| 释义 |
safety at work
Every employer has a common law duty to take reasonable care of his employees’ health, safety, and welfare at work. He may be sued in the courts if an employee is injured through the employer’s negligence or failure to observe relevant health and safety regulations. The employer cannot contract out of this liability and, under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and the subsequent Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998, must insure against his liability for employees’ injuries and diseases sustained or contracted at work. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 further requires employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that their working methods, equipment, premises, and environment are safe and to give such training, information, and supervision as will ensure their employees’ health and safety (see Health and Safety Executive). Anyone employing more than five persons must maintain a written statement of his general policy concerning his employees’ health and safety (dealing, for example, with safety rules and protective clothing) and a risk assessment evaluating any hazards specific to the workplace and type of business; both must be provided with relevant updates. He must also give relevant information to the safety representatives of his employees’ trade unions and any established safety committee, where appropriate. Special rules apply to the protection and the health and safety of pregnant women and new mothers (see maternity rights). Employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of their colleagues, for example by complying with safety regulations and using protective equipment supplied to them. Employers and employees who fail to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 may face prosecution in the criminal courts in addition to any civil action. An employee dismissed for health and safety reasons is, in certain circumstances, regarded as having been unfairly dismissed. It is also regarded as automatically unfair to select an employee for redundancy on certain grounds connected with health and safety. |