Chartership - Technical Knowledge Flashcards
What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?
BIM is a collaborative way of working underpinned by digital technology. The name can be slightly misleading as it focusses on data, rather than models. The purpose of BIM is to ensure that appropriate information is created in a suitable format at the right time so that better decisions can be made throughout the design, construction and operation of built assets. It is not about creating a 3D model for its own sake, and it is not an add-on process. BIM is fundamental to the way a project is set up and run. There are various levels:
?0 – Unmanaged CAD (Computer Aided Design).
?1 – Managed CAD in 2D or 3D.
?2 – Managed 3D environment with data attached, but created in separate discipline models. There is a common area which is shared amongst the project team that everyone works from. Different disciplines check out and check in information.
?3 – Single, online, project model with construction sequencing, cost and lifecycle management information.
There are further unofficial levels which include things like ‘Digital Twins’, where a digital model is an accurate live representation of the physical structure, updating based on automatic data from sensors/cameras etc.
What minimum level of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is required?
Since April 2016, level 2 is the minimum requirement for centrally-procured public projects. The requires a managed 3D environment with data attached, but created in separate discipline models. There is a common area which is shared amongst the project team that everyone works from. Different disciplines check out and check in information.
What are the aims of CDM?
• Are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so that the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
Plan works so risks are managed and controlled throughout.
• Have the right people at the right time.
• Cooperate and coordinate works.
• Have the right information about the risks and how they are being managed.
• Communicate this information effectively to those who need to known.
• Consult and engage with workers about the risks and how they are being managed.
What are the Designers responsibilities (in the context of CDM)?
In CDM, the term ‘design’ includes amongst other terms the word ‘specification’, which includes anyone who choses a method of working, prepares a design drawing or specifies a product. THIS MEANS ANYONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A DESIGNER VERY EASILY AND OFTEN WITHOUT REALISING. Designer’s must:
• Ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience.
• Not commence work unless they are satisfied that the Client is aware of their duties under CDM.
• Apply the principles of prevention in all of their work. Where it is not possible to eliminate health and safety risks, they must ensure appropriate information is included in the health and safety file and communicated to the site team.
• Ensure that any information they provide is easy to understand and provided in good time.
Note: Designers do not have a responsibility for controlling site risks, only for minimising the risks that their ‘design’ produces.
What are the differences between CDM 2007 and CDM 2015?
- Regulations extended to domestic projects (where client is homeowner);
- Stricter requirements regarding when a project is notifiable;
- Removal of the CDM co-ordinator role and introduction of the Principle Designer role.
What are the duties of a Client (in the context of CDM)?
- Ensuring other duty holders are appointed (including the PD and PC if there is more than one designer/contractor)
- Ensuring the roles, functions and responsibilities of the project team are clear.
- Ensuring that the people and organisations they appoint have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and (if an organisation) the organisational capability to manage health and safety risks.
- Ensuring sufficient time and resources are allocated.
- Ensuring the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor carry out their duties. This could be done by arranging project progress meetings or via written updates.
- Ensuring welfare facilities are provided (dual duty with PC)
- Maintaining and reviewing arrangements to ensure they remain relevant.
What are the duties of a Contractor (in the context of CDM)?
- Plan manage and monitor construction works under their control, ensure they are carried out without risk to H&S;
- Coordinate with other contractors;
- Comply with instructions given to them by the PD or PC.
What are the duties of a Principal Contractor (in the context of CDM)?
The Principal Contractor is appointed by the Client and their responsibilities under CDM are:
• Before the construction site is set up, preparing, reviewing and revising the construction phase plan for the project setting out health and safety arrangements and site rules.
• Planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating the construction phase of a project.
* Liaising with the Client and Principal Designer. * Ensuring anyone they appoint has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience and, where they are an organisation, the organisational capability to carry out the work in a way that secures health and safety. * Coordinating the work of contractors and ensuring that the contractors under their control cooperate with each other. * Ensuring suitable site inductions are provided. * Ensuring reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access. * Ensuring that suitable welfare facilities are provided and maintained throughout the construction phase (dual duty with PC). * Ensuring that the construction phase plan is appropriately reviewed, updated and revised during the construction phase. * Providing the Principal Designer with any information in the Principal Contractor’s possession relevant to the health and safety file.
If the client fails to appoint a Principal Contractor, the client must fulfil the duties of the Principal Contractor (not in the case of domestic clients).
What are the duties of a Principal Designer (in the context of CDM)?
- Informing the Client of their duties under the regulations.
- Planning, managing and monitoring health and safety in the pre-construction phase, including; identifying, eliminating or controlling foreseeable risks; and ensuring designers carry out their duties.
- Helping compile pre-construction information and providing it to designers and contractors.
- Preparing the health and safety file and then reviewing, updating and revising it as the project progresses.
- Liaising with the Principal Contractor to help in the planning, managing, monitoring and co-ordination of the construction phase.
- Taking into account the general principles of prevention.
- Ensuring that all persons working in relation to the pre-construction phase cooperate with the client, the Principal Designer and each other.
- Checking that designers have sufficient skills, knowledge, experience and (if they are an organisation) the organisational capability to carry out the work.
If a client fails to appoint a Principal Designer, the Client must carry out their duties (not in the case of domestic clients).
What are the duties of workers (in the context of CDM)?
- Take care of their own H&S, and others who may be affected by their actions;
- Report anything like to endanger either theirs or someone else’s safety;
- Cooperate with employers, fellow workers, contractors and other duty holders.
What are the four key documents in CDM?
1) The Project Notification Form (F10), which is the responsibility of the Client. It must be displayed in the site office.
2) The Pre-construction Information, which is the responsibility of the Client.
3) The Health and Safety file, which is the responsibility of the Principal Designer.
4) The Construction Phase Plan, which is the responsibility of the Principal Contractor.
What is CDM 2015? What are some key requirements?
CDM are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects. The regulations govern the way that all projects of all sizes are planned and executed. Key requirements include:
• The principles of prevention must be implemented;
• All people must cooperate and collaborate;
• Excavations must be safe to enter and inspected by a competent person at the start of every shift. Reports must be kept of these inspections;
• Traffic must be managed to ensure the safety of site workers and the public;
• Emergency procedures must be in place;
• There must be suitable fire detection and fire fighting equipment.
What is the purpose of the Health and Safety file? What are the contents?
