Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

What is one of the employee's duties under health and safety legislation?

1. To take reasonable care of their personal belongings

2. To ensure they always work overtime

3. To take reasonable care of themselves and others

4. To delegate safety duties to colleagues

The correct answer is: To take reasonable care of themselves and others

One of the critical duties of employees under health and safety legislation is to take reasonable care of themselves and others. This responsibility means that employees must act in a manner that does not put themselves or their coworkers at risk while carrying out their work tasks. It includes following safety protocols, using equipment safely, and reporting any unsafe conditions they encounter. This duty is in line with the overarching goal of health and safety legislation, which is to promote a safe working environment for everyone. By ensuring that they are not endangering their health or the health of others, employees contribute to a safer workplace. In essence, this duty recognizes that safety is a collective responsibility and emphasizes the importance of individual actions in a team's overall well-being. The other options do not align with the fundamental principles of health and safety legislation. Taking care of personal belongings does not relate to the safety of the work environment. Working overtime is unrelated to safety responsibilities and could even lead to fatigue, which can increase the risk of accidents. Delegating safety duties to colleagues is also inappropriate, as every employee is personally responsible for their own safety and that of others, and cannot pass on this obligation.