Employers have legal obligations to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. As an employee, you have rights, and you have responsibilities for your own well-being and that of your colleagues. This section explains what these responsibilities are, and how you can meet them.

Your most important responsibilities as an employee are:

- to take reasonable care of your own health and safety

- if possible avoid wearing jewellery or loose clothing if operating machinery

- if you have long hair or wear a headscarf, make sure it's tucked out of the way (it could get caught in machinery)

- to take reasonable care not to put other people - fellow employees and members of the public - at risk by what you do or don't do in the course of your work

- to co-operate with your employer, making sure you get proper training and you understand and follow the company's health and safety policies

- not to interfere with or misuse anything that's been provided for your health, safety or welfare

- to report any injuries, strains or illnesses you suffer as a result of doing your job (your employer may need to change the way you work)

- to tell your employer if something happens that might affect your ability to work (eg becoming pregnant or suffering an injury). Because your employer has a legal responsibility for your health and safety, they may need to suspend you while they find a solution to the problem, but you will normally be paid if this happens.

- if you drive or operate machinery, to tell your employer if you take medication that makes you drowsy - they should temporarily move you to another job if they have one for you to do.