ND Unit A – Element A6: Organisational Factors Flashcards
List some of the internal influences on an organisation in respect of health and safety at work.
Internal influences include financial status, production targets, trades unions, and organisational goals and safety culture.
List some external bodies that can influence health and safety standards of organisations, identifying the means by which each body exerts its influence.
External influences include…
- Bodies that are involved in framing legislation (Parliament, HSE)
- Those responsible for its enforcement (HSE, local and fire authorities)
- Standard-setting bodies (BSI, ISO),
- Courts through their decisions,
- Trade unions by promoting the health and safety of their members,
- Insurance companies by influencing company control measures,
- Professional organisations and various pressure and campaign groups, e.g. RoSPA.
- Public opinion also has a significant influence.
What is the difference between a formal and informal organisational structure?
he formal structure is represented by the company organisation chart, the distribution of legitimate
authority, written management rules and procedures, job descriptions, etc. The informal structure is represented by individual and group behaviour.
Briefly explain the differences between the duties owed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.
Section 3 imposes a duty on employers not to expose non-employees to risks to their health and safety so far
as is reasonably practicable, whereas Section 4 imposes
a duty on those who control non-domestic premises to take reasonable measures to ensure that the premises and plant, etc. are safe so far as is reasonably practicable. In many cases, the controller of the premises will also be the employer. However, Section 4 applies to a landlord who leases premises to one or more employers. The extent of the duty depends on the amount of control they exert.
What do the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require of employers who share a workplace?
An employer who shares a workplace is required to:
• Co-operate with the other employers concerned so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with the relevant statutory provisions.
• Take all reasonable steps to co-ordinate the measures he takes to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions with the measures the other employers concerned are taking.
• Take all reasonable steps to inform the other employers concerned of the risks to their employees’ health and safety arising out of, or in connection with, the conduct by him of his undertaking.
Outline the functions of a safety representative as appointed under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.
The functions of a safety representative are to:
• Investigate potential hazards at the workplace.
• Investigate complaints by an employee he represents. • Make representations to the employer.
• Carry out inspections.
• Consult with HSE inspectors.
• Receive information from inspectors.
• Attend safety committee meetings.
• Inspect the workplace:
– If he has not inspected it within the previous three months.
– Where there has been substantial change in the conditions of work.
– After a notifiable accident, dangerous occurrence or notifiable illness (RIDDOR).
On what matters should an employer consult with employees in a non-union workplace?
An employer should consult with employees on:
• Introduction of any measure affecting the health and safety of the employees concerned.
• The appointment of persons nominated to provide health and safety assistance, and assist in emergency procedures (as required by MHSWR).
• Any health and safety training or information the employer is required to provide to the employees or the safety representatives.
• The health and safety consequences of the planning and introduction of new technologies in the workplace.
• Provision of any relevant information required on health and safety legislation.
What is a safety circle?
Safety circles are small groups of employees - not safety representatives or members of safety committees - who meet informally to discuss safety problems in their immediate working environment. The idea is based on the ‘quality circles’ concept and allows the sharing of ideas and the suggestion of solutions.
Where in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 is there a duty to provide information?
Section 2(2)(c) requires an employer to provide “such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees”.
What information should an employer provide to his or her employees as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999?
The employer should provide the following information:
• Risks identified by the risk assessment.
• Preventive and protective measures.
• Procedures in the event of serious and imminent danger.
• Identity of competent persons for evacuation.
• Risks notified by other employers.
List the external sources of health and safety information.
EU Directives, UK legislation, ACoPS, HSE Guidance Notes, Case Law, British Standards, manufacturers, HSE, IOSH, BSC, RoSPA.
List the internal sources of health and safety information.
Health and safety policy risk assessments monitoring results inspection reports accident reports accident statistics
Define the term “safety culture”.
A definition should centre on a description of the attitudes, values and beliefs which members of an organisation hold in relation to health and safety, and which, when taken together, produce an organisational culture that can be positive or negative.
How may the safety climate of an organisation be assessed?
The most common way to assess safety climate is by
using a tool that includes a questionnaire survey, asking employees the extent to which they agree or disagree with a number of statements that reflect the management of health and safety.
Name three ways in which management commitment can be demonstrated.
Management commitment can be demonstrated by:
• Managers being seen and involved with the work and correcting health and safety deficiencies.
• Providing resources to carry out jobs safely.
• Ensuring that all personnel are competent.
• Enforcing the company safety rules, and complying with them personally.
• Managers matching their actions to their words.
