NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

UNIT 3

ORGANISING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Responsibilities of Employers
To Employees
A general duty is placed on the employer to provide and maintain:
A safe working environment and equipment.
Adequate welfare facilities and safe systems of work.
Suitable training and information.

Responsibilities of Employers
To other persons
To provide adequate safeguards to protect others from harm

To visitors
Visitors may include trespassers but employers must prevent
unlawful entry, especially for children.

Responsibilities of Directors and Senior Managers

Responsible for setting general policy and objectives of the
organisation and making resources available.
Responsible for ensuring that the company complies with existing
policies and legislation.
Responsible for providing leadership in health and safety matters.

Responsibilities of Middle Manager and Supervisors

They should ensure:
Health and safety policies are implemented and monitored.
Safe systems of work and equipment are provided.
Incidents are recorded and investigated.

Responsibilities of Health and Safety Practitioners

All organisations need to have access to specialist health and safety

practitioners to help with complying with the extensive legislative
requirements.
Giving advice on how improvements may be made will also be a major
part of the role.
The range of responsibilities may be extensive, depending upon the
nature of the organisation and the work carried out.

Responsibilities of Employees
To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself
and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or
omissions at work.
To co-operate with the employer in respect of their health
and safety duties.

To report any defects or incidents to the employer.

Persons in control of premises

Should ensure that premises and the means of access and egress
are safe and well maintained.

Self-Employed Persons

Must ensure their own health and safety and that of others who may
be affected by their work.

General Duties of Suppliers, Manufacturers etc.

Article 12 of ILO Convention 155 states:
Persons who design, manufacture and/or supply articles and
substances must ensure that they are designed and
constructed so that they are safe and without risks to health
at all times when being used or maintained by a person at
work

Relationship between client and contractor

Contractors are engaged to perform a certain task without close
supervision or direction from the client.
The responsibility for risk control is shared:
The client being responsible for the workplace, environment and
their workers
The contractor being responsible for the job and their workers.

Effective Planning and Co-ordination of Contracted Work

Prior to contract the client should:
Define the task(s) that the contractor is required to carry out.
Detail the health and safety issues and the people responsible for
reducing the risks.
During the work the client should:
Introduce a signing in and out procedure.
Ensure the contractor provides a named site contact.
Carry out site induction training for all contractor employees.
Implement checking and reviewing procedures

Selection of Contractors
It is necessary to ensure that the contractor chosen is capable of
doing the work required safely.
The client should:
Determine what technical and safety competence is required.
Ask the contractor to supply evidence of that competence

Ask the contractor to supply evidence of previous experience

Selection of Contractors
What information do you need to see?
Safety policy
Details of monitoring & supervision
Training
Sub-contractors
Accident & enforcement details
Experience with references
Insurance cover
Risk assessment/method statement

Consultation with employees

Consultation means not only giving information but listening to
employees comments. Consultation should take place on:
Introduction of any measure affecting the health and safety of
the employees concerned.
The appointment of persons nominated to provide health and
safety assistance, and assist in emergency procedures.
Any health and safety training or information the employer is required
to provide to the employees or the safety representatives.

Safety Circles

Small groups of employees who meet informally to discuss health

and safety problems in their areas.

Works and Office Committees

Shop floor representatives, supervisors and managers who meet to

discuss general health and safety matters affecting the company.