APC H&S Flashcards
What the RICS professional standard ‘Surveying Safely’ (2018) set out?
- Basic principles for management of H&S for RICS regulated firms and members
- H&S responsibilities at corporate and individual levels
What is the structure of RICS professional standard ‘Surveying Safely’ (2018) ?
- Personal responsibilities for RICS members and firms
- Assessing hazards and risks
- Workplace H&S
- Occupational hygiene and health
- Inspections- lone working/PPE
- Fire Safety
- Residential surveying
- Procurement and management of contractors
- Appendix A- Example audit template
What are the key areas of advice in the professional standard ‘Surveying Safely’ (2018)?
- Safe working environment
- Safe work equipment
- Safe systems of work
- Competent staff
- Safe person concept
- Individual responsibility for own actions
- Personal and corporate responsibilities- e.g. employers liability insurance and public liability insurance
- Legal considerations and duties
- Advice on health, wellbeing and mental health
- How to address fire safety
- Risk assessments
What is the ‘safe person’ concept?
An individual assumes individual responsibility for their own, their colleagues and others H&S at work
What precautions should you take when visiting site?
- Risk assessment prior to attending
- Arrange appropriate PPE e.g. high vis, hard hat, protective footwear and goggles, gloves, ear defenders
- Tell someone where you are going and when you leave the building/site
- Sign in and out of a building/construction site and receive site induction
- Non slip shoes when going up ladders
What is your organisation’s lone working policy?
- To avoid lone working wherever possible
-To undertake a risk assessment prior to attending site and consider if it’s safe to inspect alone - Inform your manager and team of the date and time of the inspection, include in your work diary
- Take a fully charged mobile phone and personal safety device
- Agree regular check-ins with supervisor
- Emergency contact procedure if you fail to check in
- Emergency protocol to follow for handling emergencies
What does the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 say about H&S?
It is the duty of every employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees
-The 1995 regs added that you must report injuries and dangerous occurrences
-The 1999 regs added that employers must undertake, record and regularly review risk assessments
Who polices/enforces Health and Safety?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)- a breach of the Health & Safety at Work Act is a criminal offence with fines and/or imprisonment
What is a hazard?
Anything that has the potential to cause harm e.g. wet floor
What is a risk?
The probability/likelihood that someone will be harmed e.g. the risk of falling over on a wet floor
What is a risk assessment?
An assessment of all significant hazards. It is a legal requirement for organisations with more than 5 staff
Outline a risk assessment
- Identify the hazards present
- Identify the people at risk from the hazards e.g. employees, contractors, visitors etc
- Evaluate the risk, considering likelihood and severity of any accidents, as well as existing precautions
- Record the findings
- Review risk assessment regularly
- Advise all those affected of the outcome of the risk assessment and the steps taken to minimise or eliminate risk
What is a method statement?
A document detailing the way a work task or process should be completed and approved
- It should outline any hazards and a step by step guide on how to do the job safely
- Must detail which control measures have been introduced to ensure safety of anyone affected by the task or process
What is included in a H&S policy document?
- A policy setting out the organisation’s commitment to H&S
- Details of the organisation’s H&S structure
- Risk assessment setting out risks in the workplace and preventative measures
- Details of the implementation of H&S policy and control measures
What is included in the ‘Six Pack’ of H&S Regulations (1993)
- Management of H&S at Work
- Display Screen Equipment
- Manual Handling Operations
- PPE at Work
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment
- Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
What are the key points of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) ?
- Fatalities and major injuries/incidents must be reported immediately
-If an injury stops you from working for over 7 days (including weekends) - Must be reported to HSE and within 15 days of the incident
- All employers must keep records of all 3+ day injuries
- Must keep info in an accident book which must be kept for minimum of 3 years after an occupational accident or injury
What are the key points of the Fire Risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
-Applies to non-domestic property in England and Wales
-Based on risk assessment with emphasis on fire prevention
-‘Responsible Person’ concept- the employer/occupier who controls the property or owner if vacant
-Must have fire precautions in place following risk assessment
-Good record keeping
-Regular reviews of FRAs
What are reasonable fire precautions?
