Health and Safety

Question 1

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 1

Identifying hazards, who is at risk and the likelihood of harm.

Question 2

What is a method statement?

Answer 2

Outlines how work will be done and risks mitigated. Should include contractor’s PI details.

Question 3

Who oversees health and safety in the UK?

Answer 3

The Health and Safety Executive.

Question 4

What is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 4

Gives a duty to employers to ensure safety of employees. Includes risk assessments and reporting accidents.

Question 5

What is the RIDDOR 1995?

Answer 5

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1995. If someone is incapacitated for 7+ days, HSE must be notified.

Question 6

What are the CDM Regs?

Answer 6

Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.

Question 7

When is a project notifiable to the HSE under the CDM regs?

Answer 7

500+ person days or 30 working days with 20+ workers.

Question 8

What is asbestos?

Answer 8

Naturally occuring fibrous mineral which is harmful to health.

Question 9

What are the different types of asbestos and when were they outlawed?

Answer 9

Chrysotile (white, 1999); amosite (brown; 1985); crocidiolite (blue; 1985).

Question 10

Where might asbestos be found?

Answer 10

Anywhere if constructed before 2000. Cement (roof, rainwater goods), fire protection, textured coatings, ceiling panels.

Question 11

What are the different types of asbestos survey?

Answer 11

Management survey (looks at whether anything has changed) or refurbishment survey (invasive survey to find asbestos).

Question 12

If you set up your own practice, describe some H+S responsibilities you’d have

Answer 12

HASWAS 1974 - ensure safe working environment for.employees.
Provide H&S training.
Provide PPE

Question 13

How did Covid affect your health and safety practice?

Answer 13

Ask for no symptoms/exposure when meeting people; social distancing, masks, hand sanitising/gloves.

Lone working policy when WFH - family members aware of movements

Question 14

What are some H&S issues you consider before an inspection?

Answer 14

Is it safe? Can I access all areas? Are all areas safe?

Particular hazards - trip hazards, working from height, moving vehicles

Question 15

Give an example of when you have advised on a health and safety matter.

Answer 15

Unit 6 Atlantic Street - screws sticking out of the floor. Advised client they should be removed and until that was possible, spray painted.

Question 16

What is the hierarchy of risk control?

Answer 16

Looks at how to reduce risk. Elimination, substitution, engineering control, administrative control, PPE

Question 17

What is the concept of a safe person?

Answer 17

Someone who assumes responsibility for their and others wellbeing

Question 18

What items might be in your risk assessment?

Answer 18

Am I safe to travel? Am I safe alone? Am I aware of any site rules? Am I working at height? Will there be any dangerous substances?

Question 19

What is the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act?

Answer 19

Allows a company to be able to be culpable of death/manslaughter

Question 20

Give and example of where you have complied with H&S legislation

Answer 20

Control of Asbestos Regs 2012 - considering refurbishing 15 Gregory Way so got quotes for refurbishment survey. Ended up letting as is.

Question 21

When was Surveying Safely (2nd Edition) published?

Answer 21

2018

Question 22

What is a safe person?

Answer 22

Someone who assumes responsibility for the health and safety for themselves and those around them.

Question 23

Explain the hierarchy of risk control.

Answer 23

A protocol with dealing with risks – starts with eliminating the risk, then substituting the risk for something less risky, and ends with PPE.

Question 24

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 24

Assesses the hazards present in a situation and the likelihood of someone getting hurt.

Question 25

What is a method statement?

Answer 25

Looks at how the risks will be mitigated and an operation will be carried out to be as safe as possible.

Question 26

What other health and safety legislation have you been aware of during your career?

Answer 26

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Occupier Liability Acts 1957 and 1984, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Question 27

What do the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 say?

Answer 27

The occupier/person in control of the building must maintain a record of any asbestos present and any changes.

Question 28

What do the Occupier Liability Acts say?

Answer 28

1957 Act – duty of care to anyone who could be lawfully accessing the building. 1984 Act – duty of care extended to anyone, including trespassers. Take steps to ensure reasonably safe.

Question 29

How did your Health & Safety procedures changes during Covid 19?

Answer 29

Lockdown, no site visits for a while (UNTIL WHEN?), face masks, social distancing, hand sanitiser, no physical documents.

Question 30

What risks were present on site at the office building in Stockport?

Answer 30

Covid-19 risks, plus stripped out site. Had seen RAMS which included asbestos (built 1992).

Question 31

Why were the other elements in the hierarchy of risk control discounted?

Answer 31

Elimination of risk = either no viewing or video tour (no client budget). Substitution of risk = taking in small groups rather than large viewing.

Question 32

What is your company lone working policy?

Answer 32

Full details in diary which colleagues can see. Charged mobile phone at all times.

Question 33

Talk about the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Answer 33

Covers general fire safety relating to non-domestic property in England and Wales. Responsible person = employer/occupier. Regular risk assessments. Need for good record keeping (inc procedures).