Health and Safety - Level 2

Question 1

What are prescriptive systems?

Answer 1

Prescriptive systems set precise requirements that need to be followed in order to comply with health and safety law.

Question 2

What are self-regulatory systems?

Answer 2

Self-regulatory systems set general requirements, leaving the details and practicalities of achieving compliance with each RICS-regulated firm and individual.

Question 3

What is a competent person?

Answer 3

A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need.

Question 4

What are the required skills of CDM-C?

Answer 4

Very good inter-personal and communication skills
Good understanding of h&S in Construction, design process, design coordination
and information required for others to carry out their works safely.
There may be more than one CDM-C in complex projects when client cannot find an
individual with all the required skills and experience.

Question 5

What professional bodies regulate CDM coordinators?

Answer 5

NEBOSH Construction certificate (National Examination Board of Occupational
Safety and Health)
Association for Project Safety (APS)
CDM-C register of Institution of Construction Safety (ICS)
H&S register of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

Question 6

What are the key implications for cost consultants?

Answer 6

If they specify materials, working methods or prepare specifications they will be
deemed to be designers
This means they have to comply with the obligations for designers under the
Regulations

Question 7

What are the key implications of the regulations?

Answer 7

More focus on clients to put in place arrangements to ensure health and safety
Clients can no longer assign their legal responsibilities to agents
Must be a declaration of how long contractors will be given to plan and prepare for construction work
Clients deemed the principal contractor or CDM co-ordinator for any period during
which other appointments aren’t made

Question 8

What would you usually find in the pre construction information?

Answer 8

Project description
Client’s considerations and management requirements (hoarding, welfare facilities,
traffic restrictions, permit to work, etc.)
Environmental restrictions and existing on-site risks (site restrictions, previous H&S
files, ground conditions, existing services, asbestos surveys, contamination, unsafe
structures, etc.)
Significant design and construction hazards (design risks assessments, suggested
method statements, arrangement for coordination post contract design work and
changes)
Health and Safety File requirements

Question 9

What would you find in the Construction Phase Plan?

Answer 9

Project description
Management of the works (site induction, training, communication, welfare facilities,
design coordination, site rules, emergency procedures, etc.)
Arrangements for controlling significant site risks (handling of deliveries, working at
height, deep excavations, preventing falls, site segregation, maintenance of plant
and equipement, removal of asbestos, reducing noise and vibrations, manual
handling)
Health and Safety File proposals

Question 10

What would you find in the H&S File?

Answer 10

It only needs to contain H&S information that would be useful for the planning of
future works or maintenance. The construction plan, building manual and contract
docs are not useful here.
a brief description of the work carried out;
any residual hazards which remain and how they have been dealt with (for example
surveys or other information concerning asbestos; contaminated land; water bearing
strata; buried services etc);
key structural principles (for example, bracing, sources of substantial stored energy
including pre- or post-tensioned members) and safe working loads for floors and
roofs, particularly where these may preclude placing scaffolding or heavy machinery
there;
hazardous materials used (for example lead paint; pesticides; special coatings which
should not be burnt off etc);
information regarding the removal or dismantling of installed plant and equipment
(for example any special arrangements for lifting, order or other special instructions
for dismantling etc);
health and safety information about equipment provided for cleaning or maintaining
the structure;
the nature, location and markings of significant services, including underground
cables; gas supply equipment; fire-fighting services etc;
information and as-built drawings of the structure, its plant and equipment (for
example, the means of safe access to and from service voids, fire doors and
compartmentalisation etc).

Question 11

What is a F10?

Answer 11

The F10 form is used to notify the HSE of the project.

Question 12

What would you find in a F10?

Answer 12

It should contain address of construction site, name of local authority where the site is located, give a brief description of the project and the construction work it entails, provide contact details for client, lead designer, CDM-C and Principal Contractor (if appointed), give an indication of the time allowed by the client for the PC to plan and
prepare for the construction work, give planned date for start of work, duration of construction phase, give number of people at work on site at any one time and be signed by the Client.

