HEALTH AND SAFTEY

Question 1

What health & safety legislation are you aware of?

What about the secondary regulations?

Answer 1

I am aware of key health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Secondar includes:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (rules on asbestos etc)

Question 2

What are the penalties under current health & safety legislation?

Answer 2

Can include substantial fines, imprisonment for individuals, and enforcement actions such as prohibition notices or improvement notices.

Question 3

Is it a criminal offence to breach the H&S at Work Act 1974?

Answer 3

Yes, breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 can be a criminal offence, leading to fines or imprisonment for individuals and significant penalties

Question 4

Tell me about your employer’s health & safety policy?

Answer 4

My employer’s H&S policy includes measures for risk assessment, incident reporting, staff training, and compliance with relevant regulations.

Question 5

What guidance does the RICS produce about H&S?

Answer 5

“Surveying Safely” provides mandatory principles for safely conducting surveys, including risk assessments, safe working practices

Question 6

Tell me something you understand from reading Surveying Safely.

Answer 6

I understand that it emphasises the importance of conducting thorough risk assessments

Question 7

How would you undertake a risk assessment before attending site?

Answer 7

By reviewing site-specific documentation, identifying potential hazards, evaluating risks associated with each hazard, and planning appropriate control measures

Question 8

What is asbestos?

Answer 8

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber known for its fire-resistant properties, but it poses health risks, including lung disease and cancer, when its fibers are inhaled.

Question 9

What legislation are you aware of in relation to asbestos?

Answer 9

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which outline duties for managing asbestos

Question 10

What are the two types of asbestos survey?

Answer 10

Management Survey: Identifies asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to help manage their risks.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey: Conducted before major refurbishment or demolition work to locate all ACMs that could be exposed during the project.

Question 11

What are the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015?

Answer 11

UK regulations that set out the legal requirements for managing health, safety, and welfare throughout the construction project lifecycle

Question 12

Explain your understanding of the Fire Safety Act 2021

Answer 12

Scope of fire safety regulations to include the structure and external walls of buildings, including cladding, and ensures that fire safety risks are properly assessed.

Question 13

Explain your understanding of the Building Safety Act 2022.

Answer 13

Measures to enhance building safety, focusing on high-rise residential buildings.

It establishes a new regulatory framework, including the creation of a Building Safety Regulator.

Question 14

Which is the most common type of asbestos?

Answer 14

The most common type of asbestos is Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos.

Question 15

What did the HASEMP include?

How did this help to discharge the planning conditions?

Answer 15

Strategies and procedures for managing H&S and environmental risks on a project.

The planning condition specifically requested a construction environment management plan.

Question 16

Explain your risk assessment relating to a construction site.

Answer 16

I identify potential hazards such as falls, equipment accidents, or exposure to hazardous materials, evaluate the likelihood and severity of these risks

Question 17

What were the findings under the recent Grenfell enquiry?

Answer 17

he findings highlighted systemic failures at every level - government, regulatory bodies, construction firms, and fire services.

The report recommended sweeping reforms, including:

Establishing a construction regulator to oversee the industry, including product testing, fire risk assessment, and licensing contractors.

Strengthening the building control system to ensure that building regulations are strictly enforced, free from commercial pressures.