H&S Flashcards
How would you define risk?
Risk is the potential for someone to be harmed. Increases as the severity, likelihood or number of people affected by the harm increases
What is meant by ‘reasonably practicable’?
Whether something is reasonably practicable takes into account the risk versus the cost of mitigating that risk (in terms of time, money or effort).
As a surveyor, how can you influence health and safety in the construction process?
- Comply with health and safety regulations
- Ensure contractors appointed have a proven health and safety record and suitable methodologies / risk assessments in respect of health and safety.
- Ensure co-ordination between contractors and sub-contractors
Is there any legislation / guidance you’re aware of in relation to asbestos?
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 - duties relating to management of asbestos
RICS 4th Ed Guidance Note Asbestos: legal requirements and best practice
HSG265 Asbestos: the survey guide
Approved Code of Practice (2nd ed) Managing & Working with Asbestos
How should asbestos risk be managed?
- Undertaking an asbestos survey & manage during normal use
- Asbestos survey prior to work commencing on the premises
- Management plan including training key staff on asbestos-awareness training or how to be safely removed
Where would you typically expect to find asbestos in a building?
- Flues
- Guttering & drainpipe
- Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) in ceiling tiles, walls
- Adhesive beneath floor tiles
- Loose fill insulation
What would you do if you were visiting a site?
- I would undertake a desktop risk assessment to identify any potential hazards or risks before attending site,
- ensure I had suitable PPE,
- inform my line manager and update my calendar so others were aware of my location,
- carry a fully charged phone to ensure I could contact others
- ensure I took a site induction to ensure I was familiar with the project specific safety requirements.
- Remain vigilant of any risks and alternative methods of surveying should it be deemed unsafe
- Ensure the site is left secure on leaving and inform occupier / manager who is present that you are leave
- Review any lessons learnt or notifications of hazards to be made for future visits
What is the hierarchy of control?
- Elimination
- Substitution e.g. pre-prepared components rather than on-site cutting
- Engineering controls e.g. local exhaust ventilation
- Administrative controls e.g. no lone working
- PPE
What should you do if you discover a health and safety breach on site?
-Will vary depending on the situation. May require increased monitoring to ensure standards are maintained. Where blatant disregard:
- Stop the work if it is safe to do so
- Area should be made safe
- Contractor should be removed from site
What site rules may you typically see regarding H&S?
- Segregation of work areas
- Keeping exit routes clear
- Noise restrictions
- Emergency procedures & assembly point notifications
- Permit control access for works of high risk
What is a risk assessment? Does the RICS provide rules?
It is a systematic examination of tasks examining the likely hood that hazards will occur and the impact they will have if they deal. RICS provides guidance, not rules as each situation is different. Should consider common issues such as slips and specific activity related eg. weather
- 6 steps:
o Identify all risks
o Determine who might be harmed by that risk
o Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions
o Record your findings
o Review and update risk assessments as required
o Advise those who may be affected by the outcome
What types of risk may need their own risk assessment?
- Working at height
- First Aid
- Asbestos
- Manual handling
- Fire safety
What factors should be considered when assessing the risk of a place of work?
- Historical Use
- Geographical location e.g variations in laws
- Immediate locality e.g. flood risks
- Perception & behaviours e.g. those influenced by physical ability, age, culture, language etc
Should near misses be reported?
A near miss is characterised by the fact that it is only because of a fortunate break in the chain of events that an injury, fatality or damage has been avoided.
- Yes, they should be reported to the responsible person and be recorded in the accident book
What does CDM stand for?
The construction design and management regulations
What are the Client responsibilities under CDM?
- To ensure welfare facilities are provided
- To ensure the principal designer and principal contractor are appointed and carry out their duty holders
- To provide the principal designer with pre construction information
- To ensure minimum health and safety standards are maintained on site
- To ensure that the construction phase health and safety plan is drawn up by the principal designer
- Notify HSE when necessary
What are the Principal Designers Responsibilities under CDM?
- To plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the pre-construction phase in respect of health and safety.
- Prepare pre-construction information on behalf of the client.
- Work with designers to eliminate or reduce / control foreseeable risks.
- Liaise with the principal contractor, informing them of any risks that need to be controlled during the construction phase.
- Notify the HSE if asked to do so by the client.
- Prepare the H&S file with information from Principle Contractor
What are the Principle Contractors Duties under CDM?
- To plan and manage the construction phase
- Prepare a construction phase plan
- Ensure site inductions are held
- Take reasonable steps To prevent unauthorised access
- To Ensure welfare facilities and suitable site conditions are provided
- Provide information for the H&S file to the PD
What are some controlled in hazardous substances that could be used on a construction site and how should you store them?
- Cement
- Solvents
- Petrol
Why is a site induction important?
It contains important information on escape routes emergency evacuation procedures and any special hazards that you should be aware of
What are the H&S responsibilities of firms?
-To have in place framework rules
-Information - Inform members of the rules, policies and procedures and support them in carrying them out
-Consider complying with management standard ISO 45001
-Creating a safe work environment - identifying & management of foreseeable risks
-Safe work equipment
-Safe systems of work
-Training / Selection - Competent staff - particularly for on site
-Responsibility extends to the supply chain - ensuring compliance with other firms H&S and during tender, ensure other businesses comply with H&S rules
How does H&S factor in to contractor procurement?
4 requirements:
- Ensure contractors are competent - evaluating professional qualifications, skills & experience
- Membership of a professional body - often these require contractor to complete an assessment
- Insurance - including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability & PII
- References - within the last 12 month
May also see review of past performances, example risk assessments
What are the H&S responsibilities of?
It is the individuals responsibility to act within firms rules
Knowing and understanding the risks appropriate to the task
Performance - ensuring competence through training & keeping up to date with relevant information
Awareness - of own abilities & limitations
Teamwork - being an effective member of a team
What insurances cover H&S?
Employers liability
Public liability
Pii
