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Your health & safety: quick fact sheet

Know your rights at work when it comes to health & safety

HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974 SAYS MANAGERS MUST:

Do everything they reasonably can to protect you at work
Risk assess every job you do
Work out what the risks are to you and put in as effective protection as they can

SECTION 44 OF THE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996 SAYS:

You cannot be sacked for speaking out about the risk to you
Your opinion of the risk to you matters
You can step away from a job that puts you at "serious and imminent danger"

GMB IS CLEAR THAT YOUR EMPLOYER MUST:

Properly protect you at work
Not ask you to take on a job in a high risk area without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

MANAGERS MUST:

Carry out risk assessments on you/your workplace
Ensure you are not exposed to high risk if you are in the vulnerable category
Provide the right PPE for the job you are doing
Provide hand washing facilities - soap and sanitiser - and time to wash hands more often
Provide changing areas for you
Provide information and updates on any risk as it occurs
Speak to you about risk
Cut out the risk/lower the risks to you
Engage promptly with your GMB Representatives on issues

Coronavirus advice hub

The advice around coronavirus (COVID-19) is constantly changing, take a look at our Coronavirus Hub for the latest advice and information from your union.

Enter the Coronavirus Hub

If you feel you are at risk in your job role please contact us via your local GMB office.

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