Eich Hawliau Iechyd a Diogelwch yn y Gwaith
Every worker in England & Wales has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. Workers have the right to raise health and safety concerns without fear of dismissal or detriment, refuse dangerous work in certain circumstances, and be provided with appropriate training and equipment.
Last updated: 2026-03-01
Your Rights
Safe Working Environment
Your employer must provide a workplace that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes safe systems of work, adequate ventilation, lighting, temperature, and welfare facilities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, your employer must provide suitable PPE free of charge. You must use the PPE provided and report any defects.
Health and Safety Training
Your employer must provide adequate health and safety training when you start work, when you change roles, and when new risks arise. Training must be during working hours and at no cost to you.
Right to Raise Concerns
You have the right to raise health and safety concerns with your employer, safety representative, or the HSE without fear of dismissal or detriment. Dismissal for raising legitimate health and safety concerns is automatically unfair.
Right to Leave Dangerous Workplace
If you reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger that you cannot reasonably be expected to avert, you have the right to leave the workplace. You are protected from dismissal or detriment for doing so.
First Aid Provision
Your employer must provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained first aiders. The level of provision depends on the size and nature of the workplace.
Common Myths
Health and safety is just about wearing hard hats.
Health and safety covers a vast range — mental health, stress, display screen equipment, manual handling, noise, hazardous substances, working at height, lone working, and much more.
You can be sacked for refusing dangerous work.
If you reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger, you are protected from dismissal. Such a dismissal would be automatically unfair regardless of length of service.
Health and safety only applies to construction and factories.
Every workplace is covered — offices, shops, schools, hospitals, and even working from home.
What To Do
Report Hazards
Report any health and safety hazards to your employer, supervisor, or safety representative. Use your employer's reporting system if one exists.
Contact the HSE
If your employer does not address serious safety concerns, you can report them to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority environmental health department.
Seek Legal Advice
If you have suffered injury at work or been dismissed for raising safety concerns, seek legal advice from a solicitor or trade union. Claims can be made to the employment tribunal (unfair dismissal) or civil courts (personal injury).
Key Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Employment Rights Act 1996
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992