To provide information that anyone carrying out subsequent work on the building will need to plan and carry out that work safely. It may include:
• A brief description of the work carried out;
• Any hazards that have not been eliminated through the design and construction processes, and how they have been addressed (e.g. surveys or other information concerning asbestos or contaminated land);
• Key structural principles (e.g. bracing, sources of substantial stored energy – including pre- or post-tensioned members) and safe working loads for floors and roofs;
• Hazardous materials used (e.g., lead paints and special coatings);
• Health and safety information about equipment provided for cleaning or maintaining the structure;
• The nature, location and markings of significant services, including underground cables; gas supply equipment; fire-fighting services, etc.;
• Information and as-built drawings of the building, its plant and equipment.
What should be in a Construction Phase Plan?
- Project description and key dates;
- Health & Safety aims of the project;
- Stages of work (e.g. tunnelling, fit-out etc.);
- Known services;
- Anyone else working on the job, and arrangements between parties;
- Roles and responsibilities;
- Site rules;
- Access arrangements;
- Inductions/training/welfare info etc.
What should be in the Pre-construction Information?
- The project, including key dates and the Client’s brief and team;
- Planning and managing the project, such as resources to be allocated to each stage;
- H&S hazards of the site, including construction hazards and how they should be addressed;
- Any relevant info in an existing H&S file.
When is a project notifiable under CDM? Does CDM apply if a project is under the threshold?
The Client is responsible for notifying the HSE when projects are:
• More than 30 working days and 20 workers, or
• More than 500 working days.
CDM applies regardless of whether a project is notifiable or not.
Who is responsible for providing welfare under CDM? What are the minimum requirements?
The Principal Contractor must provided and maintain welfare facilities throughout the construction phase for notifiable projects. Clients must ensure the PC provides welfare facilities. The must include:
?• Toilets (Note these must be suitable and sufficient. Not minimum requirements are given. However, BS6465 recommends a ratio of 1 toilet to 7 persons and that if portable, toilets are emptied once a week).
• Places to wash (hot and cold water).
• Drinking water.
• Changing rooms.
• Facilities to rest.
How are design actions calculated in Eurocode? What impacts the safety factor used?
Permanent actions + prestress actions + leading variable actions + accompanying variable actions.
Variable actions have load reduction factors
Permanent/variable actions safety factors depend on the type, the limit state being checked and whether the actions is favourable or unfavourable.
What are some key standard Eurocode notation?
- G = permanent actions
- Q = variable actions
- A = impact actions
- Subscript k = characteristic (actual)
- Subscript d = design (factored)
- E = effects of actions
- R = resistance
What are the 10 main Eurocodes?
- Eurocode 0 - Basis of structural design (EN 1990)
- Eurocode 1 - Actions on structures (EN 1991)
- Eurocode 2 - Design of concrete structures (EN 1992)
- Eurocode 3 - Design of steel structures (EN 1993)
- Eurocode 4 - Design of composite steel and concrete structures (EN 1994)
- Eurocode 5 - Design of timber structures (EN 1995)
- Eurocode 6 - Design of masonry structures (EN 1996)
- Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design (EN 1997)
- Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance (EN 1998)
- Eurocode 9 - Design of aluminium structures (EN 1999)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of aluminium?
• Aluminium:
+ Good strength to dead weight ratio for long spans; good corrosion resistance; often from recycled sources.
- Cannot be used where stiffness is critical; stiffness is a third of that of steel; about two to three times the price of steel.
•
What are the different classes of cement as per EN 197-1?
- Portland cement (CEM I) - Portland cement and up to 5% of minor additional constituents (highest carbon content).
- Portland-composite cement (CEM II) - Portland cement and up to 35% of other single constituents.
- Blast furnace cement Portland (CEM III) - cement and higher percentages of blast furnace slag (low early strength).
- Pozzolanic cement Portland (CEM IV) - cement and up to 55% of pozzolanic constituents.
- Composite cement Portland (CEM V) - cement, blast furnace slag or fly ash and pozzolana.
Manufactured to meet different physical and chemical requirements for specific applications:
Constituents that are permitted in Portland-composite cements are artificial pozzolans (blast furnace slag (in fact a latent hydraulic binder), silica fume, and fly ashes), or natural pozzolans (siliceous or siliceous aluminous materials such as volcanic ash glasses, calcined clays and shale).
What are the different RIBA phases?
0 – Strategic Definition 1 – Preparation and Brief 2 – Concept Design 3 – Developed Design 4 – Technical Design 5 – Construction 6 – Handover and Close Out 7 – In use
What are the main elements of BS5975?
It has two distinct parts: procedural control of temporary works (TW); and the permissible stress design of falsework (i.e. not limit state/Eurocodes). The first part is more important to have an awareness of.
Regarding the procedural controls for temporary works, BS5975 requires that:
?• if a company is undertaking TWs, there must be a Designated Individual (DI) who establishes written company wide TWs procedures.
?• the DI must appoint a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) who oversees the TW on a project in person. They can also appoint Temporary Works Supervisors (TWS) to assist the TWC. Both must be formal appointments in writing.
?• all TW designs must have a design briefs and design check. The independence of the checker depends on the complexity of the design.
Specific TWC responsibilities are:
?• First point of contact between site and design team;
?• Ensuring the TW procedure is adhered to with clear templates (Design Briefs, Design Check Certificates, Permits to Load, Permits to Strike etc.)
?• Ensuring the TW register is established and maintained;
?• File all drawings, calculations etc.
What are the three main stress limits for a material?
1) Ultimate/tensile limit – loads above this limit will cause a material to fail immediately.
2) Yield limit – loads above this value a cause a material to deform plastically.
3) Endurance/fatigue limit – loads above this value will cause a material to fail due to fatigue at a point dependant on load frequency and size.
What are Building Regulations?
Name a few key parts
Building regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people in or about those buildings
They also define what falls under building works
- Approved Document A - Structure (A1 Loading, A2 Ground Movement, A3 Disproportionate Collapse)
- Approved Document B - Fire safety (volumes 1 and 2)
- Approved Document C - Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture
- Approved Document D - Toxic substances
What are typical maximum vertical deflection limits? How would you calculate maximum deflection for various basic beam loading arrangements (what is it a function of)?
Maximum vertical deflection limits:
• Total deflection - span/250
• Live load deflection - span/333
• Cantilevers - span/180
Maximum deflection formula:
• Simply supported beam under a point load - PL^3/48EI
• Simply supported beam under a uniformly distributed load - wL^4/384EI
• Fixed cantilever under a point load at its free end - PL^3/3EI
• Fixed cantilever under a uniformly distributed load - wL^4/8EI
Where
• P = point load
• L = length
• w = uniformly distributed load
• E = modulus of elasticity/young’s modulus
• I = second moment of area/moment of inertia
What design working life categories does Eurocode contain?
