Advice for employees on reporting health and safety failings
Many people think that the responsibility for health and safety in the workplace lies solely with the employer, but this isn’t strictly the case. Whilst employers and managers may have legal obligations with regards to health and safety, there is a very important part to be played by employees too.
If you care about health and safety, and you should if you want to protect yourself and others around you, then you should take the time to find out more about it. It would be well worth your time undergoing a basic workplace health and safety training course, where you will find out about how to work safely and spot potential safety hazards.
Another important thing you can do to make your workplace safer is to report any problems, hazards or risks you have noticed to your employer. This will enable them to make changes to reduce the risk and eliminate the danger – which could potentially save someone’s life.
If you report problems to your employer and changes are not made after repeated requests by employees or other parties, it may be necessary for the safety of everyone on the premises to get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In extreme cases, where employers are suspected of committing criminal offences with regards to health and safety, whistleblowing may be required. This is where you follow particular processes to report a serious problem and your employment rights will be protected.