Element 1 Flashcards
Identify the 2 standards used to outline good practice with regard to basic welfare within workplaces?
- Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007.
Identify the MINIMUM welfare standards?
- Drinking Water
- Sanitary Conveniences
- Changing Rooms
- Washing Facilities
- Accommodation for Clothing
- Resting and Eating Facilities
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Drinking Water”?
It must be Wholesome or non-potable. However, if the 2 types are present, then they must be clearly labelled.
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Sanitary Conveniences”?
- There must be a sufficient number.
- Separate facilities for men and women.
- Protected from the weather.
- Clean.
- Lit.
- Ventilated.
- Provision for disabled use.
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Changing Rooms”?
- Lit.
- Clean.
- Ventilated.
- Separate facilities for men & women.
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Washing Facilities”?
- Hot & Cold (or warm) running water.
- Soap.
- Towels (or other means of drying).
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Accommodation for Clothing”?
- Lockers so that personal clothing can be kept clean & secure.
- Separate storage for dirty work clothing to prevent cross contamination.
With regard to minimum Welfare standards, explain “Resting and Eating Facilities”?
- Sufficient seating.
- Away from hazardous work areas.
- Removal of PPE.
- Hygienic environment.
- Able to make own Hot drinks & food.
- Separate facilities for New or Expectant Mothers.
What are the basic workplace environment standards for indoor workplaces?
- Space - Adequate to allow task to be performed safely.
- Seating - Appropriate, stable, back rest & foot rest if appropriate.
- Ventilation - Sufficient supply of purified air.
- Heating - Reasonable: Minimum indoor temperature for Sedentary work is 16 degrees C, and for Manual work is 13 degrees C.
- Lighting - Adequate.
- Noise - Controls to reduce excessive noise.
Outline some factors to consider when providing workplace lighting?
- Minimum light (lux) levels should be achieved.
- Natural light is preferred.
- Light levels adjusted to suit the detail of the task.
- Local lighting (spotlights) positioned to conduct critical work activity.
- Arranged to avoid reflections or glare.
- Arranged to avoid shadows, which may create risk.
- Flickering should be avoided to prevent nuisance.
- Suitable for the environment (i.e. Intrinsically Safe areas).
- Emergency lighting in the event of a mains failure.
Identify Health & Safety effects of working in a Hot environment?
Dehydration. Muscle Cramps. Heat Stress. Heat Exhaustion. Heat Stroke. Other Effects - Burns, Cancer, etc.
Identify Health & Safety effects of working in a Cold environment?
Hypothermia.
Frostbite.
Slip Hazards.
Freeze Burn Injuries.
Outline some control measures that can be used in a HOT environment?
- Provide good ventilation - moving air has a cooling effect.
- Insulate heat sources - lag hot pipes.
- Shield heat sources - prevent contact burns.
- Provide cool refuges - workers can escape heat.
- Provide easy access to drinking water or isotonic drinks.
- Provide frequent breaks or job rotation.
- Provide appropriate clothing.
Outline some control measures that can be used in a COLD environment?
- Prevent or protect workers from draughts.
- Shield/lag extremely cold surfaces.
- Provide warm refuges.
- Provide PPE - insulated jackets, balaclavas, etc.
- Provide frequent breaks and job rotation.
- Provide easy access to hot food and drink.
- Scrape, salt or grit icy floors.
What can poor STACKING of materials lead to?
- Hinderance or prevention of a safe environment.
- Blockage of light.
- Blockage to essential services (Fire equipment).
- Danger of collapse/toppling over.
Outline factors to consider when storing materials?
- Storage areas are clearly defined.
- Separate areas for different items.
- Certain materials/substances should be segregated during storage (gas bottles).
- Areas kept clean and tidy. Regularly inspected.
- Appropriate warning signs where necessary.
- Storage areas should not be used for work activity.
Outline factors to considers when stacking materials?
- Each stack should be for one material only, not mixed.
- A maximum stack height must be set (dependent on strength & stability of the material).
- Stack should be vertical, not leaning.
- Pallets should be used to keep material off of the ground.
- Sufficient space between stacks, to allow for safe movement.
- Stacks protected from being struck by vehicles.
Outline factors to consider when storing flammable materials?
- Should be kept in separate stores.
- External, open-air stores should be away from buildings.
- Internal stores should be constructed of fire-resistant materials.
- Stores containing large quantities of flammables, should have at least 2 exits as a means of escape.
- Doors and gates should be locked when not in use.
- Stores should have suitable warning/safety signs.
- Hot works should NOT be carried out clues to storage areas.
