Workers Have A Right To Be Safe

Following the Independent Workers' Union's successful challenge of the UK's implementation of the Health and Safety Framework Directive (which we reported in  December's edition of Worked Up), the Employment Rights Act 1996 has now been amended so that workers, as well as employees, have the right not to be subjected to a detriment in certain health and safety cases.

All workers who reasonably believe that there is a serious and imminent danger at work now have the right to take appropriate steps to protect themselves or others (including not attending work) without being subjected to a detriment for taking such action. The amendment came into force on 31 May 2021 and applies to acts (or the last in a series of acts) which occur on or after that date.