Workplace health and safety is a crucial consideration for employers. As an employee, it’s important that you always feel safe at work, which is why you must understand your health and safety rights.
In this article, we’ll be discussing your essential rights relating to health and safety in the workplace as an employee.
Who is responsible for health and safety?
The employer must uphold proper health and safety regulations in the workplace. They must operate in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which defines the general duties of all parties to ensure health and safety are maintained.
Employer health and safety responsibilities
An employer must fulfil their legal responsibilities to ensure everyone remains safe at work. Some of these include:
- Staff training: All employees need to understand any potential risks or hazards at work. The type of training each employee receives will be dependent on their role. Those who are involved in lifting heavy objects or operating machinery should receive manual handling training, for example. Proper training will help to prevent accidents from happening.
- Risk assessments: Employers must carry out generic and specific risk assessments so that employees have all the relevant information to understand hazards, risks, and controls in the workplace.
- Create a health and safety policy: A clear health and safety policy sets out the relevant procedures that all staff should follow, including fire safety and first aid. This should be made readily available to all employees and onsite contractors.
What should you do if you’re hurt at work?
If you’ve been injured at work and it wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation. While this can be a complicated process for some, it’s highly recommended so that you receive what you deserve. Seeking legal advice will be useful too, and you should make your claim as soon as you can as there are time limits.
You must keep records of your accident to help prove your case, so ensure to take photos of your injury, seek contact details of witnesses, and make notes of exactly what happened.
Your employer should have a clear reporting process if you’ve suffered an accident at work. Whether that’s logging the incident in an accident book or reporting to your manager. You should always keep a copy of the incident for yourself, too.
If the injuries sustained are serious, you should always see a doctor. It’s best to make an appointment as soon as possible so your accident can be logged in your medical records and you receive the appropriate treatment.
Don’t forget to check your contract to find out if you’re entitled to paid time off for your appointment and sick leave.