Health and Safety Clauses in Employment Contracts

Health and safety clauses outline the legal duties of both employers and employees to maintain a safe workplace.

Employer's Duties

General Duty

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must:

• Ensure health, safety, and welfare of employees (so far as reasonably practicable)
• Provide safe systems of work
• Provide information, training, and supervision
• Maintain safe workplace and working environment
• Provide adequate welfare facilities

Contract Clause

"The Company is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all employees in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations. The Company's Health and Safety Policy is available from [location]."

Employee's Duties

Legal Obligations

Employees must:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
• Take reasonable care not to put others at risk
• Cooperate with the employer on safety matters
• Not interfere with or misuse safety equipment
• Report hazards and defects

Contract Clause

"You are required to:

• Follow all health and safety rules, policies, and procedures
• Use safety equipment and protective clothing as required
• Report any hazards, accidents, or near-misses immediately
• Attend health and safety training as required
• Not work under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Cooperate with safety measures and risk assessments"

Reporting Obligations

Accident Reporting

"All accidents, incidents, and near-misses must be reported immediately to your manager and recorded in the accident book. Failure to report may be a disciplinary matter."

Hazard Reporting

"You must report any hazards, defects in equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately. Reports can be made to your manager, the Health and Safety Officer, or via [reporting system]."

Safety Training

Training Clause

"You must attend all mandatory health and safety training relevant to your role. This includes:

• Induction training
• Role-specific safety training
• Refresher training as required
• First aid training (if designated)
• Fire marshal training (if designated)"

Records

"Records of safety training will be maintained. You may not carry out tasks for which required training has not been completed."

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE Clause

"Where personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for your role:

• The Company will provide appropriate PPE at no cost
• You must use PPE correctly as trained
• You must report any damage or defects in PPE
• You must store PPE properly when not in use
• Failure to use required PPE may be a disciplinary matter"

Risk Assessments

Assessment Clause

"The Company conducts risk assessments for all work activities. You must:

• Follow risk assessment findings and control measures
• Participate in risk assessments when requested
• Report any changes that may affect risks
• Suggest improvements to safety measures"

Specific Assessments

"Specific risk assessments may be required for:

• Display screen equipment users
• Pregnant workers and new mothers
• Young workers
• Workers with disabilities
• Manual handling tasks"

Working from Home

Home Working Safety

"If you work from home, you must:

• Complete a home workstation self-assessment
• Ensure your workspace is safe and suitable
• Report any safety concerns
• Allow the Company to conduct safety assessments if required"

Disciplinary Consequences

Safety Breaches

"Breach of health and safety rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including summary dismissal. Serious or persistent disregard for safety will not be tolerated."

Gross Misconduct Examples

"The following are examples of safety-related gross misconduct:

• Deliberate disregard of safety rules
• Removing or tampering with safety equipment
• Endangering others through reckless behavior
• Working while unfit due to alcohol or drugs
• Failing to report serious hazards or accidents"

Right to Refuse Dangerous Work

Employee Rights

"You have the right to refuse to work in circumstances which you reasonably believe pose serious and imminent danger. You should immediately report such circumstances to your manager or the Health and Safety Officer."

No Detriment

"The Company will not subject any employee to detriment for exercising safety rights, including refusing dangerous work or reporting safety concerns."

Health Surveillance

Where Required

"Where your work exposes you to certain hazards, you may be required to undergo health surveillance. This may include:

• Hearing tests
• Lung function tests
• Skin checks
• Eye tests You must attend health surveillance appointments as required."

Statutory Responsibilities

Working Time

"The Company complies with working time regulations. You must not work in a way that endangers your health through excessive hours. Multiple employment must be declared."

Young Workers

"Additional protections apply to workers under 18, including restrictions on working hours and types of work. Young workers will receive age-appropriate risk assessments and supervision."

Emergency Procedures

Fire and Emergency

"You must:

• Familiarize yourself with fire exits and assembly points
• Participate in fire drills
• Follow evacuation procedures
• Not block fire exits or routes
• Report fire hazards immediately"

First Aid

"First aid facilities are located at [locations]. First aiders are [listed/available from HR]. Report all injuries requiring first aid."