06 Workplace Hazards and Risk Controls

Question 1

Basic environment standards for indoor workplaces (6)

Answer 1

• Space – provision of adequate space to allow workers to perform the task safely.
• Seating – provision of appropriate seating where work tasks allow. Seats should be stable, with a backrest and footrest where appropriate.
• Ventilation – provision of a sufficient supply of fresh or purified air.
• Heating – maintenance of a reasonable temperature in the workplace. Note that workers carrying out hard manual work will prefer a cooler workplace than those doing sedentary work.
• Lighting – provision of adequate lighting.
• Noise – provision of controls to reduce excessive noise if necessary

Question 2

What are the six main welfare requirements in any workplace? (6)

Answer 2

• Drinking Water
• Washing facilities and Showers
• Toilets facilities.
• Changing Rooms
• Accommodation for clothing. Lockers
• Resting and Eating Places.

Question 3

Factors to consider when providing workplace lighting (8)

Answer 3

• Minimum light levels (lux levels) should be achieved; these are normally indicated by local code of practice or guidance.
• Natural light should be used in preference to artificial light.
• Light levels should be adjusted to suit the level of detail required and the visual acuity of the workers.
• Local lighting, such as spotlights positioned above machinery, might be required to give higher levels of light on critical areas.
• Lighting must be arranged to avoid reflections and glare that might dazzle or temporarily disable workers.
• Lighting must be arranged to avoid the creation of shadows that might obscure areas and create risk.
• Flickering should be avoided to prevent nuisance and in particular the “stroboscope effect”
• Lighting must be suitable for the environment (e.g. intrinsically safe lighting used in a flammable atmosphere).
• Emergency lighting should be provided to ensure safety in the event of mains supply failure.

Question 4

Health and Safety effect of working in a hot environment

Answer 4

• Dehydration – water is lost
• Muscle cramps
• Heat stress – where core temperature (37ºC) cannot be controlled and starts to increase
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Other effects associated with the source o the heat such as burns or cancer
• Risk of fatigue because of the stress of the body.

Question 5

Health and Safety Effects in a cold Environment

Answer 5

• Hypothermia – core temperature drops below 35ºC
• Frost bite – body tissues are frozen
• Slip Hazards • Freeze burn injuries.
• Risk of fatigue because of the stress of the body.

Question 6

Identify the protective measures to be used for working in conditions of extreme heat

Answer 6

• Adequate Ventilation
• Shielded Hot Surfaces to avoid radiation heat
• Hot surfaces protected, to avoid contact
• Cooled refuges or rooms
• Water and Isotonic drinks available
• Frequent brakes and job rotation
• Adequate clothing if possible, combined with other PPEs

Question 7

Identify the protective measures to be used for working in conditions of cold environment

Answer 7

• Prevent or protect workers from draughts
• Shield extremely cold surfaces
• Provide warm refugees
• Provide PPE
• Provide frequent breaks and job rotation
• Provide safety access to hot food and drinks
• Scrape, salt or grit icy floors.

Question 8

What are the general requirements for storage in the workplace?

Answer 8

• Storage areas should be clearly defined
• Separate areas should be used for different items
• Segregation of certain materials and substances materials
• Areas should be kept clean and tidy and should be routinely inspected
• Storage areas should not be used for work activities
• Appropriate warning signs should be displayed where necessary

Question 9

What are general recommendations for stacking material?

Answer 9

• Each stack should be for one material only
• A maximum stack height must be set
• Stacks should be vertical
• Pallets should be used to keep materials off the ground
• Sufficient space must be allowed between stacks for safe movement
• Stacks must be protected from being struck by vehicles

Question 10

What are general recommendations for storage of flammable materials?