- Electrical equipment installed/used in storage areas needs to fe of correct rating.
- Fire-fighting equipment should be provided.
- Stores should be inspected regularly for correct use and housekeeping.
Define “Work-Related Violence”?
Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work.
Give some factors which associated with violence in the work place?
- Work that involves the handling of cash.
- Work that involves working alone and dealing with members of the public.
- Workers representing authority (Police, Traffic Wardens, etc).
- Uniforms (symbols of authority).
- Workers who are dealing with people under stress.
- Workers who are dealing with people under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Workers who have to say “No” (bar staff).
Identify some occupations which are more at risk of violence in the workplace?
- Prison Officers.
- A & E staff.
- Police.
- Traffic Wardens.
- Social Workers.
- Bus/Taxi Drivers.
- Fire Fighters/Paramedics.
- Railway Staff.
- Estate Agents.
List some Control Measures to prevent violence at a “Central Office” work location?
- Zero tolerance policy and prosecution for offenders (signs showing the fact).
- Security staff.
- CCTV cameras.
- Security doors between staff and public areas.
- Minimising queues and waiting times.
- Clear announcements about waiting times.
- Training for staff (diffusing a situation….providing a good quality service).
- Screens between staff and the public.
- Panic alarms.
- A pleasant environment.
List some Control Measures to prevent violence with regard to a worker making a “home visit”?
- No lone working or no lone working in high risk areas.
- Keep records of past incidents and vet customers.
- Visit-logging with Supervisor.
- Pre and Post visit telephone calls with Supervisor.
- Training for staff in “Break away techniques” and “Lone working”.
- Always have a means of communication.
- No visits after dark.
- Park in secure areas.
- Do not carry cash or valuables.
Identify types of substances that may be misused at work?
- Alcohol.
- Legal or illegal drugs.
- Solvents.
What effects may alcohol and/or drug misuse have on a workplace?
- Late attendance.
- Increased absenteeism.
- Reduction in quality of work.
- Reduction in work rate.
- Dishonesty.
- Theft.
- Irritability and mood swings.
- Deterioration in working relationships.
What Control Measures could employers adopt in order to reduce the risks of substance misuse at work?
A clear drug and alcohol policy which could include:
- Restriction of alcohol in the workplace.
- Statutory legal requirements prohibiting workers from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- Non statutory requirements of the above, sort by the employer.
- Arrangements for random drug and alcohol testing.
- Arrangements for workers to have access to rehabilitation and treatment programmes.
- Disciplinary procedures for workers who refuse or fail a test or refuse assistance.
- Provision of information, instruction, training and supervision.
Identify types of accidents that hazards cause?
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Falls from height.
- Collisions with moving vehicles.
- Being struck by moving, flying or falling objects.
- Striking against fixed or stationary objects.
- Maintenance activities.
Outline typical slip hazards?
- Smooth floor surfaces (eg. polished marble, wet because of spills).
- Contamination of a floor (eg. Leaves or fat).
- Frost and ice.
Outline typical trip hazards?
- Uneven or loose floor surfaces.
- Trailing cables.
- Objects on the floor.
Outline typical “Fall from height” hazards?
- Working next to an unprotected edge.
- Working on a fragile material above a drop.
- Using access equipment (MEWPS or Cherry Picker).
- Using ladders.
- Standing on objects to reach high levels.
Outline some typical “Collision with moving vehicle” hazards?
- Pedestrian walkways that require walking on vehicle traffic routes.
- Pedestrian crossing points.
- Exits that open onto vehicle traffic routes.
- Areas where people walk adjacent to moving vehicles.
Outline some typical “Being struck by moving, flying or falling objects” hazards?
- Ejected parts (eg. metal waste during drilling).
- Thrown objects (eg. scaffold coupling).
- Loads falling from height (eg. from forklifts).
- Objects dislodged from roofs when being worked on (eg. Slates or tiles).
- As above, but due to adverse weather conditions.
- Toppling of unstable objects (eg. Unsecured ladder or poor stacking).
Outline some typical “Striking against fixed or stationary objects” hazards?
- Objects that project/protrude into a pedestrian area/route.
- Narrow doorways in a pedestrian route.
- Low overheads (eg. Pipe work).
What is the basic Health & Safety management principle with regard to hazards and risk?
- Eliminate the hazard.
- Create a safe place.
- Create a safe person.
Identify some factors that could be considered when developing a plan for the safe movement of pedestrians around the workplace?
- Have a vehicle free workplace.
- Slip resistant surfaces.
- Spillage control and drainage.
- Designated walkways.
- Fencing and guard rails.
- Use of signs and PPE.