1 - indicative design life of 10 years (e.g. temporary structures)
2 - indicative design life of 10 to 30 years (e.g. replaceable structural parts)
3 - indicative design life of 15 to 25 years (e.g. agricultural structures)
4 - indicative design life of 50 years (building and other common structures not listed elsewhere)
5 - indicative design life of 120 years (Monumental structures, highways, railways, bridges and other civil engineering structures)
What is buckling? What is lateral torsional buckling?
Buckling is the sudden change in shape of a structural component under an axial compressive load. The best way to prevent buckling is to reduce its effect length through bracing.
Lateral torsional buckling occurs when an applied load causes both lateral displacement of the compression flange, and twisting of the member generally. The best way to prevent this type of buckling from occurring is to restrain the flange under compression, which prevents it from rotating along its axis.
Eurocodes have 4 classes of section for buckling: 1 (least susceptible) to 4 (most susceptible). Slenderness (effective length/radius of gyration) must be less than:
• 180 for member resisting a load other than wind.
• 250 for member resisting wind and self-weight only.
• 350 for member resisting wind only.
What is fatigue failure and why is it a problem?
Fatigue failure is caused by dynamic loading that induces stresses above the fatigue limit, which is often less than half of the materials yield stress. Fatigue failure is caused by micro-cracking, for which there are three stages:
1: Crack initiation/nucleatin - this occurs due to flaws/imperfections/voids/discontinues/holes/scratches/section changes in the material. It causes localised yielding and slips along boundaries. 2: Crack propagation (especially on the surface) - This is characterised by ‘orderly’ growth. 3: critical crack mass/unstable crack - this is where the remaining material can’t support the applied stress. It is characterised by rapid crack growth and fracture.
Fatigue is a problem because it is:
• Sudden and catastrophic.
• Occurs below the yield strength.
• Complex and highly variable.
• Poorly understood.
What is Glulam? What are the benefits and drawbacks?
Glued laminated timber (‘glulam’) is a type of structural engineered wood. Is it formed from many smaller pieces of timber, which are bonded with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives in a lamination process. This removes timbers inherent limitation on member sizing and shape, as well as weaknesses due to knots. Grain direction can also be controlled and optimised throughout the section.
Timber is a carbon negative material and glulam has a better strength to weight ratio than reinforced concrete and steel. Costs are also comparable or cheaper for some spans. The solid cross section means buckling isn’t a design constraint and planned maintenance activities are required every 25 years, as opposed to the 4-8 year intervals for steel.
However, glulam has poor durability in service class 3 (moisture content exceeding 20% - i.e. outdoors), as moisture content reduces strength significantly. Timber also rots when damp. Whilst is can be protected, this adds costs and maintenance activities. Glulam is a fire class D material (see EN 13501-1) and unsuitable for locations where LU Standard S1085 applies (related to the Sub-surface Regulations). As well as burning readily, timber loses a lot of its strength above 100 degrees and combusts very quickly above 200 degrees due to its organic nature, with a large amount of energy being produced in this process. Glulam connections are also expensive due to how timber fibres deform over time under the concentrated loadings experienced at connections.
What is limit state design? List its pros and cons.
Limit State Method focuses on strain, rather than stress. It utilises the plastic zone of a materials strength where appropriate. It also recognizes the uncertainty of different failure modes. For example, flexural capacity of a concrete beam is fairly predictable; therefore we count on 90% of the theoretical value. Shear in concrete is much less predictable; therefore we only count on 70% of the theoretical value.
Limit state design produces more economical solutions, but as a result serviceability (deflection/cracking/vibration/gradient) has to be checked. It also requires significantly more calculation generally.
What is statically determinate, how would you design something that was indeterminate?
Statically determinate means a structure can be analysed using the three equations of equilibrium for 2D situations (sum of vertical forces, sum of horizontal forces, sum of moments). For statically determinate situation, r<3n when r is the number of reactions/unknowns, and n is the number of parts to a frame/beam.
The method for analysing statically indeterminate structures is similar, but more complicated as it involves the equilibrium equations being integrated in a way to find a solution. Software is best for this process.
What is the general quality process on a design?
Designers, Checked, Approved. The checker checks the design, and it’s suitability/accuracy. They have the most liability for the design. The approver confirms suitability and competency of the designer and checker.
Designs completed for LU by third parties are then accepted as per our assurance process, with the level of assurance based on risk of the works and level of confidence in the supplier.
What is Young’s Modulus?
Youngs modulus is a measure of the ability of a material to withstand changes in length when under tension or compression. Measure of stiffness
• Young’s modulus = Stress / Strain. It is generally measured in Newtons per square millimetre or gigapascals (GPa)
• Stress = Force / Area. It is generally measured in Newtons per square millimetre or megapascals (MPa). Stress can be tensile, compressive, or shear.
• Strain = Extension / Original Length. It is dimensionless.
What types of stress are there?
The major types of stress are:
1. Nominal (? = P/A) when axially-loaded forces are pushing towards (compression) or pulling away (tension) from the centre of an object. 2. Shear (? = V/bd) or (? = QV/Ib) when forces applied to an object are parallel to the object's cross-section. The first equation assumes that the shear stress is acting uniformly throughout the section. However, shear stresses are actually distributed parabolically with zero at the surface (extreme fibers) and maximum at the neutral axis. 3. Bending (?[b] = My/I) when forces are applied along the length of an object. 4. Torsion (T = JG?/?) when torque is applied to an object. 5. Fatigue (numerous methods) when an object is dynamically loaded.
Where:
• ? = nominal stress
• ?[b] = bending stress
• ? = shear stress
• T = torsional stress
• P = axial force
• A = cross sectional area
• V = shear force
• b = cross section breadth
• d = cross section depth
• Q = calculated statical moment. Google it for an explanation!
• I = moment of inertia around the neutral axis
• y = vertical distance from the neutral axis
• M = applied moment
• J = torsion constant of section
• ? = length of object over which torsion is applied
• G = shear modulus
• ? = angle of twist in radians
What does CO2e mean?
CO2e stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. Carbon is generally used as an umbrella term for the equivalent carbon dioxide impact of all greenhouse gases. As well as carbon dioxide, methane (25 times the global warming impact of CO2 by molecule) and nitrous oxide (300 times the global warming impact of CO2 by molecule) are key greenhouse gases.
What is BREEAM?
BREEAM stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It is a sustainability assessment method that looks at energy and water use, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste and ecology.
What is CEEQUAL?
CEEQUAL stands for the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme. It is an international evidence-based sustainability assessment for civil engineering, infrastructure and works in public spaces.
Looks at
- use of water, energy and land,
- impacts on ecology, landscape, neighbours, archaeology
- waste minimisation and management
- community relations and amenity.
They have just brought out version 6, which merges the CEEQUAL and BREEAM Infrastructure assessments.
