5.2 Rights & Responsibilities - Health and Safety, Independent Level

Module 5: Rights and Responsibilities

5.2 Health and Safety

(Independent Level)

Explanation

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (also referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA) is the main piece of legislation (law) covering health and safety in Great Britain.

The Health and Safety Executive, along with local authorities (and other enforcing authorities) is responsible for making sure that companies and employees follow these laws.

For some refugees and migrant workers who haven’t worked in the UK before, the many Health and Safety laws that govern working life can seem a bit over the top, especially if they have worked in similar jobs in other countries where these laws are not in place. It is important that when you start a job here you become familiar with the particular Health and Safety laws that apply to your new company.

So, why do we have these laws and what do they mean for employees and employers?

As well as being concerned for the well-being of their workforce, the economic effects of not abiding by Health and Safety laws can be devastating for employers. A company with a poor record in Health and Safety will find it very hard to attract and keep employees. They may also find themselves in court being sued for damages if health and safety laws have been broken.

All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Nobody wants to, or should be expected to, work in a place where their safety is in danger (unless you want to be a lion tamer!) Under health and safety law, the main responsibility for this is down to employers. Employers have a duty to consult with their employees, or their representatives, on health and safety matters.

However, as an employee, you do have to take some degree of responsibility for your own health and safety whilst at work.

By law, you have the right to:

work in places where all the risks to your health and safety are properly controlled;
stop working and leave the area if you think you are in danger;
be consulted on matters related to your health and safety at work;
inform your employer about health and safety issues or concerns;
contact the HSE or your local authority, if you still have health and safety concerns, without getting into trouble;
join a trade union and be a safety representative;
paid time off work for training if you are a safety representative;
a rest break of at least 20 minutes if you work more than six hours at a stretch and to an annual period of paid leave;
suitable and sufficient toilets, washing facilities and drinking water;
adequate first-aid facilities.

You have the responsibility to:

take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do);
co-operate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare;
follow the training you have received when using any work items your employer has given you.

Your employer has many responsibilities concerning Health and Safety in the workplace.

They must:

tell you how to do your job safely in a way that you can understand, and tell you about the risks to your health and safety from current or proposed working practices;
tell you how any risks will be controlled and who is responsible for this;
consult and work with health and safety representatives and employees to protect everyone from harm in the workplace;
tell you how to get first-aid treatment and what to do in an emergency.

Your employer must provide, free of charge:

training to enable you to do your job safely;
any equipment and protection necessary for you at work (such as clothing, shoes or boots, eye and ear protection, gloves, masks etc.) and ensure it is properly looked after;
health checks if there is a danger of ill health because of your work;
regular health checks if you work nights and a check before you start.

Your employer must provide you with the following information:

the health and safety law poster ( which must be displayed in a prominent place, or as an alternative, they can provide each worker with a copy of the equivalent pocket card. This should give the contact details of people who can help;
their health and safety policy statement;
an up-to-date Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) certificate ( visible in your place of work.

Information taken from - More details and further links can be found here.

Health and Safety Signs

If you are working in a place where there are potential hazards or dangers, you will (or should) see various Health and Safety signs. These signs warn people about any possible dangers and instruct you on what to do to prevent hazardous situations from arising.

Many Health and Safety signs such as Emergency Exit, Fire Alarm, Slippery Floor, will be familiar already, as you see them in shops, cinemas, schools, Job Centres etc.

There are many signs that are specific to particular workplaces – for instance, in a factory you may see warning signs about dangerous machinery, sharp objects, extreme noise etc., whilst in an office environment, you may come across signs that warn of trip hazards, which remind you to keep fire exits clear and so on.

When you start a new job, your employer has a responsibility to ensure that you know where the safety signs are, and most importantly, that you know what they mean.

Colour is a quick and effective means of communicating different information quickly, and the use of colour is important in H & S signage. As a general rule:

Colour / Meaning / Instruction
Red / Prohibition (something is forbidden)
Danger alarm / Dangerous behaviour;stop;shut down;emergency cut-out devices;evacuate
Yellow/amber / Warning sign / Be careful; take precautions; examine
Blue / Mandatory sign (something you must do) / Specific behaviour or action, e.g. wear goggles
Green / Emergency escape
First aid kit
No danger / Doors; exits; escape routes; equipment and facilities
Return to normal

Most signs have been cleverly designed so that they convey the relevant health and safety warnings/advice in a simple and easy to understand way. Even if the words used are difficult for someone to understand, the picture or diagram is usually enough to get the message across. However, remember that your employer has the responsibility to ensure that you are aware of all risks and understand the warning signs. This is especially important if English is not your first language.

So, let’s have a look at some of the most commonly used H & S signs, and learn what they mean.

Information and signs taken from ,

Signs you may see in a factory/warehouse include the following:

/ Be aware that there are forklift trucks being used in the area.
/ Fire Exit is in the direction of the arrow.
/ No Entry in this area.
/ Protective Footwear/Ear Protectors/Helmets etc. must be worn to prevent injury.
/ Be careful as there is a danger that you may trip and fall.
/ Be extremely careful as this machine poses a danger of serious injury or death by crushing.
/ Only people who have been trained and have permission to do so can use this machine.
/ Make sure scarves, ties, belt, long hair etc. are safely tucked away to avoid injury whilst using machines.

Signs that you may see in an office include:

/ The first aid kid is here.
/ No smoking in this area.
/ Lift heavy items correctly to avoid injury.
/ All workers must ensure that nothing is blocking the fire exits.
/ This sign will warn you where any dangerous substances such as cleaning materials etc. are stored.

Signs that you may see in a catering job include:

/ A reminder to wash your hands before handling food!
/ Staff must cover and date food to ensure freshness and prevent contamination.
/ Hair must be covered by a hairnet to prevent contamination.
/ Do not use the water from this tap for drinking or cooking.
/ To prevent contamination and the risk of food poisoning, remember to store raw and cooked food separately.

The signs in the tables above are just a few examples of the many health and safety signs that you will come across in various different workplaces. When you start a new job, take time to become familiar with any health and safety signs and policies that they have – remember, they are there for a reason…to keep everyone safe!

Activity 1

If possible, go online to research health and safety laws that are relevant to types of jobs that members of the group are interested in. There is a document specifically aimed at migrant/oversees workers containing clear information. (Available at
Discuss why we have H & S laws. Find pictures online showing examples of workplace situations where H & S laws are being broken and discuss the possible outcomes.

Activity 2

Divide the group into teams. Use or adapt resources found at to reinforce the importance of following Health and Safety laws.
Play the RISE Health and Safety game, Risky Business, which looks at health and safety issues in a factory environment or Dangerous Dave at

Activity 3

Print off copyright free pictures of health and safety signs (some commonly used, some less so) and a simple definition of what they are warning about. Learners demonstrate knowledge and understanding by matching the definition to the image.
Print off or create a scenario showing different workplace scenarios with hazards and dangers. Learners decide which health and safety signs would be needed to warn employees.