What do I have to do? Advice for employers

5. Consultation, information and training

Employers have to consult their workforce on health and safety measures and also before the introduction of new technology or products. Using workers’ knowledge helps to ensure hazards are spotted and workable solutions implemented. Consultation helps to ensure that workers are committed to safety and health procedures and improvements.

Workers have a right to receive information about the risks to health and safety, preventive measures, first aid and emergency procedures. All workers need to understand how to work safely.

Training should be relevant and understandable, including for workers who speak a different language. Training should be provided for new workers and for existing workers when work practices or work equipment change, with a change of job, or when new technology is introduced.


Training should be focused on:

• principles of the safety management system and the employees’ responsibilities
• specific hazards and risks at work
• the skills needed to carry out tasks
• procedures that should be followed to avoid any risk
• preventive measures to be taken before, during, and after the task
• specific safety and health instructions for working with technical equipment and dangerous products
• information on collective and individual protection
• where employees can get information on safety and health issues
• who should be contacted about emerging risks or in case of emergency.