Health and Safety Flashcards
What is the HSE?
Health and Safety Executive
- National independent watchdog for work-related H&S and illness
- Acts in public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces
What service does HSE provide to improve safety?
- Protect people’s H&S by ensuring risks in changing workplace properly controlled
- HSE helps business adapt to changes in occupational H&S law and practice
- Visit site without notice, talk to workers, take pics and samples (though most inspections planned)
- Issue written / verbal info and advice
- Inspections may be to follow complaint / follow-up an investigation
- Impose sanctions including stop and improvement orders
How long should H&S data be kept for?
- Technically forever (depends on nature and intended use)
- Info such as asbestos exposure may be required to monitor long term illness (i.e. asbestosis)
What are the key principles of COSHH?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
- Requires employers prevent/reduce workers’ exposure to substances (chemicals, fumes / gases / vapours / mists, dusts (asbestos / silica), biological agents and germs
- This should be done via measures proportional to health risk
- Common one is cannisters - have to be locked securely in a cage on site
What is corporate manslaughter?
- An organisation is guilty of this if the way its activities were managed / organised causes person’s death
- Gross breach of care from organisation to deceased
A member of the public has been injured by work activities and taken to hospital for treatment. What should happen next?
Accident reported by responsible party to HSE
When are employers required to have written H&S policy in the UK?
5+ people
What is your company’s H&S policy?
- Prevent work-related injuries / illnesses / damage to property / equipment
- Prevent adverse impacts to the environment
- Take responsibility for safety, comply with safe systems of work
- Act responsively, report incidents and near misses
- Risk assessments
- Attend site inductions
What is a Contruction Phase Health and Safety Plan (CPH&SP)?
Developed during construction phase by contractor, demonstrate how building will be contstructed from safety perspective
What would you find in the Construction Phase Plan?
- Project description
- Management processes for works, inc site inductions, training, communication, coordination, access
- Arrangements for controlling significant site risks inc deliveries, excavations, preventing falls, site segregation, maintenance, asbestos removal, manual handling
What is the Considerate Constructor’s Scheme (CCS)?
- Non-for-profit independent organisation founded in 1997 to improve image of industry - voluntary effort
- Encourages contractors and supply chain to implement best practice (cleanliness of site etc)
- Promotes construction
- Delivers standards benefitting surrounding neighbourhood and community
What are the main assessment categories within CCS?
3 areas marked out of 45:
- Respect the community
- Care for the environment
- Value the workforce
5 points for innovation and best practices
Biggest cause of long-term health issues in the construction industry?
Breathing in hazardous dust and fumes
Which type of accident kills the most construction workers?
Falling from height
What measures are there to prevent accidents and deaths on site?
- Eliminate risk of accidents at source (i.e. assembly on ground not at height)
- Planning and programming - allowing sufficient time to construct effectively
- Risk assessments, method statements and educating workers
- Training inductions and CSCS qualifications
- Ensure safe working sites, access & egress points
What is the minimum height of main guard-rail on scaffolding?
950mm
What does the Beaufort Scale measure?
Wind speed- important when externally working at height
What is a CSCS card?
- Construction Skills Certification Scheme
- Proof that individuals on construction sites have apt training and qualifications for the job they do
- Improves standards and safety on UK construction sites
How would the CSCS card benefit people?
- Professionally qualified person is white colour
- Make aware of H&S issues to consider when attending construction sites
Is having a CSCS card mandatory?
No, at preference of client/contractor
When are visitors / workers most likely to have an accident on construction site?
First starting on new site
When visiting a construction site, what considerations did you give to your own H&S?
- Risk assessment
- Wearing PPE
- Site inductions, adhering to contractor’s rules
- Ensure H&S on meeting agenda
- Reporting any issues to site management
When completing a site valuation on your own, what should you do?
- Before leaving office, advise manager when I’m going, who I’m meeting
- Suggest time when due back to office / keep company updated on whereabouts
- Make site manager aware of visit
- Register / report my visit to site office
- Bring/wear correct PPE
- Request to be escorted around the site by site manager if still concerned
What H&S hazards have you come across on your projects?