Answer 10

• Flammable liquids, solids and gases should each be kept in separate stores. Oxygen cylinders should be stored separately from other flammable gases.
• External, open-air stores should be away from buildings, drains or excavations. If this is not possible: There should be a fire-resistant partition separating the store from the building. Drains and excavations should be sealed. There should be a security fence around the store
• Internal stores should be constructed of fire-resistant materials, and provide good level of ventilation. Completely separate buildings may be required for storing volatile flammable materials
• Storage containing large quantities of flammables should have at least two exits
• Suitable warning / Safety signs
• Hot works should not be carried out close to storage areas
• Electrical equipment used should have the correct rating.
• Fire-fighting equipment should be provided.
• Stores should be inspected regularly for correct use and housekeeping.

Question 11

Give some risk factors for violence at works

Answer 11

• Cash handling
• Wearing uniforms
• Lone working
• Represent authority
• Dealing with people under stress
• Dealing with people under the influence
• Censuring or Saying no

Question 12

What strategies are available to avoid the risk of violence?

Answer 12

Preventing violence at the central office

• Zero tolerance policy
• Security staff
• CCTV cameras
• Security doors
• Minimizingqueues and waiting times
• Clear announcement about waiting times
• Training for staff
• Screens between staff and public
• Panic alarms
• • Creating a pleasant environment.

Preventing violence to workers conducting home visits

• No lone working
• Keeping records of past incidents, vetting customers
• Visit-logging with a supervisor
• Pre- and post- visit calls
• Training for staff
• Always having a means of communication
• No visits after dark
• Parking in secure areas
• No carrying cash or valuables

Question 13

What symptoms might an employer notice in an employee who is misusing drugs or alcohol?

Answer 13

• Increase Absenteeism
• Late attendance
• Reduce of quality of work
• Reduce in work rate
• Dishonesty
• Theft
• Changing moods
• Irritably and mood swings
• Deterioration of working relations

Question 14

What should be establish in a clear drugs and alcohol policy?

Answer 14

• Rules restricting access to alcohol in the workplace
• Statutory legal requirements prohibiting workers from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Non statutory requirements (set by the employer)
• Arrangements for any random drugs and alcohol testing
• Arrangements for workers to have access to rehabilitation
• Disciplinary procedures for workers who refuse assistance, who refuse to be tested, or who fail a test
• Provision of information, instruction and training to workers, supervisors, and managers.

Question 15

Name types of hazard faced by pedestrians?

Answer 15

• Slips, trips and falls
• Falls from height
• Collisions with Moving Vehicle
• Striking by a moving, flying or falling object
• Striking Against Fixed or stationary objects

Question 16

What are the main hazards causing slips, trips and falls on the same level?

Answer 16

• Slip
  
  • Smooth floor
  • Contamination of a floor
  • Frost and ice
• Trip
  
  • Uneven or loose floor
  • Trailing cables
  • Objects on the floor

Question 17

Give four factors that a risk assessment should consider in relation to hazards to pedestrians

Answer 17

• Normal patterns of movement
• Abnormal patterns of movements (short-cuts)
• Accident history in the workplace
• Maintenance requirements of the various controls

Question 18

What are designated walkways?

Answer 18

They are walkways marked for the use of pedestrians with two purposes:

• Make pedestrians stay within designated areas
• Vehicles or other hazards do not stray into pedestrian areas

Question 19

Identify eight control measures that might relevant to the safe movement of pedestrians in a workplace.

Answer 19

• ​Adequate lighting
• Use of appropriate footwear with good grip
• Level floor surfaces
• Non-slip floor surfaces
• Good drainage
• Spill control
• Use of designated walkways
• Fencing and guarding
• Provision of handrails to steps and stairs
• Maintenance and repair of defects
• Use of hi vis clothing.

Question 20

What factors can affect the kind of slip-resistance surface that is required?

Answer 20

• The number of people who walk on the floor.
• The footwear those people might be wearing.
• The wear and tear that the surface will be subject to (e.g. vehicle traffic).
• Foreseeable spills and contamination on the floor (e.g. chemicals).
• Environmental conditions such as weather, temperature or sunlight.

