Health and Safety

Question 1

Explain your understanding of the term HSE?

Answer 1

1) HSE stands for the Health & Safety Executive

2) The HSE is the UK national authority for managing work related health, safety and illness issues

3) They act in the public interest to reduce work related injuries and incidents

4) Their aim is to protect people’s health and safety by ensuring that risks are properly managed

5) They support businesses to change and adapt in order to remain compliant with occupational health and safety legislation

Question 2

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 2

1) Primary UK legislation governing H&S

2) Sets out duties of employers, self-employed persons, persons in control of premises, employees, manufacturers and suppliers. They must safe guard H&S of employees and public who may be affected by their work

3) Enforced by the HSE. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment

Question 3

What are the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999?

Answer 3

Requires employers to carry out risk assessments, make arrangements to implement necessary measures, appoint competent people and arrange for appropriate information and training.

Question 4

What does a pre-inspection risk assessment include?

Answer 4

(Checklist found in Surveying Safely Guidance Note, Nov 2018)

1) Pre-assessment of the hazards and risks that are likely to be encountered on the visit.

2) Requirement for appropriate PPE.

3) Travelling to and from site.

4) Condition of the property.

5) Weather conditions.

Question 5

What are your company’s H&S procedures?

Answer 5

1) Maintaining safe work equipment

2) Providing a safe working environment

3) Competent staff

4) Training

Question 6

What does PPE stand for?

Answer 6

Personal Protective Equipment

Question 7

What is the difference between a ‘risk’ and a ‘hazard’?

Answer 7

Hazard - Something with the potential to cause harm to someone. The harm could be an injury or ill health.

Risk - The likelihood of the harm being realised. Risk increases as the severity, likelihood or number of people affected by the harm increases.

Question 8

What is the Safe Person concept?

Answer 8

Each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work.

Question 9

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 9

Carefully examining what in your work could cause harm to people, so that you can judge whether or not you have taken enough precautions to prevent harm.

Question 10

Approach to risk assessment?

Answer 10

1) Identify hazard.

2) Identify people at risk.

3) Evaluate risk and decide on precautions.

4) Record findings and implement them.

5) Regularly review and update if necessary.

Question 11

What is the hierarchy of risk control?

Answer 11

1) Elimination

2) Substitution

3) Engineering controls

4) Administrative controls (e.g. prohibiting use of phones in hazardous areas)

5) PPE

Question 12

Examples of PPE?

Answer 12

• Hard hat
• Hi-vis
• Safety boots
• Goggles
• Mask & Gloves

Question 13

What are AY Lone Working Procedures?

Answer 13

1) Buddy system

2) Charged phone

3) Consider hazards on site

4) Must be competent

Question 14

What is the purpose of Surveying Safely Guidance Note?

Answer 14

Best practice principles for the management of H&S for RICS regulated firms and RICS members.

Question 15

What are the corporate responsibilities under Surveying Safely?

Answer 15

1) Must have active management plan in place.

2) Ensure risks are understood, managed and minimised.

3) RICS regulated firms responsible for H&S of all those relating to their business.

Question 16

What is psittacosis disease?

Answer 16

A contagious disease of birds.

Transmission of disease from birds to humans occurs mainly through inhalation of airborne particles from respiratory secretions, dried faeces or feather dust.