- Site traffic movements
- Poor lighting
- Manual handling
- Slips/trips/falls
- Working at height
- Noise
What does PPE stand for?
Personal protective equipment
Examples of PPE?
- Hard hat
- Steel toe capped boots
- Gloves
- Goggles/eye protection
- Hearing protection
- High vis vest
- Face mask
What does it mean if a site has been issued with a prohibition notice by HSE?
- Requires site to stop particular activity immediately
- Must not resume activity until action has been taken to remove/control risk
What should you do if you find an injured person on site?
- Assess situation - don’t put myself in danger
- Raise the alarm and call for help
There’s been a serious accident on site. When should automated external defibrillator (AED) be used?
When person is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (heart unexpectedly stops beating)
RICS guidance for Health and Safety?
Surveying Safely - Nov 2018
guidance not regulation
Purpose of Surveying Safely guidance note?
- Basic, good practice principles for H&S management for RICS-regulated firms and membors
- Includes H&S responsibilities
What other health and safety guidance is available?
- HSE published similar “Health and Safety in Great Britain” (not focused on construction
- HSE Five Steps to Risk Assessments
What is the concept of a ‘safe person’ as outlined in RICS surveying safely?
Each individual assumes responsibility for their own behaviours, as well as colleagues and others’ H&S while at work
What is the CDM planning period?
Suitable arrangements for managing a project- the regulations don’t say about the duration of the period, but if too short the HSE may consider insufficient time has been allowed
Which regulations are applicable to asbestos?
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (produced by HSE)
5 H&S regulations applicable to construction projects?
- H&S at work act 1974
- Management of H&S at work regulations 1999
- CDM Regs 2015
- Control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002
- Working at height regulations 2005
RIDDOR - Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012
What is the H&S at work act 1974?
- Basis of UK H&S law
- Sets out general duties which employers have towards employees and members of public, employees have to themselves and to each other
- Employers must provide and maintain equipment and systems of works safe and without risk to H&S of employees / others affected by their undertaking
- General principle “so far as is reasonably practicable”
- Main employer requirement to carry out risk assessment, record significant findings of risk assessment
What does the H&S at work act 1974 aim to do?
- Secure H&S and welfare of people at work
- Protect against risks to H&S arising from work activities
- Control dangerous substances
- Control emissions in atmosphere
- Employers with 5+ employees must have written H&S docs detailing organisation H&S structure
Who enforces the H&S at work Act 1974?
HSE - penalties include fines and imprisonment
When does the H&S at work act apply?
All times- requires consideration from employers, employees, wider public
What is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999?
Requires employers to carry out risk assessments, make arrangements to implement necessary measures, appoint competent people, arrange for appropriate info and training
What does RIDDOR stand for?
Reporting of Incidents Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
What is RIDDOR?
Duties on employers, self-employed and people in control of work premises -> must report serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and near misses
What incidents are reportable?
- Death and major injuries i.e. loss of consciousness / loss of a limb
- Occupational diseases
- Dangerous occurrences (explosions, hazardous substances)
- Gas incidents
Key principles of LOLER 1998?
Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations
- Place duties on people and companies who own / operate / have control over lifting equipment
- Lifting operations must be properly planned by competent person, aptly supervised and carried out in safe manner
- Requires equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose, apt for task, suitable marked, subject to statutory periodic ‘thorough examination’
- Keep records of thorough examinations and any defects found must be reported to responsible person for equipment and relevant enforcing authority
What is the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005?
- Regulations requiring employers to protect employees from excessive noise levels that could cause hearing damages
2 main action levels: - Lower exposure action value - daily / weekly noise exposure level of 80dB
- Upper exposure action value - daily / weekly noise exposure level of 85dB
Are you aware of any recent amendments to Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
- Fire Safety Act 2021 (received Royal Assent 29/04/2021)
- Amends Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005 with intention of improving fire safety in multi-occupancy domestic premises
Key changes as a result of the Fire Safety Act 2021?