Question 21

Identify issues to maintain a safe workplace

Answer 21

• Cleaning and Housekeeping
  
  • Floor and walkways should be cleaning
  • Spills will have to be cleaned up quickly and safety
  • Housekeeping routines established to keep routes free of trip hazards
  • Floor and walkways repairs as needed
  • Guard-rails and fencing should be inspected and repaired
• Access and egress routes
  
  • Should be routinely inspected, and cleaned and repaired as necessary
  • Emergency exit routes maintain free of slip or trip hazards
• Environmental considerations o Lightening o Noise levels o Special care during maintenance activities.

Question 22

What is the safe method of working on a fragile roof?

Answer 22

• Vertical distance
• Roofs
• Deterioration of Materials
• Unprotected Edges
• Unstable or Poorly Maintained Access Equipment
• Weather
• Falling Materials

Question 23

Factors when identifying control measures for work at height.

Answer 23

• Nature and duration of the task to be carried out
• Level of competence
• Training required
• Planning and level of supervision
• Means of access and egress
• Suitability of the equipment to be used and its maintenance
• Use of Working platforms, guard-rails and toe-boards
• PPE
• Weather conditions

• Whether a fall-arrest system is required or netting • Health conditions of the individuals • Compliance with regulation

Question 24

Circumstances which contribute to the likelihood of falling materials include:

Answer 24

Deterioration of structures, causing crumbling brickwork or loose tiles.

• Poor storage of materials, e.g. at the edges of scaffold platforms, or in unstable stacks.
• Poor housekeeping, leading to accumulations of waste and loose materials.
• Gaps in platform surfaces or between access platforms and walls.
• Open, unprotected edges.
• Incorrect methods of getting materials from ground level to the working area.
• Incorrect methods of getting materials down to ground level, e.g. throwing.

Question 25

Name three control from preventing material from falling from a platform

Answer 25

• Nets
• Toe-boards
• Brick-Guards

Question 26

What are the main hazards of using ladders

Answer 26

• Fall from height
  
  • Falling off the ladder
  • The ladder toppling sideways
  • The ladder base slipping out from the wall
• Objects falling from height
• Contact with live overhead and cables

Question 27

Safety precautions for use of ladders

Answer 27

• Do not site or handle near live overheads
• Site on a solid, flat base so that the feet do not sink into the ground
• Angle of the ladder should be ideally 75º (1 out: 4 up)
• Top of the ladder must rest against a solid support
• Ideally the ladder should be secured at the top. If it is not possible, guy ropes should be attached and secured to firm supports, or footed by someone standing on the bottom rung
• Top of the ladder should extend far enough above
• Only one person should climb on the ladder at any one time
• Nothing should be carried in the hands •
• Wooden ladders should not be painted as this can hide defects

Question 28

Safety precautions for use of ladders

Answer 28

• Carry out daily check
• Ensure that ladder is fully open
• Ensure locking devices are in place
• Only use on firm, level ground which is not slippery
• Do not work off the top steps
• Avoid over-reaching
• Avoid side on-working

Question 29

Safety precaution of trestles and staging platforms

Answer 29

• Big enough to allow safe passages and safe use of equipment and materials
• Free from trip hazards
• Fitted with toe-boards and handrails
• Kept clean and tidy
• Not loaded in a way to risk collapse or deformation
• Erected on firm, level ground to ensure stability during use

Question 30

Factors that might cause collapse of an independent tied scaffold

Answer 30

• Overloaded work platform
• Scaffold built on soft ground without use of adequate sole boards
• Scaffolding not tied adequately to the building
• Insufficient bracing incorporated into scaffold
• Standards not upright
• Standards bent
• High winds
• Incorrect couplers used to join tubes
• Scaffold struck by mobile plant
• Scaffold erected by incompetent workers
• Scaffold not inspected prior to use

Question 31

When an scaffolding should be checked

Answer 31

• When they are first erected
• After any substancial alteration
• After any event that may affect their stability
• Periodically

