unit 1 - Health & Safety Flashcards
What is HASAW 1974?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
A framework for legislation
Sets out a “duty of care” for everyone in the workplace
Employer must ensure Health and Safety of employees and persons not in his employment
Employee must take reasonable care for himself and other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions
Co-operate with employer regarding any duty or requirement imposed on him
NO PERSON shall interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare
How many people must be working for an employer to warrant a written Health and Safety policy?
At least 4
What does the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 consider?
Safe equipment and safe operating procedures
Safe use, handling, storage and transport of substances
Education, instruction and supervision
Safe work premises and safe entrance and exit from the premises
A written Health and Safety policy (>4 employees)
What is the HSC?
Health and Safety Commission
Why was the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) set up?
Responsible for developing policies in the field of Health and Safety
Set up under the Health and Safety at Work Act and have representatives of industry, trade unions and employers to aid in progressive reform of the policies
What is the purpose of the HSC?
To protect everyone in Great Britain against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities
To conduct and sponsor research
Promote training
Provide an information and advisory service
Submit proposals for new or revised regulations and approved codes of practice
What is the HSE?
Health and Safety Executive
What is the function of the HSE?
Operational arm, appointed by the HSC
Enforce legal requirements and advise
Reduce risk ‘so far as is reasonable practicable’
What can be served by the HSE?
Improvement notice
Prohibition notice
Prosecution
When did the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 come into force?
16th January 2009
What is the purpose of the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008?
The act provides the courts with greater sentencing powers for Health and Safety crimes:
Raise the maximum fine which may be imposed in the lower courts to £20,000 for most health and safety offences (now been increased to unlimited fines since 2015)
Make imprisonment an option for more health and safety offences in both the lower and higher courts
Make certain offences, which are currently triable only in the lower courts, triable in either the lower or higher courts
What other acts are related to the Health and Safety at Work Act?
Employers’ Liability Act 1969
Fire Precautions Act 1971
Environmental Protection Act 1990
What does the Employers’ Liability Act 1969 cover?
Insurance against liability for injury or disease (compulsory for employers in Great Britain)
What does the Fire Precautions Act 1971 cover?
Training
Fire prevention
Evacuation
Warning systems
What does the Environmental Protection Act 1990 cover?
Duty of Care
What does the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 cover?
Requires the employer to assess risks to others within the workplace, the level of these risks and how they can be prevented
What does the Workplace Regulations 1992 cover?
Considers the working environment: Safety Sanitary Clothing Rest periods Maintenance Cleanliness etc
What does the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 (PUWER) cover?
Well chosen and well maintained equipment should be used and adequate training on this equipment
What does the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 cover?
Avoid hazardous manual operations - if you can’t, then assess the risk and take measures to reduce the risk
What does the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 cover?
First aid training and the provision of first aid kits
What does the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 cover?
Covers the destination of waste, paperwork needed and the penalties