Just like your employer has responsibilities when it comes to your safety, you do too. As an employee, it is essential that you both know and understand your responsibilities to your safety. This is for you and your co-workers. 

Let’s have a look at what these responsibilities are below: 

What Are Your Rights?

When you are an employee you have certain rights that are there to ensure you are working in a safe and healthy environment. They are given to you by law and they can’t be altered or taken away by your employer. The rights you should be aware of include: 

  • To have risks controlled as far as possible 
  • To be given personal protective equipment and any safety equipment need for free
  • If you have responsible concern over your safety you 
  • You are allowed to leave your working station or area with disciplinary action
  • You have to tell your employer about any safety concerns
  • You can’t be disciplined if you get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), or your local authority if you feel that your employer isn’t listening to your concerns
  • To have the right amount of breaks during your working day 
  • To have adequate time off work and in between shift according to your age
  • To have annual leave form work
  • You should be provided with a facts sheet and FAQ about health and safety
  • You should be told your responsibilities 
  • Be informed of your working hours in advance

What Are Your Responsibilities? 

Of course, your employer is responsible for some aspects of keeping you safe and they need to ensure you fully understand anything related to health and safety. However, as an employee you also have responsibilities for your safety in the workplace, They include: 

  • To be responsible for your own health and safety 
  • To avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry if you operate machinery
  • If you wear a headscarf or have long hair you need to make sure it’s tucked out the way or tied up. 
  • Make sure you take care not to put others in danger such as members of the public and your co-workers
  • Co-operate with your employer, make sure you take all the training needed, and if you have any questions you speak up
  • Don’t misuse or interfere with anything that is in place for your health, welfare, and safety
  • Make sure you report any issue to your employer
  • If you have any injuries or strains make sure you report these too
  • Know when it’s right to work with skilled personal injury lawyers
  • Let your employer know if something has happened to stop you from doing your work safely, it could be an injury from home or pregnancy, your employer has the legal obligation to ensure relevant steps are put in place, but you need to be upfront. 
  • You need to let your employer know if you are taking any new medication that makes you drowsy

As you can see, it’s not all your employer’s responsibility to ensure your safety in the workplace. You need to work together and both pay your part to make sure you remain safe. Is there anything else that you think should be added to the list?