- Information, instruction, training and supervision.
What factors may influence the kind of slip resistant floor that is required in the workplace?
- The number of people who walk on the floor.
- The footwear of those people.
- The wear and tear of the surface (eg. Will vehicle traffic use it as well).
- Foreseeable spills and contamination on the floor.
- Environmental conditions (eg. Weather, temperature, sunlight).
How is spill control best achieved?
By preventing the spill from happening in the first place:
- Maintenance and inspections.
- Behavioural controls (eg. Banning drinks in certain areas).
Explain why walkways might be used?
- Pedestrians will stay in designated areas.
- Vehicles or other hazards do not stray into pedestrian areas.
How might walkways be designated/shown?
- Guard rails (direct physical protection).
- Kerbs and pavements.
- Markings on the floor.
Explain why fencing or guard rails might be used?
- Designates an area and gives protection to pedestrian walkways.
- Protects an edge where pedestrians might fall.
- Perimeter fencing prevents unauthorised access to construction sites.
- Prevents access to dangerous machinery or areas.
- Prevents access to temporary hazards (eg. Potholes).
Identify the 5 types of signs?
- Mandatory.
- Fire/emergency.
- Prohibition.
- Warning.
- Safe conditions.
Give some considerations when maintaining a safe workplace?
- Floors and walkways cleaned regularly and kept free of contamination.
- Spills cleaned up quickly and safely.
- Housekeeping routines established, to ensure pedestrian routes are free from trip hazards and obstructions.
- Floors and walkways inspected and repaired.
- Guard rails and fencing inspected and repaired as necessary.
- Access/egress routes regularly inspected, cleaned and repaired.
- Emergency exit routes kept free of slip/trip hazards and obstructions at all times.
- Lighting is routinely inspected and repaired.
- Noise levels kept to a minimum.
Define “Work at height”?
Work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.
Identify the groups of people who could be exposed to working at height?
- Steel Workers.
- Scaffolders.
- Roofers.
- Demolition Workers.
- Welders.
- Pipe Fitters.
- Painters.
Identify the main risks associated with working at height?
- The worker falling from height.
- An object falling onto people below.
What could be the results from a fall from height?
- Death.
- Neck or spinal injury leading to permanent paralysis.
- Brain damage.
- Multiple broken bones.
Outline the simple hierarchy when managing working at height?
- Avoid working at height.
- Prevent falls.
- Minimise the distance and consequences of falls.
Identify the 2 types of roof that present the particular dangers when working at height?
- Fragile roofs.
- Sloping (pitched) roofs.
Identify the basic hazards of Work at Height?
- Roofs.
- Deterioration of materials.
- Unprotected edges.
- Unstable or poor maintained access equipment.
- Weather.
- Falling materials.
Identify the factors to consider when implementing control measures for work at height?
- Nature and duration of task.
- Level of competence.
- Training that needs to be provided.
- Planning and level of supervision required.
- Means of access/egress.
- Suitability and maintenance of equipment.
- Use of working platforms, guard rails and toe boards.
- PPE (harness, helmet).
- Is a fall arrest system/netting required.
- Weather conditions.
- Health of individual.
- Compliance with regulations.
Identify methods of stopping falls of materials?
- Physical safeguards (toe boards or brick boards).
- Debris netting or fans (wooden shielding angled to catch debris).
- Covered walkways.
Give the key characteristics of any guard rail?
- Should fully enclose all of the exposed unprotected edge.
- Robust enough: will not bend or distort when fallen against.
- Securely fixed: will withstand any foreseeable impact.
- High enough to prevent a person toppling over it.
- No excessively large gaps where a person could fall through.
Outline the key safety characteristics of work platforms on a scaffold?
- Sufficiently large enough to allow safe use.
- Capable of bearing the loads imposed upon them.
- Fully boarded to prevent gaps that could present tripping hazards or allow materials or people to fall through.
When minimising distance and consequences of a fall, outline the 2 forms of fall arrest?
- Collective protection systems: safety nets or air bags.
- Personal protective systems: harnesses.
Give examples of access equipment?
- Ladders.
- Step ladders.
- Trestles and staging platforms.
- Independent tied scaffolds.
- Mobile tower scaffolds.
- Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPS).
Identify the hazards associated with the use of ladders?
- Falls from height.
- Objects falling from height.
- Contact with live overhead cables.
Outline the safety precautions for use of ladders?
- Not siting or handling near live overheads.
- Site on solid ground.
- Angle should be ideally 75 degrees (1:4)…..1 out, 4 up.
- Top of ladder rusting against a solid support.
