Health and Safety Flashcards
The ‘Six Pack’ of Health and Safety Regulations clarify how employers must comply with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. What are the SIX regulations (M, D, M, P, P, W)
- Management of Health and Safety at Work
- Display Screen Equipment
- Manual Handling Operations
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment
- Workplace Heath, Safety and Welfare
What is RICS Surveying Safely?
Professional Standard issued 2018 which provides guidance for members and firms to provide a safe working environment
What do you understand of the acronym RIDDOR?
Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences
- Must report when events e.g. 7 days or more ill,
- Someone dies
What do you understand of the acronym COSHH?
Control of substances hazardous to health - set of regulations in place to protect workers from ill heath
COSHH assessment concentrates on hazards and risks from subtances in workplace
The ‘substances’ part of COSHH includes any form of hazardous material, including liquids, solids, fumes, dust, vapours, fibres, nano-particles, mists, gases and biological agents such as bacteria and viruses. The ‘hazardous’ part includes damage to lungs, skin, nose, mouth, genes, internal organs, eyes or central nervous system as well as the risk of injury due to combustion or explosion.
CDM – when does it not apply
The CDM regulations apply to every construction project. Even construction work that you might not consider to be a project, like maintenance activities. It doesn’t matter how long (or short) the duration of the work is. How big (or small) the task. If it is construction work, then CDM applies.
no construction, maintenance or design queries around building – e.g. desktop.
Changing a lightbulb – CDM applies
Someone on top of agricultural building - what do you do
- Inform person in charge of site
- Call emergency services
What are the different types of asbestos surveys?
Management survey
Refurb/demolition survey
How do you know hard hat in date?
- Printed on hat – 5 years after this date
What are the different types of asbestos?
Amosite asbestos (brown asbestos) was commonly used in cement, insulation, roofing, and other construction materials. banned 1985
Chrysotile (white) asbestos was the most commonly used type of asbestos, and it was the last asbestos type banned in the UK, finally banned in 1999.
Crocidolite asbestos (blue asbestos) is the most dangerous type. The fine fibers are easy to inhale. - banned 1985
When was asbestos banned?
1999 to include white asbestos
Do you know the Latin names for asbestos?
Amosite asbestos (brown asbestos) was commonly used in cement, insulation, roofing, and other construction materials. banned 1985
Chrysotile (white) asbestos was the most commonly used type of asbestos, and it was the last asbestos type banned in the UK, finally banned in 1999.
Crocidolite asbestos (blue asbestos) is the most dangerous type. The fine fibers are easy to inhale. - banned 1985
What is the key legislation around Asbestos?
What do they outline?
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
That there is a legal duty to manage existing asbestos in commercial buildings.
Obligation on duty holders and employers. – duty holder is the owner if vacant or the tenant if a fully repairing lease
Who do the Asbestos Regulations apply to?
To employers, employees and those who manage the maintenance of non-domestic properties
What are the 5 steps that should be taken by a duty holder under the 2012 regulations for asbestos?
Asbestos must be identified and properly managed in all non-domestic buildings that were built before 2000.
- Take reasonable steps to find out if there are asbestos containing materials, and if so, its amount, location and what condition it is in
- Presume that all materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suggest otherwise
- Create and keep up-to-date an asbestos management plan
- Regularly review and monitor the asbestos plan
- Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is likely to work on or disturb them.
Is there any RICS guidance on Asbestos?
Asbestos: legal requirements
and best practice for property
professionals and clients
2021 aims to ensure that surveyors and their clients comply with UK legislation relating to asbestos. It also aims to ensure that no one is put at risk of exposure to asbestos.
What would you do if you find asbestos in a property you manage?
What are the fines for non-compliance with the 2012 regs
A duty holder that does not have an asbestos management plan in place could be fined up to £20,000 or imprisoned up to six months.
A serious breach of the regulations could result in an unlimited fine and/or a two-year prison sentence.
How would you identify asbestos in an inspection?
How to differentiate cavity and solid wall
What do you do to ensure your safety during an inspection?
In older properties what is one of the largest concerns with regards to Health & Safety?
What do you understand by the safe person concept?
each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work.
What do you do to ensure your safety on an inspection?
Correct PPE
Lone working policy – work buddy, keep diary up to date with where I am going and who I am meeting.
Pre-work on the area
What is one of the main H&S concerns for older properties?
Asbestos
What are the key areas of advice within the Surveying Safely Professional Standard, 2018?
