Should job descriptions outline health and safety responsibilities?
9th July 2013
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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.

If you do not define health and safety responsibilities within job descriptions how can you ensure that your Directors, Managers, Supervisors or Workers are aware of their roles and responsibilities to ensure that any duty or requirement of the business is complied with? Your duty not only applies to keeping your workforce safe but maintaining safe plant, equipment and premises and where appropriate health surveillance. Where a business does not have a qualified and experienced health and safety manager

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.

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Faz P

Member since: 10th July 2012

Hi I am Faz and am passionate about all things Bolton. I hope you enjoy reading my blogs and find them to be interesting and thought provoking. I would love you to add your personal comments to them. Dont...

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