1.3 Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: self, the employer or manager, others in the work setting

It is important to recognise that health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

As an employee, you should:

• Take reasonable care of yourself and others
• Do not do anything that would put yourself or others at risk
• Do not omit to do anything that could put yourself or others at risk
• Follow your employer’s agreed ways of working
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where required
• Report any hazards you discover
• Attend training

Your employer should:

• Ensure a safe working environment
• Perform risk assessments to identify any potential hazards and minimise them as much as possible
• Provide policies and procedures for safe working practice
• Provide PPE and other equipment for free
• Provide information, training and supervision for employees
• Provide first-aid and welfare facilities (e.g. toilets)
• Make plans for emergencies
• Report injuries, disease and dangerous occurrences to the Health & Safety Executive

‘Others’ can refer to anyone else that accesses the place of work. This can include visitors, other professionals, service users and their families. These people also have responsibilities relating to health and safety including:

• Taking reasonable care of themselves and others
• Following workplace procedures (e.g. signing in when they arrive)
• Report any health and safety concerns
• Not misusing health and safety equipment