Health and safety in the workplace are vital to ensure that staff and visitors are safe, but who exactly is responsible for health & safety at work and how can it be improved? Read on to find out more.
Who is Responsible For Health & Safety at Work?
Ultimately, it is up to everyone to make sure the workplace is safe. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that health & safety at work is the responsibility of everyone involved, from business owners right through to supervisors, contractors and staff on all levels.
Responsibility isn’t shared equally as employers have more responsibility than their employees but staff are expected to attend health & safety training and keep themselves up-to-date with policies. They’re also expected to report any risks to health and safety or non-compliance with rules and to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from hazards in the workplace.
What Are An Employer’s Responsibilities?
Business owners and employers have the most responsibility for workplace health and safety. By law, they are required to keep employees and visitors safe.
Employers must carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards to health and safety. They then need to put effective safety measures in place to counteract these risks. These safety measures include writing policies, providing health & safety training for employees and contractors, and providing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff, such as appropriate gloves, footwear, or eyewear, for example.
Employers also have other duties and responsibilities, including hiring appropriate contractors, displaying health and safety posters, and keeping staff up-to-date with workplace changes affecting health and safety.
Ways to Improve Health and Safety
There are several ways health and safety in the workplace can be improved. Having a management system in place allows you to clearly set out your policies and allocate responsibilities to specific groups of employees or individuals. It’s also a good idea to have a reporting system so that your staff can easily report any hazards or issues relating to health and safety. Holding regular training sessions will demonstrate your commitment to health & safety and ensure your employees are always up-to-date with the latest advice and developments.
Stress and Mental Health in the Workplace
Fortunately, mental health is starting to get more recognition in the workplace and employers are beginning to recognise the importance of protecting their employees’ mental health. Stress management and stress reduction are also key, as stress plays a huge role in workplace illness. In 2020/21 work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 50% of all work-related ill health. Awareness courses are available for business owners, managers and supervisors, to help them identify potential causes of stress and prevent their employees from becoming unwell as a result of workplace factors.
In Summary
Workplace health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, however, employers have greater responsibilities to keep their staff, visitors and customers safe. There are many ways to improve health and safety at work, with education and training playing a key role, both for employers and employees.
