Health And Safety

Question 1

Talk about personal protective equipment

Answer 1

The personal protective equipment at work regulations, 1992 state that employers have basic duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work. PPE is defined in the regulations as “all equipment (including clothing providing protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety.” These can include safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and face masks or respirators.

Question 2

Talk about the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

Answer 2

Under the act of parliament, employers are legally required to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of employees, and the health and safety of non-employees such as students and visitors to a school. The following regulations are procedures to safeguard the risk of injury to people.

Question 3

What are the main requirements of the regulations in PPE?

Answer 3

The main requirement of the regulations is that PPE is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. The regulations also require that PPE is:
• properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable
• maintained and stored properly
• provided with instructions on how to use it safely
• used correctly by employees

Question 4

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: eyes

Answer 4

Hazards: chemicals or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation.
PPE: safety spectacles, goggles, face shields, visors.

Question 5

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: head

Answer 5

Hazards: impact from failing or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair entanglement.
PPE: a range of helmets and bump caps.

Question 6

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: breathing

Answer 6

Hazards: dust, vapour, gas, oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
PPE: disposable filtering face-piece or respirator, half- or full-face respirators, air-fed helmets, breathing apparatus.

Question 7

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: protecting the body

Answer 7

Hazards: temperature extremes, adverse weather, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, impact or penetration, contaminated dust, excessive wear or entanglement of own clothing.
PPE: conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, specialist protection clothing l, e.g. Chain-mail, aprons, high-visibility clothing.

Question 8

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: hands and arms

Answer 8

Hazards: abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, skin infection, disease or contamination.
PPE: gloves, gauntlets, mitts, wrist-cuffs, armlets.

Question 9

Take the risk listed below and explain the risks and PPE needed for it
Risk: feet and legs

Answer 9

Hazards: wet, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, metal and chemical splash, abrasion.
PPE: safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid-sole, gaiters, leggings, spats.

Question 10

Health and safety signage

Define prohibition signs

Answer 10

Prohibition signs are used to prohibit actions to prevent personal injury and the risk of fire.

Question 11

Health and safety signage

Define mandatory signs

Answer 11

Mandatory signs convey action that must be taken e.g. Procedures in case of fire.

Question 12

Health and safety signage

Define warning signs

Answer 12

Warning signs are to warn personal of possible dangers in the work place.

Question 13

Health and safety signage

Define safe condition signs

Answer 13

Safe condition signs show directions to areas of safety and medical assistance.

Question 14

Health and safety signage

Define fire equipment signs

Answer 14

Fire equipment signs show the location of fire equipment and compliance with Fire precautions.

Question 15

Health and safety

Define hazard

Answer 15

Potential (if risk) from a substance, machine or operation.

Question 16

Health and safety

Define risk

Answer 16

Reality (of harm from the hazard).

Question 17

Health and safety

Define control measure

Answer 17

Action taken to minimise the risks to people.

Question 18

Health and safety

Repetitive strain injury

Answer 18

RSI is a medical condition affecting muscles, tendons and nerve in the arms and upper back. It occurs when muscles in these areas are kept tense for very long periods of time dues to poor posture and/or repetitive motions. There are a number of ergonomic products available to reduce the risks occurring from prolonged use of computers, including ergonomic keyboards and mice. The computer mouse, for example, is an important cause of RSI as the normal shape forces the hand into an unnatural position. Since a mouse is essential to computer work it is very important to use an ergonomic one.

Question 19

Health and safety
Guidance for working safely and comfortably at a computer
Environment

Answer 19

The environment must provide adequate lighting and the hear produced by equipment must not cause discomfort to the user.

Question 20

Health and safety
Guidance for working safely and comfortably at a computer
Chair

Answer 20

The chair must be stable and allow for freedom of movement. The height of the chair and the backrest must be fully adjustable.

Question 21

Health and safety
Guidance for working safely and comfortably at a computer
Workstation

Answer 21

The workstation must provide sufficient space for the user to change position and vary movements.

Question 22

Health and safety
Guidance for working safely and comfortably at a computer
Screen

Answer 22

The screen must swivel and tilt easily. Glare from the screen should be easily adjusted using brightness and contrast controls. An anti-glare screen could be fitted.

Question 23

Health and safety
Guidance for working safely and comfortably at a computer
Keyboard

Answer 23

The keyboard should be able to tilt to provide a comfortable typing position.

Question 24

Health and safety executive risk assessments

Five steps to risk assessment

Answer 24

1. Identify the hazard
2. Identify the people at risk
3. Evaluate the risks
4. Decide upon suitable control measures
5. Record risk assessment

Question 25

Health and safety

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations

Answer 25

These regulations place a duty on employers to make an assessment of risks for work involving exposure to substances hazardous to health. Steps must be taken to prevent or control adequately the exposure of employees and others to these substances. Hazardous substances include:
• substances used directly in work activities such as adhesives, paints and cleaning agents.
• substances generated during work activities such as fumes from smouldering and welding.
• naturally occurring substances such as dust.
• biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms.