Health & Safety

Question 1

what is the APM BoK definition of Health & Safety management

Answer 1

Health and safety management is the process of identifying and minimising threats to workers and those affected by the work throughout the project, programme or portfolio life cycle.

Question 2

what must the PM do to ensure that the risks to the health and safety of any person arising from project activities, are identified and controlled.

Answer 2

1. establish a health and safety policy and systematic implementation thereof
2. utilise proactive and reactive performance measures to gain assurance of compliance
3. measure effectiveness in driving good H&S performance

Question 3

what does the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974 cover

Answer 3

1. sets out general duties of Employers towards St and the public and between employees
2. based on ‘common sense’ and what is reasonably practical

Question 4

who enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974

Answer 4

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcing the act and providing relevant guidance to employers and employees

Question 5

what are the 3 primary objectives of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974

Answer 5

1. Securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work
2. Protecting persons, other than persons at work, against risks to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work
3. Controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances

Question 6

what 3 points were included in the Management of H&S at Work Regulations 1999

Answer 6

1. makes it more explicit what is required to comply with the 1974 Act
2. main requirements on employers is to carry out risk assessments
3. straightforward in an office environment but can be complex when dealing with serious hazards

Question 7

what are the 8 steps the law requires employers to carry out to be in compliance with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

Answer 7

1. assess the risks
. decide what precautions are needed
3. prevent or control exposure
4. ensure these controls are used and maintained
5. monitor the exposure
6. carry out health surveillance
7. prepare accident and emergency plans
8. ensure employees are informed, trained and supervised

Question 8

what are the 8 statutory responsibilities included in the employers duty of care

Answer 8

1. to provide a safe & suitable work environment
2. mental well being
3. physical well being
4. proper equipment and protective clothing
5. proper welfare facilities
6. provide adequate training
7. provide adequate first aid facilities
8. have sufficient insurance and display certificates

Question 9

What are the HSE responsibilities of employees

Answer 9

1. follow the training received when using work items provided by the employer
2. take reasonable care of their own H&S and that of others who may be affected by their actions
3. cooperate with management to meet employers legal obligation
4. not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare

Question 10

what are the 5 steps to managing H&S

Answer 10

1. Set your policy - The organisation should have a documented policy that states how hazards will be identified and managed and who is responsible for managing health and safety on the project.
2. Organise your staff - A positive health and safety culture must be developed within the organisation ensuring the effective implementation of the four ‘Cs’ – competence, control, cooperation and communication.
3. Plan and set standards - Your plan will be heavily influenced by your policy (see step 1) and should document objectives and the process for identifying, assessing and managing hazards on your projects. Any standards set must be measurable, achievable and relevant.
4. Measure your performance - Project managers must ensure that health and safety is monitored on both a proactive and reactive basis. This means that the relevant standards must first be understood and the reasons for any variation between where you are and where you want to be, analysed and understood.
5. Learn From Experience (LFE) – audit and review
   Monitoring allows the team to decide how to improve performance later in this project and also on future projects. This may involve reviewing and updating your policy and communicating these actions to the relevant parties.

Question 11

what are the 5 statutory requirements on PM

Answer 11

1. carry out a risk assessment on risks to personnel or the project - identify and take appropriate measures to eliminate or mitigate
2. implement H&S policy for the project - formal written H&S policy stating how H&S will be managed and defines roles and responsibilities
3. facilitate training and briefing relative to H&S - PM must ensure all project personnel have appropriate H&S training and measures in place for H&S of visitors
4. provide H&S reporting, review and improvement - all H&S activities are recorded and procedures regularly reviewed an appropriate improvements made
5. report to H&S Executive
   - death or major injury
   - injuries resulting in more than 3 days absence
   - work related diseases
   - dangerous occurrences - near misses

Question 12

what are 6 benefits of H&S

Answer 12

1. increased morale in the workforce
2. better industrial relations
3. reduced compensation claims
4. reduced possibility of prosecution
5. less disruption due to accidents and sick leave
6. improved company image and reputation

Question 13

what are 5 environmental factors that must be considered

Answer 13

1. discharges to rivers and sewers - any project generating liquid waste must get authorisation before discharging anything other than uncontaminated water
2. land contamination - if you have hazardous substances at site (oils, chemicals) you must ensure you don’t cause land contamination via leaks or spillage
3. control, storage and disposal of waste materials - you need to have a site waste management plan controlling secure storage and comply with your duty of care to staff and the public
4. noise - you must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to noise
5. pollution and nuisance - your site must not present a health risk or nuisance to adjoining areas (smells, dust, smoke, noise or vibrations)