Question 13

What does RIDDOR stand for?

Answer 13

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
(RIDDOR) require the ‘responsible person’ to notify any death, reportable injury,
disease or dangerous occurrence to the HSE (on-line or by phone for death and
serious injuries). The responsible person is the employer or, for the self-employed,
the contractor or principal contractor.

Question 14

What incidents are reportable?

Answer 14

Death, major injuries (loss of consciousness, of limb) and injuries over 7 days. (work
related; must be reported within 15 days)
Occupational diseases (they are listed in schedule 3 of the RIDDOR 1995)
Dangerous occurrences (explosions, hazardous substances, structure collapse,
collision, etc.)
Gas incidents

Question 15

Who must report them?

Answer 15

‘the responsible person’= the employer, person in charge of the site and self-employed.
Members of the public, injured people, staff etc. should report incidents to the responsible person.
They can contact the HSE if they are concerned it has not been reported but they cannot report it themselves.

Question 16

What are the new RIDDOR requirements?

Answer 16

The new RIDDOR rules will change the reporting requirement for injuries so that, from 6 April 2012, only accidents resulting in incapacitation for more than seven days must be reported, and employers will have 15 days to do so. Previously, accidents resulting in incapacitation for more than three days had to be reported.
The day of the accident is not counted.
Accidents resulting in incapacitation for more than three days must still be recorded by the employer.

Question 17

What does COSHH stand for?

Answer 17

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Regulations 2002)
Aim to avoid exposure to hazardous substances, or if not possible, to control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the health risk. (involves risk assessments)

Question 18

What are the different types of asbestos surveys?

Answer 18

Type 1: presumptive: visual inspection, looking at the likely locations for asbestos
Type 2: sampling: standard sampling, sampling of easily accessible areas to determine likely extent and types of asbestos present – industry standard
Type 3: intrusive: pre-refurbishment or demolition, intrusive into the building fabric, access to all areas for sampling and determine types of asbestos present

Question 18

How many different types of asbestos survey are there?

Answer 18

Three types – 1, 2 and 3

Question 19

What are the regulations around asbestos?

Answer 19

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Asbestos which is contained in a safe manner can be left in-situ but there is a duty to manage asbestos.
Training is compulsory for workers engaged in asbestos removal.
Asbestos removal can be licensable, notifiable non licensed works (NNLW) or non-licensed.
By 2015 even workers engaged in non-licensed asbestos removal will have to be
under medical surveillance at 3 years intervals, albeit not a strict than for those in licensed works.
For licensed and NNLW employers must keep individuals’ records of asbestos exposure.
Non licensed = short exposure to asbestos in good condition
NNLW= short exposure to asbestos that may be slightly disturbed by the works (new 2012 category)

Question 20

What is the period of notification prior to any asbestos removal
works?

Answer 20

14 days – to the HSE, the local authority or the Office of Rail regulations.

Question 21

What H&S precautions do you take when going on site?

Answer 21

Ensure that I have PPE, ensure that I have had a site induction.

Question 22

Who do you inform that you are going on site?

Answer 22

Sign in on site. Own company.

Question 23

What does PPE stand for?

Answer 23

Personal Protective Equipment

Question 24

What PPE would you wear when visiting a site?

Answer 24

Hard hat, boots, goggles, gloves, hi-vis vest, possibly ear defenders

Question 25

If you were to disregard all H&S and cause damage and/or injure yourself on site, who would be liable?

Answer 25

My own employer who would cover the cost for insurance.

Question 26

On the project described in your critical analysis, what measures did you or your company take to ensure good standards of health and safety when either undertaking your work or delivering the project?

Answer 26

Preparing work risk assessments Wearing personal protective equipment on site Adhering to contractor’s site rules

Question 27

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 27

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as ‘reasonably practicable’.

Question 28

What are the 5 steps to risk assessment?

