Health & Safety

Question 1

What are your firm’s internal requirements?

Answer 1

There is a clear lone working policy when undertaking inspections alone.

Question 2

Talk me through CBRE’s lone working policy

Answer 2

• Identify employees who may be meeting unfamiliar tenants, LL’s or agents.
• Ensure risk assessments are undertaken to identify hazards posing significant threat to lone working
• Property address, dates and times of site visits to be held on outlook diary
• Emergency response escalation plan in place if lone worker is not contactable

Question 3

What is the difference between a risk and a hazard?

Answer 3

Hazard = something that may cause harm
Risk = likelihood of hazard causing harm

Question 4

What would you do before attending a site visit?

Answer 4

Liaise with site manager, check access is possible and safe, PPE requirements if necessary, charge phone, lone working policy

Question 5

What is the role of a H&S Executive?

Answer 5

Policies the provisions under the ‘H&S at Work Act 1974’ as a criminal offence

Question 6

Have you read any RICS guidance on H&S?

Answer 6

I have regard for RICS Surveying Safely 2018, which outlines best practice principles for the management of H&S for RICS members/firms

Question 7

If there were squatters at a vacant unit, what would you do?

Answer 7

I wouldn’t enter the premises, I would call the police and inform the local council and then inform my client / the LL

Question 8

Why is it important to carry out a risk assessment prior to inspecting?

Answer 8

As a surveyor, I have a duty of care to be a safe person as per RICS Surveying Safely.
This includes assuming responsibility for my own, my colleagues and others health & safety in all facets of my work.

Question 9

What PPE do you take on inspection?

Answer 9

Depending on the site I visit, I ensure I have the appropriate PPE (e.g. hard hat, high vis, steel-capped boots, glasses)