SAFETY

INSPECTIONS

By

James McCann

INTRODUCTION

The Health and Safety Commission and its operating arm, the Executive (HSC/E), have spent the last twenty years modernizing the structure of health and safety law. Their aims are to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, and to safeguard others, principally the public, who may be exposed to risks from industrial activity.

Whether you are carrying out an inspection as a safety technician, manager or supervisor in a large office complex, factory or a small work shop, there are many duties and responsibilities that are common to all places of work.

The provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health

Arrangements for ensuring the safety and absence of health risks in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances

Provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety at workplaces under the employer's control

Ensure that work places, plant and processes are safe and without risk to health

Provide and maintain safe means of access and egress (entry, exit and escape) from premises and work areas.

Provide and maintain a working environment for employees that is safe, without risks to health and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. This includes transport, store , handle and use materials in a safe manner.

GENERAL DUTIES

Produce and distribute a statement of safety

policy and its implementation to all

employees.

Consult with employees' representatives on

matters related to health and safety and

establish safety committees if sought by

representatives. Such consultation is guided

by published codes of practice.

Ensure that those who are not employed are

informed of safety and hazards for when they

work or are present on employer premises

and use equipment and materials.

The regulations apply to most work activities. They up-date and extend existing UK health and safety law (1974 Act) and impact on employer duties in relation to employees and others affected by work activity. They also affect the self- employed obligation to protect themselves and others. They cover European Union (EU) Article 118A directives on health and safety at work in relation to:

Regulations

Control over Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Health and Safety Management ( Left click here for hyper

link Health and Safety Management.ppt)

Work Equipment Safety (click here for hyper link

PUWER.ppt)

Manual Handling of Loads ( Left click here for hyper link

MANUAL HANDLING POWERPOINT SLIDE SHOW.ppt)

Workplace Conditions

Personnel Protective Equipment ( Left Click here for hyper

link THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT

WORK.ppt)

Display Screen Equipment

Construction (Design and Management)

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994

(1) The pre-tender stage health and safety plan and

(2) the role of the planning supervisor

Signpost to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)

Regulations 1996 (Left click here to go to hyper linkSAFETY

SIGNS.doc)

Risk Assessment

Employers must assess the risks to the

health and safety of employees and

anyone else affected by the work activity.

necessary preventive and protective

measures must be identified.

employers with five or more staff must

record the findings of risk audits and how

plans and controls are implemented.

An employer need not duplicate assessment

work. Assessments done e.g. for compliance

with COSHH are likely to contribute to servicing

the management regulations.

Employers must devise and implement

arrangements for putting measures (plans,

organizational arrangements, control systems,

monitoring and review methods etc) that follow

from risk assessment, into practice.

This includes emergency procedures

co-operating with other employers sharing a work site

providing employees with clear, understandable information about H&S matters, ensure they have adequate H&S training and are capable enough at their jobs to avoid risks

temporary workers must be provided with particular H&S information to meet special needs.

If a risk audit identifies health needs, then employers must provide appropriate health surveillance for employees, e.g. Shift workers

When developing and applying measures needed for compliance, employers must appoint competent people (internal or external)

Inspections of the work place should be

carried out on a regular basis, The

inspection should be carried out

Systematically and methodically and be an

opportunity to;

educate,

inform and

to change attitudes

as well as checking that you have done

enough to comply with the your duties under

relevant Statutory provisions.

EXTERNAL, car parking, loading areas.

INTERNAL, house keeping, welfare.

WORK AREAS, cleanliness, ergonomics,

MACHINERY, cleaning, maintenance (electrical and mechanical).

OFFICES cleanliness, ergonomics of work stations

PROCEEDURES, risk assessments, supervision, training and information.

Inspections can be split up into areas of

responsibility or different functional areas i.e.

There will not only be differences in the approach to meeting the duties placed on different organisations but also financial considerations.

A safe and healthy working environment promotes motivation and productivity

An unsafe, dirty, poorly equipped or maintained working environment tends to be a miserable place to work.

