but….. prevention is better than cure...logistics employment training services ltd., gate 2,...
TRANSCRIPT
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Welcome to the second edition of TestValley Borough Council’s health and safetyhandbook. We have prepared this bookletto help provide you with up to dateinformation and practical advice on how tocomply with health and safety legislation.We hope that you find the contents usefuland informative, and that you will keep ithandy for future reference.The importance of good health and safety isevident to anyone who has seen theconsequences of health and safety failure.The people who suffer most are the injured,the ill and the bereaved. Getting injured atwork is not something we like to thinkabout. The reality is that the personal andeconomic cost can be enormous. 250people a year lose their lives at work inBritain. In addition, around 141,000 non-fatal injuries are reported each year and anestimated 2.2 million suffer from ill healthcaused or made worse by work. 36 milliondays were lost overall - 30 million due towork-related ill health and 6 million due toworkplace injury.Test Valley Borough Council has for manyyears worked in partnership with localbusinesses to achieve and maintain highstandards of health and safety through co-operation, constructive dialogue,partnership working and where necessary,enforcement action.
The handbook provides useful advice onhealth and safety management and the law.However, it is by no means exhaustive anddetails of further reading are included. If youhave a particular problem, are thinking ofstarting a new business or changing yourexisting premises or practices, officers fromthe Commercial Team will be pleased toadvise you.Health and Safety does not just happen bychance. It needs to be managed just likeany other aspect of your business. We lookforward to your continued co-operation inmaking Test Valley a safer place to live,work and visit.
Foreword
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Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Revitalising Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Helping You to Meet Your Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Other Health and Safety Legislation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Health and Safety Inspectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Safety Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Health and Safety Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Risk Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Health and Safety Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Accidents and Emergencies (RIDDOR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21The Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Slips and Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Work at Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Lifting and Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Workplace Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Work Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Electrical Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Gas Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Fire Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Asbestos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Violence at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Smoke Free Work Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Hazardous Substances (COSHH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Legionella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58CDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Consulting with Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Working Time Regulations 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Sources of useful information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Feedback Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Contents
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This handbook has been produced toassist employers and the self employed to comply with the law, which places greatemphasis on self-regulation of theworkplace.The handbook contains information and
advice on:■ The Health and Safety at Work etc Act
1974 ■ Other health and safety legislation■ What to expect from a visit by a Health
and Safety Inspector■ When and how to report accidents■ When and how to register your business
and certain work activities■ Responsibilities of enforcing authorities –
local authority, HSE, Fire Service■ Health and Safety training■ Useful sources of information.Each section will tell you how to get moreinformation on that subject.The guidance in the booklet is intended toadvise you of ways to improve health andsafety and increase awareness of thesubject. However, it cannot be allembracing. If you require further advice orassistance please contact us:
The Commercial TeamThe Housing, Health & Communities ServiceTest Valley Borough CouncilBeech Hurst, Weyhill RoadAndover, SP10 3AJ
Tel: 01264 368460Fax: 01264 368499Email: [email protected]: www.testvalley.gov.uk
The inclusion of an advert in this handbookdoes not mean that Test Valley BoroughCouncil or any of its officers endorse thecompany or its product.
Introduction
6
EMPLOYMENTMEDICAL SERVICES
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Methodology: First we establish the extent of your needs and goals through a free no further obligation meetinglasting a minimum of 2 hours. Second as we have the span of proven skills to realise yours goals we create a programincorporating only the advice necessary to achieve your short term goals. Third we can fully integrate into your particularback office roles by taking over from your staff. The watchwords are Total Focus on your business, support matched precisely to your requirement, co-ordination of supportprovided, and above all else price effectiveness. In summary our service provides all of the following and crucially adds value through providing expert advice. Accountancy • Business Development • Company Management • Leadership and Learning • People Management
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What is Revitalising Health and Safety (RHS)?It is a 10-year strategy to improve healthand safety at work, launched jointly by thegovernment and Health and SafetyCommission on 7 June 2000. It is about injecting new impetus into betterhealth and safety in all workplaces through:
■ helping people at work to protectthemselves and their business
■ making work a better place to be ■ helping you decide how to make your
work safer and healthier
Revitalising Targets Revitalising targets for the health and safetysystem have been set to:■ reduce the number of working days lost
per 100,000 workers from work-related injury and ill health by 30%by 2010;
■ reduce the incidence rate of fatal andmajor injury accidents by 10% by2010;
■ reduce the incidence rate of cases ofwork-related ill health by 20% by 2010
Partnership Working To meet the targets it is vital that everyoneengaged in workplace safety, be theyInspectors, Employers, Self-Employed,Employees, Trade Associations, TradeUnions work together in partnership todeliver them.
