180626FAQ016:03:H&SInformationfornewemployeesPage1NationalHealthandSafetyFunction,WorkplaceHealthandWellbeingUnit,NationalHRDivisionFrequentlyAskedQuestionRef:016:03RE:Health&SafetyinformationfornewemployeesIssuedate:January2016RevisedDate:June2018Reviewdate:June2020Author(s):NHS&F–Information&AdvisoryTeamNote:Thisinformation/advicehasbeenissuedinresponsetofrequentlyaskedquestionsaroundaspecifictopicandmaynotcoverallissuesarising,shouldyourequiremorespecificadvicepleasecontacttheHealth&SafetyHelpDesk.Themanagementofanyoccupationalsafetyandhealthissue(s)remainstheresponsibilityoflocalmanagement.TheHSE’sSafetyManagementProgrammecentresontherequirementsofHealth&SafetyLegislationwiththeaimofidentifyinghazards,assessingtherisksfromthehazardandeliminating/reducingthoseriskstoareasonablelevelbydeveloping,implementingandreviewingtheeffectivenessofcontrols.WhatlegislationgovernsHealth&Safety?TheSafety,HealthandWelfareatWorkAct,2005,TheSafety,HealthandWelfareatWork(GeneralApplication)Regulations2007andassociatedlegislationgoverntheareaofhealth&safety.TheSafety,HealthandWelfareatWorkAct2005requiresemployers,includingtheHSEtoensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thattheiractivitiesaremanagedandconductedinsuchawayastoensurethesafety,healthandwelfareofstaff,patients,visitorsandothers.Theaimistopreventinjuryandillhealthofemployeeswhileatworkandotherswhoarenotemployedbutmaybeexposedtohealthandsafetyrisksasaresultofourworkactivities.Whataremyresponsibilities?UnderthislegislationbothEmployersandEmployeeshaveresponsibilitiesandduties.Anemployeemust:•Complywithsafetyandhealthlegislation•Takereasonablecaretoprotecthisorherownsafety,healthandwelfareandthatofanyotherpersonwhomaybeaffectedbyhisorheractsoromissionsatwork•Ensurethathe/sheisnotundertheinfluenceofanintoxicanttotheextentofendangeringhisorherownsafety,healthorwelfareatworkorthatofanyotherperson•IfreasonablyrequiredbytheEmployer,submittoanyappropriate,reasonableandproportionatetests,byorunderthesupervisionofaregisteredmedicalpractitionerwhoisacompetentperson,asmayberequiredbyRegulationsmadeunderthe2005Act•Co-operatewiththeEmployerandanyotherpersontoenablethemtocomplywithhealthandsafetylegislation•Notengageinimproperconductorotherbehavioursuchasviolence,bullyingorhorseplay,whichcouldendangerhisorhersafety,healthandwelfareorthatofanyotherpersons180626FAQ016:03:H&SInformationfornewemployeesPage2•Wheresafetyandhealthtrainingrelatedtoaparticulartaskisrequiredbytheemployerorbysafetyandhealthlegislation,attendandundergo,asappropriateanyreasonableassessmentofthetraining•Followingtrainingandinstruction,correctlyuseanyarticleorsubstance,protectiveclothingandequipmentprovidedforuseatworkAnemployeeisrequiredtoreporttotheEmployer,orotherappropriateperson,assoonastheybecomeawareofanyinstance:•Whereworkbeingcarriedon,orlikelytobecarriedon,inamannerwhichmayendangerhis/hersafety,healthorwelfareofthatofanotherperson•Ofanydefectintheplaceofwork,thesystemsofworkoranyarticleorsubstancelikelytoendangerhim/heroranotherperson•Abreachofsafetyandhealthlegislationlikelytoendangerhim/heroranotherpersonwhichcomestohis/herattentionSeeCorporateSafetyStatementforthedutiesoftheEmployer.WherewouldIfindhealth&safetyinformation?TheSafetyStatementspecifiesthemannerinwhichtheHSEwillsecureandmanagethesafety,healthandwelfareatworkofitsemployeesandothers.TheHSE...
