have a responsibility to consult all the staff members regarding safety concerns by either talking to the employees directly about it or through a safety representative. Let us look into some important rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in a little detail.

There are certain rights that you are legally entitled to, so that you can work in a safe environment and your employer cannot change these rights.

You have the right to a safe working environment and your employer should control any risks to your health and safety, as far as possible. For this, any required safety equipment (Personal Protection Equipment, PPE) should be provided, free of charge. You have the right to refuse to wear this equipment if it puts you in some sort of danger but the refusal should be on reasonable grounds.

• If at some point of time you have reasonable cause to believe that there is a threat to your safety then you can leave the premises.
• You can tell your concerns about health and safety to you employers and if this doesn’t work out, then you can contact your Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority.
• If you take such a course of action then your employer must not hold this against you.
• You have the right to take breaks during a working day, have time off during a working week and also have annual paid holidays.

Of course, with rights you also have certain responsibilities to look into:

• You are supposed to take good care of your health and safety and make sure that your fellow workers are not at a risk, as a result of what you do or don’t do.
• Always co-operate with your employer and make sure that you understand and follow your company’s safety policies. Make sure you get proper training for the job that you are to perform.
• Report any kind of illness, injuries and strains, which arise as a result of your job to your employer immediately.
• You are obligated to inform your employer if something happens to you that can affect your ability to work, for example getting pregnant, suffering an injury, etc. In such a situation you might be suspended whilst a solution is being searched to solve the problem. Usually such a suspension is paid.
• You should avoid wearing jewellery or loose clothing and tie your hair if it is long while operating any kind of machinery. Also, if you drive machinery, always make it a point to inform your employer if you have taken any medication that makes you drowsy. In such cases, they can suspend you temporarily or move you to some other job.
• Never interfere or misuse something which has been provided to you for your health, welfare or safety.
• You can be dismissed if you do not wear Personal Protection Equipment in certain jobs where it is compulsory to wear them.

If your employer recognizes a trade union and the trade union has appointed a safety representative then your employer should consult the representative. If there is no trade union then a representative of employee safety (ROES) can be elected or your employer can consult you directly.

ROES in consultation with HSE and other safety enforcement agencies represents the interests of the workers and tells the employers about hazards at work and any health or safety issues.

Employers have a legal duty to give a chance to you or your safety representative or ROES to state any concerns and consult about anything that may affect health or safety.

Before making any decisions your employer must consult on various things like:

• Health and safety issues that arise with new technology and providing information to employees regarding safety in the workplace.
• changing the working practices that could affect your safety or health. The employer has to provide you with safety training.

If your employer is not consulting with you then they are committing an offence.

Employers have a right to monitor you at your work if they think it is necessary for them to carry out their health duties. Monitoring can involve drug testing, collecting data or images. Employers can even suspend you due to safety or health concerns. But the suspension has to be only due to reasonable concerns.

There are many health problems and hazards that can arise in the workplace. Some of them are musculoskeletal disorders, slips and trips, falls from height, problems due to long time exposure to vibrations and noise, etc. One in five people suffers from workplace stress and millions have reported that they have fallen ill because of this.

Accidents in the workplace

Employers have a legal duty to protect you as well as report any work related accidents, diseases, dangerous incidents to the Contact Centre of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Employers have to carry out a risk assessment of a work place and then take the necessary precautions to prevent any accident from happening. First aid equipment should always be ready and easily accessible. Any accidents should always be recorded. Paid sick leave should always be provided in case of an accident. Employers may pay extra in the form of compensation depending on the extent of the injuries sustained.

Safe Computer Use

Computers and Visual Display Units (VDUs) are used every day in most workplaces. Usually people don’t suffer any ill effects due to this. Although if they do suffer from any problem, then that is usually because they are using the computer incorrectly. For example, you might suffer pain in your neck or back if you use it for a long time without breaks; pain in the back of your hand due to excessive mouse clicking, etc. Take breaks in between to prevent this and be sure to arrange regular eye tests.

The following is a list of important legislation topics covered in the short guide of the regulations of the Health and Safety Executive:

• Wear protective gear and clothing whenever it is required.
• First aid should always be available.
• Controlling hazardous substances.
• Controlling noise and wearing protective gear.
• Taking preventions while working with electric materials, etc.