Every worker is entitled to work in an environment where safety risks are properly controlled, and their health is a priority. According to Health and Safety Executive, 1.8 million working people in the UK suffer from a work-related illness and 565,000 have sustained an injury at work. This is despite the responsibility of employers to maintain certain levels of employee safety.
If you’ve had an accident at work or suspect something is amiss in your work environment, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to health and safety.
Here’s everything you need to know about your Health and Safety rights.
Adequate training
It’s essential that all staff receives adequate training so they can understand the risk involved at work and the safety procedures in place to control them. This is especially important if you work with heavy machinery or potentially dangerous tools.
This is solely the responsibility of your employer and is a legal requirement in the UK. As per the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must ensure that all workers are kept safe. When properly enforced, can prevent a number of workplace accidents.
Proper welfare provisions
Employers should supply appropriate welfare provisions in the workplace. These provisions include washing, toilet, rest, and changing facilities, as well as drinking water. A clean area should also be allocated for workers to use during break times so that food will not get contaminated.
Your employer should ensure that these welfare facilities are accessible to all workers, including those with disabilities or pregnant employees.
Safe working environment
Organisations are legally required to actively foster and promote a strong culture of safety. One way they can meet this requirement is by having a competent HR department. HR is responsible for developing workplace policies that keep up with necessary protective measures and training requirements.
Sophisticated HR software avoids risk for companies and employees by providing solutions to issues between team members and other services, such as mental and occupational health advice.
Suitable levels of supervision
Supervisors and managers in the workplace should provide all employees with adequate levels of supervision and instruction. All activities should be reviewed and assessed as to how important supervision is for each of them on any particular day.
Without appropriate guidance, employees can not be expected to properly practice health and safety measures.
What to do if you’re hurt at work?
If you’re a victim of work-related illness or injury, you must make a record of the incident. You can do this by reporting an accident to management but always remember to keep a copy of any paper documents for yourself.
It’s also best to make an appointment to see your GP so they can make a record of any illness or injury and begin treating it.