This website is dedicated to helping you find varied health and safety jobs that match your experience and needs. We can help whether you’re looking to start a career in health and safety or continue a career with an exciting new role.
Furthermore, we will also provide you with important information about health and safety law as well as explain to you how to claim compensation if you’ve been injured due to employer negligence.
Our advisors can help you with any queries you might have, whether you’d like more information on health and safety regulations or if you want to know more about the health and safety advisor jobs that are available.
Additionally, they can also put you through to our panel of solicitors who could help you pursue compensation if negligence on the part of your employer has caused you injury. Get in touch with us by following the banner above.
Choose A Section
- What Is Health And Safety?
- What Safety Equipment Does Your Employer Need To Provide You With?
- The Role Of The Health And Safety Executive
- The Top Health And Safety Jobs In The UK
- Learn More About Health And Safety Jobs
What Is Health And Safety?
Health and safety laws are put in place to prevent the risk of accidental injury. There are laws in place that dictate how health and safety should be approached in the workplace. One of the most important of these is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which we will look at in greater detail later on in this guide.
It’s important that a company’s attitude to health and safety is proactive rather than reactive. This means that, instead of waiting for accidents to happen and removing hazards based on incidents that have already occurred, they should attempt to anticipate how hazards might result in injury and take steps to prevent accidents from happening.
Health and safety jobs are related to the application and management of health and safety in the workplace. As well as roles that involve reducing the risk of injuries to workers, health and safety roles can also include things like food inspection.
The Role Of The Health And Safety At Work etc. Act 1974
The Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974 is the official government legislation to protect staff against workplace accidents. It notes that all managers have a duty of care towards the members of staff that they employ.
As part of this duty of care, your employer is expected to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure your safety. There are a number of ways that they can do this.
For example, they should carry out regular risk assessments to reduce the risk of accidental injury. In addition to this, they should provide proper training to all staff so that they can do their job safely.
Accidents in the workplace can happen as a result of factors that are outside anyone’s control. However, if an accident occurs because of a breach of duty of care on the part of your employer, you may be able to claim compensation.
For further free legal advice, get in touch with one of our advisors using the banner at the top of this page. They could connect you with a solicitor from our panel to work on your claim.
Accidents At Work And Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve been injured in an accident at work and you feel that it could have been avoided, you could be entitled to compensation.
As we’ve explained above, all employers owe their staff a duty of care to keep them safe so far as it’s reasonably possible to do so. This means that the duty isn’t an absolute one. Rather, your employer must do all that they can. If you need to get help with a work accident claim, it’s essential to understand your rights and the steps involved in securing compensation. Workplace accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging, but with the right guidance, you can navigate the claim process more confidently. Whether your injury was caused by unsafe equipment, inadequate training, or another form of negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
Start by gathering evidence of the accident and injury, including photographs, medical records, and witness statements, which can strengthen your case. Reporting the incident to your employer and ensuring it’s documented in the accident log is also crucial. Once you’ve taken these steps, consulting a professional experienced in workplace injury claims can make a difference. They can advise on the best approach, guide you through the required paperwork, and help you avoid common pitfalls that might weaken your claim.
Remember, many firms offer free initial consultations, so you can learn more about your options without financial pressure. With expert advice, you can work toward achieving fair compensation that reflects the impact of your injury, helping you focus on recovery and moving forward.
When Could I Make A Compensation Claim?
Let’s look at an example of when you could make a compensation claim. If, for example, your employer fails to replace a safety guard on a machine and your hand becomes trapped in the mechanism, it’s likely that a court would decide that it would have been reasonable for them to replace that guard.
Likewise, if they ask someone to drive a forklift truck who has no qualifications or training and they drive into someone, your employer will likely be at fault.
In contrast, if your employer has conducted risk assessments and provided training and adequate supervision but an accident has still occurred, a court may side with them.
You can find more information on work accident claims here. You can find lots of helpful guides, advice and support on claiming compensation, your legal rights, and gathering evidence for your case.
It’s also possible to claim compensation for a workplace accident if the accident has made an existing injury worse, or has accelerated the development of a problem. For example, if you had back problems already and slipped on oil that should have been cleaned by your employer, you could claim for the extra harm done.
You can also check out the site of Injury At Work Claims Expert which has a wealth of information on what to do if you suffer an injury in your workplace. They also provide useful insights on finding solicitors and how long you have to make a claim.
What Safety Equipment Does Your Employer Need To Provide You With?
Every job has its own risks, so the personal protective equipment (PPE) that employees may require will vary. It’s a legal requirement for an employer to provide any PPE that their staff require. They also need to make sure that it’s in a good state of repair.
It’s important to note that PPE should not be the first port of call in relation to workplace safety. It should only be used to protect workers from hazards that cannot otherwise be removed or reduced.
Examples of the kind of PPE that may need to be provided in the workplace include:
- Safety goggles
- Helmets
- High-visibility clothing
- Steel-toed boots
- Visors
- Gloves
- Dust masks
If you’ve been injured at work because the PPE you were provided was not fit for purpose, or because you have not been provided with PPE when required, you may be entitled to claim. Speak to one of our advisors today to see if you could be entitled to compensation by clicking on the banner at the top of this page.
The Role Of The Health And Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the government regulator of workplace safety. They review regulations, produce statistics relating to workplace health and safety and enforce the law around keeping workplaces safe. Their main aim is to reduce the risk of workplace illness, injury or death.
There are a number of things that the HSE do in order to achieve their goals. These include:
- Give advice and information to organisations
- Raise awareness about key issues in workplace health and safety
- Carry out inspections and investigations into potential breaches of workplace safety regulations
- Take action against those who break health and safety laws.
