Health & Safety Flashcards
What is the latest RICS document on Health & Safety?
RICS Guidance Note ‘Surveying Safely’ - Health and Safety principles for property professionals 2018’ - effective Feb 2019
What is the key legislation and guidance surrounding Health & Safety?
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
What is RIDDOR?
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
Who is the H&S act policed by?
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
What is the 6 step approach to risk assessments?
- Identify the hazards
- Identify the people at risk from the hazards
- Evaluate the risk
- Record findings
- Review risk assessment regularly
- Advise all those affected of the outcome of the risk assessment and the precautions to minimise or elimate the risk
How is Asbestos obtained?
Mined – underground CHECK
What are the 3 main types of asbestos?
- Brown (amosite)
- Blue (crocidolite)
- White (chrysotile)
When was asbestos banned in the UK?
Blue and Brown – 1985
White – 1999
Who is the duty holder if asbestos is identified?
The owner of the property if vacant or a tenant if holding a repairing lease
What is Asbestos?
An insulating material which can cause serious health problems + fatal diseases
Does the RICS provide a guidance note on asbestos?
Yes, RICS Guidance Note Asbestos: Legal Requirements + Best Practice for Property Professionals + Clients, 2021
How would you identify asbestos?
- Firstly I would refer to the asbestos register if there is one in place and/or any historic building documents that may suggest potential for ACMs
- If ACM are present I would carry out a risk assessment to identify the potential hazards and request information as to its type, location and condition
- If the risk is high, I would not enter the building without seeking specialist advice as to confirm whether the ACMs have been appropriately managed.
CHECK
What are the two types of asbestos survey?
- Management survey
– To locate and assess it and advise on its management during normal occupation and use of premises
- No sampling of materials or analysis is undertaken - Refurbishment/demolition survey
- Required where premises or part of it needs refurb or demo works to be undertaken.
- Samples of materials suspected to be tested.
- Recommendations are made regarding their management
What are the statutory obligations of a commercial/residential property owner?
Asbestos management, contamination, fire safety, health and safety, legionnaires, waste management.
CHECK IF SAME FOR RESIDENTIAL
What is your employers responsibility under the H&S act 1974?
(submission)
- Duty to every employer to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees
- Must report injuries and dangerous occurrences (1995 Regulations)
- Must undertake, record and regularly review a risk assessment (1999 Regulations)
- Detailed H&S information is to be held on site - usually in the Operations and Maintenance Manual
What are the responsibilities of employees under the health and safety at work act?
What H&S procedures would you undertake if you were going to inspect a development/construction site?
- Carry out pre inspection due diligence.
- Ensure appropriate PPE is taken.
- Ensure that mobile phone is charged
- Inform colleagues of your inspection (ensure it is in your diary, who you are meeting and location of inspection)
- Sign in + out of a building or construction site + receive a site induction
(If going alone - need to check that is safe, if yes, adhere to lone working policy)
CHECK
What are the penalties for breaching the H&S at Work Act?
Criminal offence - fines and/or imprisonment
What is a hazard?
Refers to anything that has the potential to cause harm (harm)
What is a risk?
The probability/likelihood that someone will be harmed is called a risk (harmed)
What is a Risk Assessment?
A process of identifying hazards and evaluating any associated risks within a workplace, then implementing reasonable measures to remove or reduce them.
A legal requirement, for organisations employing more than 5 staff, to carry out documented health + safety risk assessments of all their significant hazards.
What is a Method Statement?
- A document that details the way a work task or process is to be completed + prior approved
- Outline the hazards involved
Why is Public Liability Insurance relevant?
- It is needed before work is commended
When is a written health and safety policy document required?
Required for employers if they employ more than 5 employees
What must a written health and safety policy document include?
- A policy setting out the organisation’s commitment to health and safety (H&S)
- Details of the organisation’s H&S structure, with roles + responsibilities for organising H&S
- A risk assessment setting the risks within the workplace + the preventative measures in place
- Details of the planning, implementation of the H&S policy + control measures
What does RIDDOR outline?
- The trigger date for reporting injuries is over 7 days incapacitation
- Such an injury must be reported to HSE within 15 days from the date of the accident
- All employers must also keep a record of all 3-day injuries
- This information can be kept in an accident book which must be kept for a minimum of 3 years after an occupational accident or injury
What act relates to corporate manslaughter?
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide 2007
What does Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 outline?
This Act relates to gross breaches of a duty of care by a corporate body leasing to a person’s death
What are the penalties under Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007?
Range from an unlimited fine, imprisonment + disqualification as a company director by a member of the ‘senior management team’
What act relates to fire risk management?
Fire Risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
What does - Fire Risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 outline?
- Based on a risk assessment with emphasis on fire prevention
- Applies to non-domestic property in England and Wales
- The ‘Responsible Person’ is the employer, or occupier who controls the property, or owner if vacant
- Must be fire precautions in place following risk assessment
- Need for good record keeping - risk assessment, fire policy & fire procedures and staff training
- Regular review of assessments required and recorded
- Reasonable fire precaution measures could include a fire detection and warning alarm system, fire-fighting equipment, safe exit routes, a personal emergency evacuation plan, emergency lighting + signage + suitable fire exit door
- Matter covered in Part B of the Building Regulations
What is the recent fire safety legislation?
Fire Safety Act 2021 - relates to multi-occupied residential buildings
Why did the The Fire Safety Act 2021 occur?
Following the Hackitt Review (2018)