What is the ISO 14000 family of Standards?
The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) 14000 family are environmental management standards. ISO 14001 in particular sets the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS). Elements include: planning, implementing, environmental policy, checking and management review.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability means that a process or state can be maintained at a certain level for as long as is wanted. … - development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability is generally split into three main pillars: social, economical and environmental. Within the environmental pillar, ideally this means not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.
What is the carbon footprint of the: UK as whole; the UK transport industry; the average UK person?
- UK as whole - approximately 784 mtCO2e.
- The UK transport industry - approximately 235mtCO2e, or 30% of the UK total. 89% of this is cars, 10% is rail, 1% is domestic aviation.
- The average UK person - approximately 11 tonnes of CO2e.
What is the Climate Change Act 2008
The Climate Change Act 2008 made it the duty of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ensure that the net UK carbon account for the 6 Kyoto greenhouse gases in the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline. Legislation is current being debated to make this a 100% reduction.
The 6 Kyoto greenhouse gases are:
1. Carbon dioxide - makes up 76% of emissions. 2. Methane (25 times the impact of CO2 by molecule) - makes up 16% of emissions. 3. Nitrous oxide (300 times the impact of CO2 by molecule) - makes up 6% of emissions. 4. Hydrofluorocarbons (100-3000 times the impact of CO2 by molecule). 5. Perfluorocarbons (5000-10000 times that of C02 by molecule). 6. Sulphur hexafluoride (25,000 times the impact of CO2 by molecule).
What is the Control of Pollution Act 1974?
Under this Act, except in prescribed cases a person shall not:
• deposit or cause or knowingly permit the deposit of controlled waste on any land;
• use or cause or knowingly permit the use of any plant or equipment for the purpose of disposing of controlled waste, unless the land is occupied by a holder of a disposal licence;
• cause excessive noise or vibration without agreement via section 61 agreements.
What is the difference between Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaption?
Mitigation involves taking action to reduce the probability and limit the extent of climate change. It is thought that every £1 spent on mitigation will save £5 in damages and subsequently required adaption.
Adaptation involves taking action to cope with the effects and reduce the impact of climate change when it does occur.
What is the Environment Act 1994?
It created the Environment Agency, which was established to protect and improve the environment and to contribute to sustainable development by implementing the policies of UK governmental departments. It has core statutory duties in relation to: flood defence; industry regulation, planning, waste, water quality and water resources.
What is the Environmental Protection Act 1990?
Requirements include:
• while on site, waste must be stored in such a way as to prevent it from causing damage to the environment or posing a risk to human health. This generally means it must be stored in suitable containers or a defined compound.
• imposing a Duty of Care on all those who import, produce, carry, keep, treat or dispose of controlled waste.
What is the expected level of global warming by 2100?
4.5 degrees if countries do not act. 3.3 degrees based on current policies. 2.9 degrees based on current pledges. Global temperatures have risen by 1.1 degrees C since 1850, although between 2015 and 2019 they rose 0.2 degrees. Sea levels are rising at approximately 5mm a year, up from 3.2mm a year in 1993 and 4mm a year between 2007 and 2016.
What is the global make up of carbon emissions?
- Electricity and Heat Production (25%)
- Industry (21% )
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (24%)
- Transportation (14%):
- Buildings (6%)
- Other Energy (10%)
What legislation relates to waste management?
- The Control of Pollution Act 1974 stipulated that no person shall deposit waste on land.
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposed a Duty of Care on all those who import, produce, carry, keep, treat or dispose of controlled waste.
- The List of Waste Regulations implemented the European Waste Codes (EWC), a standard coding system that classifies and describes all type of waste.
- The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (amended 2009) defined waste as hazardous according to the List of Waste Regulations 2005. It introduced a requirement for consignment notes specifically for hazardous waste.
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 prohibits the illegal disposal, treatment and storage of waste, not only by the producer but anyone else who handles the waste subsequently. Waste transfer is only permitted to an authorised person e.g. a registered waste carrier to the holder of a waste disposal licence.
Define what “loss” is (economical context)
A loss is a decrease in net income that is outside the normal operations of the business. Losses can result from a number of activities such as; sales that are less than expenses of an asset, the write-down of assets, or a loss from lawsuits.
What are TfL’s annual financial results for 2018/2019?
In 18/19 the TfL group made an operating loss of £692m. Total new capital investment was £1680m. Total capital renewals were £398m. The breakdown is as follows:
• Underground operating profit of £436m.
• Major projects operating loss of £46m.
• Buses operating loss of £657m.
• Rail (DLR, LO, Trams) operating loss of £4m. N
• Streets (Roads, walking, cycling and the Congestion Charge) operating loss of £217m.
• Commercial Development profit of £112m.
Note: The above does not include Crossrail. It also does not include Central items (mostly depreciation and pensions) which incured a loss of £1217m. These are factored into the group total comprehensive income and expenditure, which was a profit of £392m due to £3016m in grants when Crossrail is included. £1704m of this was provided by the GLA from business rates retention.
What is TfL’s budget and what are the sources of income?
The budget for 18/19 was £10.3bn. This comprised:
• Grants of £2.2bn
• Borrowing, working capital and cash reserves of £0.9bn
• Other income of £1.2bn
• Passenger income of £4.9bn
• Crossrail funding of £1.2bn
What are the different kinds of “profit” and what do they represent?
- Gross profit is sales minus the cost of goods sold.
- Operating profit is gross profit minus operating expenses (selling, general, admin).
- Net profit is the income left over after all expenses, including taxes and interest, have been paid.
EBITDA is another common metric and stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It is similar to operating profit.
What are the three main financial statements?
- Cash flow statement - this shows cash inflow and outflow, effectively showing the bank balance of a company.
- Profit and loss account (also known as the income statement) - this shows income generated and expenses occurred, showing the profit or loss of a company.
- Balance sheet - this shows the values of assets and liabilities, showing the net worth of a company.
What do the following mean: current assets, fixed assets, current liabilities, long-term liabilities and working capital.
- Current (short-term) assets - these are assets that are cash, or are easily convertible into cash without affecting the operation of the business (e.g. stock).
- Fixed assets (long-term) - these are assets that you need to have to help you in the everyday operation of a business (e.g. machinery or offices).
- Current liabilities (short-term) - this is money that a company owes in the short term (within 12 months).
- Long-term liabilities - this is money that a company owes in the long term (over 12 months), even if repayments are regular.
- Working capital - this is the ability of a company to pay off current liabilities, calculated by: current assets - current liabilities.
What is a Pay Less Notice?
A pay less notice is issued by a client to formally state why they are paying less than the amount in the application for payment/payment notice. It must clearly set out how the client has arrived at the reduced figure. This a requirement under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act.
