Health and Safety

Question 1

• Can you tell me about the Health and Safety at Work Act?

Answer 1

• Duty for employers to provide safe work environment to all employees as far as is reasonably practicable
• Policed by H&S Executive
• Duty to report injuries and occurrences
• Duty to undertake regular risk assessments
• Duty to hold H&S info on site

Question 2

• What can you tell me about the RICS Surveying Safely guidance note?

Answer 2

• Guidance Note
• ‘Safe Person’ concept = assume responsibility for your own, and others, H&S – accept responsibility for H&S
• RICS firms must provide safe working environment and equipment
• Have adequate Liability Insurance
• Sections:
  o Assessing Hazards and Risks
  o Occupational Health and Hygiene
  o Visiting Premises and Sites

Question 3

• What is included in a pre-inspection risk assessment?

Answer 3

Required to assess the potential risks of an inspection/site visit and make relevant arrangements.
Assess:
o Site location
o Site type
o Potential hazards
o Identify who at risk
o Equipment requirements
o Evaluate the risk considering likelihood and severity

Question 4

• What procedures did you use for Covid-19?

Answer 4

o Company risk assessments accounting for:
o Hand washing
o Social distancing
o Symptoms

Question 5

Explain lone working procedures?

Answer 5

• When working alone:
  o Must carry a mobile phone
  o Considerations for potentially dangerous sites
  o High risk areas
  o Inform an office-based member of staff of where, when, who
  o Only allowed to visit properties within 9-4:30 on weekdays

Question 6

• What Health and Safety training have you undertaken?

Answer 6

Induction:
o Working from home assessment
o Driver health declaration
o Workstation assessment

Question 7

• What Health and Safety policies are there in your company?

Answer 7

• Health and Safety Procedures Manual
• Sections regarding:
  o Fire and Emergency Procedures – fire evacuation drills, fire officers, tests and protocol
  o First Aid Assessments – adequate equipment in each office, first aid officer, box kept stocked (every 6 months)
  o Lone Working – taking a mobile phone. Informing staff where are
  o PPE – must be checked regularly and before use

Question 8

• What are the different risks in the office and onsite?

Answer 8

The Office:
o Fire safety
o First Aid
o Ergonomic injuries
o Slips and trips

On Site:
o Moving objects
o Falls
o Machinery
o Asbestos

Question 9

• What are the types of PPE?

Answer 9

• Hi-vis jacket, hard hat, protective goggles, non-slip boots for ladders

Question 10

• Can you tell me about your safety on inspection at a food manufacturing facility?

Answer 10

Food Hygiene Standards to abide by. Factory making sausages and other products. Sanitised before and after inspection, Hi-vis jacket and stuck to highlighted walkways in the factory. Also wore a face mask and hair net.

Question 11

What are your duties as an employee towards the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 11

• Take reasonable care for H&S of yourself and others
• Co-operate with the employer to maintain H&S

Question 12

What would you do if you identified Asbestos at a site?

Answer 12

• Make a note and take photos of the potential asbestos
• Consult somebody else to provide clarity
• Enquire about an asbestos register
• Inform the client about the potential for asbestos and that further investigation is required