Health and safety Flashcards
What health & safety legislation are you aware of?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - defines how employers and employees must maintain standards of health and safety for their employees, colleagues and visitors. Ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees.
How do you ensure that you comply with this legislation? (H&S at Work)
I ensure I comply with the H&S at Work Act 1974 whenever I undertake site visits by ensuring I set out the key risks of the site to visitors, and ensure they bring the correct PPE for me to allow them to enter the site.
What are the penalties under current health & safety legislation?
Penalties include fines, imprisonment and disqualification (Directors and managers found guilty of health and safety offenses may face disqualification from acting as company directors for a specified period.)
Community orders (community service,), compensation orders
Is it a criminal offence to breach the H&S at Work Act 1974?
Yes. Health and Safety law gives rise to both civil and criminal liabilities. A breach of the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and/ or a breach of Regulations, is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both.
Tell me about your employer’s health & safety policy?
I’m aware that each Berkeley division produced a health and safety policy statement that aligns with the overarching Berkeley Group H&S Policy Statement:
Consultation with the workforce
Appropriate information and training
Recognition of H&S legislation as a minimum standard that needs to be exceeded
What are your health & safety duties as an individual surveyor?
Working client side, my duties include
- Other Duty Holders appointed
- Sufficient time and resources are allocated
- Relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders (pre-construction information)
- Principle Designer and Principal Contractor carry out their duties
- Welfare facilities are provided
What guidance does the RICS produce about H&S?
RICS Guidance Note, Surveying Safely 2nd Edition, 2018
Tell me something you understand from reading Surveying Safely.
Th note sets out good practice principals for the management of health and safety for RICS regulated firms and RICS members.
Key areas of advice include:
I’ve used it to understand lone working guidance and undertaking risk assessments prior to visiting sites (tell someone where you are going, and wear appropriate PPE such as hardhat, high vis, boots, protective jacket, goggles)
RICS firms must ensure: a safe working environment, safe equipment, safe systems of work, competent staff
RICS also explains the concept of a ‘safe person’ - to mean an individual assumes individual behaviourla responsibility for their own, their colleagues and others’ health and safety whilst at work
It seeks to ensure individuals accept responsibility for their own actions and they have the tools to do their job safely.
Requirement for up-to-date personal and corporate responsibility for property professionals (including relevant law, employers liability insurance and public liability.
When was Surveying Safely last updated?
Came into effect 22 January 2019 - replaced the 1st edition
What are the key changes? (RICS surveying safely)
The RICS have introduced the ‘safe person’ concept. This is when ‘each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work’.
There is also a greater emphasis on ensuring the competence of individuals, including their responsibility to ensure the use of safe work equipment and safe systems of work for themselves and others.
Furthermore, RICS Regulated Firms must ensure they provide:
- A safe working environment
- Safe work equipment
- Safe systems of work
- Competent staff
What is the safe person concept?
Introduced in the RICS Surveying Safely, the safe person concept is when ‘each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work’.
What must Regulated Firms provide in line with the RICS Surveying Safely Guidance?
RICS Regulated Firms must ensure they provide:
- A safe working environment
- Safe work equipment
- Safe systems of work
- Competent staff
What happened in the case of Suzy Lamplugh?
She was acting as an estate agent in Fulham
Attended a visit by herself and was abducted and never found again.
Why is the case of Suzy Lamplugh important for surveyors?
It demonstrates the importance of taking a mobile phone with you, undertaking a risk assessment, potentially going with someone, and letting people know where you are going and your plans
What is a risk assessment?
A legal requirement for firms of more than 5 staff
Carry out a documented health and safety risk assessment of all their significant hazards.
Identify hazards
Identify those at risk
Evaluate the risk
Record the findings
Review regularly
Advise those affected of the outcome & precautions
What is a risk and what is a hazard
A hazard is anything that could cause harm. And, risk, is a combination of two things – the chance that the hazard will cause harm and how serious that harm could be
How would you undertake a risk assessment before attending site?
- Identifying any potential hazards (greenfield- livestock, site condition. Property- asbestos, unauthorised people
- Assess the risk- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks and decide on control measures.
What is asbestos?
Insulating material which can cause serious health problems and fatal diseases. (corrugated roofing/ plastic floor)
Small toxic fibres released can lodge in the lungs and cause illness
What legislation are you aware of in relation to asbestos?
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Places legal duties on duty holders to manage asbestos and prevent risk exposure to employees who carry out works in a building
