Chapter 1 Introduction Flashcards
What duty does the HSWA place on all employers?
To exercise a duty of care to provide the best safety standards within the law and the bounds of reasonable practicability.
When can the MOD be granted an exemption to normal safety rules?
Only for the purposes of achieving the Defence Imperative - while on operations, in times of crisis or war.
Can establishments rely on risk assessments to give best safety practice?
No - the HSE recognises that risk assessments alone are not enough to give best safety practice.
What other factors must be taken into account when making a decision about the tolerability of risks?
Whether the Courts would agree that risks are ALARP.
In the event of an accident causing serious injury or death, what could mitigate a case for compensation in the Courts?
If a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) had been carried out.
While small risks might only require cursory consideration, what do larger risks demand?
Detailed analysis to properly justify the risk imposed on people.
The effort undertaken on the risk assessment should be proportional to what?
The risk.
What is necessary to demonstrate ALARP for processing facilities?
- Quantities of explosives present must be kept to the minimum.
- Accumulations of explosives awaiting processing, return to store, or dispatch after processing are to be kept to a minimum.
Why should concurrent processing of two or more munitions be avoided?
Because the activities of one processing team places its neighbouring team at risk and vice versa.
Where concurrent processing is to be undertaken by 2 or more teams in the same process room, what MUST HoE provide?
Evidence that appropriate protection has been afforded to all teams.
What does ALARP stand for?
As Low As Reasonably Practicable.
In what way is ALARP used in the Explosives Regulations?
To describe the process of weighing risk against the sacrifice needed to further reduce that risk.
When ‘accepting the risk’ what must Duty Holders ensure?
That their decision is supported by thoroughly researched and balanced arguments that can be expected to hold up before searching scrutiny in a Court of Law.
What does effective management depend upon?
- A suitably competent management organisation.
- Suitable risk assessments being carried out and the findings being used effectively.
- A competent work force.
What factors make a competent work force?
Adequate instruction, information, supervision and training.
What is it essential that all staff have?
The necessary training and competence for the work they undertake.
An appropriate understanding of the hazards and risks which may arise, and the actions to be taken, in abnormal situations.
In relation to fire or explosion, what is the principle issue for the MOD Duty Holder?
The prevention of accidental initiation of explosives.
How should the MOD Duty Holder prevent the accidental initiation of explosives?
By keeping sources of ignition away from explosives.
Prevention of fire or explosion will require control of what?
Sources of ignition and other articles with the potential for fire.
Why must electrical, electrostatic and electromagnetic energy be controlled in an explosive environment?
They have the potential to cause sparks which may initiate a fire or sensitive electro-explosive devices.
Why must mechanical energy be controlled in an explosive environment?
They have the potential to cause sparks through metal to metal contact or generate heat through friction. Non sparking hand tools must be used for processes where explosives will be exposed.
Why must heat and temperature be controlled in an explosive environment?
So as to prevent explosives coming into unintentional contact with hot surfaces unless the contact is intentional as part of a process.
Where pressure is used as part of the process involving explosives what two things must be considered?
The safe maximum pressure and the safe rate of application or pressure.
The MOD Duty Holder must maintain maps or drawings showing what?
The location of all explosives buildings and distances to public traffic routes, inhabited and uninhabited buildings on and off MOD property.
