Health and Safety Lvl 1

Question 1

What health & safety legislation are you aware of?

Answer 1

I am aware of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states employers are responsible for the safety of their employees at work. This is done by preventing potential dangers in the workplace. It places a duty on the employer regarding the health, safety, and welfare of all persons at work.

Question 2

How do you ensure that you comply with this legislation?

Answer 2

As an employee the legislation states that I must also be responsible for my own health and safety and of others that may be affected by my actions at work. So bringing the right PPE when I go out on inspections.

Question 3

What are the penalties under current health & safety legislation?

Answer 3

Penalities include fines, imprisonment, prohibition notices, or disqualification

Question 4

Is it a criminal offence to breach the H&S at Work Act 1974?

Answer 4

Yes it is a criminal offence to breach this legislation. Local authorities or the Health and Safety Executive can prosecute individuals or companies for breaches of the Act.

Question 5

Tell me about your employer’s health & safety policy?

Answer 5

JLL policies on health and safety include applying risk management principles to identify hazards and ways to elimate, minimise, or control the hazards. JLL also provide regular training on H&S relevant to their role.

Question 6

What are your health & safety duties as an individual surveyor?

Answer 6

As an individual surveyor my duties include ensuring my own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by my actions. When on site and inspecting alone adhere to Surveying Safely 2018 lone working policies as well as my companies health and safety polcies. Including taking a fully charged phone, making others aware where I’m going and when I arrive and leave site.

Question 7

What guidance does the RICS produce about H&S?

Answer 7

The RICS produced Surveying Safely 2nd Edition 2018 which came into effect February 2019

Question 8

Tell me something you understand from reading Surveying Safely.

Answer 8

I understand the concept of a ‘Safe person’ which is an individual that assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues, and others’ health and safety while at work. I also understand that regulated firms must provide safe work equipment and work environment.

Question 9

When was Surveying Safely last updated?

Answer 9

November 2018.

Question 10

What are the key changes?

Answer 10

Key change was the introduction of the ‘safe person’ concept.

Question 11

What is the safe person concept?

Answer 11

This is when each individual assumes behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues, and others’ health and safety while at work.

Question 12

What must Regulated Firms provide?

Answer 12

Regulated firms must ensure they provide a safe working environment, safe work equipment, safe systems of work, and competent staff.

Question 13

What happened in the case of Suzy Lamplugh?

Answer 13

She was an estate agent who dissapeared during the course of her work in 1986.

Question 14

Why is the case of Suzy L important for surveyors?

Answer 14

It emphasised the dangers of lone working and meeting strangers which is common in the surveying profession. It also highlights the importance of client verification and knowing who you will be meeting on site.

Question 15

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Answer 15

PPE is protective clothing that is used to minise exposure to hazards. It includes clothing such as steel toe capped shoes, high vis jackets, and hard hats.

Question 16

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 16

It is the process of identifying hazards, analysing and evaluating the risk associated with that hazard and determing appropriate ways to elimate or control the hazard. It is also a legal requirement that employers employing more than 5 people to carry out document health and safety risk assessments.

Question 17

What is a risk?

Answer 17

A risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm, injury or adverse health effects. An example is the likelihood of falling off a ladder.

Question 18

What is a hazard?

Answer 18

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. An example is a ladder.

Question 19

How would you undertake a risk assessment before attending site?

Answer 19

Before attending site you can gather information like asking the client or site owner of any known hazards or ongoing works at the site. You can also request if there is asbestos present or contaminated land.

Question 20

What is asbestos?

Answer 20

Asbestos is an insulating material that is can cause serious health issues and fatal diseas. Left undamaged and undisturbed it poses no health risks but if disturbed it can cause small micro fibres to be released and when inhaled can cause damage to your lungs.

Question 21

What legislation are you aware of in relation to asbestos?

Answer 21

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2021.

Question 22

What do you understand by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Answer 22

It is a legislation that deals with the management and handling of asbestos in buildings and workplaces. Regulation came into force in 2012.

Question 23

Who is the duty holder?

Answer 23

The duty holder is the client, building owner, landlord or anyone with a clear responsibility for the building’s maintenance or repair.