Question 32

Points to check

Answer 32

• Condition of the tubes
• Tying and bracing
• Condition of the work platforms
• Edge protection
• Ground conditions
• Safe access
• Safe working load

Question 33

Hazards associated with cement mixers include:(7)

Answer 33

• Entanglement with rotating drum and internal blades.
• Entrapment by belt drive.
• Dry cement dust can be inhaled.
• Wet cement dust is corrosive and burns the skin.
• Cement mixers are powered by diesel with the resulting risk of exposure to vapours and exhaust gases.
• Noise and vibration.
• Overturning whilst in use.

Question 34

To summarize the control measures needed when using equipment, site management should ensure that: (6)

Answer 34

• Equipment is suitable for the task and environment.
• Use is restricted to competent operators.
• Information, instruction and training are provided.
• Equipment is inspected and maintained in a safe condition.
• Appropriate guards and devices are fitted and used.
• Appropriate PPE is used at all times.

Question 35

Possible options to secure a site against unauthorized access include:

Answer 35

• Robust perimeter fence and signs.
• Secure gates at all site access points.
• Security staff (perhaps 24 hour cover).
• Good lighting on site and on the perimeter.
• CCTV cameras and/or site alarm.
• Secure all portable equipment in locked storage.
• Remove ladders from scaffolds.
• Secure all chemicals in locked storage.
• Secure all mobile plant.
• Cover or barrier off excavations.
• Where children are concerned it can be useful to liaise with local schools to promote safe behaviour.

Question 36

Safe precautions for safe use of mobile tower scaffolds

Answer 36

• Guard-rail fitted to the work platform
• Tower must not be overload
• Wheels should be locked
• Tower must be sited on firm, level ground
• People and material should not remain on the tower when it is moved
• Care should be taken to avoid overheads when the tower is moved
• Outriggers should be used where necessary to ensure stability
• People should not climb up the outside of the tower
• Tower must be built by trained workers

Question 37

Safe precautions for use of MEWPs

Answer 37

• Vehicle sited on firm, stable ground
• Sufficient clearance from obstructions and overheads when operating
• Barriers around MEWP to prevent being struck by vehicles
• Guard rails incorporated into the cradle
• Controls inside the MEWP
• Must not be driven with the cradle raised
• Must not be overload
• Must be inspected as an item of lifting equipment designed to carry people.
• Use should be restricted to trained, authorized staff only.

Question 38

Identify the main hazards associated with excavation work

Answer 38

• Collapse
• Striking buried services
• People falling in
• Objects falling in
• Flooding
• Hazardous substances
• Collapse of adjacent structures

Question 39

Risk controls in excavations

Answer 39

• Prevention of collapse
  
  • Battering
  • Shoring
  • Trench box
• Prevention of Falls
  
  • Preventing people falling
  • Preventing materials and vehicles from falling
• Preventing of striking buried services
• Inspection Requirements

Question 40

What is battering

Answer 40

The sides of the excavation can be sloped back (battered) at an angle that is sufficient shallow that the soil will not slip

Question 41

How can the hazards of buried services be avoided (5)

Answer 41

• Plans of the area of the excavation should be obtained
• The buried services should be located used surface clues and detection equipment
• The buried services should be uncovered by careful digging by hand
• The exposure services should be identified to ensure that they are those that were expected and be clearly labelled so thet their position is easily seen
• Digging with mechanical equipment can now commence

Question 42

When should excavations be inspected

Answer 42

• Before the start of every work shift
• After any accidental fall of material
• After any event likely to affect strength and stability

Question 43

Q Excavation work is being carried out on a construction site. Identify the control measures need to reduce the risk to the workers. (8)

Answer 43

Possible controls to reduce the risk to workers near excavations on a construction site include:

• Before digging, the excavation site should be checked for underground services including power and gas mains. This should be carried out by checking site plans and using cable detectors.
• Supporting the sides of the excavation to prevent collapse using shoring or drag boxes. An alternative is the battering back of the sides of the excavation to a safe angle. All material excavated should be stored a safe distance from the excavation to prevent it from falling in onto workers.
• Provision of stop blocks to prevent vehicles driving or reversing into the excavation.
• Use of barriers to prevent pedestrians from falling into the excavation.
• Provision of safe access means for those entering the excavation (e.g. a ladder) and so that they can exit safely.
• Those working in the excavation may need gas detectors to ensure that the atmosphere is breathable, testing for toxic gases but also to ensure an adequate oxygen supply.
• PPE may be needed to protect workers from contamination (e.g. chemicals in contaminated land) or biological hazards.
• In order to ensure ongoing safety the excavation should be inspected before the start of every shift, after any fall of earth and after any event likely to affect stability.

Question 44

Q A Roofing contractor is required to carry out extensive repair work on a fragile roof on a large manufacturing building.

a) Outline the factors that should be considered in the selection process for hiring the roofing contractor (8)

Answer 44

Factors to consider in contractor Selection

• References
• Insurance
• Trade association memberships
• Maintenance of equipment. Experience of similar works.
• Training of staff
• Method statement suitability
• Risk assessment quality.
• Accident history.
• Enforcement actions.
• Health and Safety Policy.
• Equipment to be used.
• Maintenance of equipment.
• Control of sub-contractors.

(a) The following factors should be considered when selecting a roofing contractor. References should be checked to ensure that previous clients were satisfied with the work carried out, and to ensure that works of a similar nature and size to the proposed project have been delivered successfully. Certificates of insurance should be checked to ensure that adequate public liability and employer’s liability cover is carried by the contractor. The level and quality of health and safety training provided to employees should be considered, and preference given to organisations which demonstrate such commitment to employee training. The organisation’s health and safety management system should be considered, such as the suitability of the health and safety policy and the process for reporting and recording of accidents, and the processes in place for checking and controlling subcontractors. With regard to the safety of the project the suitability and quality of the risk assessments should be assessed, ensuring that the risk assessments are site-specific. Method statements should be sufficiently detailed and demonstrate how control measures will be implemented to reduce the risk to the workers. Finally, consideration should be given to the safety of the equipment to be used on-site, the suitability of the equipment for the environmental conditions and its maintenance.

Question 45

Q A Roofing contractor is required to carry out extensive repair work on a fragile roof on a large manufacturing building.

b) Identify the main risks to the contractors from working at height (4)

Answer 45

Risk to contractors from Work at Height

• Falls from height
• Falling objects
• Falls through fragile roof
• Contact with live services/cables.
• Injuries due to tools in use
• Effects of weather (from sunburn to slips on ice)

(b) The main risks to the contractors from working at height include falls from height, falls through the fragile roof, contact with live services such as power cables, and the effects of exposure to adverse weather conditions (from sunburn through to slips on ice).

Question 46

Q A Roofing contractor is required to carry out extensive repair work on a fragile roof on a large manufacturing building.

c) Identify possible control measures for the erection of an independent tied scaffold (8)

Answer 46

Controls for erection of independent Tied Scaffold

• Correctly designed for used and load
• Designed for weather
• Equipment to be used
• Stable ground
• Case plates and sole plates
• Scaffold not damaged and in good condition
• Erected by competent persons
• Inspected before use
• Scaffolders wearing fall arrest equipment
• Securely tied to structure / building
• Protected from vehicles

(c) Possible control measures to be implemented when erecting an independent tied scaffold include ensuring that the scaffold is designed for the load it is intended to take, and erected by a competent scaffold contractor on firm, level ground with base plates used to spread the load. The scaffold components should be free from damage. The scaffolders should wear fall arrest equipment during the assembly to prevent falls. The scaffold should be tied securely to the building with the appropriate number of ties to prevent collapse, taking into account possible loads and adverse weather conditions.