Health and Safety

Question 1

You mention the training course you undertook on the CDM Regulations 2015, talk me through when these regulations apply to a project?

Answer 1

They apply to all construction projects.

They place duties on clients, designers, contractors, and others involved to ensure works are carried out safely.

Question 2

In your case study you talk about undertaking a core sample survey to the flat roof, what safety precautions did you adopt prior to and during the survey?

Answer 2

• I undertook a desktop study of the building to ascertain access requirements and reviewed existing survey information such as asbestos logs.
• I carried out a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and the necessity of gaining access to the roof.
• Ensured appropriate PPE was worn.
• Access to the roof was made via a surveyors ladder footed by a colleague.

Question 3

Do you know what the RICS Guidance Notes are which cover Health and Safety?

Answer 3

Yes the Professional Standard - Surveying Safely published in 2018

Question 4

Discuss a couple of points from the Guidance Note, surveying safely.

Answer 4

• Key sections include member responsibilities, assessing hazards and risks, visiting sites, fire safety.
• 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 at work.
• The guidance note states that there is a duty on surveyors to report potential dangerous situations to relevant responsible person.
• Details personal responsibilities such as keeping up with training.

Question 5

What is the HSE? And who are they?

Answer 5

The Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a UK government agency responsible for the regulation of health and safety

Question 6

What is the CSCS?

Answer 6

Construction Skills Certification Scheme

Question 7

Talk me through your CPD on CSCS, what did you learn from this test?

Answer 7

I learnt the different responsibilities of the client, principal designer, and the principal contractor

Question 8

What are the different responsibilities of the client, principal designer, and the principal contractor under CDM?

Answer 8

Client - Ensure dutyholders are appointed, sufficient time and resources are allocated, welfare is provided

Principal Designer - Plan and coordinate the preconstruction phase of the project, ensure principal contractor provides relevant H&S information.

Principal Contractor - Plan and coordinate the construction phase of the project, prepare construction phase plan

Question 9

What legislation is there in the UK relating to Health and Safety?

Answer 9

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• CDM Regulations (2015)
• Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012)
• Building Safety Act – (Hot topic)

Question 9

What does the Health and Safety at Work Act do?

Answer 9

• Obligation for Employers to keep employees safe in the work environment
• This includes providing and maintaining equipment, safe systems of work and safe premises

Question 10

What are your obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act?

Answer 10

You must exercise reasonable skill and care in your relationship with your employer and colleagues

Question 11

When is an Employer, required by law, to have a written health & safety policy?

Answer 11

When they employ more than 5 people

Question 12

What does CDM stand for?

Answer 12

Construction Design and Management

Question 13

What is a notifiable project under the CDM regulations?

Answer 13

The criteria threshold for this = if over 20 people will be on site at one time, and the project lasts longer than 30 working days

OR

The project exceeds 500 person days

Question 14

What do you know about the Building Safety Act?

Answer 14

• It is legislation published in 2022 following the Hackett Report on the Grenfell Disaster.
• It seeks to improve building and fire safety
• It established the concept of a ‘High Risk Building’ which is a building above 18 metres high or 7 storeys.
• It introduces the golden thread of information

Question 14

Do you know the process to follow before commencing a notifiable project?

Answer 14

Yes, the process would be to submit an F10 form to the HSE notifying them of the project.

This notice must be displayed on site by the Principal Contractor.

Question 15

What is RIDDOR?

Answer 15

Reporting of injuries, diseases, dangerous occurances regulations.

Question 16

What is COSHH?

Answer 16

Control of substances hazardous to health

Question 17

What are the 3 types of asbestos?

Answer 17

1. Chrystotile - White asbestos
2. Amosite - Brown Asbestos
3. Crocidolite - Blue Asbestos

Question 18

Where would you commonly expect to encounter asbestos?

Answer 18

In boiler rooms most commonly such as on pipe lagging, or additionally when inspecting roof coverings, or textured ceilings.

Question 18

What are the 3 methods for dealing with asbestos on site?

Answer 18

• Remove
• Encapsulate
• Manage

Question 19

If you were about to undertake a survey how would you mitigate your risks of encountering asbestos?

Answer 19

I would check the sites asbestos management plan before commencing the survey.

I would ensure my asbestos training is up to date to ensure that I am able to spot potential areas that may contain asbestos.

Question 20

What is the biggest cause of long-term illness in the construction industry?

Answer 20

Breathing in hazardous dust and fumes such as asbestos

Question 21

What type of accident kills the most construction workers?

Answer 21

Falling from height

Question 22

What is the minimum height of the main guard rail on a scaffold?

Answer 22

950mm

Question 23

If you are the Contract Administrator on a project, do you have a contractual obligation or right to address health and safety issues on a building site?

Answer 23

Yes, I am aware the RICS Surveying Safely states that there is a duty to report issues if significant dangerous situations are noticed. This will need to be reported to the appropriate person i.e., site manager as soon as possible – examples:
o Materials laying in middle of corridors
o Sites left unsecure
o Faulty scaffolding

Question 24

What is your company’s procedure for lone working?

Answer 24

• Let my office know where I am (calendar)
• Fully charged phone
• Secretary should check in with a phone call every hour

Question 24

How do you ensure your personal safety when you are going out to meetings ON SITE?

Answer 24

• Undertake dynamic risk assessments when arriving on site
• Have adequate PPE with me
• Check in on site in the signing in book
• Ensure the site visit is saved in my works calendar for admin team to see
• Ensure my mobile phone is charged so I can contact people and be contacted

Question 25

Can you please describe the 3 types of asbestos removal?

Answer 25

1. Non-licensed removal
   e.g. asbestos cement products, textured coatings, encapsulation, maintenance work involving floor tiles.
2. Notifiable non-licensed removal
   e.g. asbestos cement products that have been substantially damaged, removal of cement products will create significant dust quantities.
3. Licensed removal
   e.g. asbestos sprayed coatings, AIB, asbestos insulation from boilers and pipes.

Question 26

In the Professional Standard Surveying Safely, what are the steps for assessing risk?

Answer 26

1 - identify the hazards
2 - decide who might be harmed and how
3 - evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
4 - record the findings and implement them
5 - review the assessment and update if necessary and
6 - advise all those affected of the outcome of the assessment and methods of work, or other control measures necessary, to minimise or eliminate risk.

Question 27

In your Thurston CC project, you advised the need to undertake an asbestos R&D survey, please can you advise if you are aware of what this survey should conform to?

Answer 27

It needs to conform to the asbestos survey guide issued by the HSE - HSG 264.