Health, Safety and Environmental Responsibilities

Flashcards covering employer and employee responsibilities, reporting procedures, and the roles of various health and safety personnel as discussed in the lecture notes.

Who holds the sole duty of care for each employee's health and safety in the workplace?

The employer.

What must all organizations have to set the direction for health and safety management?

A clear policy for the management of health and safety.

Under the HSW Act, what is an employer's duty regarding the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and other workers?

To ensure their health, safety, and welfare at work.

What is an example of a matter under the control of an employer regarding electrical equipment?

Establishing policy to ensure electrical equipment is purchased to an appropriate specification, properly maintained, and monitored.

What is a primary responsibility of employees under the HSW Act regarding themselves and others?

To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

When employees have specific responsibilities under the HSW Act, what must they avoid doing with items provided for health and safety?

Not to interfere with or deliberately misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.

If an employee has concerns about health and safety at work that exceed their level of responsibility, whom should they primarily report these concerns to?

Their supervisor or line manager.

What is the legal requirement for employers and the self-employed regarding risks to health or safety?

To conduct their business in such a way as to ensure, 'so far as is reasonably practicable', that persons affected are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.

If an employer's work activity is creating a risk and no improvement is made after reporting it to them, what is the next step?

Report it to the relevant enforcing authority, which should be asked to investigate.

What information should an effective internal system for reporting health, safety, and welfare-related matters include?

The names and contact details of the relevant responsible persons, readily available to all employees.

What is an 'Enabling Act'?

An Act that allows the Secretary of State to make further laws (regulations) without the need to pass another Act of Parliament.

Who does the HSW Act place specific responsibilities on?

Employers, the self-employed, employees, designers, manufacturers and suppliers, and importers.

Who is primarily responsible under health and safety law for controlling risks to the health and safety of workers?

Employers.

What is an employer's duty regarding protecting the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and others?

To do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this.

What is a key responsibility of clients regarding contracted works and health and safety?

To ensure that all aspects relating to contracted works that affect health and safety are clearly identified and communicated to all parties involved.

What is the main aim of a Health and Safety Officer?

To prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related illnesses in the workplace by creating and implementing health and safety policies.

What is one key role of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector?

To ensure employers comply with all aspects of health and safety laws, and that workplaces are not the cause of ill health, injury, or death.

What enforcement actions can an HSE Inspector take in relation to non-compliance?

Ranging from advice on stopping dangerous work activities to potentially taking prosecutions where people are put at serious risk.

Under what specific conditions can a Trade Union Safety Representative contact the Health and Safety Executive about a concern?

If the employer does nothing to alleviate a situation causing or potentially causing significant harm, and the representative has tried to resolve the issue using their powers under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.

Which officers are responsible for investigating incidents that affect health, such as pollution, accidents at work, noise control, and food poisoning?

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).