Answer 28

Step 1 - Identify the hazards Step 2 - Decide who might be harmed and how Step 3 - Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions Step 4 - Record your findings and implement them Step 5 - Review your assessment and update if necessary

Question 29

What is the role of the HSE?

Answer 29

To prevent work-related death, injury and ill-health. Provide support to public and businesses, guidance, statistics and research. Local authorities are responsible for distribution, retail, offices and catering premises. Aviation and rail have their own regulators.

Question 30

What are the powers of the HSE?

Answer 30

Inspectors can visit site without notice, talk to workers, take pictures and samples. Written or verbal information and advice Most inspections are planned to encourage good H&S practices Some inspections to respond to a complaint or follow-up an investigation.

Question 31

What sanctions can be imposed?

Answer 31

An improvement notice requires a contravention to be remedied within a specified time (no less than 21 days). A prohibition notice is issued if there is, or is likely to be, a risk of serious personal injury, and it requires an activity to be stopped immediately and cannot resume until remedial action is taken. Fines up to £20,000 and 1 year imprisonment by magistrates’ court Unlimited fines and up to 2 years imprisonment by Crown Court Deaths and serious injuries are investigated by the police and can lead to criminal law. More serious penalties for corporate manslaughter The case Rv. F Howe and Son (Engineers) Ltd [1999] set the criteria that courts will consider in judging H&S cases.

Question 32

Who pays for HSE inspections?

Answer 32

The Department for Work and Pensions was traditionally paying for them. Since 1st October 2012 the HSE can recover hourly costs of £124 from companies who committed a material breach. This will be reviewed in October 2013. There is a concern that SME’s will be disproportionally affected and that inspections will be resented rather than being used for support and prevention.

Question 33

What is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974?

Answer 33

It is the primary piece legislation for H&S in the UK. It established both the Health and Safety Commission (research) and the Health and Safety Executive (enforcement). They merged in 2008. It is supported by many regulations and ACoP, such as Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (requirement for risk assessment, safe systems of work, access to H&S advice, emergency procedures in place). It excludes railway safety since 2006.

Question 34

What are the objectives of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974?

Answer 34

Securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work; Protecting persons, other than persons at work, against risks to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work; Controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances. Key points; (detailed in relevant regulations) Employers written H&S policy if more than 5 employees access to H&S advice risk assessments provide safe place of work assess risks associated with display screens and workstations provide training and information to staff Employer’s liability insurance Working hours Duty of reporting (RIDDOR) Lone working, young people, pregnant women, etc. Employees As per own company’s policy

Question 35

What is your company’s Health and Safety policy?

Answer 35

Prevent work-related injuries or illnesses Prevent damage to property and/or equipment from our activities Prevent adverse impacts to the environment from our ongoing projects or operations ISO 18001 certification (internal audits, H&S alerts, reporting, training, travel advice, check PPE’s, yearly Display Screen Equipment survey)

Question 36

What responsibilities as a member of staff do you have in terms of health and safety?

Answer 36

Take responsibility for safety and comply with safe systems of work Act responsively; report incidents and near misses Regular training refresher courses

Question 37

What is the RICS guidance?

Answer 37

Surveying safely

Question 38

What other guidance is available?

Answer 38

The HSE has published a similar guide ‘Health and Safety in Great Britain’ but it is more generic, not focused on construction. HSE Five Steps to Risk Assessment Managing H&S in Construction – Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) 2007

Question 39

What is an F10? What does it contain?

Answer 39

Form F10 is the notification issued to the HSE where a project is notifiable under CDM (30 days or 500 man days of construction work) - It contains location of the site, type & description of work, Details for CDMC, Client, Principal Contractor, Designers, duration for preparation & construction, start date, nr. of contractors & max nr. of personnel expected on site, signed by/on behalf of client & must be sent at least 48 hours before work begins. Responsibility of the CDMC to send it to HSE. Contractor must display the F10 Form on the site notice board for all visitors / employees to see.

Question 40

Who signs the F10?

