Consulting employees on safety

• Legislation
• Further Information

Consulting employees on health and safety matters is very important. It will help develop a safety culture with businesses no matter how many people are employed, or the type of activity of a specific business. Consultation will help with motivation and reduction of workplace accidents. Consultation not only involves giving advice and instruction to employees, but also listening and acting upon information provided by employees.

Legislation

By law, employers must consult all of their employees on health and safety matters. Legislation requiring Consultation includes:

• The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
• The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

Further Information

• The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 1513 © Crown Copyright 1996. The legislation contained on this web site is subject to Crown Copyright protection. 
• INDG232 - consulting employees on health and safety: A guide to the law [PDF file information]
  A guide to the law This leaflet explains how, by law, employers must consult with employees on health and safety matters. It also says where to get further guidance. Why is consultation important?
• Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety (OSH) 
  OSH system helps ensure effective control of OSH risks and continual improvement in OSH performance.