The employer must make sure that the workplace is safe and healthy, and must not allow any employee to do work which is potentially dangerous. The employee must know what the dangers of the work are.

The general duties of the employer are to:

• Choose safety representatives
• Consult with the employees’ trade union about the safety representatives
• Inform employees of the dangers in the workplace
• Reduce any dangers to a minimum before issuing protective clothing
• Issue protective clothing where necessary
• Give necessary training to employees who use dangerous machines or materials, to make sure they know the safety precautions
• Prevent employees from using or working with dangerous materials or machines, unless all the necessary safety rules have been followed
• Ensure that dangerous machines are in good working order and are safe to work with
• Make sure that dangerous machines carry warnings and notices
• Make sure that someone who knows the work is supervising the operations to ensure the safety of the employees
• Keep the workplace open so that employees can escape from danger if necessary
• Not move any evidence of an accident before an inspector has given permission, unless someone has been badly injured and needs treatment

The chief inspector can ask any employer for a report of the safety precautions.

An employer cannot take action against any employees who do the following:

• Give information about their conditions at work or that the act says they have to give
• Give evidence in court
• Respond to any request of an inspector
• Refuse to do anything that is against the law

Reporting Accidents or Incidents

The employer must keep a report of all accidents and safety or health incidents in the workplace. The employer must report certain accidents or incidents to the safety representative and to the Department of Labour.