Health and safety at work
Health and safety law is designed to protect you. Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment, from permanent employees and agency staff to temporary workers and volunteers.
Safety tips for young workers
Produced by Speak Up, Stay Safe
These safety tips are part of the Speak Up, Stay Safe campaign which is empowering you to communicate with your employer if you find yourself placed in a dangerous situation at work.
Bookmark / share:
"You should report incidents where someone could have been hurt, even if no one actually was."
What should my employer do to keep me safe at work?
Some employers are more conscientious than others. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) surveyed 1759 construction sites and 2145 contractors in 2009, and found that one-fifth failed health and safety checks. That's why it's helpful to know what the law says; obligations under health and safety legislation include:
- Giving you any information or training needed to carry out your job safely
- Providing any safety equipment or protective clothing you need, free of charge and in the right size
- Allowing you to take rest breaks during your working day (20 minutes every six hours for most workers, with some exceptions, and 30 minutes every four and a half hours if you're under 18)
- Providing free eye tests if you use display screen equipment, such as a computer, and paying for basic glasses if they're needed specifically for your work
- Appointing at least one person to be responsible for health and safety at your workplace
Companies with five or more employees must have a written policy stating who is responsible for health and safety, and what arrangements are in place to protect you. If you're self-employed, you'll need to make your own health and safety arrangements.
Is it all up to my employer?
Responsibility is shared between you and your employer. You're expected to do what you can to look after your own health and safety, and that of the people around you, such as using any protective equipment provided and telling someone if you lose or damage it.
What if I'm under 18?
If you're over school-leaving age and under 18, you're classed as a young worker. Your employer must take this into account when assessing health and safety risks. They should remember that you haven't had as much experience, so make sure you're properly supervised and give you some basic training on workplace health and safety.
I've been injured at work, what do I do?
Tell your manager or safety representative, however trivial it seems. They should record the details in a workplace accident book. You should also report incidents where someone could have been hurt, even if no one actually was. This is called a 'near miss incident' and your employer may need to report it to the HSE if you're in England, Wales or Scotland, or the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
They should also report serious work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous incidents, including any injury that stops someone doing their normal work for three or more days. Records must be kept for at least three years, and employees who were involved have the right to request a copy.
I'm worried about safety at my workplace. Who can I talk to?
Your line manager, health and safety representative or, if you have one, a trade union representative. Contact the HSE's Infoline if you're in England, Scotland or Wales, or HSENI's One-2-One helpline for Northern Ireland, to report serious concerns about your employer, or just to get some confidential advice.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 says you can't be sacked for reporting a genuine health and safety concern. This law covers permanent employees, contract workers, trainees and agency staff, with no minimum qualifying period and no age restrictions, but doesn't apply to volunteers, the intelligence services or the armed forces. You can make an anonymous complaint if you prefer.
Don't I have to do everything my boss says?
No. If you're asked to do something you have genuine reason to believe is unsafe, explain your worries to your line manager or health and safety representative. You have the right to refuse to carry out unsafe work without losing your pay or your job.
By Anne Wollenberg
Updated:14/06/2010Jargon Buster
- School-leaving age:
- The last Friday in June in the school year in which you turn 16.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- Public body responsible for workplace health and safety in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI):
- Northern Ireland equivalent to the HSE.
How was it for you?
What do you think of Lifetracks.com and has it helped you? For your chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher, complete our short survey and help us make the website as useful as possible.
