Employees lack company health and safety knowledge

Some three-quarters of workers admit to being unaware of safety procedures within their workplaces, a poll has revealed.

The survey of more than 1,500 workers by Personal Injury Lawyers found that 73% of workers expressed ignorance about health and safety procedures, while just under half (49%) claimed never to have seen any written documentation of safety procedures in place, despite working in a business employing five or more people. Just 6% of those polled claimed they were “very knowledgeable” about their organisation’s procedures.

Only one-fifth of those surveyed knew the fire safety procedures; fewer than one-third knew their dedicated “health and safety manager”; and only a quarter claimed to know where their workplace first-aid kit was located.

Nicholas Tate, founder of Personal Injury Lawyers, said: “It’s extremely important for all employers to ensure that staff are up to date with health and safety procedures around the workplace. Not only do they protect staff, but they minimise the risk of injury and claims being made against the employer.”

XpertHR provides a health and safety observance contract clause for use when drafting an employee’s contract or employment particulars.