HS&E Operatives practice question: Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (1 of 7)
A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
You have just started work for a groundworks firm. Your supervisor explains that health and safety law gives duties to workers as well as to employers.
Which two of these are your own legal duties as a worker? (Choose two.)
Choose two answers.
AA. Buy the safety boots and hi-vis the job needs
BB. Give first aid to anyone who is hurt on site
CC. Take reasonable care of your own and other people's health and safety
DD. Co-operate with your employer on health and safety
EE. Write the risk assessment for each job you do
Show the answer and explanation
Answers: C, D
A. Wrong: Wrong. Your employer must give you the safety equipment and protective clothing you need, free of charge. The law does not allow them to make you pay for it.
B. Wrong: Wrong. Your employer must make first-aid arrangements, such as a first-aid kit and a person to take charge. Unless you are a trained first-aider, your job is to get help quickly.
C. Right: Right. Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 says every worker must take reasonable care of themselves and of anyone affected by what they do, or fail to do, at work.
D. Right: Right. Section 7 also says you must co-operate with your employer, so they can meet their own legal duties. That includes following site rules and safe ways of working.
E. Wrong: Wrong. Deciding what could harm you and the precautions to take is your employer's duty. You follow the risk assessment and speak up if something in it looks wrong.
Explanation
Workers have two main duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act: take reasonable care of yourself and others, and co-operate with your employer. Risk assessments, safety equipment and first-aid arrangements are your employer's job.