The following slide show is for illustrative purposes and gives examples typical or characteristic of a small to medium sized factory/workshop.

EXTERNAL

SAFE ACCESS AND EGRESS

ADEQUATE SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS/CONTROL MEASURES

FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

This may involve looking at the area at different times i.e.

Clocking on/off

Times of year

Weather conditions

Parking bays and loading areas clearly marked, traffic signs that

comply with Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)

Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 3-11) i.e.

SPEED RESTRICTIONS

ONE WAY ARROWS

NO PARKING

ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS/CONTROL

MEASURES FOR PEDESTRIANS

ACCESS AND EGRESS

Remember vehicles and pedestrians don’t mix.

Think about any visitors they may not be familiar

with the lay out of, or what goes on at your place

of work again clear signs are vital.

If hard hats are to be worn, proper and adequate

warning signs, are there arrangements in place

before a visitor enters a danger area.

IF MANNED CONTROLS: PPE HIGH

VISIBILITY JACKETS/SAFETY

FOOTWEARTHE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT

WORK REGULATIONS 1992

Also think about PPE & welfare arrangements for

other staff working outside, i.e. loading areas.

Different weather conditions and times of year.

SAFETY SIGNS

SUFFICIENT OUTSIDE

LIGHTINGPARTICULARLY IF THERE IS WORK

CARRIED ON OUTSIDE

AGAIN CHECK AT DIFFERENT TIMES/

WEATHER CONDITIONS.

CHECK IF GLARE IS A PROBLEM

FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES &

ASSEMBLY POINTSHealth and Safety (Safety Signs and

Signals) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No

3-11)

CLEARLY MARKED

FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS

EXTERNAL FIRE ESCAPES PROPERLY

MAINTAINED WITH GOOD LIGHTING

A locked FIRE EXIT = A BIG FINE if you are lucky !!!!

GENERAL STATE OF REPAIR

OF ROADS AND PATHWAYSTHESE ARE SUBJECT TO WEAR AND

TEAR i.e. CHECK FOR POT HOLES AND

UNEVEN SURFACES

ADEQUATE LIGHTING

EXTERNAL DILAPIDATIONS

OF BUILDINGSSTRUCTURE

LOOSE DRAIN PIPES

LOOSE SLATES

WINDOWS CLEAN AND IN GOOD

REPAIR

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

HASAW etc ACT 1974 S2.2 D

ENVIRONMENTAL

DUST, FUMES, NOISE, SMELLS & WASTE

Control of Industrial Air Pollution (Registration of Works) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 318)

Air Quality Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 3043)

(Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (SI 199.5 No 23.57)

Control of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No 3068)

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No 211s)Control of Asbestos in the Air Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No 556)

Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1980

LOCAL AUTHORITIES……………….

BUILDINGS.

SAFE ACCESS & EGRESS

HASAW etc ACT 1974 S 2.2 D

SAFETY SIGNS

Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996

No 3-11)

ARE FIRE ESCAPES

AND ESCAPE

ROUTES CLEARLY

MARKED

LIGHTING

NOT BLOCKED

NOT LOCKED

EASY TO OPERATE

The Fire Precautions Act 1971

The Act furthers the provisions for the

protection of persons from fire risks. If

any premises are put to use and are

designated a certificate is required

from the fire authority.

BLOCKED FIRE EQUIPMENT

FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Abstract of Special Regulations (Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases) Order 1974 (SI 1974 No 1587)

FIRE APPLIANCES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE/CHECKS (click here Fire & Extinguishers.ppt)

FIRE DRILLS / TRAINING (PARTICULARLY FOR NEW STAFF)

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARMS, MAINTENANCE

FIRE RISK

TRAINED FIRST AIDERS & EMERGENCY

PROCEEDURES

Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981 No 917)

ACCIDENT RECORDING INCLUDING NEAR MISSES (F2508 ACCIDENT REPORT FORM, B 15 10

ACCIDENT REPORT BOOK)

PROCEEDURES FOR REPORTING ACCIDENTS, RIDDOR

FIRST AIDERS; QUALIFIED, IN DATEWHO, AND WHERE.

