Health and safety

Question 1

What can you tell me about RICS guidance note surveying safely?

Answer 1

The second edition 2018 sets out basic, good practice principals for the management of Health and safety for RICS regulated firms and members

Question 2

Structure of Surveying Safely?

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

What are some key areas of advice in Surveying Safely?

Answer 3

*Safe working environments
*Safe working equipment
*Safe systems of work
*Competent staff
*Safe person concept
*Up to date personnel & corporate responsibilities
*Audit template
*How to address fire safety

Question 4

What does Surveying Safely say about risk assessments?

Answer 4

5 step approach, legal requirement with more than 5 members of staff to have a risk assessment
1. Identify
2. Identify people at risk
3. Evaluate
4. Record
5. Review regularly
6. Advised stakeholders

Question 5

What does surveying safely say about fire safety?

Answer 5

Advice should always be from a qualified expert but provides general guidance on how to identify, monitor or manage

Question 6

What were main changes made in 2nd ed of Surveying Safely?

Answer 6

*More focus on occupation health, mental health & wellbeing
* Update fire safety post Grenfell

Question 7

What duty does the H&S at work act 1974 impose?

Answer 7

Employers to ensure, as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees

Question 8

What duty does the PPE at work regulations 2022 impose?

Answer 8

Employers duty to ensure the provision of appropriate PPE for employees & contractors

Question 9

What is your employers lone working policy?

Answer 9

First assess if the lone work can be avoided, ensure manager/colleague informed of location, keep diary up to date and have a charged mobile phone

Question 10

What are the ‘Six Pack’ of H&S regulations?

Answer 10

Introduced in 1993
1.Management of H&S at work
2. Display Screen Equipment
3. Manual Handling Operations
4. PPE at work
5. Provisions and Use of Work Equipment
6. Workplace health, safety & welfare

Question 11

What is a method statement?

Answer 11

*Document that details the way a work task/process is completed
*Outline hazards & includes steps on how to do it safely
* Details of control measures

Question 12

What insurance is needed before work can commence?

Answer 12

A copy of contractors all risk and public liability insurance

Question 13

What should be included in a written H&S policy doc?

Answer 13

1. Setting out organisations commitment
2. Details of H&S structure
3. Risk Assessment
4. Details of implementation

Question 14

What is a safe person concept?

Answer 14

Individual assumes H&S behavioural responsibility for themselves, colleagues and others

Question 15

When is a risk assessment required by law?

Answer 15

Organisation employing more than 5 staff

Question 16

What does the Fire Risk Management Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 impose?

Answer 16

*Applies to non domestic properties
*Responsible person is the employer (owner if vacant)
*Must have fire precaution in place
*Good record keeping
*Review

Question 17

What is RIDDOR and an aspect of it?

Answer 17

*Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
*Report injuries that result in over 7 days of no work within 15 days to the HSE
*Record of all 3 day + injuries in an accident book

Question 18

What is Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act 2007?

Answer 18

Relates to the gross breach of duty of care leading to persons death

Question 19

What can you tell me about the Building Safety Act 2022?

Answer 19

*Intended to enhance regulations for safety in higher risk buildings
*Created Building Safety Regulator within the HSE
*Higher risk building is at least 18m or 7 storeys high

Question 20

What is Occupiers Liability Act 1957?

Answer 20

Relates to liability of occupiers for injuries caused by lawful visitors by imposing a duty of care

Question 21

What is a smoke-free (premises & enforcement) regulations 2007?

Answer 21

*Illegal to smoke in all enclosed or partially public places
* No smoking signs
*Penalties range from £50 - £2.5k

Question 22

What is Defective Premises Act 1972?

Answer 22

Obligation on landlord to ensure premises are built and maintained properly

Question 23

What is Asbestos?

Answer 23

Insulating material which can cause serious health problems and fatal diseases

Question 24

What are the 3 types and banned?

Answer 24

*Brown (Amosite) - 1985
*Blue (Crocidolite) - 1985
*White (Chrysotile) - 1999

Question 25

What is key legislation regarding Abestos?

Answer 25

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Question 26

What obligations does the Control of Asbestos Reg 2012 impose?

Answer 26

*Duty holder is the tenant or owner if vacant *Must undertake risk assessments, plans to manage, asbestos register and be available and reviewed

Question 27

What are the two types of asbestos surveys?

Answer 27

*Management - locate, assess & advise during occupation/use, no sampling * Refurbishment/demolition - when being refurbishment/demo, samples taken

Question 28

What are the 5 septs in an asbestos risk assessment?

Answer 28

1. Duty holder to assess whether premises contain asbestos 2. Assess risk & produce as asbestos management plan 3. Produce an asbestos register 4. Make register available 5. Review regularly

Question 29

What are the offences for not complying with asbestos regulations?

Answer 29

Health & Safety (Offences) Act 2008 enables fines of max £20k and 12 months imprisonment for minor offences, serious unlimited

Question 30

What does CDM stand for?

Answer 30

Construction Design and Management regulations

Question 31

What do the CDM regulation 2015 aim to do?

Answer 31

Aim to improve the management and co-ordination of H&S at all stages of a construction project

Question 32

What are the key parts of the CDM 2015 regulation?

Answer 32

* Main duty holders are: the client, principal designer, principal contractor * All projects with more than one contractor must have a PD, PC and H&S file * Construction phase plan * Risk Assessment

Question 33

What are the HSE and what do they do?

Answer 33

A national regulator for workplace health, safety and welfare - enforce safety laws, investigate incidents, issue enforcement notices and prosecute companies and individuals, Set regulations, conduct inspections, provide advice

Question 34

When does the HSE need to be notified?

Answer 34

In an F10 form of projects exceeds 30 construction days with 20 or more workers on site

Question 35

What steps do you take to prepare before visiting a live site?

Answer 35

I notify the site manager in advance, review site specific risk assessments, confirm emergency procedures and ensure I have the correct PPE for the appropriate site hazards

Question 36

What would you do if you identified a safety hazard on site?

Answer 36

I would report it to the size manager, document the issue and if necessary escalate it to the H&S officer

Question 37

Why is PPE important and how do you ensure it is fit for purpose?

Answer 37

PPE protects against site hazards, inspect regularly for damage and industry standards

Question 38

Can you give an example of when you had to adapt your PPE?

Answer 38

On a demolition site I wore additional protective gear such as a respiratory masks due to airborne dust and debris

Question 39

What should you do if you witness an accident on site?

Answer 39

Ensure my own safety first, alert the site manager, emergency authorities if needed, complete an incident report

Question 40

How do you ensure you are aware of emergency procedures for each site?

Answer 40

I check site specific instructions that are displayed on site, locate fire exits, first aid station, emergency contacts.