1) Safe working environment
2) Safe work equipment
3) Safe systems of work
4) Competent staff
What is a risk assessment?
Carefully 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.
Legal requirement for organisations employing more than 5 staff
What is the outline of a risk assessment?
1) Identify the hazards
2) Identify who might be at risk
3) Evaluate risks and decide on precautions
4) Record findings and implement them
5) Review assessment regularly
6) Advise all those affected of outcome
What is a method statement?
Document that details a way a work task or process is to be completed and prior approved
Outline the hazards involved and include a step by step guide on how to do the job safely
Detail control measures.
Method statements showed that you have planned and documented the arrangements you have taken.
What does RAMS stand for?
Risk assessment and method statement
What must a contractor provide before work is commenced?
Copy of the contractors all risks and public liability insurance
What is a written health & safety policy document and when is it required?
Written doc includes:
- Policy setting out organisations commitment to H&S
- Details of H&S structure
- Risk assessment within workplace and measures in place
- Details of planning, implementation of H&S policy and control measures
What is the Health and Safety Legislation?
Health & Safety at Work, 1974
What does Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 include?
States that there is a duty to every employer to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.
Who is the H&S at Work Act 1974 policed by?
The Health and Safety Executive as a criminal offence with fines and or imprisonment.
Is there any legislation relating to PPE?
PPE at Work Regulations 2022 – extends the employers duty to provide the appropriate PPE to employees and contractors.
- What are some of the purposes of inspection?
- What equipment do you need to consider taking on an inspection?
- What was the impact of the defects on your valuation?
Whilst they were not large enough to affect the valuation, if they were significant I would have asked for estimates for repair costing if it wasn’t provided in building survey to add to the valuation model, thereby reducing the cost - essentially cost for repair/reinstatement
- What are common defects found in industrial properties?
damp, mould, drainage issues , roof leaks
- What factors were of significant note for the purpose of your valuation?
- What did you have to consider in your initial research?
- What deterioration was found in the lower bricks?
due to
- What actions were recommended from your inspection?
- Talk me through your inspection of F&B?
- What health and safety matters did you need to consider before your inspection?
- How did you inspection support your recommendation? Who was involved and why?
- What was the construction of the properties?
steel portal frame building with cladding
- How did age of the property impact on your inspection?
older properties will likely have more defects, less lighting, stairwells which I would have to look out for from H&S point of view
- How did you document the non-compliance during and after your inspection?
I had an inspection template (RICS) that I filled in, in the presence of the tenant - upon returning to the office I transcribed this
- What dangers did you advise your client on as a result of your inspection?
- What lone working recommendations does the Suzy Lamplugh Trust advocate?
-Give some thought before you arrive as to what exit strategies you could use if you felt uncomfortable or threatened.
-Conduct your own risk assessment on the door step before you enter unknown places. If you feel at all uncomfortable or unsure, make an excuse and leave. Trust your instincts.
-Be mindful of the fact that if you are entering someone else’s territory, your presence there may be unwanted and/or pose a threat.
-As you enter an unknown location, make a note of how the door opens so that you can leave quickly, if necessary.
-Give the client an idea of how long the meeting will take and try to adhere to this.
-It is important that a tracing system is in place that enables your employer/colleagues to know where you are and who you are with at all times.
-Risk assessments should be carried out by your employer to identify any risks related to the people, environment or tasks involved in your job.
You also need to be able to make quick risk assessments yourself, which can help you decide how safe a situation is and what action you should take to avoid danger.
- What are the main principles of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
Adequate training of staff to ensure health and safety procedures are understood and adhered to
Adequate welfare provisions for staff at work
A safe working environment that is properly maintained and where operations within it are conducted safely
Suitable provision of relevant information, instruction and supervision
- What risks were associated with your inspection at the shopping centre?
- construction site, so working at height,
- incomplete escalators
- machinery
- lifting objects
- slippery surfaces
- What PPE did you take and why?
- 5 point PPE - goggles, hard hat, gloves, hi-vis, steel capped boots
- You mentioned you undertook prior research on the surrounding area. How did you assess risk upon arriving at the block?
I noted the entrances and exits, I noted roads and pathways going into and out of the estate,
How many people going in and out
phone signal
lighting
- What potential risk and hazards could be found at a industrialblock?
- Talk me through what you needed to consider before your visit?
Who does the Health & Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 give duties to?
Employers – (Savills)
Employees – (You & all your colleagues)
Controllers of Premises (Property or Land) – persons in control of the management & upkeep
Those that instruct contractors
What are your responsibilities?