Fit 3A Fit for Work, Fit for Life Fit for Tomorrow(Fit 3 ) roadmap has been developed toassist meeting targets and contribute to thehealth and well being of communities. It is expected that:
■ Businesses will be proactive in takingmeasures to improve workplacestandards and self regulate themselves
■ Inspectors will target poor performersand highest risk premises and activitiesmaking better use of resources
■ The bureaucratic and economic burdenon businesses and the inspectorate willbe lessened
■ The health, safety and welfare ofemployees and members of the publicwill be improved.
Revitalising Health and Safety
8
Test Valley Borough Council’s health andsafety inspectors are responsible forenforcing health and safety in approx 1,436business premises including for exampleoffices, warehouses, residential carehomes, shops, pubs, restaurants andleisure premises.Inspectors have an important role inprotecting the health, safety and welfare ofemployees and members of the public. During an inspection, Inspectors will assessyour management of health and safetyhaving regard to the condition of yourworkplace, the nature of work carried outand the controls in place to minimise risk ofinjury.They will concentrate on several priorityareas, namely slips, trips and falls, work atheight, musculoskeletal disorders (includingmanual handling/lifting and displayequipment use), vehicle transport and riskof ill health due to exposure to asbestos,noise, legionella or other substanceshazardous to health. These cause themajority of workplace accidents and dayslost due to ill health.Inspectors will want to see your riskassessments and control measures(including safe working procedures) forthese key areas and any others that arespecific to your business.
Health and Safety Enforcement PolicyInspectors are not here to simply penaliseemployers that fail to comply with the law.
Our aim is work in partnership with you tohelp you understand what you need to do,and point out what might be wrong.Through accessible and authoritativeinformation we aim to work with you to helpmake workplaces in Test Valley safer.Test Valley Borough Council has its ownclear and publicised enforcement policy.This policy has been formally adopted bythe Council and is available on the Council’swebsite www.testvalley.gov.uk If there is a serious problem, Inspectorsmay issue Improvement Notices requiringyou to make improvements within a fixedperiod of time. They may also issueProhibition Notices to stop a process or theuse of dangerous equipment if there is animminent risk of serious injury to people.They have a right to seize and take awayequipment for examination or as evidence.Inspectors do have powers to prosecute abusiness or individual for breaking healthand safety laws but this would normallyonly be considered as a last resort or wherethe offence is serious. They will take intoaccount your attitude and safety record.Fines for health and safety offences can beup to £20,000 per offence, on conviction inthe magistrates court or unlimited in thecrown court.
Annual Service Delivery PlanTest Valley Borough Council prepares anannual health and safety service deliveryplan which has been agreed by the Council
Helping You to Meet YourResponsibilities
9
and makes clear our arrangements forcontributing to current Health and SafetyCommission priorities.The service delivery plan takes account oflocal needs, while addressing nationalpriorities: identifies both reactive andproactive work, reviews the previous year’swork and includes details of plannedinitiatives - for example work with buildersmerchants, tyre & exhaust retail premises,furniture and carpet retailers, legionellacontrol and achieving smoke-free workenvironments.The plan is reviewed every year. We wouldwelcome your views and comments on it
and any suggestions on how it could beimproved. A copy of the service deliveryplan is available on the Council’s websitewww.testvalley.gov.uk
Further ReadingHSC 14 What to expect when an Healthand Safety Inspector calls (free)WCOVL 100 What to expect when a Healthand Safety Awareness Officer Calls
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The Health and Safety at Work etcAct 1974
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act1974 is the primary piece of legislationcovering occupational health and safety inthe United Kingdom. It covers all workpremises and everyone at work.It’s purpose is to make provision forsecuring the health, safety and welfare ofpersons at work, for protecting othersagainst risks to health or safety inconnection with the activities of persons atwork, for controlling the keeping and use ofdangerous substances and for controllingcertain emissions into the atmosphere.It says that you as an employer, or selfemployed person must look after yourself,everyone working for you and anyone whocould be affected by what you do –including the public and visitors to yourpremises.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act1974 also places certain general duties onemployers:
■ To provide a safe place of work andmaintain all plant, equipment andmachinery.
