Your Workplace, Your Responsibility
We often hear that employers have a responsibility towards their employees regarding Health and safety issues within the workplace. The Health and Safety at Work Act, however states that both employers and employees have a ‘duty of care’. As the Healthy and Safety at Work act plays a big part in what we do at HWS, lets discuss some of these responsibilities:
Two main duties as an Employee
- To help employers fulfil their obligations by cooperating with them and others.
- To take reasonable care of themselves but also others who might be affected by their actions – this involves not just people in the desk next to them but anyone who enters the workplace.
How might an employee fulfil these obligations?
Suggestions:
Report any health and safety matters to help employers understand any issues.
Undertake any relevant training which the employer provides – This involves turning up, paying attention and even asking relevant questions if you don’t understand something.
Use the equipment provided in a safe manner – Don’t misuse it in any way e.g. follow guidelines/instructions and only use the equipment for the purposes it was intended e.g. don’t climb on the chair to reach something from a shelf.
Get involved in health and safety issues.
Undertake training and follow instructions on the use of your equipment e.g. Learn how to adjust your chair to meet your needs.