Mitigating Risks

Question 1

List FOUR of the statutory powers of a Health & Safety Executive Inspector.

Answer 1

• To enter any workplace without notice
• Take photos and samples
• Informal warning
• Compliance report
• Improvement notice
• Prohibition notice
• Initiate prosecutions

Question 2

List the FOUR core elements referred to in INDG 417 & INDG 275 which are fundamental in establishing a modern Health & Safety Management System.

Answer 2

Plan - Do - Check - Act

Question 3

Briefly discuss each of the four core elements in a modern Health & Safety Management System.

Answer 3

Plan: determine your policy/plan for implementation

Do: profile risks/organise for health and safety/implement your plan

Check: measure performance (monitor before events, investigate after events)

Act: review performance and act on lessons learnt

Question 4

Define the term ‘hazard’ and the term ‘risk’ in the context of risk assessment.

Answer 4

Hazard: potential to do harm

Risk: probability/chance of harm occurring

Question 5

Use the template over to carry out and document a risk assessment for cutting the grass with a petrol lawnmower.

Identify at least FOUR hazards, evaluate the risk from each hazard using the qualitative method (High/Medium/Low). List who can be harmed and how, decide on what control measures can be
used to reduce the risk and then calculate the residual risk.

Question 6

Describe the main differences between gross negligence manslaughter and the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.

Answer 6

Nobody goes to prison under Corporate manslaughter. Company/organisation prosecuted
- Organisational failure
- Senior management failure
- Conduct falls far below what could have been reasonably expected

Gross negligence manslaughter puts people in prison. FOR INDIVIDUALS
- Grossly negligent act
- Controlling mind directly associated with fatality
- Ignoring warnings
- Pursuing a course of conduct for financial gain

• Duty of care owed
• Breach of duty causing death
• Breach is grossly negligent

Question 7

Explain the difference between occupational Health in the workplace, health & wellbeing and mental health.

Answer 7

Occupational: it is the law, COSHH Regulations, Noise & Vibration Regulations, Manual Handling Regulations, Health Surveillance

Health & Wellbeing: Public Health Agency Campaigns (voluntary), to reduce load on the National Health Service, Corporate Social Responsibility

Mental Health: positive state of mind and body, feeling safe and able to cope, with a sense of connection with people, communities and the wide environment
*Sign of mental health issues: agitated, feeling tearful, change in behaviour, not wanting to talk or be with people, inability to concentrate

Question 8

List FOUR occupational health related conditions which can affect the health of those at work and provide examples of how these conditions can occur.

Answer 8

1. Noise induced hearing loss: explosions (such as in construction), loud equipment/tools
2. Respiratory issues (lungs): breathing in something harmful
3. Skin issues (dermatitis): chemicals
4. Musculoskeletal - back injuries: falling or something dropped
5. Vibration white finger: using power tools for too long, using machinery for prolonged periods