Take care of yourselves & others affected by your acts or omissions.
- cooperate with employer & others
- follow training
- wear PPE where appropriate
Not to interfere within anything designed for the purposes of H&S.
What is the difference between Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance Documents.
Regulations – Must comply
ACOP – “Special legal status”
Best practice to follow regulations, if you don’t follow then you must prove what you are doing is equal to or better.
Guidance – Information only (no legal status)
What are “RAMS”
And
When should you review them?
Risk Assessment – required by a set of regulations (e.g. “Management” regulations; Work at Height Regulations, COSHH, etc.); may be task, site or individual specific. Employers are to
1. identify hazards;
2. identify who may be affected & how;
3. assess the risks of the hazard occurring;
4. identify & implement controls and record these; and
5. review the findings
Method Statement – detailed, task specific do’s and don’ts.
They should be reviewed on a programmed basis such as annually and following any change to the working environment, new legislation or guidance coming in or as the result of an accident or incident occurring.
A surveyor has been asked by a client to access a roof via scaffolding structure which a third party has been instructed to erect.
Whilst on the scaffolding it partially collapses and the surveyor falls 4m onto the floor.
Who owes the surveyor a duty of care, and who could be prosecuted for breaching their duties?
Employer of the surveyor
Client
Scaffolding contractor
Surveyor – owes themselves a duty of care.
Employer – did they provide them with training to do their job safely?
Client – did they properly assess the scaffolding contractor before instructing them?
Assuming Client is in control of the property they owe anyone there a duty of care (there could be a Managing Agent).
Contractor – failed to keep third parties safe.
Surveyor (Employee)
Did they take care of themselves?
What is a deleterious material?
Dangerous to health or which are the causes of failures in buildings, but increasingly, materials which are environmentally damaging.
Asbestos, Lead, Silica Dust,
Where can you find Asbestos within properties?
Combined within other materials – insulating, fireproof, sound absorbent, adds strength.
Asbestos Insulating Boards (AIBs), textured coating, cement, roof tiles, pipe lagging, soffit boards, boiler flues, floor tiles,
RICS Surveying Safely – Page 36.
What are the two types of Asbestos surveys and when are they used?
Management Survey – not intrusive. Only in reasonably accessible areas. Where samples cannot be taken, Asbestos is presumed to be present otherwise proven.
Refurbishment/Demolition Survey – where asbestos is known / suspected and refurbishment, renovation / demolition to take place. Fully intrusive survey to identify all areas within property where asbestos is present. Extent of R&D Survey must match the Project Scope.
Both result in management plans – either leave in situ if safe and “manage” – visual inspection, or encapsulate / remove.
You have been asked to visit a property under Management. The property is let to tenants.
What should you do before you visit with regards to Asbestos?
Make sure that tenants know you will be going.
Check age of property – built after 2000 – don’t worry. Before 2000, check if there is an asbestos register, log or management plan. Note locations of ACMs, do not disturb or intrude into areas not surveyed.
Whilst in the property you see what you suspect is a damaged asbestos containing material.
What should you do? (think about who needs to be told and what action needs to be taken)
Vacate the area, inform the tenants immediately to stay away from the affected area – consider where it is, in a cupboard – keep it locked. If in main hallway or bedroom consider asking the tenants to leave – explain reasons fully.
Report to Line Manager, HOD, Landlord/Client.
Instruct a competent Asbestos surveyor to complete a Management survey. – will advise whether to encapsulate or remove.
You have been asked to go to an active development site
What types of hazards might you expect to encounter?
Getting there – driving, public transport? Remote location?
Development site-
- Construction activities, excavations, workplace transport,
- temporary overhead wires,
- poor lighting,
- working at height, use of mobile platforms (MEWP, tower scaffold)
- lack of facilities – shelter, drinking water
What controls should the person in charge of the site have in place to limit the risk of these hazards to site visitors?
Clear and Safe Access & Egress routes.
Safe routes around the site
Clear instructions – communicating changes on site to workers & visitors.
Site inductions
Supervision
At the entrance to the site there is a notice board with three blue signs. What would you expect them to instruct you to do, and why?
Blue sign – mandatory instruction.
PPE?
Stick to marked routes
Report to site office?
Why PPE – hard hat, high vis and boots?
Hard hat – protects from small falling objects. Would it protect you from a steel girder dropping 50ft?
Vis – makes you visible – to transport
Boots – Uneven ground, sharp items, exposed cabling.
Should things be dropping on you in the first place?