What is an accrual?
An accrual is the act of making a provisional record for:
• income that been earned but not paid, or
• expenses that have been incurred but have not yet been paid.
There are used to accurately represent profit/loss in a reporting period.
What is depreciation and amortisation?
- Depreciation is the value lost over time of a tangible fixed asset item. For example, each year the value of a car will depreciate.
- Amortisation is similar to depreciation but relates to intangible assets (e.g. intellectual property). It is also shown as a cost.
Both appear as a cost in the profit and loss account (although wouldn’t affect operating or net profit as they are ‘under the line’). The reduced value of the item would also show in a balance sheet, but neither would be presented in a cash flow statement as nothing was paid.
What is equity? How would you calculate it for a balance sheet?
Equity is the amount of an asset that you actually own (e.g. if you have a house with a 80% mortgage, your equity is 20%).
For a balance sheet, equity = assets - liabilities.
Why is it important to pay Subcontractors on time?
Subcontractors are likely to have less cash reserves and are thus more vulnerable to insolvency and bankruptcy if payments are delayed. They are also likely to have higher debt to revenue ratios and less working capital.
What are the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations?
These regulations apply to stations where more than half of their platforms are enclosed (see S1086 for a full list). Unless the London Fire Brigade (LFB) have agreed a specific exemption in writing, they requirement that:
• Doors that aren’t on routes of escape must be kept locked.
• Automatic fire suppression must be installed in rooms with electrical switchgear, except one that houses escalator or lift machinery.
• Automatic fire detection must be installed in rooms with suppression, and offices that are not fire compartmentalised, as well as staff rooms.
• The station premises requires a public address system.
• All parts of the station must be kept clear of combustible matter.
• Each member of staff must be given basic emergency instructions as soon as practicable.
• At least two people must be on duty at all times.
Note: The LFEPA provided exemptions until it was abolished in 2017, with duties transferred to the LFB.
What colour are different fire extinguishers? When should each be/not be used?
Red - Water
• Safe: wood, paper and fabric fires.
• Unsafe: electrical, flammable liquids or flammable metal fires.
Cream - Foam
• Safe: flammable liquid fires, wood, paper and fabric fires.
• Unsafe: electrical or flammable metal fires.
Blue - Powder
• Safe: gaseous, wood, paper, fabric, flammable liquid and electrical fires.
Black – Co2
• Safe: electrical fires; can also be used for flammable liquid fires.
• Unsafe: wood, paper or fabric fires. They should not be used in a confined space and the horn should not be held whilst operating the extinguisher.
Wet Chemical – Yellow
• Safe: cooking oil and deep fat fryer fires; wood, paper and fabric fires.
• Unsafe: electrical, flammable liquids or gaseous fires.
Fire Blanket - A fire blanket should be used to smother chip pan, deep fat or waste bin fires. It can also be used on clothing fires by wrapping the blanket tightly around the person whose clothes are burning, to extinguish the flames.
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
There is a ‘responsible person’ (RP). The role of the RP will default to most senior person in organisation if not appointed. The responsible person must take fire precautions. A risk assessment must be produced and stored. The RP must also:
• assess the dangerous substances on site and either remove them or reduce them (i.e. only enough welding gas for 2 days and have regular re-stocks rather than having enough for the year long programme).
• provide appropriate fire detection systems and fire fighting equipment that is easily accessible, simply to use and indicated by signs.
• provide sufficient emergency exists (number, size and distribution) and keep them and routes to them clear at all times (cannot be sliding or revolving doors; must open in the direction of escape, be indicated with signs and normal and emergency lighting and not be locked).
• inform others around them of the hazards they present, and find out what hazards others might present.
• appoint competent persons to help him; must inform people of the risks and mitigation in place, then train them, as well as also inform them if things change.
• conduct drills and have appropriate procedures; must maintain all fire systems.
• where two or more responsible persons share, or have duties in respect of, premises, coordinate, cooperate and communicate.
What are fundamental principles of geotechnical design?
1) Soil is made of individual particles.
2) A soil’s ability to resist loads is generated by shearing resistance at the particle contacts.
3) The strength of soil increases with depth.
4) A well graded soil (particles have different sizes) is stronger than an ungraded soil (all particles have the same size).
5) The more angular the soil particles, the stronger the soil.
6) Water pressure in the voids of a soil reduces it’s shear strength. However, in damp soil surface tensions increases shear strength.
What is the ground make up in London?
In general, the ground make up in by distance from the surface is as follows:
?• Made ground
?• Aluvium (a deposit of clay, silt, and sand left by flowing floodwater)
?• London Clay
?• Lambeth Group (highly variable - limestone, clays and sand. Water is a major issue if tunnelling, especially as the London clay above is an aquitard so pore water pressure may be higher)
?• Thanet Sands
?• Chalk
Note: the above is a general case and exact conditions will vary by site. Additional layers may be present and some of the above may also not be present.
Define competence. Is a CSCS card a sign of competence?
Competence is having the right skills, knowledge, experience and attitude. A CSCS card shows knowledge at the point in time that the test was completed only.
Discuss behavioural safety.
Behavioural safety involves the application of behavioural science to construction safety. This means looking into why and how people act, and seeking to resolve safety issues and risks through those avenues. A key aim is to create a culture of safety, but this is often difficult on construction projects due to the frequent turn over of staff.
Over the last few decades, the people dying on construction sites have increasingly been older workers, whereas previously they tended to be younger ones with little experience. One theory is that the training and education is effective for younger people, but there may be a behavioural issues with more veteran workers. Whilst, they have received much more training over their careers, they have ‘got away’ with doing things unsafely for so long that they struggle to break the habit or appreciate the risks. This is why there were:
• 0.25 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 16 to 25;
• 0.53 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 55 to 59;
• 0.92 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 60 to 64; and
• 1.99 fatalities per 100,000 workers aged 65+.
How do you ensure ALARP?
Always ensure you follow Regulations. Also follow approved codes of practice if they exist, and guidance if they do not. The last resort is using first principles and cost benefit analysis to quantitatively ensure the risks are ALARP.
What are Hazards, risks and safety defined as?
As per EN 50126:
• A hazard is any situation that could contribute to an accident. Note that a hazard is a situation and not an event.
• A risk is the probable rate of occurrence of a hazard causing harm and the degree of severity of the harm.
• Safety is the freedom from unacceptable risk of harm.
What are is the hierarchy of control in relation to working at height?
- Avoid working at height if possible.
- Use an existing safe place of work.
- Provide work equipment to prevent falls.
- Mitigate distance and consequences of a fall.
- Instruction and training and/or other means.
