10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.
What this covers
Employee duties
Employer duties
Charging for safety
Reasonably practicable
Enforcement
Health and safety policy
Risk assessment
Method statements
Hierarchy of control
CDM roles
CDM notification
CDM documents
Sample questions
Who has the main legal duty to provide a safe place of work, safe equipment and adequate training for employees?
The employer
The Health and Safety Executive
The site safety representative
The employee's trade union
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A. The employer
Section 2 of the Act places the general duty for employees' health, safety and welfare on the employer. The HSE enforces the law but does not take over the employer's duty to provide safe conditions.
Reference: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2
A worker removes a guard from a cut-off saw because it slows the job down. Which legal duty have they broken?
Not to work on site without holding a valid skills card
Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for safety
Not to use powered equipment without a permit to work
Not to start any task before a toolbox talk has been held
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B. Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for safety
Section 8 makes it an offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety, such as a guard. Permits to work are a site control for specific high-risk jobs, not a general legal rule for using a saw.
Reference: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 8
An employer tells a new starter that the cost of the safety helmet and gloves the job requires will be taken from their first wage. What is the legal position?
The employer may charge but only up to half of the cost
The employer may charge if the worker agrees in writing
The employer cannot charge for equipment required for safety
The employer may charge workers still on a trial period
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C. The employer cannot charge for equipment required for safety
Section 9 prevents an employer charging an employee for anything provided to meet a specific health and safety requirement, which includes PPE the risk assessment says is needed. A written agreement does not change this because the duty cannot be signed away.
Reference: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 9