- Ideally, top of ladder secured.
- Guy ropes attached and secured to firm supports.
- Buddy buddy system (person at bottom, holding ladder).
- Top of ladder extending above top surface (5 rungs).
- Only one person climbing at a time.
- No carrying when climbing.
- Wooden ladders must not be painted.
Outline the safety precautions for the use of step ladders?
- Carry out a daily check.
- Ensure ladder is fully open.
- Ensure locking devices are in place.
- Only use on firm, level ground.
- Do not work from the top two steps, unless there is a safe handhold on the steps.
- Avoid over reaching.
- Avoid side-on working.
With regard to trestles and staging platforms, what do the HSE in the UK recommend?
- They should be big enough to allow safe passage and safe use of equipment and materials.
- Free from trip hazards or gaps through which persons or materials could fall.
- Fitted with toe boards and handrails.
- Kept clean and tidy.
- Not loaded in a way to risk collapse or deformation that could affect it’s safe use.
- Erected on firm, level ground.
Identify the basic components of scaffolding?
- Standards.
- Ledgers.
- Transoms.
- Bracing.
- Base plates.
- Sole boards.
- Work platform.
- Guard rails.
- Toe boards.
Outline the factors that might cause the collapse of an independent tied scaffold?
- Overloaded work platform.
- Scaffold built on soft ground without the use of adequate sole boards.
- Scaffold not tied adequately to building.
- Insufficient bracing incorporated into the scaffold.
- Standards not upright.
- Standards bent, buckled or heavily corroded.
- High winds.
- Incorrect couplers used to join tubes together.
- Scaffold struck by mobile plant.
- Scaffold erected by incompetent workers.
- Scaffold not inspected prior to use.
How might a scaffold be tied to a building in order to prevent movement?
- Anchor bolts.
- Through ties.
- Reveal ties.
- Rakers
- Bracing.
Identify the key hazards associated with the use of scaffolds?
- Falls from the work platform.
- Objects falling from the platform.
- Collapse of the structure.
Identify the main hazards associated with mobile tower scaffolds?
- Falls from work platform.
- Objects falling from work platform.
- Collapse of structure.
- Overturn (toppling) of structure.
- Unintended movement of wheels.
- Contact with live overheads.
Outline some safety precautions for the use of mobile tower scaffolds?
- Guard rail fitted to the work platform.
- Tower must not be overloaded.
- Wheels should be locked when tower is in use.
- Tower sited on firm, level ground.
- People and materials should not remain on tower when it is moved.
- Care taken to avoid overheads.
- Outriggers used where necessary to ensure stability.
- People should climb on outside of tower.
- Tower must be built by trained workers.
What does MEWPs stand for?
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms.
Identify 3 types of MEWP?
- Telescopic.
- Scissor lift.
- Articulated.
Outline some safety precautions for use of MEWPS?
- Sited on firm, stable ground.
- Sufficient clearance from obstructions and overheads when operating.
- Barriers around the MEWP to prevent being struck by vehicles or mobile plant.
- Barriers act to keep people out from underneath cradle.
- Guard rails incorporated into the cradle and safety harness worn as a back up.
- Controls of MEWP located inside the cradle.
- Not to be driven when cradle is raised.
- Must not be overloaded.
- Inspected as an item of lifting equipment designed to carry people.
- Use restricted to trained, authorised staff.
Outline when scaffolds should be inspected?
- When they are first erected.
- After substantial alteration.
- After any event that may affect their stability (struck by vehicle or high winds).
- Periodically (weekly).
When inspecting a scaffold, what are you typically looking for?
- Condition of tubes (especially standards).
- Tying and bracing.
- Condition of the work platform.
- Edge protection.
- Ground conditions.
- Safe access.
- Safe working load.
Identify examples of machinery and vehicles which could provide hazards relating to temporary works?
- Cement mixers.
- Fork lift trucks.
- Dumper trucks.
Outline the controls that management should ensure when using equipment/machinery/plant?
- Equipment is suitable for the task and environment.
- Use is restricted to competent operators.
- Information, instruction, training and supervision is provided.
- Equipment is inspected and maintained in a safe condition.
- Appropriate guards and devices are fitted and used.
- Appropriate PPE is worn at all times.
Identify some cement mixer hazards?
- 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, therefore potential exposure to vapours and exhaust fumes/gases.
- Noise and vibration.
- Overturning whilst in use.
Identify some fork lift truck hazards?
- Collision with structures and pedestrians.
- Poor visibility, especially when reversing.
- Noise and vibration.
- Overturning.
Identify some dumper truck hazards?
- Collision with structures and pedestrians.
