Workplace Health and Safety Basics Course (EU): Worker duties and rights

1. Question 1 of 16

   Under the Framework Directive, whose safety and health must each worker take care of?

   • ATheir own, and others affected by their work
   • BOnly their supervisor's
   • COnly their own
   • DOnly that of customers, visitors and members of the public
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   Answer: A. Their own, and others affected by their work

   Article 13 says each worker must take care, as far as possible, of their own safety and health and that of others affected by their acts or omissions.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which of these is a worker's duty under the Framework Directive?

   • AOrganising the first-aid arrangements
   • BUsing machinery, tools and dangerous substances correctly
   • CPaying for their own protective equipment and work clothing
   • DWriting the workplace risk assessment
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   Answer: B. Using machinery, tools and dangerous substances correctly

   Workers must make correct use of machinery, tools, dangerous substances, transport equipment and other means of production.

3. Question 3 of 16

   You are given safety glasses for your job. What is your duty?

   • ALend them to a friend who works elsewhere
   • BWear them only if they look stylish
   • CUse them correctly and put them back after use
   • DWear them only when a supervisor is watching you work
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   Answer: C. Use them correctly and put them back after use

   Article 13 says workers must make correct use of the PPE supplied and return it to its proper place after use.

4. Question 4 of 16

   A machine guard slows down your work. What should you do?

   • ARemove the guard only when you are busy and in a hurry
   • BRemove it only if you are experienced
   • CBend the guard out of the way
   • DKeep the guard in place and tell your supervisor
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   Answer: D. Keep the guard in place and tell your supervisor

   Workers must not disconnect, change or remove safety devices arbitrarily, and must use them correctly.

5. Question 5 of 16

   You notice that a handrail on the stairs is loose. What should you do?

   • AFix it with tape and say nothing
   • BTell your employer or safety person straight away
   • CWait until the yearly safety inspection
   • DMention it at your next performance review with your manager
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   Answer: B. Tell your employer or safety person straight away

   Workers must immediately inform the employer and/or the designated safety workers of serious dangers and of shortcomings in protection arrangements.

6. Question 6 of 16

   A worker breaks a safety rule. Does the employer stop being responsible for safety?

   • AYes, the employer is no longer responsible at all
   • BNo, the employer is still responsible
   • CYes, but only for the rest of that day
   • DOnly if the worker is new
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   Answer: B. No, the employer is still responsible

   The Framework Directive states that workers' obligations do not affect the principle of the employer's responsibility.

7. Question 7 of 16

   You face a serious, imminent danger that cannot be avoided. What does the Framework Directive allow you to do?

   • AStop work and go immediately to a place of safety
   • BCall the labour inspectorate and wait for their advice before moving
   • CFinish your task first, then leave
   • DNothing until a manager gives permission
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   Answer: A. Stop work and go immediately to a place of safety

   Employers must enable workers in serious, imminent and unavoidable danger to stop work and/or leave immediately for a place of safety.

8. Question 8 of 16

   A worker leaves a dangerous area because of a serious and imminent danger. Can they be punished for this?

   • AYes, if nobody else was hurt
   • BYes, if they did not ask first
   • CNo, they must not be put at a disadvantage
   • DYes, they can lose that day's pay as a penalty
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   Answer: C. No, they must not be put at a disadvantage

   Article 8(4) says workers who leave in such a danger must not be disadvantaged and must be protected against harmful and unjustified consequences.

9. Question 9 of 16

   When may an employer ask workers to go back to work while a serious and imminent danger is still present?

   • AAfter a 30-minute break
   • BWhenever production is behind schedule and orders are waiting
   • COnly in exceptional cases that are properly justified
   • DWhenever a supervisor decides
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   Answer: C. Only in exceptional cases that are properly justified

   Apart from exceptional, duly justified cases, the employer must not ask workers to resume work while serious and imminent danger remains.

10. Question 10 of 16

    There is a serious and imminent danger and you cannot reach your supervisor. What can you do?

    • ADo nothing until you manage to reach your supervisor
    • BWait for written instructions
    • CTake suitable steps to avoid the consequences
    • DKeep working as normal
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    Answer: C. Take suitable steps to avoid the consequences

    Article 8(5) lets workers take suitable steps, using their knowledge and the equipment available. They are protected unless they acted carelessly or negligently.

11. Question 11 of 16

    What may workers' safety representatives do?

    • AWrite national safety laws
    • BAsk the employer to act and make proposals
    • CClose the company without notice
    • DFine workers who break the safety rules at their workplace
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    Answer: B. Ask the employer to act and make proposals

    Article 11(3) gives safety representatives the right to ask the employer to act and to submit proposals to reduce hazards.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Workers think their employer's safety measures are not good enough. Where can they appeal?

    • ANowhere, the employer's decision is final
    • BThe national authority for safety and health
    • CEU-OSHA, which can then fine the employer directly
    • DThe company's customers
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    Answer: B. The national authority for safety and health

    Article 11(6) lets workers and their representatives appeal to the authority responsible for safety and health, under national law and practice.

13. Question 13 of 16

    You take part in a consultation about safety at work. Can this be held against you?

    • ANo, you must not be put at a disadvantage
    • BOnly if you are on a temporary or part-time contract
    • CYes, if you disagree with the manager
    • DYes, if it takes more than one hour
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    Answer: A. No, you must not be put at a disadvantage

    Article 11(4) protects workers and their representatives from being disadvantaged because of their safety and health activities.

14. Question 14 of 16

    What does the Framework Directive say about health surveillance?

    • AOnly managers may receive it
    • BIt is given only after an accident
    • CWorkers must arrange it and pay for it themselves
    • DEach worker may have it regularly if they wish
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    Answer: D. Each worker may have it regularly if they wish

    Article 14 provides for health surveillance suited to the risks, and each worker may receive it at regular intervals if they wish, under national systems.

15. Question 15 of 16

    You are an agency cleaner working at a client's factory. What must the factory's employer make sure of?

    • AThat you have had suitable safety instructions for the site
    • BThat you bring your own risk assessment
    • CNothing, because only your agency is responsible for your safety
    • DThat you sign away your safety rights
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    Answer: A. That you have had suitable safety instructions for the site

    Article 12(2) says employers must ensure that workers from outside undertakings have received appropriate instructions on the risks at their site.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Your workplace has a new rule from the labour inspectorate. What is your duty as a worker?

    • AAsk the inspectorate to explain it to you personally first
    • BCooperate so the rule can be followed
    • CFollow it only if your colleagues do
    • DIgnore it unless your contract mentions it
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    Answer: B. Cooperate so the rule can be followed

    Workers must cooperate, in line with national practice, so that tasks set by the competent authority can be carried out.

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