Workers’ roles and responsibilities

It is important that workers participate in the risk assessment. They know the problems and the details of what really happens when they perform their tasks or activities, so they should be involved in the assessment. Their practical knowledge or competence is also often needed to develop workable preventive measures.

Workers’ participation is not only a right, it is fundamental to make the employers’ occupational health and safety management effective and efficient.
 
Workers and/or their representatives have the right/duty to:

• be consulted on arrangements for the organisation of the risk assessment and for the appointment of those undertaking the task

• participate in the risk assessment

• alert their supervisors or employers regarding perceived risks

• report any changes in the workplace

• be informed of the risks to their safety and health and of the measures necessary to eliminate or reduce these risks

• be involved in the process of deciding on the preventive and protective measures to be put in place

• ask the employer to put in place appropriate measures and to submit proposals to minimise hazards or to remove the danger at source

• cooperate to help the employer to ensure that the working environment is safe

• be trained/receive instructions on the measures to be put in place

• take care as far as possible of their safety and health and that of others persons affected by their acts in accordance with the training and the instructions given by the employer

In addition, it is important workers representatives are trained so that they understand risk assessment and their role in it.