Health & Safety Flashcards
(39 cards)
Name some legislation and statute that controls Health & Safety
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation 2013 (RIDDOR)
- The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
- The Working at Height Regulations 2005
- Workplace (Health & Safety & Workplace) Regulations 1992
- Occupiers Liability Act 1957
- Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
- Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
What is contained within your company’s Lone Working Policy?
- Always have a fully charged mobile on you
- Diary is open and up to date, with addresses and details of people you’re meeting
- Letting people know where you are and when you’ll be back
- Calling and checking in
What is the difference between a risk and a hazard?
A hazard is something that can cause harm. A risk is the likelihood of the hazard causing harm
What are the main differences made in the 2nd Edition of the RICS Guidance Note Surveying Safely?
Main differences:
- Previously a UK only Guidance Note, now an international publication
- It introduces the concept of a safe person
What is the purpose of the CDM Regulations?
- To provide a statutory framework for managing H&S in construction work
- To place a legal duty on those involved in the work
- To ensure that H&S is considered during the design stage, and that hazards are identified early and eliminated/reduced
Why was there a requirement to update the CDM regulations in 2015?
- The regulations were considered to be over-interpreted and therefore becoming more complicated than required
- That the coordination of function for pre-construction had become a bureaucratic add-on, not giving adequate value
- Persistence of unacceptable standards, particularly on smaller sites
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, what make you a duty holder?
- Own the building
- Responsible for the building (via contract or tenancy)
- Responsible not via contract
- Multi-tenanted, you own and manage
If you are not a “duty holder” as defined by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are there any obligations place on you?
You must co-operate with the duty holder. For example, tenants are required to allow managing agents access for inspections
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Inhaling air that contains asbestos fibres can be extremely detrimental to health. It can cause a number of health conditions, mainly lung and heat cancers, and many people die still from exposure to asbestos despite the use having been banned for nearly 20 years. Asbestos related health condition generally take over 15 years to manifest, therefore reducing the exposure to people is the only way to prevent further hurt
What are the three most common types of Asbestos found in building?
- Crocidolite (Blue)
- Amosite (Brown)
- Chrysotile (White)
Blue and brown are more dangerous that white
What buildings would you expect to find asbestos containing materials (ACM) in?
Any building built or refurbished prior to the year 2000. I assume ACM is 2001 or older
In what situations are asbestos particles dangerous?
When they are in the air. If the asbestos is in good condition and is not disturbed or damage they the risk is negligible, but otherwise it is dangerous to health
Who are most at risk?
People who are likely to be disturbing asbestos in building are at a higher risk. Construction/demolition contractor, IT engineers/installers, and surveyors are some example of high risk people. Any one in close proximity to disturbed or poorly managed asbestos can be at risk
Name some common examples of places you would expect to find asbestos used?
- Sprayed asbestos (fire protections to pipes and steel work)
- Lagging (to pipework)
- Asbestos insulating board (fire/thermal insulation, partitions, wall panels etc.)
- Asbestos cement sheets (roof/wall coverings)
- Textured coatings (ceiling and wall coverings)
- Vinyl materials (bonding/floor and ceiling tiles etc.)
What types of ACM are more dangerous that others?
Materials with high asbestos content are more dangerous, and more likely to be easily damaged. For example, AIB contain up to 85% asbestos, and can be very easily damaged, the same for spray on coatings and lagging. They are also more likely to contain crocidolite/amosite that say a floor tile which is likley to contain chrysotile.
What does the duty to manage asbestos in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require a duty holder to do?
- Establish if there is asbestos, where it is and its condition
- Recording the location and condition of any asbestos (up to date)
- Assessing the risk poses by any ACMs
- Preparing a plan on how to manage the risk (Abestos Management Plan)
- Implement the plan
- Review and monitor the plan and the implementation of it
- Ensuring that there a systems in place for providing the location and condition of any ACMs to anyone likely to disturb it
If carrying out an inspection to establish the presence of ACMs within a building, what would trigger you to do more that record the location and condition?
If the condition of the ACM is poor you will be required to carry out remedial works to prevent people coming into contact with asbestos fibres
How can you definitively confirm is asbestos is present or not?
The only way to know for certain is to have sample taken and testing carried out. This should only be done by accredited people who are sufficiently qualified and experienced
How often should an asbestos management plan be reviewed and updated?
Either every 6 or 12 months. This will be dependent on the location and condition of any ACMs, and their likelihood of being disturbed
What regulations do the current Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 replace?
The 2006 version of the regulations
What is meant by the term licensable work with asbestos?
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 define it as:
- work where exposure to asbestos is not sporadic or low intensity
- work were a risk assessment can not confirm that the control limit will not be reached
- work on asbestos coatings
- work on AIB or asbestos insulation where is it not sporadic, not low intensity, not confirmed to be below control limit or not for a short duration
What is asbestos?
Naturally occurring fibrous silicates, or any material containing them
Is work to asbestos cement licensable?
Generally, no. Due to the normal make up of asbestos cement, chrysotile bonded with cement, it is not a high risk for fibres being released. Therefore, most work with asbestos cement is non-licensed works. However there are some cases where the cement is so badly damaged that the risk may be higher, and therefore it will become licensable under the regulations
What duties are dictated by the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1947?
H&S@WA1974 - primary legislation for H&S in UK, places duties on employers and employees.
Employer:
- Ensure (as far as reasonably practicable) the H&S of all employees
- Assess risk of work place (carry out risk assessment, and provide training)
- Must report all injuries (RIDDOR)
Employee:
- To take care in their own health & safety, and that of those effected by their actions
Surveyors:
- Ensure H&S of themselves and those effected by their work
- Requires training and distribution of relevant info
