Health & Safety Flashcards
What health and safety legislation related to work is there?
NEED TO ADD REGS DATES AND EFFECTIVE DATES
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Workplace (HS&Welfare) Regs 1992
(provisions for comfort, sanitation, appropriate working environments and safety) - Management of H&S at Work Regs 1999
(makes more explicit, risk assessments) - Manual Handling Operations Regs (MHOR) 1992
- DSE 1992
- COSHH 2002
- RIDDOR 2013
- PPE REGS 2018
What’s stated in the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974?
- duty of care “so far as is reasonably practicable” to:
adequate training of staff;
adequate welfare provisions;
a safe working environment;
suitable provisions of relevant information and supervision - for workplaces with 5 or more employees, must keep a written record of H&S policy and consult with employees
-s4 defines a duty of occupiers of premises e.g. commercial LLs;
the premises, means of entry and exit must be safe and without risks to health (“so far as is reasonably practicable”)
What should you think about when visiting premises?
Checklist inc:
- travelling to and from site
- lone working
- condition of property
- occupation
- equipment
During visit:
- review risk assessment on arrival
- structural stability
- timbers, glass and sharp objects
- live and unsecured services
- slips, trips and hazards
- adverse weather
- hazards
- secure the site / inform leaving
What factors are there to consider when lone working?
- mobile phone: keep it charged
- petrol: top up
- breakdown cover
- money
- emergency contact details
- diary/work schedule
- contact with colleagues
- alarm
- first aid kit
What does “Surveying Safely” Guidance Note say about personal responsibility?
NEED TO INCLUDE GN DATE AND EFFECTIVE DATE
- an individual’s ability to respond appropriately to an incident will come from competence (skills, knowledge, experience) and the availability of clear info
- individuals should be prepared to recognise when matters are beyond their competence
- individuals are obliged to maintain competence levels appropriate to their tasks
- “safe persons” concept: each individual assumes behavioural responsibility for their own/colleagues’/others’ H&S while at work
- individuals responsibilities:
performance;
control;
adaptability;
vigilance;
awareness;
teamwork
How do you assess hazards and risks?
- identify the hazards
- decide who might be harmed and how
- evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
- record findings and implement them
- review the assessment and update if necessary
- advise all those affected of the outcome of the assessment and methods of work or other control measures needed to minimise or eliminate risks
hierarchy of risk control:
1. elimination
2. substitution
3. engineering controls
4. admin controls
5. PPE
What is the HSE 5 stage risk management process?
- identify hazards
- decide who might be harmed and how
- evaluate the risk and decide upon precautions
- record significant findings of risk assessments if there are 5 employees or more
- review and update regularly
How should you manage contractors in relation to H&S?
- monitor and coordinate works (permit to work)
- obligation to provide hazard information relating to property
- contractor procurement:
ensure competent;
membership of pro body;
insurance;
references;
for larger or more specific work, tender process - management of contractors:
approved contractor lists;
arrangements for managing subcontractors;
membership of recognised competency assessment schemes in H&S - clearly define H&S responsibilities, obtain RAMS
What should all commercial property and shared accommodation buildings hold for fire protection?
- fire detection and warning system
- written evacuation plan
- at least basic fire-fighting equipment
- fire drills should take place yearly
- an audibility fire alarm test should be conducted weekly
What regulations are fire precautions controlled by when premises are occupied?
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005:
- general
- fire safety duties
- enforcement
- offences and appeals
- miscellaneous
Gov has a “Fire Safety Risk Assessment” series
What is asbestos?
- a group of fibrous minerals which are strong, heat resistant and unable to conduct electricity, therefore useful as insulating material
- commonly referred to as white, brown and blue
Which buildings may contain asbestos?
- any building constructed or renovated before the year 2000
What is the duty to manage asbestos?
Duty to manage asbestos in commercial property/common areas of domestic property:
- make and maintain a record of asbestos in the building
- assess the risk from the asbestos
- plan how to manage the risk
- review the plan:
find out;
assess condition;
survey and sample;
written record;
act;
keep records up to date
(if the ACM is in good condition and is not disturbed/damaged, there is negligible risk)
What should you do if you accidentally come across asbestos?
- stop work immediately
- warn everyone who might be affected
- exclude people who are not required to deal with the asbestos
- determine whether you need a licensed contractor
- if not sure whether contains, assume it does and either arrange to have a sample analysed or proceed if it is asbestos
Does work with asbestos require a licence?
- not all work with asbestos requires a licence, however a risk assessment must be undertaken first and there are controls that must be put in place by someone with sufficient level of knowledge, training and expertise
- there are extra requirements with “notifiable non-licensed work”
