Surveying Safely Guidance Note

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Surveying Safely Guidance note?

Answer 1

Set out:

Basic, good practice principles for the management of health and safety for RICS-regulated firms and RICS Members.

Health and safety responsibilities at an individual and corporate level.

Question 2

What are the key contents of the surveying safely guidance note?

Answer 2

The concept of a safe person

Lone working

Risk assessments

PPE

Question 3

What are the responsibilities of the individual?

Answer 3

VATPAC

Vigilance: remaining vigilant, at all times, for their own safety and that of colleagues and others

Awareness: being able to recognise their own abilities and limitations and

Teamwork: being an effective member of a team

Performance: being competent to perform their work safely (including understanding the limits of their competence (skills, knowledge and experience)

Adaptability: being able to recognise and adapt to changing circumstances at all times

Control: being able and prepared to work within accepted or designated systems of work

Question 4

Explain the concept of a safe person?

Answer 4

A person assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work.

It seeks to ensure that individuals accept responsibility for their own actions and they have the tools they need to do their job safely.

Question 5

What the organisations responsibilities?

Answer 5

STEPSIS

Selection: capable and competent

Training: knowledge of hazards

Equipment: suitable equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Safe Systems of Work

Information: providing information on risks and control measures

Instruction: clear instruction

Supervision: supporting staff with clear lines of communication.

Question 6

What is hazard?

Answer 6

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm to someone. The harm could be an injury or ill health.

Question 7

What is a risk?

Answer 7

The likelihood of that harm ocurring.

Question 8

How would you undertake a risk assessment?

Answer 8

Identify the hazards

Identify who might be harmed and how

Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions

Record findings and implement them

Review the assessment and update

Question 9

Could you outline the hierarchy of risk control?

Answer 9

Elimination

Substitution - changing materials or methods

Engineering Controls - equipment such as safety controls

Administrative Controls - safe systems of work e.g reducing need for lone working

PPE

Question 10

How do you calculate risk?

Answer 10

Risk = severity of outcome x likelihood of occurrence

Question 11

What is a dynamic risk assessment?

Answer 11

It effectively requires the worker to continually re-evaluate the work, the working environment, and the competence of themselves and others to continue with the work activity.

Question 12

What is occupational hygiene?

Answer 12

The discipline of anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment.

Occupational health considers the physical and mental effects of work on health (including health issues that develop over time, referred to as ‘chronic’)

Question 13

When is hearing protection required?

Answer 13

over 80db

Question 14

What should you consider when evaluating the risk of fire in a building?

Answer 14

The construction and composition of materials

Any passive fire protection measures and their integrity

The occupants and who is at risk

The fire loading - combustible materials

Any active fire precautions, such as fire and smoke detection and suppression.

Provision of emergency escape

Risk of fire spread from adjacent buildings

Question 15

What is included in a fire safety management plan?

Answer 15

Maintenance regime for fire related plant and equipment

Emergency evacuation plan

Adequate information provided to emergency services

Training of people

Question 16

What are the three types of Asbestos?

Answer 16

Crocidilite - High risk

Amosite - High risk

Chrysolite - Medium risk

Question 17

When is an asbestos management survey required?

Answer 17

This is required on any non-domestic buildings or shared parts of domestic buildings built pre 2000.

Question 18

What options are there for dealing with asbestos?

Answer 18

Mark and Manage (annual inspections)

Encapsulate (over-paint)

Remove

Question 19

What should you do if you discover asbestos?

Answer 19

1. Stop working immediately, put up a warning sign and ensure the areas is isolated.
2. Undertake sample or presume it contains the worst type of asbestos and remove/isolate using a licenced contractor
3. Update the asbestos management plan

Question 20

What are the four requirements that an RICS member needs to follow to ensure that the have effective control?

Answer 20

1. Ensure Contractors are Competent
2. Membership of a professional body
3. Insurance: Employers Liability, Public Liability, Professional Indemnity
4. References from current or recent employers

Question 21

What are RAMS?

Answer 21

Risk Assessment and Method Statement.

Question 22

What should be included in a method statement?

Answer 22

Site set-up requirements and security arrangements

Site safety, fire and emergency arrangements

Reference to controls that need to be put in place

Reference to the risk assessment

The equipment required and how it should be transported, delivered, unloaded and stored

Any specific sequence that has to be followed to complete the works

Arrangements for disposal or waste

Checks to be carried out before leaving the site

Question 23

What should an RICS member be aware of when monitoring site?

Answer 23

Evidence that:

Site rules are being adhered to

RAMS are being followed

Permits to work are being adhered to

Individuals working on site are competent to do so

There is management supervision

Waste is being managed and equipment stored appropriately

Question 24

Before visiting site, what should you consider?

Answer 24

Should carry out pre-assessment of the hazards and risks likely to be encountered.

Travel

Condition - what’s the condition of the property

Occupation - is it derelict, what is it being used for? Squatters?

Activity – what is the nature of the property and what takes place there?

High structures - are there high structures and how can these be accessed safely? Check date tag if going on scaffolding.

Tell someone where you are going and when you leave the building/site.

PPE - wear appropriate protective clothing

Lone working - consider whether safe to work alone or consider special lone working arrangements

Question 25

What might you consider before lone working?

Answer 25

Know your firm specific requirements / procedures

Is lone working a safe option? What provisions are made for an emergency?

Is the site likely to have mobile signal?

Who has recorded where the lone worker is an when to expect them back in the office or at home?

Have arrangements been made for regular ‘check-in’ calls?

How would a rescue be achieved?

Question 26

What sort of things might you consider when undertaking a dynamic risk assessment?

Answer 26

Structural stability

Sharp objects

Roofs – fragile? Unprotected openings? Low parapets? Rotten deck?

Unsafe atmospheres – confined spaces with insufficient oxygen such as man holes

Live and unsecured services

Slip and trip hazards

Falls from height – using ladders, unprotected edges?

Hidden openings – missing covers to manholes, surfaces concealed by debris, badly lit areas

Contamination – asbestos, chemical leak