Answer 40

Employer, Principle Contractor, CDMC & Designers are identified. The Employer or someone on his behalf (CDMC) signs the Form F10.

Question 41

What is the Pre-Construction Information Pack?

Answer 41

The requirement for a H&S plan within the Tender Documents has now been replaced by the requirement to include a Pre-Construction Information Pack within the tender. No specific format stipulated by CDM Regs 1) Project Description 2) Client considerations and management requirements 3) Risk Assessments for significant design and construction hazards 4) Welfare facilities 5) Existing site information / surveys

Question 42

Do you normally include the Pre-Construction Information Pack in the tender documents?

Answer 42

Yes, if it is notifiable under CDM

Question 43

What is the RICS Surveying Safely publication?

Answer 43

RICS guide to personal safety at work. Covers: 1) General Statement - Employers/Employees have a duty of care under law of tort towards those who may be affected by their actions. 2) Safety of Employees - actions that must be taken by employers. Special duty of care towards young/trainees. 3) Workplace - Fire, First Aid, DDA 4) Hazards and Risk Assessments - how will you manage them. 5) Visiting Sites - PPE, Lone working, Access 6) During Site Visits - key hazards-structures, roofs, contamination. 7) Safety of you and others - take reasonable care of yours/other H&S. 8) Legal Duties - Criminal Liability - CDM, Civil Liability - Tort 9) Case Studies - Barber v Somerset CC - Stress at work - off with stress, no support on return, retired and then awarded damages through courts. 10) Bilbao Declaration - 2004 - Improve H&S in construction.

Question 44

What should a Health and Safety File Include?

Answer 44

* A brief description of the work carried out * Residual hazards and how they have been dealt with (e.g. surveys or other information regarding asbestos, contaminated land, etc) * Key structural principles incorporated in the design of the structure and safe working loads for floors * Any hazards associated with the materials used (e.g. special coatings which shouldn’t be burnt off) * Information regarding the removal or dismantling of installed plant and equipment * Nature, location and markings of significant services, including underground cables, gas supply

Question 45

Who is in charge of H&S on site?

Answer 45

The Principal Contractor is responsible for H&S on site. We all owe a duty of care with regards to our own and others health, safety and welfare. Client has ultimate responsibility for carrying out this role & ensuring the appropriate information is made available to all members of the team and competent persons are appointed.

Question 46

You walked on site for a valuation and found out that it is not safe. What do you do?

Answer 46

Notify the client & HSE

Question 47

What should you wear for PPE?

Answer 47

Hard hat, Boots, Hi-vis jacket / waistcoat & pants, Eye protection, Ear defenders, Gloves

Question 48

What would you do before, during & after visiting a construction site?

Answer 48

1) Before - Gain information about the site, undertake a risk assessment, obtain PPE, nature of work, access, conditions , notify of visit 2) During - Wear PPE, review risk assessment, sign in, induction, emergency procedures, remain vigilant of hazards, walking routes, dangerous substances, site rules 3) After - sign out, lock vacant site, report any accidents,

Question 49

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 49

Places a statutory duty on all employers to provide and maintain equipment and systems of works that are safe and without risk to the health and safety of employees, or others who may be affected by their undertaking. The Act aims to: * secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work * protect others against risks to health and safety arising from work activities * control dangerous substances * control certain emissions into the atmosphere. Employers with 5 or more employees must have written health and safety documents, detail the organisations health and safety structure.

Question 50

What other regulations exist?

Answer 50

The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Question 51

What is the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008?

Answer 51

Received Royal Assent on 16 October 2008, and came into force Friday 16 January 2009. The statute seeks to broaden the penalties available to the Court when sentencing health and safety offences, by providing for increased fines and introducing imprisonment as a sanction.

Question 52

What is a method statement?

Answer 52

A document that details the way a a task or process is to be completed and prior approved It should outline the hazards involved and include a step by step guide on how to do the job safely. It should detail which control measures have been introduced to ensure the safety of anyone who is affected by the task or process.