For the above, collective protective measures (such as scaffolding) must be prioritised over personal protection (such as using a fall arrest harness).
What are some ALARP fallacies?
There are 4 fallacies (i.e. commonly perceived but actually false) provided by the HSE:
?• Fallacy 1 – Ensuring that risks are reduced ALARP means that we have to raise standards continually.
?• Fallacy 2 – If a few employers have adopted a high standard of risk control, that standard is ALARP.
?• Fallacy 3 – Ensuring that risks are reduced ALARP means that we can insist on all possible risk controls.
?• Fallacy 4 – Ensuring that risks are reduced ALARP means that there will be no accidents or ill-health.
What are the 4 types of duties in health and safety law?
1) Absolute Duty, indicated by the words “shall ensure”. Examples include the safeguarding of machinery “every employer shall ensure that measures are taken which are effective to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery…..”
2) Practicable Duty, defined as “possible to be accomplished with known means or resources”. It is not possible for employers to allege that something is impracticable because it might slow up production or is otherwise inconvenient or difficult.
3) So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable (SFAIRP), indicated by the words “suitable and sufficient”. SFAIRP is essentially the same as ALARP. The sacrifice (in terms of time, money or trouble) must be shown as being greatly disproportionate to risk reduction achieved. If challenged by the enforcing authority, the employer has to prove that the measures and precautions taken were reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
4) Reasonable Care, indicated by the words “reasonable care”.
What are the action and limit values for vibrations?
- Average daily exposure action value: Hand arm vibration 2.5 m/s², Whole body vibration 0.5 m/s²
- Average daily exposure limit value: Hand arm vibration 5 m/s², Whole body vibration 1.15 m/s²
The exposure action value (EAV) is a daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take action to control exposure.
The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day.
Each tool contributes points that are summed to determine how much it can be used in a day.
What are The Confined Space Regulations?
The regulations (introduced in 1997) required that:
• It must always be considered whether one can avoid working within the confined space, or failing that the space be modified so it is no longer a confined space?
• Risks related to: the general space conditions; from the works; from outside the space and to emergency rescue be considered.
• Permit to enter systems and emergency procedures should be in place.
What are the Construction Product Regulations.
They mandate CE marking (where applicable), which signify that a product complies with relevant safety, health or environmental regulations across the European Economic Area (EEA). Demonstrating compliance with the regulation requires an ‘attestation of conformity’ (AoC). There are 5 levels of AoC which depend on the nature of the product. It also means there is standardised information on the following (helpful for designers):
• Safety.
• Testing criteria
• Fire resistance.
• Mechanical resistance and stability.
• User instructions, including hygiene and environmental instructions.
• Protection against noise.
• Energy, economy and heat retention.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
• Handling instructions.
• Storage recommendations.
• Maintenance.
• Warranties.
• Dealerships.
In the event of the UK leaving the EU with no deal, the UK will replace the system of CE Marking with UKCA Marking for placing products on the UK market. The process is identical and all that changes is the ‘mark’ itself. CE Marking will still be required for UK manufacturers who wish to place products in the EU market including Ireland, as whilst the UK will recognise the CE mark as equivalent, the EU will not recognise the UKCA mark. In the event the UK leaves with a deal, then mutual recognition will exist.
What are the Control of Noise at Work Regulations?
The Regulations (introduces in 2005) have the following limits:
• Lower Exposure Limit (at which employers are required to assess the risk to workers health and provide employees with information and training) of 80 dB(A) and 135 dB(C)
• Upper Exposure Limit (at which employers needed to provide hearing protection and hearing zone) of 85 dB(A) and 137 dB(C)
• Exposure Limit Value (above which employees should not be expose) of 87 dB(A), 140 dB(C)
Where db (A) refers to average level of exposure and db (C) refers to peak sound pressure.
What are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations?
The Regulations (last amended in 2002) an employer has a duty to protect its workers from exposure. This means it must assess the risks associated with the use of chemicals, solvents and other agents, and take all necessary steps to prevent exposure to risks. This means following a hierarchy of control measures:
1. Eliminate the use of a harmful product or substance and use a safer one.
2. Use a safer form of the product, e.g. paste rather than powder.
3. Change the process to emit less of the substance.
4. Enclose the process so that the product does not escape.
5. Extract emissions of the substance near the source.
6. Have as few workers in harm’s way as possible.
7. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, coveralls and a respirator. PPE must fit the wearer.
IITS
providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases;
planning for emergencies.
What are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations? What year was it?
2005 - The regulations require employers to identify which of their employees may be at risk from hand arm vibration disorders (HAV) or whole body vibration disorders (WBV). Hand arm vibration disorders can be caused by the use of hand-held power tools and can cause painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints such as vibration-induced white finger. Whole body vibration is transmitted via the seat when sitting down in a vehicle or machine or through the feet.
* Average daily exposure action value: Hand arm vibration 2.5 m/s² average, Whole body vibration 0.5 m/s² average * Average daily exposure limit value: Hand arm vibration 5 m/s² average, Whole body vibration 1.15 m/s² average
The exposure action value (EAV) is a daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take action to control exposure.
The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day.
What are the current latest number of fatalities in the construction industry?
In 2017/18 there were 144 fatalities. In 2018/19 there were 147 fatalities. There has been little/no reduction in the last 10 years, following 30 years of general reduction from approximately 500 a year. The five most common causes of fatal injuries (which are consistent with previous years) were due to:
• workers falling from height (40)
• being struck by a moving vehicle (30)
• being struck by a moving object (16)
• trapped by something collapsing/overturning (11)
• contact with moving machinery (14)
What are the Electricity at Work Regulations? Year?
The Regulations (introduced in 1989) require the risks from electrical work are assessed and reduced:
1) Assessing the risk: the risk assessment should take into account the risks associated with electricity. The risks are greatest in harsh conditions, for example: in wet surroundings, outdoors and in cramped spaces.
2) Reducing the risk:
• Ensure people working on or with your electrical equipment or systems are ‘competent’ for the task
• Ensure the electrical installation is safe (e.g. designed to BS 7671)
• Provide safe and suitable equipment
• Reduce the voltage
• Provide a safety device (e.g. RCDs)
• Carry out preventative maintenance (e.g. PAT testing which includes a visual inspection, earth continuity test and insulation test. Note there is no minimum time interval and frequency should be based on risk)
• Work safely (e.g. do not work in live equipment unless there is no other way)
What are the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations?
The Regulations (introduced in 1992) requires employers whose workers who spend a significant part of their normal work using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) to:
• analyse workstations to assess and reduce risks;
• make sure controls are in place;
• provide information and training;
• provide eye and eyesight tests on request, and special spectacles if needed;
• review the assessment when the user or DSE changes.
