Health and Safety Flashcards
What does HSE stand for?
Health and Safety Executive
What is the HSE?
A national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness. The HSE helps companies and employers to meet health and safety obligations. They produce guidance documents and also investigate accidents in the workplace.
What are safe working practices?
A set of guidelines that an employer may produce as part of an overall health and safety management system
What processes are involved in regular machine maintenance?
- inspected for wear
- blades are replaced
- gears are lubricated
Why is regular machine maintenance vital?
Not only is it to ensure the safe and effective operation of the machine, but also to prove the machine has been adequately looked after in the event of an accident investigation
Why are micro-switches often used on CNC machinery?
To ensure that the machine will not operate if the door or guard is open, and that the machine will stop immediately if the door or guard is opened mid cycle
What must be installed if a workshop process produces any dust or fumes?
An extraction system
What do extraction systems ensure?
That any hazards such as timber dust or welding fumes are extracted at the source, thus preventing the employee from inhaling any potential airborne particles
What is PPE?
Personal Protective Equipment
What are examples of PPE?
- safety helmets
- eye protection
- dust masks
- respiratory protective equipment
- high-vis clothing
- safety footwear and gloves
What is RIDDOR?
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
What does RIDDOR include?
Any accident, near miss or dangerous event which has resulted in injury, death or occupational disease, such as a respiratory issue that has been induced by working in very dusty conditions
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)?
The main piece of legislation for British health and safety law. To comply, all employers must ensure that all employees and visitors to the workplace are protected in terms of health, safety and welfare
What is COSHH?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations
What do employers need to do to comply with COSHH?
Prevent, reduce or control their workers’ exposure to substances that may be hazardous or cause ill health. They have a duty to protect both the user and those in the vicinity who may also be exposed
What are some examples of hazardous substances?
- paints
- varnishes
- cleaning agents
- adhesives
- fumes
- airborne particles (e.g. Dust)
What are the risks of hazardous substances?
- skin irritation
- eye irritation
- chemical splashes
- lung disease or asthma
- death
What are the implications of workers becoming ill to the employer?
- loss of productivity
- medical expenses
- legal costs/prosecution
What are the 8 principles to consider under COSHH regulations?
- plan processes
- routes of exposure
- control of exposure
- choose effective + reliable methods
- provide PPE
- review and check control measures regularly
- train + inform employees of the risks
- ensure control measures don’t increase risk
What symbols will hazardous substances have?
- Classification Labelling and Packaging (CLP)
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
What safe working practices can be found in industry?
- safe walking zones
- flashing lights on vehicles
- reverse alarm signals
How does job rotation reduce risks?
Workers won’t be at risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) or injury as a result of a lapse in concentration from doing the same task with no variation
What rules can be put in place to reduce risk?
- training required
- PPE must be worn
- guards and safety measures
- clean workplace
- awareness of emergency procedures
- clear walkways
- reporting accidents
What is a risk assessment?
Something that an employer is required to carry out by law, and should be recorded in any establishment where there are 5 or more employees
What must a risk assessment consider?
What might cause harm to people, and if reasonable steps are being taken to prevent that harm
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is anything that could cause someone harm. A risk is the likelihood or chance that someone may be harmed as a result of being exposed to the hazard
What does HSE recommend to carrying out a risk assessment?
- identify the hazard
- identify who might be harmed and how
- evaluate the risk and decide on a control measure
- record findings and implement actions
- review the risk assessment after a set period of time
How do designers ensure a product isn’t a hazard?
- ensure the product is safe to use
- meets standards
- comply to legislation
- suitable safety measures
- no faults or loose pieces
What is the Consumer Protection Act 1987?
Safeguards consumers from products that do not reach a reasonable level of safety
What ways does the Consumer Protection Act protect consumers?
- product liability (manufacturer responsible for defective products that cause injury)
- general safety requirements (reasonably safe and checked for safety)
- price indications (no misleading price indication)
To ensure a product is safe, what should manufacturers do?
- warn consumers about potential risks
- provide sufficient information
- monitor the safety of products
- take action if a problem is found
What is the Trade Descriptions Act 1968?
Makes it an offence for a trader to make or apply false or misleading statements about goods or services
What is the British Standards Institute?
Works with industry, governments and businesses to produce a set of standards to assure consumers that products are well produced, safe and fit for purpose (BSI kitemark)
What regulations must toy manufacturers adhere to?
- Provisions of the toys (safety) regulations 2011
- European Toy Safety Directive
- British Standard BS EN 71
What does the CE logo mean?
Conformity European
What is the BTHA?
British Toy and Hobby association
What does the Lion Mark indicate?
The toy has been made by members of the BTHA, who adhere to a code of practice which includes rules covering ethical and safe manufacture of toys, ban of counterfeit goods and improving sustainability
What features are found in toys that comply with BS EN 71?
- comply with European toy safety
* don’t contain any heavy metals, such as lead, or chemicals
