The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997

Consultation with workers

20.—(1) Workers or their elected representatives shall be consulted in advance and in good time by the employer, and in the case of sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) where applicable by the Company, on all matters relating to their health and safety, and in particular on—

(a) the arrangements for appointing a competent person under regulation 14 to provide protective and preventive services for the undertaking;

(b) the findings of the risk assessment;

(c) arrangements for health and safety training under regulation 12;

(d) the introduction of new technology.

(2) Employers shall allow workers or their elected representatives to make representations about health and safety, and shall implement any agreed measures as soon as may be reasonable and practicable.

(3) Workers or their elected representatives shall be given access by the employer and, where applicable by the Company, to any relevant information about—

(a) health and safety matters from inspection agencies and health and safety authorities; and

(b) every accident involving death, major or serious injury, and every dangerous occurrence.

(4) Elected representatives shall be given adequate time off work without loss of pay in order to exercise their rights and functions under this regulation, and shall be provided with appropriate training.

(5) Workers or their elected representatives shall not be placed at a disadvantage (whether economic or otherwise) because of their activities under this regulation.