Roles and Responsibilities

Who is responsible for Health and Safety?

Every employee of the company

Who has ultimate legal responsibility?

• Chief Executive• Principal• Head Teacher• Owner

If I have an accident can I claim compensation?

• If you can prove negligence• Based on “balance of probability” not

“beyond reasonable doubt”• Company will need to prove what

measures they took to maintain Health and Safety

Employer Responsibilities

• Have a written health and safety policy(see below)

• Impose specific responsibilities on employees

• Ensure adequate training, safety equipment and Personal Protective Equipment has been provided

• Carry out relevant risk assessments for each task

Health and Safety Policy

• A legal requirement• Contains– A statement of intent that sets out the

organisation’s H&S aims and objectives– Organisation –shows structure of

accountability, lines of communication of H&S issues and allocation of responsibilities

– Arrangements- procedures and systems for first aid, risk assessments, welfare, fire protection etc

Employee Requirements

• Be aware of the responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act

• Be aware of the hazards and risks from the activity in which you are engaged

• Be familiar with relevant risk assessments• Ensure that you comply with reasonable

requests and instructions• Ensure you know how to use the

equipment and tools required to complete allocated tasks

The Health and Safety Executive

• A government agency which enforces H&S• Appoints inspectors to monitor H&S in

workplaces who have the authority to enter any workplace and can examine and investigate any part of the premises or machinery

• Can issue– Advice, either verbal or written– Improvement notices– Prohibition notices

• Prosecutes companies where appropriate

Who else needs to be considered?

• Subcontractors• Public• Suppliers • Customers • Visitors

Any Questions?