Hazard reporting
The workplace can be dangerous, and all employers are responsible for carrying out risk assessments to protect staff and visitors from hazards.
However, it’s not just your employer’s responsibility to find hazards in the workplace. Everyone has a part to play in reducing risks and it’s important to know what to do if you spot a hazard.
You can help by reporting any potential dangers to your UNISON safety rep.
On this page
Risk assessment
A risk assessment is the process of defining what hazards exist or might appear in the workplace.
It is your employer’s job to carry out risk assessments where you work, to find anything that could cause harm and to remove or minimise risks. The assessment should be recorded where there are more than five people in the organisation.
Some of the areas where you are likely to find hazards include electrical safety, fire safety, manual handling or hazardous substances. There are less obvious dangers too – your employer must consider things like the risk of repetitive strain injuries or work-related stress.
How UNISON helps – and how you can too
UNISON’s safety reps play an important role in checking workplaces and helping employers to reduce risks.
Workplaces become safer when many people are alert to potential hazards. If you spot something you think might be hazardous in your workplace, report it to your employer and safety rep straight away.
Your employer should then decide what harm the hazard could cause and take action to eliminate, prevent or reduce that harm.
What to do if your employer ignores you
If you have a concern about health and safety or if you are worried that your employer isn’t taking measures to minimise risk, contact your safety rep straight away.
Another useful source of information is the Health & Safety Executive, the UK watchdog for health and safety in the workplace.
Frequently asked questions
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 workers gives you a right to blow the whistle if there is a health and safety risk.
But the act is complicated: it is vital you seek advice from the union before making any disclosure. For more information, read UNISON's information on whistleblowing.
The fee is based on how long the inspector had to spend on the inspection and on action to put it right.
The government argues that if there is a breach of health and safety law, it is right for employers to pay, rather than the public, and that this will encourage employers to comply with the law.
However, safety campaigners have raised fears that this:
1. May mean employers concealing accidents to avoid a fee;
2. May damage relationships between employers and HSE inspectors;
3. May tempt employers to victimise workers who report breaches.
The fee applies to all businesses and organisations inspected by HSE, except for:
1. Self-employed people who don’t put others at risk by their work;
2. Those who are already paying fees to HSE for the work through other arrangements; Or
3. Those who deliberately work with certain biological agents.
Legal disclaimer
The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.