- Overturning on slopes and edges of excavations.
- Poor maintenance.
- Unauthorised use.
Outline some controls that management should implement in order to ensure safe use of vehicles?
- The site is carefully designed with regard to movement of personnel and vehicles.
- Designated walkways, with appropriate lighting, markings, barriers, signage.
- Designated vehicle routes containing all of the above.
- Vehicles are suitable for their intended use and are maintained in a safe working order.
- Drivers are qualified, medically fit, and given appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Define a “Banksman”
A person who gives directions to a driver or operator, who for some reason cannot fully see what they are in control of.
E.g. A Banksman might direct a crane operator during a lifting operation.
Identify types of unauthorised visitors to building sites?
- Members of the public taking short cuts.
- A public right of way.
- Thieves.
- Children drawn by curiosity.
Outline some possible options to secure a site against unauthorised access?
- Robust perimeter fence and signs.
- Secure gates to all site access points.
- Security staff.
- Good lighting on site and around perimeter.
- CCTV cameras and/or site alarm.
- Secure all portable equipment in locked storage.
- Remove all ladders from scaffolds.
- Secure all chemicals in locked storage.
- Secure all mobile plant.
- Cover or barrier off excavations.
- Liaise with local schools and promote safe behaviour.
Give 2 main ways in which electrical shock accidents can occur?
- Proximity to live overhead power lines.
- Contact with buried services.
Explain how accidents associated with proximity to live overhead power cables can be prevented?
- Isolating power supply when working in vicinity of power lines.
- Using Safe Systems of Work and permit systems to control access to danger areas.
- If power cannot be isolated, try to sleeve low voltage power lines.
- Use barriers, signage and goal posts to keep plant and vehicles a safe distance away.
- Use Banksman when plant is manoeuvring near power lines.
- Use non conducting equipment (e.g. fibre glass ladders).
Define “Demolition”?
Demolition involves knocking down buildings to clear ground, dismantling parts of structures or the removal of walls.
Identify some typical demolition hazards?
- Premature collapse of structures.
- Work at height.
- Plant and machinery.
- Contact with live overhead cables.
- Contact with buried services.
- Asbestos.
- Dust.
- Movement of vehicles.
- Explosives.
- Noise and vibration.
- Hazardous substances.
- Biological hazards from vermin or stagnant water.
- Sharp objects (glass, nails, syringes, etc).
- Manual handling.
Give some typical safety control measures for demolition?
- Careful assessment of demolition method (keep workers away from the immediate area).
- Elimination or control of work at height.
- Structural surveys to assess strength and stability of structures.
- Propping or supporting might be necessary.
- Assess strength of floors (do they support plant and machinery).
- Disconnect services (electricity, gas, water).
- Removal and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Securing of the site (fencing/hoarding to create a buffer zone and exclude unauthorised access).
- Damping down with water spray to reduce dust.
Identify some hazards associated with excavations?
- Collapse.
- Striking of buried services.
- People falling in.
- Objects falling in (vehicles, spoil, adjacent structures).
- Flooding.
- Hazardous substances.
- Collapse of adjacent structure.
Outline methods of preventing an excavation from collapsing?
- Battering: Sides of excavation can be sloped back.
- Shoring: Sides of excavation can be supported.
- Trench Box: Sides of excavation can be temporarily supported by a metal box.
When trying to prevent an excavation from collapsing, outline some factors that will determine what method is used?
- Type of Substrate that is being excavated into.
- Length of time excavation will be open for.
- Type of work to be carried out.
- Groundwater conditions and potential for flooding.
- Depth of excavation.
- Number of people in the excavation.
List some methods of preventing people from falling into excavations?
- Barriers and guard rails.
- Good lighting.
- Crossing points/bridges.
- Access via properly positioned and secured ladders.
- Ladders extending 5 rungs above the surface.
List some methods of preventing objects, material and vehicles from falling into excavations?
- Spoil heaps positioned a safe distance away from the sides.
- Vehicles prevented from getting near, by use of barriers and signs.
- Vehicle movement near excavations minimised, due to vibration causing debris and loosening of sides of excavation.
- Workers in excavations must wear hard hats.
Explain how we can help prevent the striking of buried services?
- Use of SSW.
- Plans of area can be obtained.
- Buried services uncovered by carefully digging by hand.
Outline the inspection requirements with regard to excavations?
- Inspected by a competent person.
- Before the start of every shift.
- After any accidental fall of material.
- After any event likely to affect strength and stability.
- Records of inspections must be kept on site.
- Remedial work must be undertaken as soon as possible to repair any defects noted.
