No health and safety at my job

Cupatae

Hi all im just wondering what my options are or what would be the best thing to do, im working a job where the health and safety is pretty slack to non existant... between fumes and lack of ventilation to lack of eye protection.

Id honestly walk out of it but i really, need the money atm... im just wondering if something happens is it my fault or the employers fault? ive made them aware of the issues, and nothing has been done.

mickdw

Everytime you need ppe, request it and keep a note yourself of task and request for x y or z.
If you are in charge of works and the activity is endangering others due to not following health and safety rules, you are into dodgy territory. If on the other hand, you are general labour being instructed as to what to do, I can't see you being held liable for anything yourself however the company would be in serious trouble if you were to be injured or whatever.
I don't know what industry you are in but if it's anything like construction, the employer will be in deep sh1t if a claim arises for any reason. They will have zero defence.

Cupatae

mickdw wrote: »

Everytime you need ppe, request it and keep a note yourself of task and request for x y or z.
If you are in charge of works and the activity is endangering others due to not following health and safety rules, you are into dodgy territory. If on the other hand, you are general labour being instructed as to what to do, I can't see you being held liable for anything yourself however the company would be in serious trouble if you were to be injured or whatever.
I don't know what industry you are in but if it's anything like construction, the employer will be in deep sh1t if a claim arises for any reason. They will have zero defence.

Yeah im pretty much being told what to do, its more the safety of others passing that im wondering about, will i be to blame if someone catches debris to the eye ect.. my only concern myself is fumes and lack of ventilation, health and safety seems to take a back seat where i am.

Cheers for the reply by the way.

LiamaDelta

If you're following instructions of a manager and they are aware of the way that you are working then you are unlikely to foot the blame. If they have provided you with training and instruction as to how to do the job then they could find fault with you. However if they have provided you with training and instruction and the job is being carried out in a different way and they are aware of it then it's moreso back on them i.e. they can't make you sign something that says you'll do it in one way and then expect you to do it another way (like if they said you will use the required PPE yet they don't give you the PPE).

P.S. Fumes are not to be taken lightly...you could end up with all sorts of chest and lung problems. What are the fumes exactly?

Mr. Incognito

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/14/enacted/en/html