Over the last 40 years the UK has led the world when it comes to workplace health and safety. Since the Health and Safety at Work Act received Royal Assent in 1974 workplace fatalities have fallen by 85 percent and fatal injuries by over 75 percent.

HSE chair Judith Hackitt explains that “despite having diversified away from an economy based predominantly on heavy industry and manufacturing, much of the original framework and vision of the Health and Safety Act 1974 remains relevant”, and that “the principles have been applied time and again to new and emerging technologies and sectors.”

This reputation is something to be proud of; all workers have a right to work in places where health risks are properly controlled. Your employer is mostly responsible for health and safety, but you must help too. Want to know how you can help keep the UK safe at work? Here’s how…

For employers:

• Decide what could harm you in your job and the precautions to stop it.
• In a way you can understand, explain how risks will be controlled.
• Consult and work with you and health and safety representatives to protect people from harm in the workplace
• Provide health and safety training, free of charge
• Provide you with equipment and clothing, free of charge
• Provide drinking water, first-aid facilities, somewhere to wash, toilets
• Report major injuries and fatalities
• Have and clearly display an insurance certificate that covers you in case you get hurt at work or ill through work

For you:

• Follow the training provided
• Take reasonable care of your own and other people’s health and safety
• Cooperate with your employer on health and safety
• Tell someone if you think the work or inadequate precautions are putting people’s health and safety at risk

For more information, courses and health and safety equipment, please get in touch and speak to one of our health and safety professionals today.