cleaning job - does employer have to issue gloves?

[Mattk]

my son has a summer job with haven holiday parks and one of his roles involves cleaning using bleaches etc
so far they have not given him a formal contract confirming his rate of pay, they have not explained his right to breaks or even what to do in the event of emergencies and now this.

do they legally have to provide him with the necessary safety equipment?

[bednobs]

if safety equipement is needed, they must legally supply him with it. However, i fail to see why using bleach would need safety equipment

[tigersam258]

I would think that they should provide at least protective gloves if using bleach based products. He should also speak to the HR Officer at the holiday park or general manager if one is not present explaining that he needs to know what the conditions of his employment are. As I understand it, a contract comes into effect whether provided in written form or otherwise at the moment that an employee accepts a wage/salary for time worked. I do not think that an employer has to provide this in writing but it would not harm to ask for it anyway.

[saxy_jag]

Bednobs - bleach is caustic. I've seen some nasty burns when it's not been used safely.

Mattk, yes, your son should be provided with suitable gloves if he's handling bleach. It's then his responsibility to wear them. He should also have been provided with information on basic emergency and evacuation procedures on his first day before starting work. This is the law. Bear in mind, though, that it's also his responsibility to familiarise himself with such things as fire notices and other emergency information posted on noticeboards or otherwise made accessible - but of course, he needs to be shown where they are.

His rights to safe conditions do not depend on whether or not he has a contract, nor even whether he's being paid.

Have a browse around the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/ - they may be able to answer a few questions for both of you.