■ To ensure that materials are properlystored, handled, used and transported.
■ To provide information, instruction,training and supervision to employeesand others at risk of injury.
■ To provide a safe and healthy workenvironment, including safe access toand from the workplace.
■ To provide a written safety policy wherethere are five or more employees withinthe organisation.
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■ To look after the health and safety ofpeople other than employees who maybe affected by their work activities.
The Act is supported by a comprehensive setof Regulations, Codes of Practice andGuidance relating to a wide range of workactivities and specific hazards. Some ofthese are referred to in this booklet. You mustfind out about which laws apply to you – youcan ask your trade federation, chamber ofcommerce or your local health and safetyinspector.In particular, you have legal responsibilitiesfor the safety of people in relation to thefollowing: -
■ Working procedures must be safe andhealthy.
■ The workplace must be safe, clean andhealthy.
■ If computers are provided, riskassessments need to be undertaken toensure safe use.
■ Machines must be safe to use and ifnecessary fitted with suitable protectiveguards.
■ Workplace transport must be controlled -delivery vehicles and fork lift trucks.
■ Manual lifting/handling must be reducedas much as possible.
■ Work at height must be planned andcontrolled to prevent risk of injury fromfalls.
■ Health risks must be properly controlled.■ Noise at work needs to be assessed and
controlled to prevent hearingdamage/loss.
■ The workplace premises must besurveyed to assess presence ofasbestos.
■ Maintain electrical and gas appliances ina safe condition
■ Plan for things that might go wrong – egfires or accidents.
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Statutory Instruments (SIs) are thesecondary type of legislation made underspecific Acts of Parliament. These cover a wide range of subjects,including:
■ control of asbestos at work, ■ control of noise at work, ■ management of the workplace, ■ personal protective equipment, ■ control of substances hazardous to
health, ■ manual handling operations, ■ lifting operations and lifting equipment, ■ working at height, ■ working hours, ■ welfare facilities, ■ smokefree workplaces■ electrical, gas and fire safety, ■ accident record keeping and ■ the reporting of injuries, diseases and
dangerous occurrences.
Offices, Shops and Railway PremisesAct 1963If you employ, or intend to employ, anyperson or persons to work in a shop oroffice premises you are required to notifythe local authority, Test Valley BoroughCouncil, by completing an OSR1registration form.The Office of Public Sector Informationprovides access to UK legislation online. Acts of Parliament from 1988-2006 andStatutory Instruments (SIs) from 1987-2006 are available on the site.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation.htm
Further ReadingINDG 259 (rev 1) An introduction to healthand safety – health and safety in smallbusinesses Essential of Health and Safety ISBN9780717661794 (priced)The Health and Safety Starter Pack ISBN0717662101 (priced)
Other Health and SafetyLegislation
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Health and safety laws in Test Valley areenforced by an Inspector from Test ValleyBorough Council or the Health and SafetyExecutive. See contacts page at back ofbook.The enforcing authorities do more than justenforce the law. Much of their activitiesinvolve giving advice to people to help themmeet the legal standards.Inspectors do have a wide range ofpowers, which include right of entry to yourpremises, the right to talk to youremployees and make investigations. Theyhave the right to take photographs andmake copies of documents. They also havethe right to take away equipment forexamination or as evidence.Inspectors may visit your business withoutprior notice but you are entitled to see theiridentification before letting them in. TheInspector will treat you courteously andfairly. Normally their duties are carried outinformally and with the co-operation ofemployers. If there is a serious problem,Inspectors may issue notices requiring youto make improvements within a fixed periodof time. They may also issue notices to stopa process or the use of dangerousequipment if there is a risk of serious injuryto people.If you receive a notice you have the right toappeal to an Employment Tribunal.Inspectors do have powers to prosecute abusiness or individual for breaking healthand safety laws but this would normally
only be considered as a last resort or wherethe offence is serious. They will take intoaccount your attitude and safety record.Fines for Health and Safety offences can beup to £20,000 per offence, on conviction inthe magistrates court or unlimited in thecrown court.If you are not satisfied with the way youhave been treated you can take the matterup with the Inspector or the Inspector’sManager, whose name is on all letters.