FIRST AID KITS

CHECK CONTENTS

ALSO ENSURE

THATTHERE ARE

NO PROHIBITED

ITEMS i.e. DRUGS,

EVEN OVER THE

COUNTER ONES.

HEATING LIGHTING

VENTILATIONMinimum working temp 15 C or 65 F after

half an hour for those who are considered

sedentary workers

Filters cleaned

temperatures controlled

Adequate lighting

Diffusers cleaned

Not draughty

AIR MOVEMENT

A DRAUGHTY WORKING ENVIRONMENT CAN BE VERY

UNCOMFORTABLE TO WORK IN

Check doors and windows are fitting properly also that doors are not

wedged open

ADEQUATE WITH REGARDS

TO WELFARE PROVISSIONS;HSE. INDG293 5/99

Click here for more on welfare provisions

Welfare(Left click here to go to hyper link)

Enough toilets and washbasins for those expected to use them -people should not have to queue for long periods to go to the toilet;

Where possible, separate facilities for men and women - failing that, rooms with lockable doors;

Clean facilities - to help achieve this walls and floors should preferably be tiled (or covered in suitable waterproof material) to make them easier to clean;

A supply of toilet paper and, for female employees, a means of disposing of sanitary dressings;

Facilities that are well lit and ventilated;

Facilities with hot and cold running water;

Enough soap or other washing agents;

A basin large enough to wash hands and forearms if necessary;

A means for drying hands, e.g. paper towels or a hot air dryer;

Showers where necessary, i.e. for particularly dirty work.

The following tables show the minimum number of toilets

and washbasins that should be provided.

Table 1: Number of toilets and washbasins for mixed use (or women only)

Number of people at work Number of toilets Number of

washbasins

1-5 1 1

6-25 2 2

26-50 3 3

51-75 4 4

76-100 5 5

Table 2: Toilets used by men only

Number of men at work Number of toilets Number of urinals

1-15 1 1

16-30 2 1

31-45 2 2

46-60 3 2

61-75 3 3

76-90 4 3

91-100 4 4

REST ROOMS - FOOD PREPERATION AREAS

FIRE HAZARDS & PRECAUTIONS

HYGIENE

CLEANLINESS

INTERNAL DILAPIDATIONS

REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

LOOSE FITTINGS

FLAKING PAINT WORK

BUILD UP OF DIRT/ GREASE RUBBISH

etc.

EMPLOYEES COMPETENT

PERSONSHealth and Safety (Young Persons)

Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 135)

TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

WORK AREAS

MACHINERY & PROCESSES

SAFE ACCESS & EGRESS

GANGWAYS CLEARLY MARKED

POTENTIAL SLIP TRIP BUMP HAZARDS POTENTIAL FALL FROM HEIGHT HAZARDS

FENCED OR RESTRICTED AREAS CLEARLY MARKED MAINTAINED

WORK AREA ERGONOMICS;

SEATING,

FLOORING,

LIGHTING

VENTILATION

SAFETY SIGNS

MACHINERY

FENCING,GUARDS & EMERGANCY STOPS.

LIFTS HOISTS FORKLIFTS DATES TESTED AND CERTIFIED. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

POWER PRESSES GUARDS AND SAFETY FENCING,

OPERATOR TRAINING

RISK ASSESSMENTS

MACHINERY & TOOLS SUITABLE FOR PURPOSE, MAINTENANCE (PUWER) (CLICK HERE TO GO TO HYPER LINK HAND

ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME}

EXHAUST VENTILATION. Environmental pollution

Horizontal Milling Machines Regulations 1928/1934 (SR&O 1928 No 548, SR&0 1934 No 207)

Operations at Unfenced Machinery Regulations 1938,1946 (SR&Os 1938 No 641; 1946 No 156)

Power Presses Regulations 1965 as amended (SI 1965 No 1441, SI 1972 No 1512)

Prescribed Dangerous Machines Order 1964 (SI 1964 No 971)

