Safety in the workplace should always be a priority, especially in high-risk environments. But who is responsible for employee safety?
All employees should be safe at work and both the employer and employee are responsible for employee safety. It would be impossible for an employer to keep track of every employee in the workplace, especially if the job involves working off-site, therefore employers must ensure that all of the necessary safety conditions are in place to ensure employees can look after themselves properly and safely.
Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe working environment. Risk assessments should be conducted and any necessary safety provisions should be put in place in order to reduce the risks of potential hazards. Conducting thorough risk assessments within the workplace helps to form the basis for the management of health and safety issues. By ensuring that you take the time to conduct your risk assessment effectively, you are taking every step possible to protect your employees from potential harm within the workplace.
All employees must, by law, be appropriately trained for the type of work that they will be carrying out and they should also be made familiar with the health and safety practices of the workplace. An employer is unlikely to be liable for any accidents that occur in the workplace where risk assessments have been carried out and training has been given.
It is an employee’s responsibility to keep up with their training and to handle any equipment or tools provided to them safely, keeping them well-maintained. It is also an employee’s responsibility to wear any special clothing or PPE provided to prevent injury and to follow safety signage in hazardous areas and safety training to keep themselves safe in the workplace. If an employee fails to follow safety instructions or training, then they are responsible for any accidents that may occur.
Under The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 safety signage must be used by employers to provide employees with safety information, such as fire exit signs, and employers have a responsibility to ensure that they have the correct safety signs in place to prevent accidents occurring.
If your business is larger or higher-risk, you can find detailed guidance here. If you're self-employed, check if health and safety law applies to you.
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