Question 24

How does asbestos cause lung damage?

Answer 24

When disturbed or damaged it can release small micro fibres that when inhaled cause serious health issues and or death.

Question 25

What are the two types of asbestos survey?

Answer 25

Management survey and a refurbishment or demolition survey. Both of these survey types usually require sampling.

Question 26

When was asbestos banned?

Answer 26

Most types of asbestos was banned in 1985. White asbestos was banned in 1999.

Question 27

What is an asbestos survey/management plan?

Answer 27

Management plan sets out procedures and arrangements to manage the risk of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in your premises. The plan should include things like who is responsible for managing asbestos, control measures to ensure the ACMs are not disturbed and your asbestos register including a site plan showing the location of the ACM and areas not inspected.

Question 28

Explain the key principles of the new RICS guidance relating to asbestos.

Answer 28

The guidance recommends that all surveyors should have asbestos awareness training, in line with regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Surveyors have a duty to manage asbestos in line with Regulation 4. Duty to manage can be fulfilled by ensuring that an asbestos register is available and making it available to anyone liable to disturb the asbestos present.

Question 29

What is occupational health?

Answer 29

Is a field of healthcare that focuses on the prevention and management of work related illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. Occupational health aims to maximise employee well being across all jobs by identifying, evaluating and managing workplace health and safety risks.

Question 30

Why is it important?

Answer 30

It protects employees from work place related illnesses and injuries and promotes overall physical and mental well being of employeees.

Question 31

What are the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015?

Answer 31

It is the main set of regulations for managing health, safety, and welfare of construction projects. It also includes refurbishment and maintenance work for both notifiable and non notifiable work.

Question 32

When were they last updated?

Answer 32

They were last updated in 2015. They were due to be updated in 2020 but have been pushed back due to Covid.

Question 33

What changes were made?

Answer 33

The CDM Coordinator has been removed since 2015. They have also introduced the Principal Designer who is the designer with control over the pre-construction phase of the project.

Question 34

What is a notifiable project?

Answer 34

When a project lasts longer than 30 construction days with 20 or more workers working simultaneously on site, i.e. more than 500 person days of construction work. You need to notify the Health Safety Executive in the form of a F10 notification.

Question 35

What are the BSI competence requirements (PAS) that relate to the CDM roles?

Answer 35

British Standards Institute published new standards setting out competence requirements for building safety management. Requirements cover the roles of the Principle Designer and Principal Contractor.

Question 36

Which BSI competence requirement (PAS) relates to the management of safety in residential buildings?

Answer 36

PAS 8673:2022 relates to the competence requirements for the management of safety in residential buildings.

Question 37

Tell me about your understanding of fire safety?

Answer 37

I understand that fires cause a number of deaths and injuries yearly. I underand that high standards of fire safety are essential to keeping residents and occupiers of property safe.

Question 38

What is the key fire safety legislation?

Answer 38

Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety Regulations 2022 which is a product following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The act helps residents to feel safe in their homes and to prevent similar tragedies like Grenfell from happening.

Question 39

Tell me about your understanding of the Equality Act 2010.

Answer 39

I understand that the act prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. It also prohibits discrimination in relation to someone's disability. There is also a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

Question 40

Explain what RIDDOR is.

Answer 40

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 2013. The regulation states that work related accidents must be reported where they result in an employee being 7 days away from their work. Incidents like this should be reported to the Health and Safety Executive within 15 days from the date of the incident.

Question 41

What is a CSCS card?

Answer 41

Construction skills certification scheme. It provides proof that construction workers have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site.

Question 42

What is COSHH?

Answer 42

Control of Substances Hazard to Health Regulations 2002.

Question 43

What changes have recently been made to COSHH?

Answer 43

It requires employers to assess the risks that may arise from the use of hazardous substances. This includes arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents or emergencies, such as those resulting from serious spillages.

Question 44

Explain any recent changes to Part B that you are aware of.

Answer 44

There has been new guidance around the provision of sprinklers in care homes.

Question 45

Explain your understanding of the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Answer 45

I understand the act applies to any building containing two or more sets of domestic premises e.g. a block of flats. There is no specified height requirement so all multi occupied residential buidlings are covered by the Act.