You have been asked to go onto a flat roof. What should you be considering before going up?
Do you even need to go up there?
Can you inspect from another location, mobile access equipment, tower scaffold etc.
Is the roof safe to work on – condition, fragile surfaces, hidden skylights
What do you do to ensure your safety when on inspection? Is there any RICS guidance? Is Surveying Safely mandatory? Questions relating to H&S on inspection; Hazardous materials on inspection (damp, japanese knotweed) If you were threatened on inspection what would you do?
Talk me through how your company’s lone working policy works.
Buddy system
Keep diaries up to date – who/where meeting
Safety alarm
Safety word
How would you ensure viewings were carried out safely
What are the four stages of an inspection? What health and safety considerations did i account for prior to an inspection of an industrial unit? What PPE was required during this inspection?
Health and Safety relating to inspection - Considerations prior to inspection - Arrive at inspection and there are needles on the floor (what do you do?) - Key UK legislation relating to Health and Safety - “You run a business, an employee slips and is injured as a result. They try and sue you. What preventative measures have you put in place to ensure that you successfully fight the lawsuit?’
What do you need to consider when working at height? What hazards are you aware of on a building site? What hazards did you look for in this development site? What was included in your H&S brief before visiting the development?
What is in Surveying Safely? How to you calculate risk?
each individual assumes individual behavioural
responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’
health and safety while at work.
The purpose of health and safety is to minimise the risk of
harm; it is not necessary for somebody to have an injury,
suffer ill health or a near miss for the risk of harm to be
apparent.
Employers must pick and train competent individuals
Individuals ; provide with PPE
Individuals must be vigilant, work within controls, be adaptable, aware, be able to work as part of a team
What is the Suzy Lampagh case and how is it relevant
1986 - lone working policy
How do you know a hard hat is in date? What would you look for on inspection?
hard hat - look on label, has 5 years from that date
How do you apply Surveying Safely to your work?
apply safe person concept; have personal responsibility
- keep up to date with training and CPD
minimise risk-
- exposed to excess noise or vibration
- exposed to toxic/hazardous materials
- required to drive for extended periods
- lone working
- working close to vehicles
- working close to fast-flowing/deep water or
- working in any number of other environments where
the likelihood of risk and consequences of harm could
increase substantially.
What is the hierarchy of risk control?
- Elimination -Redesign the activity or substitute a substance so that the hazard is removed or eliminated. For example, avoid working at height where the work could be undertaken by alternative means (e.g. using a drone for roof inspections)
- Substitution
Replace the materials used or the proposed work process with a less hazardous one. For example, use pre-prepared components rather than fabricating/cutting on site. Take care to ensure that the alternative is safer than the original. - Engineer Controls
Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where you cannot avoid working at height. Install or use additional machinery such as local exhaust ventilation to control risks from dust or fumes. Separate the hazard from operators by methods such as enclosing or guarding dangerous items of machinery/equipment. Give priority to measures that protect collectively over individual measures - Admin controls
These are all about identifying and implementing the procedures needed to work safely. For example, reducing the need for lone working or ensuring the work is completed in daylight; reducing the time workers are exposed to hazards (e.g. by job rotation); prohibiting use of mobile phones in hazardous areas; increasing safety signage; and performing more detailed risk assessments.
- PPE
Only after all the previous measures have been tried and found ineffective in
controlling risks to a reasonably practicable level must personal protective equipment (PPE) be used. For example, where you cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall (should one occur); and provide emergency alarms (and ‘buddy’ systems) where lone working cannot be avoided. If chosen, PPE should be selected and fitted by the person who uses it. Workers must be trained in the function and limitation of each item of PPE.
- What have you learnt in H&S training?
working safely, COSHH, working at height, asbestos,
- Why is it important to sign in with H&S manager when visiting site?
To know where you are, should anything happen
How do you know your PPE is effective?
reputable supplierCompanies displaying the scheme’s shield have signed a binding declaration that the PPE and safety equipment they offer meets the correct standards, fully complies with the regulations, and is UKCA and/or CE marked following appropriate testing and approval. When using a Registered Safety Supplier, you can be confident you will receive genuine products that are fit for purpose as well as genuine information and guidance.
also check it fits
What is a risk assessment matrix?
A risk matrix is a matrix that is used during risk assessment to define the level of risk by considering the category of likelihood against the category of consequence severity. This is a simple mechanism to increase visibility of risks and assist management decision making.
What document do you adhere to in order to keep safe?
Surveying Safely RICS PS 2018 2nd Edition
