Surveying Safely Flashcards
What is your employers health and safety policy with regards to loan working?
Undertake a desktop assessment - reading any relevant documents, such as; previous surveys etc….
Consider how to get there
Inform the office / buddy on where you are going, and sign out and provide estimated return time.
Always keep mobile fully charged.
Bring appropriate PPE
Undertake a dynamic risk assessment.
If concerned, call office / buddy and say ‘Can you call Mr and Mrs Brown, and tell them I will be late’
What is included in your firms health and safety policy?
Providing a safe place of work relating to ventilation, heating, lighting and welfare facilities etc.
Minimising risks relating to monitors and workstations
Providing personal Protective Equipment (PPE), e.g. helmets, steel capped shoes, ear defenders, face masks, overalls, torches & batteries
Manual handling - training
First aid - Trained first aiders
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
Safe electrical systems - keep in good order - test every 5 years and Portable Appliance Testing should be carried out every 3-24 months.
Hazardous substances - procedure for dealing with hazardous substances.
Asbestos - ‘Duty to manage’ CAR 2012
Fire risk assessment - once a year
Working hours - maximum weekly working time limit;
night work limits; and
health assessments for night work.
Health & safety induction - buildings
Driving - driving policy
Stress - Mental Health first aider
Lone working - see above.
What are the duties for management under CAR?
take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in
presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos- containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date
provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them
There is also a requirement on others to co-operate as far as is necessary to allow the dutyholder to comply with the above requirements.
What are the corporate requirements for health and safety?
Health and Safety at work Act 1974
Appropriate line management structure to monitor and manage health & safety, i.e. lead from the top with a policy statement
Clear accountability, policies and procedures
Risk assessment
Staff training
Adequate resources provided
Insurance in place
In the event of an accident/incident, a firm must determine the root course and take action to avoid a recurrence, with learning points passed on to key stakeholders
Firms must take account of time pressures, distractions/interruptions, fatigue, inexperience/lack of knowledge, complacency
What is the health and safety act?
This is the key UK legislation relating to health & safety. It is underpinned by various specific regulations.
The Health & Safety Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure that that health, safety and wellbeing of employees and other affected persons is not at risk, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes providing and maintaining equipment, safe systems of work and safe premises.
A key aspect of the Act is that a director or senior manager commits an offence if the company’s breach was committed with their consent, connivance or neglect.
Explain the implications of breaching the health and safety act?
Breaching the Act is a criminal offence, which can carry an unlimited fine, plus imprisonment up to 2 years.
Furthermore, corporate and gross negligence (manslaughter) charges can lead to more severe custodial sentences, whilst directors can be disqualified from acting as a director for up to 15 years.
What is a risk assessment?
This essentially considers how could a plan of action deviates from your expectations.
The RICS define it as carefully examining what in your work could cause harm to people, so that you can judge whether or not you have taken enough precautions to prevent harm.
This requires an understanding of hazards and risks:
Hazard - something with potential to cause harm
Risk - likelihood of harm being realised
What is the basic procedure for undertaking a risk assessment?
Identify hazards
Decide who may be harmed and how
Evaluate risks and decide on precautions
Record findings and implement
Review and update
Advise all those affected of the outcome of the assessment and methods of work, or other control measures necessary, to minimise or eliminate risk
What is the hierarchy of risk control?
Eliminate - redesign activity or substitute substance so hazard is removed, e.g. use a drone to avoid working at height.
Substitute - replace materials used or proposed work process with less hazardous one, e.g. pre-prepared components rather than cutting on site.
Engineering controls - e.g. use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, separate hazard from operators by enclosing equipment.
Administrative controls - identify and implement procedures to work safely, e.g. reduce need for lone working, ensuring work undertaken in daylight.
PPE - only if the above measures can be used, e.g. emergency alarms where lone working can’t be avoided.
What are your personal responsibilities?
You have a responsibility for your own health & safety, together with that of anyone under your supervision. This could be colleagues, clients or the general public, for example.
You also have a duty to co-operate with your employer’s policies and procedures to minimise the health & safety risks to yourself, colleagues and others potentially affected by actions.
This means that you should, for example:
- Report actual or perceived health & safety breaches in good time
- Carry out a personal risk assessment and report any perceived, potential or actual risks to your employer
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Undertake staff training
It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly interfere or misuse anything provided in interests of health & safety - so it is extremely important to take responsibility for your actions and inactions.
What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
PPE is equipment to protect against health & safety risks. For example, helmets, steel capped shoes, ear defenders, face masks, overalls, torches & batteries, safety harnesses and hi vis clothing.
This can protect against the risk of injuries to lungs (inhaling contaminated air), head and feet (falling materials), eyes (air borne particles), skin (from contact with corrosive materials) and the body (from temperature extremes).
PPE should be maintained in good condition by your employer and provided free of charge.
How do you ensure personal safety on site?
10 ways to ensure your personal safety on site
Take a charged mobile and personal alarm
Plan an escape route
Implement a call back system with office (e.g. a safe word) - Tell Mr and Mrs Brown I will be late.
Make your daily schedule available to colleagues
Be careful in roof voids and when using ladders
Park your car close by and keep your keys on you
Make sure you know who you are meeting
Follow your gut instinct
Understand the site rules for construction sites
Be aware of aggressive occupants and dogs
10 ways to ensure the safety of your personal property
Keep your personal property safe and with you at all times
Don’t leave possessions on view in your car
Don’t leave possessions lying around on site
Register electronic devises with Immobilise
Back up your photos and phone numbers
Keep confidential information safe, e.g. client contact information, bank details
Use a cross-shredder for personal data no longer needed
Remove shoes when entering a property
Take care of other’s personal items when in confined spaces
Leave accommodation as you found it
What is work related stress?
Work-related stress relates to adverse reactions that individuals may suffer due to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work.
What other H&S issues do you consider?
Other key health & safety issues include the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Legionnaires’ disease and the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015.
