Element 5: Check / Act

Question 1

Explain the difference between active and reactive monitoring

Answer 1

Active (or proactive) monitoring measures progress towards meeting the health and safety aims and objectives of the organisation.

Reactive monitoring identifies failures within the system.

Question 2

Give 4 reasons for measuring performance

Answer 2

1. To ensure risks are being managed effectively.
2. To meet the legal obligations of the employer.
3. To ensure control measures are working well and being used.
4. To establish how well the organisation is meeting its objectives.

Question 3

Identify 4 types of active and reactive monitoring methods within the workplace

Answer 3

Active monitoring

1. Inspections
2. Audits
3. Safety tours
4. Safety sampling

Reactive monitoring

1. Injury Accidents
2. Near misses
3. Property damage accidents
4. Cases of ill health

Question 4

Identify 4 different types of inspection that may be carried out in the workplace

Answer 4

1. General inspection of the workplace
2. Statutory inspection e.g. lifting equipment under LOLER
3. Compliance inspection to ensure legal standards are being met
4. Commissioning of new plant or processes

Question 5

Identify the factors to consider when deciding the competence of a person to carry out workplace inspections

Answer 5

1. Knowledge of inspection technique
2. Familiarity of the area or process and associated hazards
3. Knowledge of acceptable standards
4. Good communication skills Experience of carrying out inspections

Question 6

Identify 4 strengths and 4 weaknesses associates with the use of inspection checklists

Answer 6

Strengths

To allow for prior preparation
Consistency
Immediate record of findings
Easier for inspector (ensures nothing gets missed)

Weaknesses

Lack of comments or justification for findings Limits the views of the inspector to what’s on the checklist
Items not on list may be missed
Cost for preparation of checklist and printing

Question 7

Identify the steps necessary to plan for, and carry out, a safety audit

Answer 7

• Set the objectives of the audit Select the audit team
• Make contact with auditees prior to the audit
• Gather the information
• Draw conclusions
• Complete report and present findings.

Question 8

Identify the advantages of internal and external audits

Answer 8

Advantages of internal audits

• More cost effective than external audits.
• Local knowledge of people and processes
• Knowledge of specific industry
• Quicker and easier to prepare and perform than external audits

Advantages of external audits

* They may be more impartial than internal auditors * They may be more skilled and have greater experience in carrying out audits.  * They may have a wider experience of different organisations and processes.  * They may have more knowledge and understanding of standards and legislation.

Question 9

Investigating incidents Define ‘accident’

Answer 9

An unwanted, unplanned event that results in loss.

Question 10

Define ‘near miss’/’incident’

Answer 10

An unwanted, unplanned event that could have resulted in loss.

Question 11

Identify 6 reasons for carrying out accident investigations

Answer 11

1. Identify weaknesses in management systems
2. To identify failures and causes in order to prevent recurrence.
3. Identify trends to develop statistical information
4. Legal requirement (to defend a claim)
5. To identify training needs
6. To help identify costs of accidents and incidents

Question 12

Identify the basic accident investigation procedure

Answer 12

Gather information relating to the accident
Order and analyse the information that has been gathered to identify causes
Identify direct and root causes
Make recommendations
Produce action plan

Question 13

Identify who might be involved in an accident investigation at a workplace

Answer 13

Supervisors or line managers from department where accident occurred
A senior manager with authority to take action (often from another department)
Health and Safety professionals
Specialists e.g. engineers, chemists etc.
Safety representative or RoES Employee(s) experienced in the work activity

Question 14

Identify 6 documents which might provide useful evidence to an accident investigator

Answer 14

1. Operating procedure and working arrangements
2. Risk assessment
3. Accident book / record of accident
4. Accident investigation report
5. Training records and competency checks
6. Photographs, sketches and witness statements

Question 15

Explain the difference between the direct/immediate causes and the root/underlying causes of an accident

Answer 15

The direct/immediate causes of an accident are the unsafe acts and unsafe conditions that led directly to the accident. The root/underlying cause of an accident are the failures in management systems or procedures that led to the unsafe acts and conditions.

Question 16

Under RIDDOR, give 4 examples of a:

Answer 16

Major injury

1. Fractures other than to fingers, thumbs or toes
2. Amputations
3. Dislocation of major joints
4. Loss of sight (Temporary or permanent)

Dangerous occurrence

1. Collapse or failure of lifting equipment
2. Collapse of scaffolding over 5 metres
3. Unintentional collapse of masonry over 5 tonnes
4. Plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines

Reportable disease

1. Occupational dermatitis
2. Occupational asthma
3. Pneumoconiosis
4. Weil’s disease

Question 17

Outline 6 reasons why accidents may not be reported

Answer 17

1. Afraid of getting into trouble with the employer
2. Did not know it needed to be reported
3. Peer pressure
4. No arrangements available to report it
5. Staff did not know how to report it
6. Staff may not want to get involved – afraid of being considered a “snitch” by colleagues.

Question 18

Identify 3 ways of making a report under RIDDOR

Answer 18

1. By telephone 0845 3009923 (only fatalities / major injury after Sept 2011)
2. By internet www.riddor.gov.uk or email riddor@natbrit.com
3. By post: Incident Contact Centre Caerphilly Business Park Caerphilly CF83 3GG Using Forms F2508 or F2508A

Question 19

Identify the reporting requirements for deaths, major injuries and over 3 day injuries under RIDDOR

Answer 19

Deaths and major injuries are to be reported by the quickest means (normally telephone) followed up with a written report within 10 days. Over 7 day injuries must be reported within 15 days. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg453.htm

Review of health and safety performance Outline the purpose of reviewing health and safety performance. When something is reviewed it is for the purpose of considering whether an original decision is still valid or whether changes are needed.

Question 20

Identify the documents that are likely to be examined during a health and safety audit

Answer 20

• Company health and safety policy
• Risk assessments
• Safe systems of work / method statements or operating procedures
• Records of statutory inspections
• Accident and incident reports
• Emergency procedures
• Health surveillance records
• Records of safety inspections / safety tours / safety sampling
• Environmental monitoring/ Occupational hygiene monitoring records
• Training records
• Consultation arrangements
• Records of enforcement action
• Insurance documentation

Question 21

Outline the reasons why an organisation should monitor its health and safety performance.

Answer 21

• It is a legal requirement – HSWA and Management Regulations (Reg 5)
• To find out if legal requirements are being met
• For continuous improvement
• If it is not monitored then it cannot be managed
• To see what is working well and what needs attention
• To decide on the allocation of resources
• To see if the organisations aims and objectives are being met
• To control costs associated with poor performance
• To control the business risks associated with H&S liabilities

Question 22

Explain why it is important to involve managers in conducting safety tours.

Answer 22

• It provides Immediate information for managers and feedback for supervisors
• Give managers to opportunity to engage in two-way communication with employees about safety

Question 23

Explain the meaning of the term ‘health and safety audit’.

Answer 23

“The structured process of collecting independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action.” (HSG65, HSE, UK)

Question 24

Explain the differences between immediate and underlying causes of accidents.

Answer 24

• Immediate Cause – Obvious reason of an adverse event – There may be several causes
• Underlying Cause – Less obvious system or organisational reasons for an adverse event

Question 25

Explain why it is important for employees to report near misses.

Answer 25

Collecting near-miss reports helps create a culture that seeks to identify and control hazards, which will reduce risks and the potential for harm. Learning lessons from near misses can prevent costly accidents.