Should job descriptions outline health and safety responsibilities?
In terms of health and safety, how important is it to ensure that your employees have a job description? When you prepare your employees job description do you think only about the tasks to be performed, the inputs and outputs of the tasks and the consequences of employment law related matters? We all have a responsibility for health and safety, as individuals, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Most people are aware that Employers have responsibilities to their Employees such as "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees"
This is normally achieved by good leadership from Directors and Managers, robust safety management systems, safe systems of work, risk assessment, supervision and providing training and information.
Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 also states that "It shall be the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work; and as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with"
TL Safety can assist you to understand and comply with health and safety legislation by putting in place the required arrangements detailed above to meet your particular business needs. In the event of a workplace accident or fatality a good place for both the police and the Health and Safety Executive to start would be job descriptions as well as the areas we have mentioned above.
TL Safety can act as your "Competent Person" to help meet your legal requirements. Where you have 5 or more employees you must have a written health and safety policy, assess the risks, have suitable and sufficient arrangements for health and safety, consult with your employees and ensure you have access to competent health and safety advice.
Where is the best multi cultural wedding venue in Bolton?