- Clarification for who is accountable for reducing fire risk
- ‘Responsible Person’ must assess and mitigate fire safety risk with both 1- structure and ext wall of building and 2- entrance doors to individual flats and communal parts of building
- Fire risk assessment for building must be updated to reflect above. Responsible Person can appoint fire risk assessor to assist with compliance
- Failure to comply can result in enforcement action against Responsible Person
What does CDM stand for?
Construction Design and Management
Key points of the CDM regulations?
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- Ensures clients, designers, contractors and others consider H&S of those constructing, maintaining and demolishing works
- Statutory duties on client, principal designer, designer, contractor to plan, manage and coordinate H&S throughout project
- Anyone with input on design are considered designers, have responsibility to ensure H&S
Key duty holders under CDM 2015?
- Client
- Principal designer
- Principal contractor
- Designer(s)
- Contractor(s)
- Workers
Under CDM what are commercial clients?
Organisations/individuals where construction project is carried out as part of a business
Under CDM what are domestic clients?
People undertaking construction work in their own homes (or that of a family member) not done as business
Under CDM who must make suitable arrangements for managing a project? Inc sufficient time and other resources
Client
How does CDM apply to domestic clients with no contractors?
Only applies if work is carried out by someone else on domestic client’s behalf. DIY (householder doing work themselves) doesn’t apply
Who are designers under CDM?
- Organisations/individuals who prep/modify designs for a building product / system relating to construction work
- Must eliminate / reduce / control risks that arise during construction and maintenance and use of building
Key implications of CDM regs for cost consultants?
- If responsible for specifying material / working methods, would be deemed designers and need to consider H&S aspect.
i.e. brick slip systems, considering spec, ensure no risk of brick slip falls
Roles of each of the parties under CDM regs?
PD
- Plan, monitor, coordinate H&S PCI
- Identify/eliminate/control risks
- Ensure clients and designers aware of duties
- Provide relevant info to other duty holders
- Liaise with Principal Contractor in planning management, monitoring and coordination of construction phase
Client
- Appoint competent dutyholders
- Allow sufficient time and resources
- Prep and provide relevant info to dutyholders
- Ensure PD and contractor carry out duties
What is the role of the principal designer?
- Influence how H&S risks managed throughout project
- Plan, manage, monitor, coordinate H&S in pre-construction phase
- Advise client when bringing together pre-construction info, provide info designers and contractors need to carry out duties
- Work with other designers to eliminate / reduce / control foreseeable H&S risk to anyone affected by work
- Ensure everyone involved in pre-construction phase communicates, cooperates and coordinates work
- Liaise with principal contractor, keep them informed of risks that need to be controlled during construction phase
What is the role of the principal contractor?
- Manage H&S risks during construction phase
- Plan, manage, monitor, coordinate construction phase
- Account for H&S risks to everyone affected by work (including members of public)- plan and manage measures needed to control them
- Prepare written construction phase plan before construction begins, implement and regularly review/revise to ensure it remains fit for purpose
- Ongoing arrangements in place for managing H&S throughout construction
- Consult and engage with workers about health, safety and welfare
- Ensure suitable welfare facilities provided and maintained during construction
- Ensure workers have site-specific inductions and any further info/training
- Prevent unauthorised access to site
- Liaise with PD to share info relevant to planning, management, monitoring and coordination of pre-construction phase
What is the contractor expected to produce in relation to H&S assessment?
Construction phase plan, H&S file contributions
3 documents included in CDM regs?
- H&S file
- PCI
- Construction phase plan
What is the F10 notification?
Form sent to HSE to notify them of relevant construction project
When is a project notifiable to HSE under CDM Regs?
If construction work is expected to last 30+ working days, 20+ workers simultaneously at any point of project, and/or exceed 500 person days
Who issues F10?
Client’s responsibility- this is often delegated to PD or H&S advisor
What does F10 form contain?
- Construction site address
- Name of local authority where site located
- Brief description of project and construction work it entails
- Client and contractor contact details
- Time allowed for construction work, inc planned start dates
- No. people at work on site at any one time
What is pre-construction information (PCI)?
- Vital role in tender docs, enables prospective contractors to be fully aware of H&S and welfare requirements
- Provides level playing field for H&S in submissions
- Can provide focus at which H&S considerations of designs brought together under control of PD
What’s included in the PCI document?