Those working in health and safety jobs must be familiar with the aims of the HSE. For more information on how the work of the HSE helps to prevent injury and illness in the workplace, please get in touch.
Official Health And Safety Statistics
Every year, the HSE provides the most up-to-date statistics on workplace accidents. The most recent version of these statistics has found that:
- 1.7 million people suffered from a work-related illness in 2020/21.
- Of these, there were 822,000 cases of work-related stress, anxiety or depression and 470,000 instances of a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.
- There were 51,211 injuries reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). This is a piece of legislation that outlines when accidents in the workplace should be reported. There is a list of reportable incidents on their website.
- The Labour Force Survey revealed that 441,000 workers sustained injuries at work in 2020/21. This is a survey organised by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that asks randomly selected individuals to self-report on employment circumstances in the UK.
If your employer’s negligence has resulted in you being injured at work, you may be able to claim. Click on the banner on this page to get in touch with an advisor for free legal advice about pursuing compensation. Otherwise, read on to find out more about the different kinds of health and safety jobs.
The Top Health And Safety Jobs In The UK
In this section, we explain some of the health and safety jobs that are available across a variety of organisations and industries.
Tips For Getting Health And Safety Jobs
When it comes to looking for work, you may have noticed a few health and safety jobs advertised. If the job descriptions have caught your eye, you may be curious as to how you could make a successful application.
Jobs in health and safety require a lot of training, knowledge and understanding of the risks of a range of different workplaces.
If you’re keen to move higher up the ranks or would like a shift in career direction, one of the best things you can do is to go on health and safety training courses.
There is a wide range of courses you can enrol on, such as managing asbestos to dealing with chemicals.
The more knowledge you have and the more courses, diplomas and qualifications you have to back that up, the better chance you have of getting the health and safety job you want.
Health and Safety Manager/Officer
There is no overarching set of duties that a health and safety manager will be responsible for. This is because the roles that they carry out on a day-to-day basis might vary depending on the industry they’re employed in.
Some of the responsibilities of a Health and Safety Manager might include:
- Arranging emergency procedures, such as fire alarm drills, and appointing fire marshalls and first aiders.
- Providing training to all employees related to health and safety standards.
- Conduct safety inspections in the workplace.
- Helping to create health and safety processes and monitoring systems within the workplace.
This list isn’t exhaustive. There might be some additional responsibilities depending on the industry you’re working in.
Food Hygiene Inspector
A food hygiene inspector will be expected to carry out programmed food inspections. These are inspections on food hygiene that are arranged without having been prompted by a concern. However, there are other responsibilities that may also be expected in this role.
This role would require you to have experience handling food hygiene complaints. In addition to this, you might also be expected to carry out reactive inspections. As opposed to programmed inspections, these are carried out in reaction to a complaint or if a previous programmed inspection has highlighted some concerns.
Other tasks could include investigating internal issues such as food poisoning outbreaks, providing self-assessment questionnaires as part of local legislation and generally advising businesses on good conduct surrounding food safety.
Health and Safety Scientist
Health and safety scientists carry out crucial research to consider the risks that may come in the future. They also analyse existing data to develop ways to keep work environments safe. In addition to this, work by Health and Safety Scientists could be used to inform policy and legislation.
There are a number of different areas of science that can be applied to workplace health and safety. These include:
- Toxicology
- Psychology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Statistics
- Epidemiology
Industrial Hygienist
An industrial hygienist will be responsible for identifying, assessing and controlling hazards that pose a risk to health in the workplace. As with other health and safety jobs we’ve mentioned, the actual day-to-day roles and responsibilities of an industrial hygienist will depend partly on the industry.
Industrial hygienists are responsible for looking at the short-term and long-term effects that hazards can have on health. For example, by:
- Carrying out surveys that look at risks to health in the workplace
- Communicate effectively with employers and employees when evaluating risks in the workplace
- Providing information on health and safety issues
- Administering training about health issues that are present in the workplace
- Liaising with bodies like the HSE in relation to workplace safety
Health and Safety IT Specialist
Much like other roles we’ve mentioned, the responsibilities and duties of a health and safety IT specialist will vary depending on the industry. For example, they might be responsible for:
- Business analysis
- Data collection and storage
- Web development and design
- Front-end and back-end development
Learn More About Health And Safety Jobs
Hopefully, you now have a greater understanding of the resources available online to find health and safety jobs. However, in the event that you do require further information, we have these additional research links for you to take a look at.
First of all, you can read all about the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 is a piece of legislation tells employers how they should store and control substances that have the potential to cause illness or injury.
The NHS has advice on how to handle any chemical burns.
Health And Safety Jobs – FAQs
Below, you can find the answers to questions about health and safety jobs that we often get asked.
How Do I Get A Job In Health And Safety?
The key to getting a job in health and safety is to have the suitable qualifications and experience needed. This may be a diploma or degree in occupational health and safety, such as the International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from NEBOSH.
What Is The Job Of A Health And Safety Officer?
The job of a health and safety officer is to manage hazards and health risks in workplaces so that their colleagues do not get hurt. It may involve conducting risk assessments, supplying personal protective equipment, and investigating accidents.
Do You Need A Degree To Work In Health And Safety?
No, it’s not a requirement to have a degree to work in health and safety or to become a health and safety officer. However, it’s necessary to hold some form of qualification, such as a diploma or qualifications gained through undertaking courses.
How Much Does A Health And Safety Officer Earn In The UK?
The salary of a health and safety officer is dependent on experience. However, on average they earn in the UK around £32,500. The lower end of the salary scale is around £27,000 and the top end is around £42,000-£45,000.
Thank you for reading through our information on health and safety jobs.