Health and safety

Question 1

Can you outline the Health and Safety Act 1972? What does it include?

Answer 1

1. a safe system of work;
2. a safe place of work;
3. safe equipment, plant and machinery;
4. safe and competent people working alongside you, because employers are also liable for the actions of their staff and managers;
5. carrying out risk assessments as set out in regulations, and taking steps to eliminate or control these risks;
6. informing workers fully about all potential hazards associated with any work process, chemical substance or activity, including providing instruction, training and supervision;
7. appointing a ‘competent person’ responsible for health and safety (competent persons, such as a head of health and safety, oversee day-to-day safety management, oversee safety inspections, and liaise with staff safety reps);
8. consulting with workplace safety representatives (if a union is recognised, your employer must set up and attend a workplace safety committee if two or more safety reps request one); and
   providing adequate facilities for staff welfare at work.

Question 2

Describe the contents of RICS GN on H&S (2018)?

Answer 2

1. Personal responsibilities for RICS members and firms
2. Assessing hazards and risks
3. Workplace health and safety,
4. Occupational hygiene and health,
5. Visiting premises and sites
6. Fire safety
7. Residential property surveying
8. Procurement and management of contractors

Question 3

Describe personal responsibilities for RICS Members

Answer 3

individuals have a direct responsibility to ensure that health and safety policies and procedures are practised effectively and competently.

Question 4

Describe the corporate responsibilities for H&S under RICS guidance

Answer 4

RICS regulated firms must ensure they provide a safe working environment, safe work equipment, safe systems of work, competent staff. Should have management process designed to identify foreseeable risks and should put in place means to reduce risks to acceptable levels

Question 5

Describe the safe person concept

Answer 5

that each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues and others health and safety whilst at work. The objective of a safe person is to ensure that the individuals who work in all environments are safe and remain healthy at all times.

Question 6

Describe the purpose of the H&S Guidance Note

Answer 6

This guidance note sets out basic, good practice principles for the management of health and safety for RICS-regulated firms and RICS members.

Question 7

What is the RICS GN on H&S?

Answer 7

Surveying Safely, 2nd Edition, 2018. Effective from 1st February 2019

Question 8

Other than hi-vis what PPE have you used on valuation inspections?

Answer 8

I have worn masks on many occasions, I’ve also worn a hard hat when inspecting a building which was undergoing construction.

Question 9

What PPE might you wear?

Answer 9

hard hat, steel toe cap boots, hi vis, ear muffs, goggles, face mask.

Question 10

What is a risk?

Answer 10

The possibility of a hazard occurring

Question 11

What is a hazard?

Answer 11

Something which may cause harm

Question 12

Who has the asbestos information?

Answer 12

The duty holder (owner of the property).

Question 13

What two reports may be commissioned for asbestos?

Answer 13

management survey - asbestos management during occupation

redevelopment survey - asbestos survey prior to redevelopment

Question 14

What is your companies lone working policy?

Answer 14

We have an allocated parson in the office who is informed of every inspection, with a diary invite showing location time and who we are meeting. I call once I arrive and before I lease.