-Fire detection and warning alarm system
-Fire extinguishers
-Safe exit routes
-Personal emergency evacuation plan
-Emergency lighting
-Clear signage
-Fire exit doors
*this is covered in Part B of the Building regulations
What are the key points of the Fire Safety Act (2021)
- Came into effect in January 2023 following the Hackitt Review (2018) of building regulations and fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy
-Amends the Fire Safety Order 2005
-Applies to residential premises in England and Wales, including common parts
-Requires ‘responsible person’ to assess, manage and reduce fire risks posed by the structure, external walls and common parts
-FRAEW (fire risk appraisals of external walls) must be curried out on all multi-occupied blocks
-Fire service can take enforcement action against responsible persons who fail to comply
-Regular inspections, review of evacuation plans, fire safety instructions
What is an EWS1 Form?
- An external wall systems form
-Enables a qualified professional to confirm an external wall system on residential buildings have been assessed for safety, in line with government guidance
-Must consider- height of building, type of cladding, presence of balconies and combustible material
-There is an RICS decision tree on whether valuers need an EWS 1 form
What is the purpose of the Building Safety Act (2022) ?
- Intended to enhance regulations for building safety and ensure residents have a stronger voice in ensuring safety in buildings
- Implements elements of the Hackitt Review recommendations for high rise resi buildings
What improvements does the Building Safety Act (2022) make?
-Strengthens accountability and duties for those responsible for the safety of high-rise buildings during construction and occupation
-Strengthens resident’s ability to contribute to maintaining safety
-Enforcement to deter non-compliance
-National framework to ensure suitability of construction materials
What are the key provisions of the Building Safety Act (2022)?
-Introduced the ‘Building Safety Regulator’ who oversees the safety and standards of all buildings
-The Building Safety regulator is the Building Control Body
- HSE responsible for verifying building works to ensure they meet the standards set out in building regulations
-New high rise resi buildings must be registered before they are occupied
-Period of liability is 15 years from completion of works
What is the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957?
The Act regulated the liability of occupiers and others for injuries caused to lawful visitors, as well as damage caused to any goods due to the state of the property
-There is a common duty of care- therefore landlords may also be liable
-Trespassers are covered by the Occupiers Liability Act 1984
What are the key points of the Smoke-free Regulations (2007)?
-Illegal to smoke in all enclosed/substantially enclosed public places
-No smoking signs must be displayed
-Local authorities enforce
-Penalties range from £50-£2,500 max fine
What is asbestos?
An insulating material which can cause serious health problems and fatal diseases
HSE estimate 4 million UK properties contain asbestos and it causes 5,000 deaths p/a
Is asbestos hazardous if left undisturbed?
If it is undamaged and undisturbed, it poses no risk to health. However, it should be regularly monitored as part of an Asbestos Management Plan.
What happens if asbestos is disturbed?
It can release very small toxic fibres which can lodge in the lungs, causing illness such as lung cancer and asbestosis
What are the three types of asbestos?
Brown (amosite)- Banned 1985
Blue (crocidolite)- Banned 1985
White (chrysotile)- Banned 1999
Give examples of asbestos containing materials?
- Pipe and boiler insulation
- Paints, plaster and acoustic tiles
-Flooring
-Roofing (felt & corrugated roofing sheets)
-Asbestos cement sheets used for roofing or cladding
-Linings of fire doors
Is it illegal to ignore asbestos?
Yes, there is a statutory duty to manage existing asbestos in commercial buildings under the Control of Asbestos Regs 2012
What are the two types of asbestos survey?
- Management survey- to locate, assess and advise on management during occupation and use of premises
- Refurbishment/demolition survey- required where premises/part of premises need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. Samples of ACM’s are taken and analysed. Recommendations made regarding their management
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), who is the duty holder?
