Health and Safety

Question 1

What is a hazard?

Answer 1

Something that can cause harm

Question 2

What is a risk?

Answer 2

A probability of a hazard occurring

Question 3

Outline RLB’s Health and Safety policy

Answer 3

Work to the healthiest and safest manner, all employees have a responsibility to keep themselves and all others safe. The overall duties are those detailed in Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question 4

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Answer 4

is the primary UK legislation concerning workplace health and safety, placing a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees, and others affected by their work activities, “as far as is reasonably practicable”.

Question 5

Outline the Building Safety Act 2022

Answer 5

This was updated in October 2023
This applies to all buildings ensuring there are clearer standards and guidance. It assures the safety of higher-risk buildings, both in construction and occupation. The legislation looks to improve the competence of the people responsible for overseeing, managing and delivering works to higher-risk buildings.
This is a Legal Act.

Question 6

What is a high risk building?

Answer 6

At least 2 residential units and 18m in high/ at least 7 storeys

Question 7

What are Building Regulations?

Answer 7

Approved documents under the safety act providing guidance, these are constantly updated.

Question 8

Examples of Building Regs

Answer 8

M - Access and Use of Buildings
B- Fire
O - Overheating

Question 9

What is RIDDOR?

Answer 9

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

Question 10

What does CSCS stand for?

Answer 10

Construction Skills Certification Scheme

Question 11

What card do you require as a QS and how often does it have to be renewed?

Answer 11

Managers and Professionals, every 5 years

Question 12

What is the purpose of CSCS and why is it important for us to have one?

Answer 12

This is proof that someone has relevant training and qualifications to be on a construction site, which makes you aware of health and safety issues.

Question 13

When is their a need for a firm to have a H&S policy?

Answer 13

When they have 5 or more employees

Question 14

What are the CDM regulations and what is their purpose?

Answer 14

Construction Design and Management 2015
- These regulations help to plan works to manage risks and communicates information efficiently to those that need to know.
Overall: improves safety on construction sites by setting regulations and putting more onus on the client.

Question 15

Who are duty holders?

Answer 15

Client
Designer
Principal Designer
Principal Contractor
Contractor
Worker

Question 16

What is the responsibility of the client?

Answer 16

Sign off F10, ensure competent appointments, ensure PCI is produced

Question 17

What is the responsibility of the designer?

Answer 17

Prepares design, spec or design calcs and has a duty to eliminate risks in their design

Question 18

What is the responsibility of the Principal Designer?

Answer 18

To advise the client, prepare a PCI, collate a H&S file, Health and Safety pre-construction

Question 19

What is the responsibility of a principal contractor?

Answer 19

Production of a construction phase plan, display a F10 (more than 1 contractor)

Question 20

What is the responsibility of a contractor?

Answer 20

Production of a construction phase plan, display a F10, mitigate risk in construction, supply PPE to all workers

Question 21

What is the responsibility of the worker?

Answer 21

Individuals actually carrying out work must cooperate and not endanger others or themselves

Question 22

What is the F10 and when is it needed?

Answer 22

A form submitted to the Health and Safety Executive on notifiable projects containing site information, health and safety plans, key dates, contact details and number of people on site.

Question 23

When is a project notifiable?

Answer 23

When there are 500 person days on a project or where the project is more than 30 days with 20+ people on site at any one time.

Question 24

As a QS, are you responsible in any way under the CDM’s?

Answer 24

If it is part of our scope to produce any working methods or specs, the QS will be deemed as a designer and therefore will be responsible to comply with CDM obligations

Question 25

What do you do when you attend site?

Answer 25

Wear the required PPE, sign in, have a health and safety briefing, look up prior to attending site access/ where to safely park and how to get into the site, make sure someone is aware you are going and meet them before entering onto the site, be diligent and safe at all times, sign out when exiting

Question 26

What is RICS publication on executing your professional role safely?

Answer 26

Surveying Safely 2024

Question 27

What does surveying safely set out?

Answer 27

Contains good practice principles for the management of health and safety. It sets out principles for those engaged in the built environment as property professionals and includes health and safety responsibilities.

Question 28

What are the 3 methods of managing asbestos?

Answer 28

1. Asbestos Management Plan 2. Remove 3. Encapsulate

Question 29

What types of asbestos survey are there?

Answer 29

1. Presumptive: visually inspect 2. Sampling: determine the extent 3. Intrusive: Access to all areas.

Question 30

What do you include in RAMS?

