Element 1 Flashcards
What does the management and controlling of risk aim to do?
- Promote and maintain the mental, physical and social wellbeing of employees;
- Protect employees and others affected by an organisation’s activities from risks to their Health and Safety; and
- Establish a management framework to implement policies and achieve continual improvement in Health and Safety.
What is the definition of Safety?
Freedom from unacceptable risk of harm.
What is the definition of Health?
A state of complete physical, mental and social welllbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Name 6 different examples of Safety accidents.
1 - Falls from height: death, broken bones
2 - Slips, trips and falls: sprains, broken bones
3 - Struck by vehicles: death, crush injuries
4 - Struck by an object: crush injuries
5 - Electrical: burns, heart problems
6 - Crushed by a moving part of a machine: broken bones, amputation
Name 7 different examples of occupational ill health.
1 - Incorrect manual handling: back injuries
2 - Exposure to chemicals: cancers
3 - Repeated assembly work: repetitive strain injuries
4 - Exposure to glass or sand dust: silicosis
5 - Working with hand held tools: vibration white finger
6 - Exposure to asbestos dust / fibres: asbestosis
7 - Exposure to dusts or chemicals: asthma
Give 6 attributes of Safety
1 - Tends to affect individuals by contact with the hazard
2 - Often and obvious danger
3 - The results of an accident are immediate
4 - Foreseeable or known “loss”
5 - Knowledge since the early 1890s
6 - Hardware or safe place solutions are usually visible e.g. guarding, protection of electrics etc.
Give 6 attributes of Health
1 - Affects people by exposure to the hazard
2 - Often a “hidden” danger
3 - Ill-health builds up slowly
4 - “Loss” is often difficult to assess
5 - Understanding of some occupational health hazards lag behind, e.g. what triggers an allergic reaction to some substances
6 - Often rely on safe person solutions, e.g. PPE, SSOW etc.
What is the definition of Welfare?
Looking after peoples basic needs; toilets, washing facilities, changing facilities, supply of drinking water, rest facilities, first aid etc.
What are the internal pressures that could affect H&S?
1 - H&S vs other business priorities and objectives
2 - Safe behaviour vs cutting corners for speed
3 - The organisations culture vs peer group pressure
4 - Competing business units with seperate budgets, which fail to co-operate
What are the external pressures that could affect H&S?
1 - The expectations of society
2 - Legal requirements
3 - Client requirements for fast completion of a project
Name 7 business reasons for managing H&S
1 - Reduced loss through damage and injury
2 - Reduced absenteeism
3 - Reduced insurance premiums
4 - Improved morale
5 - Improved company reputation
6 - Reduced litigation/legal costs, fines, compensation payments
7 - Increased likelihood of securing future business
Name the 3 main arguments for managing H&S
1 - Moral
2 - Legal
3 - Financial
Expand on the Moral reasons for managing H&S
- Employees are prime assets to an organisation and Employers have a moral obligation to prevent suffering and loss of life
- Society expects good standards of H&S to be achieved in the workplace
- Accidents and ill-health affect morale and productivity
Expand on the Legal reasons for managing H&S
- UK H&S law sets minimum standards for organisations to meet in order to control risk.
- Requires active management - not just compliance
- H&S laws are “goal setting” - the employer must develop effective ways of meeting their responsibilities and targets
What are the two branches of law?
Criminal law and Civil Law
Give an explanation of Criminal Law
Where the minimum legal standards are not met, the enforcing authority may prosecute the offender in the criminal courts in order to establish guilt.
