Health & Saftey

Question 1

What is the main act that regulates Health & Safety?

Answer 1

Health & Safety at Work act 1974

Question 2

What act regulates H&S and what legal duties does it place and on who?

Answer 2

-H&S at work act 1974
-Employers & employees to be H&S aware and comply with regulations

Question 3

What laws do you need to know in regards to fire risk assessment?

Answer 3

-The Regulatory Reform (Fire Saftey) Order 2005
-Fire Saftey Act 2021
-Building Safety Bill 2021

Question 4

What does the H&S act give specific duties to?

Answer 4

-Those with disabilities
-Controlling working hours
-Stress awareness
-Record keeping
-Lone working
-H&S Induction for new employees
-Duty of care to young workers
-Duty of care to expectant mothers
-Regular & appropriate training

Question 5

What is the maximum fine per breach you could receive?

Answer 5

£20K per breach

Question 6

Define what employers have to do as part of the H&S act

Answer 6

-Provide info on H&S
-Insure
-Devise & implement a safe system of work
-Risk assessment -> risks reduced/eliminated where possible
-Provide basics H&S & welfare issues i.e - ventilation, heating, seating, safe place to work..

Question 7

Define hazard and risk

Answer 7

Hazard -> Something with the potential to harm someone
Risk -> Likelihood of the harm being realised

Question 8

Define the five steps in assessing risks & hazards

Answer 8

1. Identity hazards
2. Who is at risk
3. Evaluate & decide precautions
4. Record & implement
5. Review & update

Question 9

What’s your companies lone working policy?

Answer 9

Buddy system, have our diaries shared, diaries contain viewers contact details & the properties address.
If at the end of the day we have a check-in call.

Question 10

What H&S equipment might you require on site?

Answer 10

Safety helmet, ear defenders, eye protection, steel toe capped boots, high vis, torch

Question 11

How does your company provide for mental wellbeing

Answer 11

-Puts on wellbeing calls once a week
-Provides a subscription to headspace
-Has weekly surveys on working in the work space

Question 12

What should you be aware of when inspecting a property with pools of standing water?

Answer 12

Stagnant, or standing, water can cause conditions that increase risk for Legionella and other biofilm-associated bacteria.

Question 13

Define contamination

Answer 13

To make impure or unfit for use by adding something harmful or unpleasant. wells contaminated by chemicals. contamination.

Question 14

Define dry rot

Answer 14

Fungal timber decay occurring in poorly ventilated conditions in buildings, resulting in cracking and powdering of the wood.

Caused by Serpula Lacrymans fungal spores settle on wood with moisture levels in excess of 20%

Question 15

Define a cavity wall

Answer 15

A wall formed from two thicknesses of blockwork with a space between them.

Question 16

Define a asbestos management plan

Answer 16

A document, developed from the asbestos register, that details an organisation’s approach to managing asbestos.

Question 17

Define asbestos

Answer 17

Asbestos is the general term used for a group of six fibrous silicate minerals, pose a risk when broken down

Question 18

Do employers have a duty of care to employees when it comes to asbestos

Answer 18

Yes, Property professionals are legally required to recognise and accept their personal responsibility under the duty of care requirement of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to manage and control asbestos- related risks. They also have a general ethical duty to ensure that the advice they give is morally and legally sound.

Question 19

When was asbestos primarily used in the UK

Answer 19

1960/70. Banned 1999

Question 20

Where would you commonly find asbestos?

Answer 20

Roofs, pipe insulation, boarding or floor covering among others

Question 21

What do you need to have in place to deal with asbestos?

Answer 21

A management plan

Question 22

What is an asbestos management plan?

Answer 22

Document that details exactly who is responsible for managing asbestos in a commercial or public building. Needs to be accessible to all those who visit the property.

Must be easy to read/understand & kept up to date

Question 23

What act relates to asbestos?

Answer 23

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Question 24

What are the principles of a dynamic risk assessment?

Answer 24

Undertake a risk assessment, continue to update when you get to site, before you enter the site - depending on the situation in front of you

Question 25

What are the key principles of the Fire Safety Act 2021?

Answer 25

Residential buildings

-Requires all responsible persons to assess, mange and reduce the risks posed by the structure, external walls and any common areas of the building
-Allows the Fire service to take enforcement action against responsible persons who fail to comply