Legal Duties Concerning Health And Safety Policy

Question 1

What does section 2(3) of the health and safety at Work Act require

Answer 1

…every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees.

Question 2

What does the (exemption) exempt employees under the Health and Safety Policy 1975

Answer 2

exempts employers who employ four or less employees from the requirement to write the policy (not the requirement to have a policy)

Question 3

What’s intended by the health and safety policy

Answer 3

to make employers think carefully about the nature of the hazards in the workplace, and about what precautions are necessary to make the workplace safe and healthy for their employees.

Question 4

What 3 section does the law require in the health and safety policy

Answer 4

A health and safety policy statement of intent which includes the health and safety aims and objectives of the organization.

The health and safety organization detailing the people with specific health and safety responsibilities and their duties

The health and safety arrangements in place in terms of systems and procedures

Question 5

Who signs the health and safety policy statement

Answer 5

The most senior manager or managing director
It’s the responsibility of them under the HSW act to ensure that the policy is developed and communicated to all employees
Should be written by the organization not third party.

Question 6

How to make sure employees know about the safety policy

Answer 6

Give a copy to every employee

Ensure copies are given to new employees on induction

Post copies on staff notice boards last

Question 7

What does regulation 5 of the MHSWR require

Answer 7

requires employers to make appropriate arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of their preventative and protective measures.

Question 8

A health and safety policy as required by HASAWA contains three distinct sections

Answer 8

(1) statement of intent (policy statement) – the what

(2) organisation (people and their responsibilities) – The Who

(3) arrangements (systems and procedures) – the how.

Question 9

The guidance (L1) to HASAWA suggest that the purpose of the health and safety policy ?

Answer 9

statement is to set out the employer’s aims and objectives for improving health and safety at work after a careful consideration of the nature of the workplace hazards and the appropriate controls.

Question 10

What does HSG65 consider about the policy

Answer 10

should be shaped by the organisations: general intentions, approach and objectives (or vision), and the criteria and principles upon which it bases its action.

Question 11

HSG65 considers the written statement of policy to be shaped by the

Answer 11

Organization
General intention
Approach and objectives 9 vision )
Criteria and principles on which to base its action

Question 12

What does OHSAS 18001 require top management to do

Answer 12

formally express the organisation’s overall intentions and direction for health and safety performance in the health and safety policy, which should also provide a framework for action and for the setting of health and safety objectives.

Question 13

Safety policy statement should as minimum include commitments to;

Answer 13

 the prevention of occupational injuries and ill health

 compliance with applicable legal requirements, and other relevant standards

 continual improvement in health and safety management and performance

 provide a framework for setting and reviewing health and safety objectives.

Question 14

Health and safety policy should be

Answer 14

 appropriate to the nature and scale of organisation’s health and safety risks
 documented, implemented and maintained
 signed by the chief executive officer / managing director and dated
 communicated to all persons working under the control of the organisation
 available to all other interested parties
 periodically reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant and appropriate to the organisation.

Question 15

Supervisor and managers may well have additional responsibilities to include

Answer 15

 risk assessments are current and effective
 employees are working in accordance with safe systems of work
 the workplace is kept clean and tidy and free of obstructions
 adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) are available
 accidents and near misses are reported and properly investigated.

Question 16

Directors/senior management team responsibilities in regards to the. Health and safety policy

Answer 16

 establishing effective ‘downward’ communication systems and management structures
 considering health and safety implications of all business decisions
 setting targets for improving the organisations health and safety performance
 regularly reviewing the organisations health and safety performance at board level
 making provision for adequate resources, including competent health and safety advice.

Question 17

Health and safety advisor manager role in the policy

Answer 17

Role needs to be clearly defined
 advising the board or senior management on strategic health and safety issues
 formulating and developing specific aspects of the health and safety management system, e.g. the practical arrangements for risk assessment
 day-to-day implementation of policy and plans including accident and incident investigation
 reviewing performance and auditing of the health and safety management system.

Question 18

First aiders duties in the policy

Answer 18

 provision of first aid treatment to employees
 recording of all treatment given
 liaison with emergency services
 maintenance of first-aid kit / first-aid room.

Question 19

Fire warden/marshal

Answer 19

 sweeping an allocated area, encouraging people to and proceed to the assembly point
 turning off equipment and closing doors and windows as they go
 informing the person in charge of the evacuation that their area is clear.

Question 20

People with specific health and safety responsibilities should be held accountable what systems could be used

Answer 20

 individual job descriptions containing references to health and safety responsibilities
 performance review measuring and rewarding performance in health and safety activities
 disciplinary procedures for acting upon serious failures in health and safety performance.

Question 21

What does the arrangement mean in the health and safety policy

Answer 21

The arrangements lay out how the organisation is intending to implement the policy and is made up of systems, procedures and processes. It includes how to identify and manage risks as well as how health and safety performance will be monitored.

Question 22

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following:

Health and safety risks management

Answer 22

 identification of hazards and risk
 specifying preventive and protective measures
 action planning with priorities and responsibilities
 periodic review.

Question 23

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following:

Consultation with employees

Answer 23

 trade union safety representatives and safety committees
 representatives of Employee Safety
 other arrangements for consultation.

Question 24

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following:

Safe plant and equipment

Answer 24

 purchasing of new equipment
 preventative maintenance
 defect reporting.

Question 25

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Safe handling and use of substances

Answer 25

 purchasing of hazardous substances  undertaking COSHH assessments  informing employees  reviewing assessments.

Question 26

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Information training and supervision

Answer 26

 provision of relevant health and safety information  supervision and training of new recruits and young workers.

Question 27

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Competency for tasks and training

Answer 27

 induction training  job specific training  training records.

Question 28

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Accidents first aid and work related ill health

Answer 28

 undertaking health surveillance  health surveillance records  first aid equipment stored  appointed person / first-aider  record keeping and reporting under RIDDOR.

Question 29

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Monitoring

Answer 29

 proactive monitoring of work conditions and working practices  investigation of accidents and work related sickness.

Question 30

A typical arrangements section should include procedures for the effective planning, organising, control, monitoring and review of the following: Emergency procedures

Answer 30

 fire risk assessments  checks of escape routes, fire extinguishers and alarms  evacuation drills.