What are the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations?
The minimum requirements of the regulations (introduced in 1981) on any work site are:
• a suitably stocked first-aid kit.
• an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements.
• information for employees about first-aid arrangements.
What are the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations?
The Regulations (introduced in 1989) require employers to display a poster telling employees what they need to know about health and safety.
What are the key state agencies that enforce the law?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Office of Rail and Road (ORR), London Fire Brigade (LFB), Environmental Agency (EA), local authorities and the police.
What are the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)?
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (latest revision is 1998) requires that:
• equipment is fit for purpose, marked with the safe working load (SWL), tested and identified properly, and is confirmed as strong and stable enough. Minimum testing frequency varies based on if people (6 months) or materials (12 months) are being lifted.
• lifting operations must be planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner by people who are competent.
• where equipment is used for lifting people it must be marked accordingly.
What are the main sources of law applicable to HSE in the UK?
There are four main sources of the law applicable to HSE:
1. Legislation, e.g. Acts of Parliament or Regulations. 2. Common Law, e.g. general body of rules and principles. 3. Case Law, e.g. use of judges decisions in evolving interpretation of examples 1 & 2 above. 4. EU Law, e.g. European Directives introduced to ensure harmonisation in each EU State.
What are the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999?
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers and the self-employed to carry out a risk assessment. Employers with five or more employees need to record the significant findings. They must then make arrangements for implementing the H&S measures identified as necessary by the RA such as:
• appoint competent people to help implementation;
• set up emergency procedures;
• provide clear information and training to employees;
• co-operate, and work together, with other employers sharing the same workplace;
• display Health and Safety law posters.
It also formally established the principles of prevention. These are often simplified to ERICPD: eliminate, reduce, isolate, control, protection and discipline.
What are the Manual Handling Operations Regulations?
The Regulations (last amended in 2002) apply to a wide range of manual handling activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. The process is:
• avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable (e.g. use plant and equipment);
• assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided; and
• reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable (e.g. provide training, limit maximum loads).
There is no maximum weight limit. This must be assessed for each situation based on a persons strength, fitness, underlying medical conditions, the weight to be lifted, the distance to be carried and the nature of the load.
What are the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations?
The Regulations (last updated in 1992) require that PPE should be used as a last resort. Wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, PPE to be supplied. They also require that PPE is:
• properly assessed before use to make sure it is fit for purpose;
• maintained and stored properly;
• provided with instructions on how to use it safely;
• used correctly by employees.
What are the principles of prevention?
- Avoiding the risk.
- Evaluating the unavoidable risks.
- Combating the risks at source.
- Adapting the work to the person.
- Adapting to technical progress.
- Substitution.
- Development of an overall prevention policy.
- Collective protection measures.
- Instructions to workers.
The acronym ERICPD is often used as a simplification of the above. ERICPD stands for eliminate, reduce, isolate, control, protect and discipline. ERIC PD is also known as the general hierarchy of risk controls.
What are the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998?
The Regulations (introduced in 1998) apply to all equipment including mobile, non-electric and lifting. For example: tool box tools, mechanised plant, lifting equipment and ladders. The main requirements are:
• Equipment must be suitable for purpose, maintained, and regularly inspected (when first installed, prior to use, and when anything has occurred to alter the equipment or its use) by competent person;
• Risks are to be eliminated by “Hardware” (guards etc.) and/or “Software” (safety systems);
• Emergency stops systems need to be in place;
• Employees must have sufficient safety information, instruction and training to use the equipment;
• Suitable and sufficient lighting must be provided when using equipment.
What are the responsibilities of an Employer under the HASAW Act?
“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.” Specific requirements are:
• The provision and maintenance of safe plant and safe systems of work.
• The provision of information, instruction, training and supervision.
• The maintenance of a safe place of work and provision and maintenance of a safe means of access to, and egress from it.
• Adequate facilities and arrangements in respect of employee’s welfare at work.
• Consult employees.
• Have a safety policy
• Not charge for equipment
What are the responsibilities of Designers, Suppliers and Manufacturers under the HASAW Act?
Designers, Suppliers and Manufacturers must ensure that:
• articles and substances are designed and constructed so that they are safe and without risk to health when they are being prepared for use, used, cleaned and maintained.
• articles and substances are tested where it is necessary to ensure that the article will be safe.
• users are provided with adequate information about the use for which the articles or substances has been designed and any conditions that may be necessary when it is used.
• where the information is revised, it is supplied to the user.
What are the responsibilities of Employees under the HASAW Act?
Employees have clear responsibilities, as follows:
1. "To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work." 2. "To cooperate with their employer so far as it is necessary to enable the duty or requirement of the employer to be performed, or complied with."
What are the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations, and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations?
- In workplaces where the employer recognises trade unions and trade unions are recognised for collective bargaining purposes, the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (as amended) apply.
- In workplaces where employees are not in a trade union and/or the employer does not recognise the trade union, or the trade union does not represent those employees not in the trade union, the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (as amended) apply.
What are the system safety principles?
- Design to minimise
- Incorporate safety devices
- Incorporate warning devices
- Develop procedures and training
What are the Working at Height Regulations?
The Working at Height Regulations (latest revision is 2005) mandates:
• Strength and stability calculations are required for scaffolds unless built to a standards configuration (I.e. product data sheets or TG20).
• All work at height must account for weather conditions.
• Competence of and training for those who engage in any activity (including organisation, planning and supervision) relating to work at height. I.e. also covers the inspection of work equipment for work at height.
• The implementation of the 8 level hierarchy of control.
‘Working at height’ means working in a place where a person could be injured by falling, even if it is at or below ground level.
What are the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations?
The Regulations (introduced in 1992) cover the following requirements:
1) Health
• Ventilation
• Indoor temperatures (min 16 degrees or 13 if manual handling is involved)
• Specific requirements for hot and cold working
• Lighting (including automatic emergency lighting)
• Cleanliness and waste removal
• Room size (minimum 11m3 per person, using 3 as a maximum for ceiling height)
2) Safety
• Maintenance
• Floor and traffic routes must be sufficient for circulation
• Falls into dangerous substances
• Transparent or translucent objects must be made of safety material where they pose a risk
• Windows (must be safe to open and close, and safe when open)
3) Welfare
• Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
• Drinking water
• Accommodation for clothing and facilities for changing
• Facilities for rest and to eat meals
What do the Working Time Regulations state?
