Health and Safety Law and accident at work claim – what you need to know

All workers have a right to work in places where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled, so as to minimise the risk of accident at work claims. Health and safety is about reducing the risk of workers suffering an accident at work or becoming ill through work. Your employer is responsible for health and safety, but you must help.

What your employer must do for you or face an accident at work claim

• Decide what could harm you in your job (i.e. lead an accident at work) and the precautions to stop it. This is part of an employer’s risk assessment.
• In a way you can understand, explain how risks of an accident at work will be controlled and tell you who is responsible for this.
• Consult and work with you and your health and safety representatives in published 04/09 protecting everyone from suffering an accident at work.
• Give you the health and safety training you need to do your job, free of charge to avoid an accident at work.
• Provide you with any equipment and protective clothing you need, and ensure it is properly looked after, free of charge.
• Provide toilets, washing facilities and drinking water.
• Provide adequate first-aid facilities.
• Report injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents at work to the Health and Safety Executive’s Incident Contact Centre on 0845 300 9923.
• Have insurance that covers you in case you suffer an accident at work or become ill through work.
• Display a hard copy or electronic copy of the current insurance certificate where you can easily read it.
• Work with any other employers or contractors sharing the workplace or providing employees (such as agency workers), so that everyone’s health and safety is protected.

What you must do

• Follow the training you have received when using any work items your employer has given you.
• Take reasonable care of your own and other people’s health and safety.
• Co-operate with your employer on health and safety.
• Tell someone (your employer, supervisor, or health and safety representative) if you think the work or inadequate precautions are putting anyone at risk of an accident at work claim.

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