Health & safety Level 2 Flashcards
What is a Risk Assessment?
A Risk Assessment is a systematic examination of hazards, examining the likeliness they will occur, and the impact they will have.
The law requires every employer to carry out a risk assessment for the workplace.
The aim of Risk Assessment is to reduce the risk of injury and illness associated with work.
What do you consider when writing a Risk Assessment?
- Identify all hazards.
- Assess the risks.
- Put control measures in place.
What is BeSMART.ie?
BeSMART.ie is free online tool developed by the H&S Authority..
Purpose: to generate your own workplace risk assessments and safety statement.
It will guide you through the entire risk assessment process using simple instructions. On completion you will have a workplace-specific safety statement that can be saved and implemented.
What is a Method Statement?
A document detailing how a particular task or activity will be carried out.
It should detail the possible risks/dangers, and the methods of control established to show how the work will be managed safely.
What is included in a method statement?
Method Statement contents:
• Working systems to be used.
• Arrangements for access.
• Arrangements for protecting the safety of members of the public.
• Plant and Equipment to be used.
• Procedures to ensure compliance with Regulations etc.
Does the RICS publish any guidance on Health & Safety for a Surveyor?
Yes, Surveying Safely, which was updated to its second version effective November 2018.
What is covered in ‘Surveying Safely’ guidance note?
- Personal and Corporate responsibilities.
- Relevance to RICS professional groups
- Assessing hazards and risks
- RICS members’ places of work
- Occupational hygiene and health
- Visiting premises or sites
- Fire safety
- Residential property surveying
- General procurement and management of contractors
What does Surveying Safely 2018 set out?
Basic, good practice principles for the management of health and safety for RICS-regulated firms and RICS members.
Principles for those engaged in the built environment as property professionals and includes health and safety responsibilities:
- At a corporate level
- At the level of the individual RICS member.
What does surveying safely state that RICS Regulated firms must ensure they provide? (4 things)
RICS Regulated Firms must ensure they provide:
- A safe working environment
- Safe work equipment
- Safe systems of work
- Competent staff
Key points of advice from Surveying Safely, 2018?
- RICS considers the concept of a ‘safe person’ to mean that each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work
- It seeks to ensure that individuals accept responsibility for their own actions and they have the tools they need to do their job safely.
- A requirement for updated personal and corporate responsibilities for property professionals (including relevant law, employers’ liability insurance and public liability)
- Legal considerations and duties for employers and employees to include advice on asbestos
- Advice on health, well-being and mental health
- An audit template is provided to assist Members
- Property professional’s places of work (to include emergency arrangements and building services)
- Occupational health (to include stress and bullying)
- It places greater emphasis will be placed on Members having correct operational practices in place
What does Surveying Safely 2018 say in relation to construction and sites?
- Wear appropriate PPE e.g. a high visibility jacket, protective footwear, hard hat, protective goggles, gloves and ear defenders.
- Sign in and out of a building or construction site and receive a site induction.
- Consider whether safe to inspect alone and observe special lone working.
- Check dated tag if going on scaffolding.
- Wear non -slip sole shoes/ boots when going up a ladder
What is the Hierarchy of risk control in Surveying Safely 2018?
- Elimination – redesign activity so hazard is eliminated
- Substitution – materials/proposed work for less hazardous one.
- Isolate – restrict access to the equipment/ work.
- Engineering controls – place a barrier between people and hazard e.g. to prevent falls
- Administrative controls – E.g. reducing lone working or ensuring good day light
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)– where previous methods are found ineffective in controlling risk PPE should be used.
What are some of the organisational responsibilities in the safe person section of surveying safely, 2018?
1) Selection (of capable staff)
2) Training ( on the job role and potential hazards)
3) Information (teach staff about risks and control measures)
4) Equipment (provide this to staff, and train on usage)
5) Safe systems of work (implement protocols and systems)
6) Supervision (support and communicate)
7) Personal protective equipment ( provide PPE)
What are some of the individual responsibilities under the safe persons section of Surveying Safely, 2018?
1) Performance: being competent to perform their work safely (know competency limits).
2) Control: follow rules.
3) Adaptability.
4) Vigilance: be alert to safety of yourself & colleagues.
5) Awareness: recognise abilities and limitations.
6) Teamwork.
What safety considerations when arriving at site/ property?
- Structural stability
- Timber glass and sharp objects
- Roofs
- Danger from live and unsecured services
- Slip and trip hazards
- Falls from height
- Impact of other people/animals on the property
- Contamination
What is an accident?
Undesired circumstances that give rise to
1) ill-health or injury
2) damage to property/plant/products/environment
3) production losses or
4) increased liabilities.
What is an incident?
Undesired circumstances and ‘near misses’ that could cause accidents.
What is a hazard?
Anything that may cause harm or injury, e.g. chemicals, electricity, working from ladders.
What is risk?
Risk is the chance (high or low) that someone could be harmed by hazards.
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is something that may cause harm and the risk is the likelihood of that happening.
What is a control measure?
Control measures are the precautions taken to ensure that a hazard will not injure anyone
What does COSHH stand for?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
What should you do if attending a derelict site by yourself? Inspections/ Auction.
- Carry out a pre-assessment of the likely hazards on the site.
- Consider how you are going to travel to and from the site.
- Take the appropriate PPE
- Tell others you are going to site and the likely time you will return.
- Assess the condition of the site, if unsafe do not enter.
- Assess if the site is occupied, if so you may have to inform them of your visit.
- Is there the likeliness of any Dangerous substances, COSHH etc.
- Only enter if there is no risk to your safety and wellbeing.
What would you do if you saw an unsafe practice on site?
Report it to the site manager.