The owner of the premises if vacant or a tenant if holding a repairing lease
What are the five steps a duty holder must take in relation to asbestos?
1.Risk assessment whether the premises contain asbestos, where it is and condition. If in doubt, must presume ACMs to be present
2. Assess the risk and produce an asbestos management plan
3. Produce an asbestos register
4. Make the register available to all relevant parties who might disturb it
5. Review the register 6 monthly
What penalties are there for misconduct under the H&S (Offences) Act (2008)?
Fines to a maximum of 20k, 12 months in prison
More serious offences can be tried in higher courts with unlimited fines
What is covered in the RICS Asbestos professional standard (2021)?
Comprehensive overview of the law and industry guidance on asbestos
Includes:
-Details of common ACMs
-How to commission an asbestos survey
-Suggested contents of an asbestos management plan
According to the RICS Asbestos professional standard (2021), what should be included in an asbestos management plan?
- Results of an asbestos survey, including type, location and condition of any ACMs
- Risk assessment of potential of the ACMS to cause harm
- Management actions- including monitoring the condition, signage, encapsulation/repair of damaged ACMs to prevent fiber release, removal plans
- Emergency procedures if asbestos damaged (evacuation, containment, reporting to authorities e.g. HSE/Local Authority)
- Training on asbestos awareness, safe working practices, legal obligations
- Regular review of the plan
7.Asbestos register- of all actions taken e.g. surveys, repairs, removal, monitoring
What are CDM Regs (2015)?
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
- It is a criminal offence, policed by HSE, to breach CDM regs
-Aims to improve the management and coordination of H&S at all stages of a construction project
-Three main duty holders- client, principal designer and principal contractor
-Onus on the client and not the contractor to ensure CDM arrangements
-CDM file must be maintained during construction and passed to the occupier/owner of the building containing all aspects of H&S information in relation to the property
Under the Construction, design and Management Regs, when does HSE have to be notified?
If a project last longer than 30 working days with 20+ workers working simultaneously at any point, more than 500 ‘person days’ of construction or involves demolition HSE must be notified via F10 form
What statutory obligations does a commercial property owner have?
-Asbestos management
-Contamination
-Equality Act 2010 compliance
-EPC
-Fire safety
-Legionnaires disease
-Building safety
-H&S
-Occupiers liability
-PAT testing
-Waste management
What is legionella?
a type of bacteria that can cause a severe form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. It thrives in warm water environments and can be spread through aerosolized water droplets (mist or vapor).
Where is legionella normally found?
The bacteria can be found in water systems, including hot and cold water supplies, cooling towers, spa pools, air conditioning systems, and water fountains.
It represents a particular risk for vacant properties due to water stagnation
It thrives in temperatures of 20-45 degrees
What is a commercial tenant’s responsibility in relation to legionella?
-Commercial tenants have a legal responsibility to manage the risks of legionella under the H&S at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Human Health Regs (COSHH, 2002)
-Must complete risk assessment, manage and maintain water systems, regular water temperature checks (keep hot water hot, cold water cold, regular flushing)
-Report outbreaks to HSE
-Legionella management plan
-Test if suspect/risk of legionella through water sampling
What is Appendix A of RICS Surveying Safely?
An example audit template- provides a template audit scoring system & health & safety audit
What are the 5 stages of fire risk assessment?
Step 1 - Identify people at risk. Have you identified who is at risk? Step 2 - Identify fire hazards. Have you identified all potential fuel sources? Step 3 - Evaluate the risk. Are your fire safety measures are adequate? Step 4 - Record your findings. Step 5 - Review and revise
What is a FRA? Who must undertake them? How often must they be reviewed?
An owner of the company is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment, too. Others who are responsible include landlords, as well as an occupier. Every 4 years
What legislation relates to fire safety?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
