As an employee you have a legal duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others. As a supervisor you have a legal duty to co-operate with your employer in providing necessary supervision for health and safety. Your job is not limited to producing a good quality product.
Supervisors are a vital link in the chain for effective management of health and safety.
You are paid to supervise - and this includes supervising for safety. Supervisors are often expected to be management's 'eyes and ears' on the shop floor, but HSE investigations in the woodworking industry have shown that supervisors are often unaware of the full range of responsibilities they have as part of the management team. Your manager must ensure that you know your responsibilities and carry them out. BUT you are a vital link This booklet is designed to help you identify your responsibilities for providing a safe and healthy workplace. These are actual quotes from people interviewed during HSE investigations.