HEALTH AND SAFETY Flashcards
Why is it important to prevent accidents from a humane perspective?
Moral imperative: It is unethical to kill or harm people.
Prevent suffering: Ensuring quality of life and reducing pain and suffering.
High fatality rates: Too many people are killed at work; ideally, no one should die from work-related causes.
Ethical employment: No one should risk life and limb for employment.
What are some factors that cause high incidence rates in construction?
Prototype nature of construction projects: Each project is unique, leading to unfamiliarity and potential hazards.
Transient workforce: High turnover means workers are often unfamiliar with the site and its specific risks.
Low education of workforce: Many workers lack formal training in safety protocols.
Labour dispersal around site: Workers are spread out, making supervision and communication challenging.
High levels of subcontracting: Increases variability in safety practices and oversight.
What legal obligations do organisations have to ensure health and safety?
Legal obligations: Organisations must comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and other regulations.
Consequences of failure: Non-compliance can lead to enforcement notices, prosecution, imprisonment, fines, and civil actions for compensation.
What are the economic reasons for preventing accidents?
Financial costs: Accidents cost businesses, government, and individuals significantly.
HSE estimate: Accidents cost UK society £10-£15 billion annually.
Context: Compared to general government debt, accident costs are substantial.
Why is health and safety critical in the construction industry?
High hazard: Construction is one of the most hazardous industries.
Human impact: People are real, and statistics can hide the reality of death and injury.
Legal compliance: Following health and safety laws is mandatory.
How does good health and safety practice benefit businesses?
Cost savings: Reduces insurance premiums and legal costs.
Efficiency: Preventing accidents improves productivity and prevents costly disruptions.
Reputation: Enhances company reputation and can attract business and investment.
What are some insured and uninsured costs associated with accidents?
Insured costs: Include employers liability, public liability, product liability, and motor vehicle insurance.
Uninsured costs: Include product/material damage, lost production time, sick pay, legal costs, extra wages, investigation time, fines, loss of expertise, and bad publicity.
What are some major health risks in the construction industry?
Occupational cancer: Construction accounts for a large burden of occupational cancer, particularly due to asbestos and silica.
Hazardous substances: Exposure to dust, chemicals, and fumes can cause respiratory issues and dermatitis.
Physical health risks: High prevalence of back injuries, upper limb disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, and vibration-related injuries.
Define hazard, risk, incident, and ill-health according to OHSAS 18001.
Hazard: Source, situation, or act with potential to cause harm.
Risk: Combination of the likelihood and severity of a hazardous event.
Incident: Work-related event causing or potentially causing injury or ill-health.
Ill-health: Adverse physical or mental condition caused or worsened by work activity.
What are the five steps to conducting a risk assessment?
Identify the hazards.
Identify people who might be harmed and how.
Evaluate risks and decide on controls.
Record findings and implement controls.
Review and update the assessment as necessary.
What is the hierarchy of risk management?
Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely.
Substitution: Replace with a less hazardous alternative.
Engineering controls: Use equipment or barriers to reduce risk.
Administrative controls: Implement safe work procedures and policies.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Use as a last resort to protect individuals.
Name some key health and safety regulations relevant to the construction industry.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
What is the effect of mental health among construction workers?
High suicide rates: On average, two construction workers kill themselves every working day in England and Wales.
Overall impact: Mental health issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety are significant concerns in the construction industry.