The minimum amount of rest between any two shifts shall be 11 hours. As determined by the Supplier, the consecutive days that may be worked before a rest period when working on, over or adjacent to the railway shall be either:
1) six consecutive days, followed by a rest period of not less than 24 hours 2) 12 consecutive days, followed by two consecutive rest days, each of which is not less than 24 hours 3) within any 14 day period, two rest periods, each of which is not less than 24 hours.
Adherence to the Working Time Regulations does not manage the risk of fatigue and suppliers shall implement controls to reduce, so far as is reasonably practicable, risks arising from employee fatigue. The control of risk from fatigue is needed even if there is no shift work, significant overtime or safety critical work being undertaken. In considering the risk of fatigue, suppliers shall include but not limit their controls to:
1) the longest shift in any roster shall be 12 hours. When working nightshifts, consideration to reducing the shift length shall be given due to the increased risk of fatigue 2) the door to door time (combined travel time and work time) shall not be planned to exceed 14 hours.
Special consideration shall be given to first night shifts due to the change in work/sleep patterns. Suppliers shall have suitable systems in place to demonstrate how they manage risks associated with fatigue, which shall include the use of suitable fatigue assessment methods to assess proposed work patterns and actual hours worked.
What does RIDDOR stand for? When is a RIDDOR reportable? When is a RIDDOR recordable?
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
• RIDDORs are immediately reportable for a variety of specified injuries (fractures, amputations, loss of sight…), diseases and dangerous occurrences (
collapse/overturning of lifting equipment; contact with overhead power lines; release of asubstance which could cause injury)
, as well as work related deaths that aren’t the result of suicide. RIDDORs are also reportable if someone is off work for 7 days or more (not including the day of the accident) for a non-specifed injury. A report must be received within 10 days of the incident or within 15 days for accidents resulting in the over seven-day incapacitation of a worker.
• RIDDORs are recordable is someone is off for 3 days or more.
What does the TfL HS&W Policy state?
The Policy is a one page outline of TfL’s commitment to HS&W, signed by the Commissioner and MDs. It states the vision of “everyone home safe and healthy every day”. It also includes:
• a commitment to put in place processes and rules for normal and emergency situations.
• a commitment to have yearly improvement plans.
• a commitment to ALARP.
• a commitment to train and develop staff.
What is a confined space?
Any place in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable ‘specified risk’. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of confined spaces. Some places may become confined spaces when work is carried out, or during their construction, fabrication or subsequent modification. ‘Specified risks’ include:
• Serious injury from fire or explosion;
• Loss of consciousness from increase in body temperature;
• Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from gas/fume/vapour/lack of oxygen;
• Drowning;
• The inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid;
What is a CSCS test? Discuss what it aims to achieve.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme ensures that workers have knowledge of health and safety. It aims to create a minimum requirement for knowledge to be able to work on site, in order to reduce hazards and risks.
What is a Section 61 agreement?
Forms part of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Is when a construction or demolition firm applies to the local authority for consent to carry out works, which are likely to have a significant impact on the neighbourhood due to its generation of noise and vibration.
A section 61 application outlines the works which are planned to take place, the working hours of the site and a plan to mitigate potential noise and vibration impact by best practical means.
1. An applications is sent to the local authority. It must include works to be done and the proposed methods of minimising noise produced by the works, as well as the anticipated noise levels. 2. The local authority has 28 days to accept/reject. They can add any condition and limit the consent. 3. Applicant can then appeal to magistrates court if they disagree (within 21 days) with the terms or the rejection.
What is AFR? What is LTIFR? What is TfL’s AFR and LTIFR?
Accident Frequency Rate and Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate. Lost time injuries include all on-the-job injuries that require a person to stay away from work more than 24 hours, or which result in death or permanent disability.
• AFR = (RIDDOR accidents per year/number employed x 100,000. TfL’s was is 0.15 (Construction industry generally is 0.22)
• LTIFR = (lost time injuries/total employee hours worked) x 100,000 (sometimes companies multiply a million). TfL’s is 0.28
What is As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable (SFAIRP)?
For a risk to be ALARP it must be possible to demonstrate that the cost involved in reducing the risk further would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit gained. The ALARP principle arises from the fact that infinite time, effort and money could be spent on the attempt of reducing a risk to zero. It should not be understood as simply a quantitative measure of benefit against detriment. It is more a best common practice of judgement of the balance of risk and societal benefit. In Sep 2018 figure is for the value of a prevented fatality is £1,897,129. This stems from the £1m value assigned in 2001. Note that LU multiplies this number by 3 for calculations. So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable (SFAIRP) is essentially the same thing, and is the term used in the Health & Safety at Work Act.
What is classed as working at height?
Working at height’ means working in a place where a person could be injured by falling, even if it is at or below ground level. Note: most fatal falls are from heights of 4m or less
What is Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) in support of ALARP/SFAIRP?
In a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), all costs and benefits are expressed in a common currency, usually money, so that a comparison can be made between different options. It is a defined methodology for valuing costs and benefits that enables broad comparisons to be made between health and safety risk reduction measures on a consistent basis, giving a measure of transparency to the decision making process. A CBA cannot form the sole argument of an ALARP decision nor can it be used to undermine existing standards and good practice.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria, which can be found in the urine of infected animals such as rats and mice. Signs and symptoms can range from headaches, muscle pains, and fevers to bleeding from the lungs or meningitis. It is often initially mistaken for a fever but can be fatal.
What is Root Cause Analysis?
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems. A factor is considered a root cause if removal thereof from the problem-fault-sequence prevents the final undesirable outcome from recurring; whereas a causal factor is one that affects an event’s outcome, but is not a root cause. Though removing a causal factor can benefit an outcome, it does not prevent its recurrence with certainty. Essentially it is a four step process:
?1) Define and describe properly the event or problem (e.g. via the ‘five whys’ technique).
?2) Establish a timeline from normal situation until the final crisis or failure.
?3) Distinguish between root causes and causal factor.
?4) Assess solutions to prevent reoccurrence.
RCA can also be used pre-emptively as an effective method of mitigating faults or problems.
What is the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act?
The Act (introduce in 2007) means companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of a duty of care. Whilst prosecutions are of the organisation as a whole, directors etc. can be liable. The associated HSE guidance states the following as essential principles:
1. Strong and active leadership from the top:
• visible, active commitment from the board;
• establishing effective ‘downward’ communication systems and management structures;
• integration of good health and safety management with business decisions.
2. Worker involvement:
• engaging the workforce in the promotion and achievement of safe and healthy conditions;
• effective ‘upward’ communication;
• providing high-quality training.
3. Continuous assessment and review:
• identifying and managing health and safety risks;
• accessing (and following) competent advice;
• monitoring, reporting and reviewing performance.
What is the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act?
The Act (introduced in 1969) require employers to take out insurance against accidents and ill health to their employees.
