Health and Safety

Question 1

What is RICS Guidance note called in relation to H&S and when did it become effective?

Answer 1

RICS Guidance Note ‘Surveying Safely - Health and Safety Principles for property professionals’ Second edition, 2018 (effective Feb 2019)

Question 2

What does RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Note look to provide?

Answer 2

Provides good practice principles for those engaged with the built environment as property professionals and includes health and safety responsibilities at:

• a corporate level (RICS regulated)
• at an individual level for RICS members

Question 3

In relation to RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Note, what must an RICS regulated firm ensure they provide?

Answer 3

1) A safe working environment
2) Safe work equipment
3) Safe systems of work
4) Competent staff

Question 4

How does RICS consider the concept of ‘safe person’ to mean?

Answer 4

an individual assumes individual behavioral responsibilities for their own, their colleagues and others health and safety while at work

Question 5

What are some of the key areas of advice outlined in the RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Note?

Answer 5

1) seeks to ensure individuals take responsibility for their own actions
2) up-to-date personal and corporate responsibilities
3) advice regarding asbestos
4) advice on health, well-being and mental health
5) how to address fire safety
6) an audit template is provided to assist members

Question 6

How is RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Note structured?

Name 3 key areas addressed.

Answer 6

1) Personal Responsibilities for RICS members and firms
2) Assessing hazards and risks
3) Workplace health and safety
4) Occupational hygiene and health
5) Visiting premises
6) Fire safety
7) Residential property surveying
8) Procurement and management of contractors

Question 7

What does section 7 of RICS Surveying Guidance Note recommend to RICS members in relation to H&S in residential property surveying?

Answer 7

RICS members working with residential property should review:

RICS guidance note Health and safety for residential property managers, 1st edition

as it sets out practical guidance about the significant health, safety and
environmental matters relating to residential properties.

Question 8

What has been updated in the PPE at Work Regulations 2022?

Answer 8

Extends employees duty to ensure provision of appropriate PPE for employees and contractors, to include even those in casual employment.

Question 9

What is PPE?

Answer 9

PPE is equipment to protect against health & safety risks. For example, helmets, steel capped shoes, ear defenders, face masks, overalls, torches & batteries, safety harnesses and hi vis clothing.

PPE should be kept in condition free of charge by your employer.

Question 10

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 10

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 11

What structure does a Risk Assessment normally take?

Answer 11

1) Identify hazard
2) Identify the people at risk
3) Evaluate risk, considering severity
4) Record findings
5) Review the risk assessment regularly
6) Advise those affected by the risk assessment of methods of work and precautions to minimise risk

Question 12

What is method statement?

Answer 12

Outlines how work is going to be achieved, outlining hazards and how the job will be done safely by detailing control measures put in place to ensure safety for anyone affected by task

Question 13

What does RIDDOR stand for and what year was it implemented?

Answer 13

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995

Question 14

What are the requirements under RIDDOR 1995?

Answer 14

• the trigger date for reporting injuries is over 7 days incapacitation
• such an injury must be reported to HSE within 15 days from date of accident
• all employees must keep record of all 3-day plus injuries
• this information can be kept in accident book, which must be kept for a minimum of 3 years after an occupational accident of injury

Question 15

What is Asbestos?

Answer 15

Asbestos is an insulating material which can cause serious health problem and fatal diseases, when it is disturbed or damaged.

Question 16

What are three different colours of asbestos and when where they banned in the UK?

Answer 16

• brown (1985)
• blue (1985)
• white (1999)

Question 17

What do you do if you think their is asbestos in a building?

Answer 17

1) recommend an asbestos survey to identify and manage ACMs during the normal occupation and prior to any work

2) then develop a management plan, which should include training for key staff either with asbestos-awareness training, or if disturbance to the fabric is required, appropriate training on how to carry this out safely should be provided.

Question 18

What is difference asbestos surveys and what are the difference between the two?

