Employee duty
A statutory obligation on employees to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions, and to cooperate with the employer.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“employee duty”Exact equivalentSection 7 of HSWA 1974 imposes a duty on every employee while at work to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions, and to cooperate with the employer or any other person on health and safety matters. Section 8 prohibits intentional or reckless interference with safety measures.
Irish HSA
“employee duty”Close equivalentSection 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employees to take reasonable care to protect their own safety, health and welfare and that of any person who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work; to cooperate with the employer; to use PPE and safety equipment correctly; and not to engage in improper conduct or behaviour.
US OSHA
“employee duty”Partial equivalentSection 5(b) of the OSH Act 1970 requires each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards and all applicable rules, regulations, and orders under the Act. This is narrower than GB or Irish employee duties: there is no general duty to take care for others, and enforcement against individual employees is rare.
Practitioner note: A real duty, but it does not dilute the employer's. Employee failings rarely excuse an employer whose system, training or supervision was inadequate.