Question 53

What is public liability insurance?

Answer 53

A copy of the contractor's all risks and it is also needed before work is commenced.

Question 54

What are common asbestos-containing materials?

Answer 54

- Acoustic plaster - Ceiling tiles - Cement pipes - Decorative plaster - Ducting - Fire curtains and doors - Fireproofing - Pipe insulation - Roof felt - Textured paint (such as Artex) and coatings - Vinyl floor tiles - Wallboard

Question 55

What will a simple risk assessment include?

Answer 55

1. Identify the hazards present 2. Identify the people at risk from the hazard e.g employees, visitors, contractors 3. Evaluate the risk, considering the likelihood and severity of any accidents. 4. Record the findings on a suitable form 5. Review the risk assessment regularly 6. Advise all those affected of the outcome of the risk assessment and methods of work and precautions to minimise or eliminate risks.

Question 56

What is the 'Six Pack' of H&S Regulations?

Answer 56

A group of 6 regulations introduced in 1993, covering various key aspects of H&S compliance. The regulations clarify how employer must comply with their duties under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974

Question 57

What are the 'Six Pack' regulations?

Answer 57

1. Management of Health and Safety at work 2. Display Screen Equipment 3. Manual Handling Operations 4. Personal Protective Equipment at Work 5. Provision and use of Work Equipment 6. Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare

Question 58

What is the trigger date of reporting injuries?

Answer 58

It is over 7 days incapacitation and such injuries must be reported to the HSE within 15 days from the date of the accident. Employers must also keep a record of all 3 day plus injuries

Question 59

How long should should the information be kept for in an accident book?

Answer 59

A minimum of 3 years after an occupational accident or injury.

Question 60

What is the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007?

Answer 60

The Act related to gross breaches of a duty of care by a corporate body leading to a persons death.

Question 61

What are the penalties under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007?

Answer 61

They range from an unlimited fine, imprisonment and disqualification as a company director by a member of the 'senior management team'.

Question 62

What is the Fire risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2025?

Answer 62

It is based on a risk assessment with emphasis on fire prevention. It applies to non-domestic property in England and Wales

Question 63

Who is the 'responsible person'?

Answer 63

The 'responsible person' is the employer or occupier who controls the property, or owner if vacant.

Question 64

What is required under Fire risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2025?

Answer 64

Fire precautions must be in place following a risk assessment Good record keeping - risk assessment, fire policy & fire procedures and staff training Regular review of assessments required and recorded.

Question 65

What reasonable fire precaution measure can be put in place?

Answer 65

A fire detection and warning alarm system Fire-fighting equipment Safe exit routes A personal emergency evacuation plan Emergency lighting and signage Suitable fire exit doors

Question 66

What is the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022?

Answer 66

The Act came into place following the Hackitt Review (2018) The act: - Applies to all premises in England and Wales, including common parts in multiple occupation - Fire Risk Assessments musted be updates regularly - Requires a responsible person to assess, manage and reduce the fire risks posed - Allows the Fire Service to take enforcement action against responsible persons who fail to comply. - Regular inspections of lifts to be reported to fire and rescue services - Evacuation plans regularly updated and personal evacuation plans are in place.

Question 67

What is a EWS?

Answer 67

External Wall System UK government and mortgagors have sought to enable the valuation of tall residential buildings through introduction of the ESW 1 form, which is designed to be for residential properties of any height, including: - Blocks of flats - Student accommodation - Assisted living and care homes - HMO's - Mixed Blocks where there is a residential component It is not designed for hotels

Question 68

What has been found from reviews following Grenfell?

Answer 68

They found that residential buildings external wall systems to be unsafe

Question 69

How long are EWS1 forms valid?

Answer 69

They are valid for entire buildings for 5 years but not every building will require an ESW1 form.

Question 70

What is the building safety Act 2022?

Answer 70

The legislation is intended to enhance regulations for building safety and ensuring residents have a stronger voice in ensuring safety in buildings.