Who Is Responsible for Workplace Health and Safety in the UK?

In the UK, workplace health and safety is a shared responsibility—it’s not just down to one person or department. While employers have a legal duty to create a safe working environment, employees also play a key role in keeping themselves and others safe.

The rules are set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which outlines the legal responsibilities of both employers and employees when it comes to protecting health and preventing harm at work.

Here’s a breakdown of who is responsible and what each party is expected to do.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers are legally required to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities (including visitors, contractors, and the public).

Key responsibilities include:

Carrying out risk assessments to identify and manage hazards
Providing a safe working environment, including appropriate equipment and safe systems of work
Offering training, instruction, and supervision to help employees work safely
Ensuring first aid arrangements and emergency procedures are in place
Consulting with employees (or their safety representatives) on health and safety matters
Maintaining health and safety policies and procedures, and reviewing them regularly
Reporting certain incidents and injuries under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)

Employers with five or more staff must also record their health and safety policy in writing.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees also have legal duties under UK health and safety law. They must:

Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
Avoid putting others at risk through their actions or omissions
Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters
Use equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) properly
Report hazards, injuries, or unsafe practices promptly

Employees have a responsibility to follow any health and safety training or guidance given to them and must not misuse safety equipment.

Who Enforces Workplace Health and Safety?

In the UK, workplace health and safety laws are enforced by:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the national regulator for most industries
Local authorities – responsible for places like shops, offices, and hospitality venues

Inspectors from these bodies can visit workplaces, carry out inspections, issue improvement or prohibition notices, and prosecute companies that breach health and safety laws.

What If There’s No Health and Safety Policy?

If an employer fails to meet their legal obligations, they can face serious consequences, including:

Fines or prosecution
Enforcement action (e.g. shutdown of unsafe operations)
Increased insurance costs
Damage to reputation
Civil claims from employees who suffer injury or illness as a result

Employees also have the right to raise health and safety concerns, speak to trade union reps, or report serious breaches to the HSE directly.

Final Word

Workplace health and safety is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. Employers must provide a safe environment, carry out risk assessments, and follow the law. Employees must follow safety rules, use equipment properly, and speak up if something seems unsafe.

A safe workplace doesn’t happen by chance—it requires commitment, communication, and compliance from everyone involved.