Answer 30

1. Risk assessment and method statement 2. What risks and hazards are present on and off site and how these will be mitigated. 3. How works will be undertaken and managed on site in relation to health and safety and logistics.

Question 31

What projects are covered by the Scope of the Building Safety Act?

Answer 31

ALL

Question 32

You have stated that you have a CSCS Card? What is a CSCS Card? What does CSCS Stand-For?

Answer 32

A CSCS Card - construction skills certification scheme, I hold a managers and professionals card that I have an obligation to renew every 5 years. It indicates that I have adequate understanding and skills of health and safety on a construction site, and I am therefore able to safely be on that site, following the correct health and safety requirements.

Question 33

Who is responsible for the Safety of everyone on a Construction Site?

Answer 33

Themselves, each individual should take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others.

Question 34

What information would you expect to see on a Site Health & Safety Board? Where would you expect to find it

Answer 34

A site health and safety board should include information on site rules, risk assessments, and health and safety signage You would find it in the site office

Question 35

What does COSHH stand for?

Answer 35

Control of substances harmful to humans

Question 36

What is an asbestos management plan?

Answer 36

A document outlining procedures for managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building to protect occupants and workers from exposure, ensuring compliance with regulations and prioritizing safety.

Question 37

Who ran the grenfell inquiry?

Answer 37

Dame Judith Hackett Hackett Review

Question 38

What is the golden thread?

Answer 38

A digital record of information about a building that ensures its safety throughout its lifecycle, demonstrating compliance with building regulations and enabling the identification and management of safety risks.

Question 39

When does the golden thread apply?

Answer 39

RIBA Stage 0 - Stage 7

Question 40

What is RICS guidance on H&S?

Answer 40

Surveying Safely is a Professional Standard Document issued by the RICS. It is important that APC candidates have an awareness of this and a high level overview of its contents. The RICS have introduced the ‘safe person’ concept. This is when ‘each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work’. There is also a greater emphasis on ensuring the competence of individuals, including their responsibility to ensure the use of safe work equipment and safe systems of work for themselves and others. Furthermore, RICS Regulated Firms must ensure they provide: A safe working environment Safe work equipment Safe systems of work Competent staff

Question 41

What should an RICS regulated firm have in their health and safety policy?

Answer 41

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 First aid Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Safe electrical systems Hazardous substances Asbestos Fire risk assessment Working hours Health & safety induction Driving Stress Lone working

Question 42

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 42

This requires an understanding of hazards and risks: Hazard - something with potential to cause harm Risk - likelihood of harm being realised The basic procedure to undertake a risk assessment is as follows: 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

Question 43

What is a dynamic risk assessment?

Answer 43

You will then need to dynamically assess risk on site. This is because the situation on the day may change so you need to ensure that you continue to assess potential risks prior and during your time on site.

Question 44

How do you ensure personal safety on site?

Answer 44

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) 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

Question 45

What does the health and safety at work act 1974 say?

Answer 45

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. 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.

Question 46

What is the considerate constructor’s scheme?

Answer 46

It is a non-for-profit independent organisation founded in 1997 to improve the image of the construction industry. It encourages contractors and their supply chain to implement best practice procedures for site operations and engagement with surrounding communities. Initiatives include promoting cleanliness of building sites, minimisation of noise pollution and engagement with local communities.

Question 47

Explain your understanding of the term HSE?

Answer 47

HSE stands for the Health & Safety Executive. The HSE is the UK national authority for managing work related health, safety and illness issues. They act in the public interest to reduce work related injuries and incidents. Their am is to protect people’s health and safety by ensuring that risks are properly managed. They also support businesses to change and adapt in order to remain compliant with occupational health and safety legislation.

Question 48

What kinds of incident are the causation of most deaths within the construction industry?

Answer 48

Falls from height.

Question 49

What is the biggest cause of long term health issues in the construction industry?

Answer 49

Breathing in Hazardous Dust and Fumes.

Question 50

What does the Beaufort Scale measure?

Answer 50

This is used to measure windspeed which is important when working on site.

Question 51

When are visitors most likely to have an accident on a construction site?

Answer 51

When they first start on a new site.

Question 52

What should you do first if you find an injured person on site?

Answer 52

I would assess the situation first without putting myself in immediate danger. I would then call the emergency services if required and raise the alarm and call for help.