Everyone in your workplace needs to have relevant health and safety training, you need to ensure you provide clear instructions, information and training for your employers. This is particularly true of those who may be considered vulnerable workers.
Whether you are training employees, contractors or you are self employed, everyone should have the same health and safety information available to them. They also need to be aware of emergency procedures, hazards and risks which they may face. This is essential training for all employees, whether they feel it is required or not.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering workplace health and safety in the UK. The Act sets in stone a lot of legislations for businesses and was put in place to ensure the protection of employees at work.
An employer has a lot of duties to follow, whatever the size of the business. Employers have a duty to make the workplace safe. This means ensuring that plant and machinery are safe to use, as well as ensuring that the workplace is clear of debris which may be hazardous at all times.
All businesses should employ a 'competent' person whom may have health and safety responsibilities for the organisation. Within a smaller firm, this is usually the owners responsibility. However, in larger organisations there may be a nominated person in charge of health and safety.
Whoever is in charge of health and safety for the organisation should carry out risk assessments within the area which is worked within. If this is within an office, then the risk assessment may not change very often, however if it is working on a construction site, then this is likely to change every time you start a new project.
As well as risk assessments and ensuring that the workplace is safe, employers must also think about their employees health. This means providing adequate lighting, heat, lunch breaks and even fans in the case of a hot Summer!
Whilst employers have the most responsibility, employees also have responsibility for their own wellbeing. Employees should act in a professional and safe manner when at work. They should also be able to manage their own safety, this means that if they feel they aren't being given the correct training, they should be able to inform their employers.