What are my employer's duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act?

Your employer's duty under the 1974 (HASWA) is to provide you with a safe and healthy workplace. This includes: 

• a safe system of work; 
• a safe place of work; 
• safe equipment, plant and machinery; 
• safe and competent people working alongside you, because employers are also liable for the actions of their staff and managers; 
• carrying out risk assessments as set out in regulations, and taking steps to eliminate or control these risks; 
• informing workers fully about all potential hazards associated with any work process, chemical substance or activity, including providing instruction, training and supervision; 
• appointing a 'competent person' responsible for health and safety (competent persons, such as a head of health and safety, oversee day-to-day safety management, oversee safety inspections, and liaise with staff safety reps); 
• consulting with workplace safety representatives (if a union is recognised, your employer must set up and attend a workplace safety committee if two or more safety reps request one); and 
• providing adequate facilities for staff welfare at work.