Employer's Responsibilities on Work Accident

What are the employer's responsibilities in the health and safety of their employees?  Answers to these questions are beneficial to both employers and employees. What is work accident claim?

Employers are in-charge of the health and safety management in the workplace. They are responsible in protecting the health, safety and welfare of the employees and the people who visits the premises. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of the UK provides a guide to employers.

It gives suggestion about health and safety issues in the workplace. Employers should appoint a competent person who possesses the skills, knowledge and experience to take charge of the health and safety in the work place. Employers should write a health and safety policy. The policy should contain the necessary information including risk assessment. It is essential that employers consult their employees on health and safety in the workplace.

Employers should provide welfare facilities like appropriate washing facilities, toilets, clean drinking water, and an area to rest and eat meals. In order to obtain a healthy environment, business owners should make sure that ventilation, lighting, temperature, toilet and washing facilities adheres to the health, safety and welfare of the government. It is necessary to provide good ventilation with a supply of fresh and clean air. The working temperature and lighting must be suitable for the people and work activity in the area. There must be a sufficient room space with a suitable workstation. To achieve a safe workplace, the premises and equipment should be maintained regularly. The floor, entrance and hallways should be free from any obstruction.

Employers should allow their employees to take rest breaks during the working day, time off during working week and annual paid vacation.

First-aid arrangements are also needed in the workplace. Business owners should assign a person to take charge of first-aid arrangements.

Finally, employers are obliged to display the health and safety law poster in the workplace where the workers can read it. 

Employers should comply with the rules and regulations of the government. Failure of business owners to adhere to the standard set by the authority, might lead to complaints or lawsuits filed against them.

An employee who sustained injuries in the workplace due to the negligence of a colleague or the employer entitles him to file a work accident claim.