It is worth clarifying the position in relation to the responsibilities of the Management Committee and the responsible person for health and safety matters within an organisation. Every management committee should appoint one of their number to be responsible for health & safety matters. It is also important that the committee, in carrying out their responsibilities, set out their expectations of senior managers with health and safety responsibilities and the arrangements for keeping the committee informed and advised of all relevant matters concerning performance. In the main the committee needs to accept formally and publicly its collective role in providing health and safety leadership within the organisation. The Health and Safety policy documentation needs to reflect this.

To assist with their duties each organisation must appoint competent individuals. Employers are solely responsible for ensuring that those they appoint to assist them with health and safety measures are competent to carry out the tasks they are assigned and are given adequate information and support. In making decisions on who to appoint, employers themselves need to know and understand the work involved, the principles of risk assessment and prevention, and current legislation and health and safety standards. Employers should ensure that anyone they appoint is capable of applying the above to whatever task they are assigned.

Notwithstanding the above specific requirements, all workers and volunteers have to:

* Co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters
* Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety
* Take reasonable care of their own health and safety; and
* Report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person

Further guidance:
Directors responsibilities for health and safety – INDG 343 - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg343.pdf