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What to do if…
you are told to work unsafely or not report a workplace safety problem

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move away from the task or area if you reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger that you cannot safely reduce. Call 999 or 112 for a real emergency, then report the hazard through the safest available route and make a factual written record.

Do not do these things

  • Do not remain in an area of serious and imminent danger simply because someone tells you to continue.
  • Do not attempt to repair, isolate, or control a hazard unless you are trained, authorised, and able to do so safely.
  • Do not sign, alter, backdate, hide, or delete a safety record you believe is inaccurate.
  • Do not rely only on a verbal conversation when you can safely confirm the concern in writing.
  • Do not take confidential documents, personal data, or workplace records you are not authorised to keep.
  • Do not post allegations or workplace material publicly before getting independent advice.
  • Do not resign or send an angry message while you are still reacting to the immediate pressure.
  • Do not confront someone alone if you fear violence or intimidation.

What to do now

  1. Stop and move to a safer place if you reasonably believe the task or area presents serious and imminent danger that you cannot safely remove. Warn anyone directly at risk when you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
  2. Call 999 or 112 if there is a fire, serious injury, immediate danger to life, or another real emergency.
  3. Tell the person controlling the work what the hazard is. Identify the task, location, people at risk, and any missing equipment, training, supervision, isolation, or safe working method.
  4. Report the risk to a health and safety representative, your employer, or the person named in your workplace safety procedure. If the person giving the unsafe instruction is your usual contact, use another manager, a union representative, HR, a safety representative, or a whistleblowing route.
  5. Send a short factual written report as soon as it is safe. Include the date, time, location, instruction given, hazard observed, people who may be affected, precautions that appear to be missing, witnesses, and the response you received.
  6. If you were told not to report the problem, include that instruction in your written account. Avoid speculation and record the words used as accurately as you can.
  7. Keep a lawful copy of your own messages and notes. Store them somewhere you can access without removing confidential records or personal data you are not entitled to hold.
  8. Ask what action will be taken before the task restarts. You can ask to see the relevant risk assessment, safe system of work, training instructions, protective equipment requirements, or a safe alternative task.
  9. If you have already raised the issue and it has not been addressed, use the HSE reporting service in England, Scotland or Wales to check the correct enforcing authority. In Northern Ireland, check whether HSENI or the local council is responsible for the workplace before reporting.
  10. Contact Acas in England, Scotland or Wales, or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland, if you are threatened, disciplined, dismissed, denied work, or otherwise treated worse after raising the concern. A union representative or Protect can also help you consider how to report a concern safely.
  11. If anyone has been injured or exposed to something harmful, get first aid or appropriate medical help and ask for the event to be entered in the workplace accident or incident record.

What can wait

You do not need to decide immediately whether to resign, raise a formal grievance, make a legal claim, or contact the media. You also do not need to prove a particular offence before reporting a specific hazard. If you are disciplined, dismissed, lose pay, or experience other retaliation, get employment advice promptly because time limits may apply.

Important reassurance

You do not have to solve the entire safety problem yourself. Moving away from immediate danger, describing the hazard clearly, and creating a factual record are useful first steps. Pressure from someone else to stay silent does not make the hazard your fault.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, initial reporting, and preserving your options. Later decisions about grievances, whistleblowing, disciplinary action, resignation, employment proceedings, or regulatory action may require advice from a union, employment adviser, regulator, or solicitor.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, employment, health and safety, or medical advice. The protections and reporting routes that apply can depend on your employment status, where in the UK you work, the nature and urgency of the danger, who may be affected, and how the concern is raised.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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