Health & Safety Flashcards
What is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974?
An important piece of legislation for workplaces in the UK. It ensures that all employers provide a safe working environment and look out for the health of their employees—wherever their place of work.
It relates to the wellbeing of not only permanent staff but also casual, self-employed and temporary workers, as well as visiting members of the public.
The Act is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the regulator for workplace health and safety in the UK.
What are the key points of the Heath and Safety at Work Act?
- Provide a safe place of work
- Provide safe equipment
- Ensure staff are properly trained
- Carry out risk assessments
- Provide proper facilities
- Appoint a competent person to oversee health and safety
Who is responsible for H&S within your firm?
Everyone.
- The H&S at Work Act says that employees have a duty to themselves and to each other
- Implemented and managed by our FM (competent person)
What is the general duty on employers under the H&S at Work Act 1974?
- To ensure health, safety and wellbeing of employees and other affected persons is not at risk, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Unlimited fines
- Firms are required to maintain and provide safe equipment, provide safe systems of work and provide safe premises
What should an employers H&S policy include to comply with their duties under the H&S at Work Act 1974?
- Line management structure
- Clear accountability, policies and procedures
- Staff training
- Adequate resources
- Appropriate insurance
What are your responsibilities under the H&S at Work Act 1974?
- Take responsibility for own H&S and that of anyone under your supervision
- Co-operate with employers to minimise risk to self, colleagues and others potentially affected by actions
- Reports actual or perceived breaches in good time
- Carry out risk assessment
- Wear PPE
- Undertake staff training
What should you do if you find asbestos?
Do not disturb it and notify your manager and seek specialist advice
What is a hazard and what is a risk?
Hazard - something with the potential to cause harm
Risk - Likelihood of harm being realised
What is the ‘safe person’ concept?
Introduced in the latest Surveying Safely Professional Standard.
All individuals have a responsibility for their own and their colleagues safety in the workplace.
What role does CDM play?
Construction (design and management) regulations (2015) are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects.
Applies to all building and construction work.
What legislation covers fire safety?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety Act 2021
Building Regs Approved Doc B contains guidance on fire safety, including means of escape, fire spread and fire service access. Amendments to this doc were published in March 2024 including the requirement for a second stair core
Please explain your firms lone working policy
- Dynamic risk assessment should be conducted by staff as necessary for the circumstances in place at the time.
- Staff required to notify line manager in advance where they are going, for how long and to provide contact details
- Update work calendar
- If possible, go with a colleague
- Fully charged phone
- Must report all incidents
Are you aware of RICS guidance on H&S and Surveying Safely? What are some things to be aware of?
- Travelling to and from site
- Condition of property
- Lone working
- Environmental matters
Where would you find RICS requirements for H&S?
Professional Standard: RICS Surveying Safely, Health and Safety Principles for Property Professionals
What is the general duty on employers under the H&S at Work Act 1974?
- To ensure health, safety and wellbeing of employees and other affected persons is not at risk, so far as is reasonably practicable