DANGEROUS MACHINERY

MECHANICAL HAZARDS

CUTTING HAZARDS

PUNCTURE HAZARDS

CRUSHING & PINCHING HAZARDS

SPINNING / IN – RUNNING HAZARDS

EJECTION HAZARDS

GRINDING OPERATIONS

Protection of Eyes

Regulations 1974 (SI

1974 No 1681)

Provision and Use

of Work Equipment

Regulations 1992 (SI

1992 No 2932) 1998

(SI 1998 No 2306)

PPE REGS

CHEMICALS:

COSHH REGULATIONS

USE , STORAGE HANDLING & TRANSPORTATION

RISK ASSESSMENTS

RECORDS

PPE

CONTAINERS

EMERGENCY and FIRST AID PROCEEDURES

CONTACT WITH IRRITATING

SUBSTANCES PROTECTION OF EYES,

HANDS etc. PPE

CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL CONTACT

DERMATITIS ; PPE

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF

EMPLOYEES

NOISE LEVELS(left click here for hyper link)

DURATION & TIME EXPOSED

(LAeq) dBA

CHECK AT DIFFERENT TIMES

VIBRATION

FREQUENCY & AMPLITUDE ( m/s )

THINK ABOUT DAMPING

DURATION

2

ATMOSPHERE ANYLISING

FUMES & DUST VENTILATION &

EXTRACTION

CONFINED SPACES any room,

compartment, tunnels, etc that do not have

fixed / permanent or natural ventilation

WASTE DISPOSAL

The Environmental Protection Act 1990

To prevent the pollution from emissions to air, land or water from scheduled processes the concept of integrated pollution control has been introduced.

Authorisation to operate the relevant processes must be obtained from the enforcing authority which, for the more heavily polluting industries, is HM Inspectorate of Pollution.

Control of pollution to air from the less heavily polluting processes is through the local authority.

Regulations also place a 'duty of care'

on all those involved in the

management of waste, be it collecting,

disposing or treating Controlled Waste

which is subject to licensing.

In addition to extending the Clean Air Acts by including new measures to control nuisances, the Regulations introduce litter control;

amend the Radioactive Substances Act 1960;

regulate genetically modified organisms;

regulate the import and export of waste;

regulate the supply, storage and use of polluting substances and allow the setting up of contaminated land registers by the local authority.

In 1991 the Water Act 1989 that controlled the pollution and supply of water was replaced by five separate Acts.

MANUAL HANDLING

OPERATIONS( left click here to go to hyper link manual handling)

CHECK RISK ASSESSMENTS

PPE

Musculoskeletal disorders are by far the

most common form of work-related ill-

health problem in Great Britain. They can

prove costly for the individual, the

business and health service providers.

OFFICES

VISUAL DISPLAY SCREENS audit display screen equipment work-stations and reduce risks that are discovered ensure that workstations satisfy minimum

requirements for the display screen itself, the keyboard, desk and chair, lighting and ventilation in the working environment, the design of the task etc

plan work involving display screen equipment to accommodate breaks and variation in activity

provide information and training for target users.

ACCESS EGRESS

SAFETY POLICIES & PROCEEDURES

INFORMATION AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES; Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 682)

Employers have 2 principal duties under the Regulations:

either to display the poster OR to distribute the leaflet (HSIER Reg.4);

To provide further information giving details of the enforcing authority for the premises and the local address for EMAS (HSIER Reg.5).

POLICY STATEMENTS

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (Click here for more on reporting injuries diseases dangerous occurrences)

Employer liability insurance

PRODUCTS

SECTION 36 and Schedule 3 of Consumer Protection Act 1987 -

articles for use at work) places specific duties on the designers,

manufacturers, importers and suppliers

Such people must: ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that articles they design, constructed, make, import, supply etc are safe and without risks to health at all times e.g. when it is being set up , cleaned, used or maintained by someone at work

Carry out (or arrange for) such testing and examination necessary to perform the duties above

Take steps to ensure that those supplying someone with "the article/substance" have adequate information about its designed and tested use. This includes essential conditions for dismantling and disposal

Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people so supplied are given updated information where it becomes known that the article/substance gives rise to serious risk to health/safety.

The end