- Description of works
- Client considerations, management requirements
- Hoarding, welfare facilities, traffic restrictions, permits to work
- Environmental restrictions, existing site risks
- Significant design and construction hazards
- H&S file requirements
What is the H&S File?
- Doc issued promptly after construction works finished containing info needed during future construction work (including cleaning, maintenance, alterations, refurb, demo works)
- Parties involved in future works must alert these to any H&S risks that should be considered in planning or carrying out of such works
Who’s responsibility is the H&S file?
- PD must ensure file is prepared, reviewed, amended as necessary, then issues to client
- Client, designers, contractors must supply info that needs to be included
- Clients must ensure H&S file available to parties involved in future construction works at same site
- All parties - ensure info included in H&S file is accurate, relevant and promptly provided
What should the H&S file include?
- Brief description of work carried out
- Hazards associated with materials used (i.e. lead paint, coatings that shouldn’t be burnt)
- Info about removal/dismantling installed plant and equipment
- Nature, location and markings of significant services, inc underground cables, gas
- Key structural principles
- Residual hazards and how they’ve been dealt with (i.e. surveys / info about contaminated land, asbestos)
Who should PD pass H&S file to when project reaches completion?
Employer and end user
Key implications of CDM regs?
- More focus on clients to put in place arrangements to ensure H&S
- Clients can’t sign legal responsibilities to agents
- Declaration of how long contractors given to prepare for construction work
- Clients deemed to assume role of principal contractor for any period during which appointments aren’t made
CDM vs PD?
PD has power to influence design
What do you do if you find asbestos on site?
- Stop work immediately, ensure area is safe and nobody can access
- Report to site manager, potentially notify HSE
- Test this by competent contractor to identify type
What is the process for removing asbestos?
- Identify, mark location, type, condition
- Seal off area, appoint licenced asbestos removal contractor
- Wear apt PPE, air lock created
- Remove and double bag
- Taken away by licenced asbestos removal company
RICS guidance for asbestos?
Asbestos: legal requirements and best practice for property professionals and clients. May 2021
3 common types of asbestos?
- Chrysotile (white, industrial and commercial, long curly fibres), most common
- Amosite (brown)
- Crocidolite (blue), most lethal
Asbestos surveys available?
- Asbestos management survey (manage asbestos-containing materials) during normal occupation and use of premises
- Refurbishment/demolition survey (R&D survey) - required where premises needs upgrading, refurbishment or demo
Where is asbestos commonly found in older buildings?
- Cement gutters and downpipes
- Corrugated roofs
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Insulated boards, lagging
- Textiles
- Soffits
What is an asbestos management plan?
Crucial doc designed to register and detail how asbestos is managed in a property, what activities will be engaged to ensure people remain safe from exposure
Includes:
- Who is responsible for managing asbestos
- Asbestos register identifying type and location
- Plans for work on asbestos material
- Schedule for monitoring materials’ condition
- Telling people about decisions
How can asbestos be managed on site?
- Remove it (eliminates risk)
- Encapsulate - apply protective layer to contain and protect fibres from damage
- Manage - set up asbestos management plan
What are the main health hazards when someone is exposed to asbestos?
- Asbestosis (chronic lung disease- shortness of breath, coughing, permanent lung damage)
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma (cancer of thin membrane that lines chest and abdomen)
When was asbestos banned in the UK?
Amphibole type since 1985. All since 1999
What does RAMS stand for?
Risk Assessment and Method Statement
What is a method statement?
Methodology detailing the way work will be completed. Outlines hazards involved, step-by-step guide on how to execute safely
What is meant by a risk assessment?
- Identifying hazard that can cause harm to people, measuring risk and identifying method of reducing risk
- Law requires to protect people “as far as reasonably practicable”
5 steps to risk assessment?
- Identify hazards
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate risk, decide on precaution
- Record findings, implement them
- Review assessment, update if necessary
What is the hierarchy of H&S risk control?
Most Effective
- Elimination (physically remove hazard)
- Substitution (replace hazard)
- Engineering (isolate people from hazard)
- Administrative (change how people work)
- PPE
Least effective
