To manage performance effectively, we must clearly define, understand, and accept health and safety responsibilities. These roles should also be objectively monitored. People with specific responsibilities must be accountable.
Everyone in the organisation shares basic health and safety responsibilities as employees. Additional responsibilities arise from higher positions in management or specific safety roles.
Directors and Senior Management Team
The senior management team must:
- Establish effective communication and management structures.
- Consider health and safety responsibilities in all business decisions.
- Set targets to improve health and safety performance.
- Regularly review health and safety performance at board level.
- Ensure adequate resources, including expert health and safety advice.
Supervisors
Supervisors and managers, besides their basic duties, might oversee specific worker groups or workplace areas. They must:
- Keep risk assessments current and effective.
- Ensure employees follow safe work systems.
- Maintain a clean, obstruction-free workplace.
- Provide sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Report and investigate accidents and near misses.
Health and Safety Manager/Advisor
The Health and Safety Manager/Advisor role varies with the organisation’s size and hazards. Typical responsibilities include:
- Advising the board or senior management on health and safety strategies.
- Developing aspects of the health and safety management system, such as risk assessment arrangements.
- Implementing and monitoring policies and plans, including investigating and reporting accidents.
- Reviewing and auditing health and safety performance.
All Employees
All employees have health and safety responsibilities to:
- Take care of their own health and safety and that of others.
- Cooperate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters.
- Properly use and not interfere with safety equipment.
- Report all health and safety concerns to the appropriate person.
First Aiders
First aiders’ health and safety responsibilities include:
- Providing first aid treatment.
- Recording all treatments given.
- Liaising with emergency services.
- Maintaining first aid kits and rooms.
Fire Wardens
Fire wardens have health and safety responsibilities such as:
- Checking fire precautions regularly.
- Encouraging evacuation via the nearest fire escape and guiding people to the assembly point.
- Turning off equipment and closing doors and windows during an evacuation.
- Informing the person in charge when their area is clear.