Answer 18

Management Survey:

To locate and advise on the management of asbestos during occupation - no sampling of materials

Refurbishment / demolition Survey:

Required when refurbishment or demolition required. Sample of materials are taken for analysis. Recommendations are made regarding their management.

Question 19

What are the 5 steps taken by a duty holder in relation to asbestos?

Answer 19

1) assess whether asbestos is present (surveys)
2) assess risk and produce asbestos management plan
3) produce asbestos register
4) make register available to all parties it involves
5) review the register regularly (HSE suggest every 6 months)

Question 20

What are HSE recommended inclusion in asbestos management plan?

Answer 20

1) identify who responsible for managing asbestos
2) include the asbestos register created
3) outline plans for work on asbestos materials
4) the schedule for managing asbestos
5) telling people about your decisions

Question 21

What is a hazard?

Answer 21

A hazard is a potential source of harm

Question 22

What is a risk?

Answer 22

A risk is the chance of something (normally a hazard) happening that will have a negative effect.

Question 23

what is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 23

Primary legislation that places obligations on employers to ensure and uphold health and safety in the work place

Question 24

What are the key actions outlined in the H&S at work Act 1974

Answer 24

1) Duty of care to all employees
2) Policed by the HSE
3) Report all injuries and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR)
4) Record and regularly review RA
5) Defines hazard
6) Defines risk
7) Requirement to keep H&S info in O&M manual on site

Question 25

Explain Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (2002)

Answer 25

Law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances through:

• risk assessments
• regular health and safety training
• planning for emergencies

Enforced by HSE

Question 26

What is the ‘Six Pack’ of H&S Regulations?

Answer 26

A group of six H&S regulations introduced on the 1st Jan 1993:

• Management of H&S at Work
• Display Screen Equipment
• Manual Handling Operations
• PPE at Work
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment
• Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare

Question 27

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Answer 27

• Applies to non domestic properties in England and Wales
• Plays duty on ‘responsible person’, who is the employer or occupier who owns property
• The responsible person should carry our FRA’s and regularly review fire safety measures

Question 28

The Fire Safety Act 2021

Answer 28

Following Hackitt Review (2018) the First Safety Act reforms the Regulatory Reform Order (2005) as it relates to multi-occupied residential buildings

Requires responsible persons to assess, manage and reduce the fire risks posed by a structure, external walls and common parts of building.

Question 29

What are the responsible persons responsibilities under The Fire Safety Act 2021?

Answer 29

• regular inspections of lifts
• ensure evacuation plans updated and individual evac plans are in place for residents evac ability may be compromised
• ensure residents are aware of fire safety instructions
• Inspection of front doors to make sure comply with current standards
• clarify responsible person

Question 30

What is EWS and explain why they are relevant?

Answer 30

External Wall System

Following Grenfell a number of external wall systems were deemed to be unsafe. Lenders then withdrew mortgage finance on such properties.

EWS1 enables a qualified professional to determine whether an external wall system is safe - determines whether or not building needs to be remediated

Question 31

What criteria forms an EWS1?

Answer 31

• the height of building
• the type of cladding and how much cladding their is
• the presence of balconies and combustible material

valid for 5 years - but not all building require EWS1’s

Question 32

RICS guidance note Health and safety for
residential property managers, 1st edition?

Answer 32

The guidance note includes:

General arrangements
Assessment of health, safety and environmental risks
The management and reporting of accidents in the UK
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Sales and acquisitions
Letting agents
Lettings property management
Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) and selective licensing
Estate/block management (including retirement housing)
Build to rent
Contractor management
Guidance by topic
Glossary
Sources of further information

Answer 33

Asbestos register before you go

Question 34

Static and dynamic risk assessment

Answer 34

A static risk factor is one that cannot change

whereas a dynamic risk factor is one in which the level of risk can fluctuate over time, and therefore has the potential to change.

Question 35

What does COSH stand for?

Answer 35

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Regulations 2002)