Further ReadingHSC 14 What to expect when a Health and
Safety Inspector calls (free) WCOVL What to expect when a Health and
Safety Awareness Officer calls (free)
Health and Safety Inspectors
14
The following is a list of the common safetydocuments that will be required to be kept.If an Inspector visits you he/she may wishto see these documents. You may need some or all of thesedocuments depending on your business.
■ Written Health and Safety Policy: foremployers with five or more employees.
■ Record of findings of Risk Assessment:for employers with five or moreemployees (some employers may alsorequire records of assessments formanual handling, display screenequipment, control of substanceshazardous to health).
■ Accident records.■ Accident reporting forms (F2508).
■ The poster “Health and Safety Law WhatYou Should Know”. Alternatively a leafletof the same name may be given to eachemployee.
■ Records of statutory examination of lifts,hoists, other lifting equipment, orpressure systems, (usually done by aninsurance company).
■ Employers’ Liability Insurance Certificate:must be displayed by employers.
■ Fire Risk Assessment.■ Staff training records.■ Record of location and condition of any
Asbestos Containing Materials in thebuilding.
Safety Documents
15
If you have five or more employees youmust have a written health and safetypolicy. A policy is a document, which helpsto clarify who is responsible for what and what your health and safetyprocedures are.Policies should contain the following and bereviewed from time to time:
■ A statement of your commitment tohealth and safety – what you are going todo.
■ Details of how you are organised andhow the policy will be put into practice –who is going to do what?
■ Details of the health and safety riskspresent in your workplace and what youare doing to prevent those risks causingharm.
You may find that the policy is best linkedwith the risk assessment.A skeleton policy statement and guidanceon how to use it is available from HSEbooks. This is called “An Introduction toHealth and Safety – Health and Safety insmall businesses.”
Further ReadingBooklet INDG 259 (rev1)– An Introductionto Health and Safety – Health and Safety insmall businesses (free).
Health and Safety Policy
16
Risk Assessments
Most businesses have hazards, which mayaffect health and safety at work. Many smallbusinesses find risk assessment difficult butyou must make an assessment of the risksin your business regardless of its size.The regulations require that you consideryoung people (those who are not yet 18years old) and new and expectant mothers.An assessment of risk is nothing more thana careful examination of what, in your work,could cause harm to people, so that youcan weigh up whether or not you havetaken enough precautions to prevent harm.The aim is to make sure that nobody isinjured or becomes ill.Many small businesses can do theassessment themselves particularly wherethere are few risks. For more complexactivities you may have to get somebody tohelp do the assessment.
How to do an AssessmentThe first step is to look for the hazards inyour business. You may think that there areno hazards in your workplace but if youstep back and think about what you do, ortake a walk around the business, you maysee a number of hazards. A hazard means anything that can causeharm (e.g. chemicals, electricity, working onladders etc.)The next step is to think about what the riskis from the hazards you have seen, andwho could be injured or made ill by thehazards.
Risk is the chance, great or small, thatsomeone will be harmed by a hazard.Next, think about what you need to do toprevent people being harmed and decidewhether or not you are doing enough. If you find something needs to be done toprevent harm you should give priority to therisks which are most serious. You should tryto remove the hazard completely but if thisis not possible you should find out how tocontrol the risks so that harm is unlikely.Example risk assessments are available forviewing and downloading on HSE website:http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/index.htmThe examples show the kind of approachHSE expects a small business or workplaceto take. They are a template that can beamended to address the hazards and risksspecific to your workplace. Every business is different – you need tothink through the hazards and controlsrequired in your business for yourself.Remember, even when the hazards are thesame, the control measures you adopt mayhave to be different from those in theexample to meet the particular conditions inyour workplace.
Telling People about the AssessmentYou must tell your employees about therisks to their health and safety and themeasures that you have devised to controlthe risks. They must also be trained andsupervised in the use of any safety devices
17
or personal protective equipment. If you share your workplace tell the otheremployers or self-employed people of theharm your work could cause them.
Record the FindingsIf you have fewer than five employees youdo not need to write anything down but ifyou have five or more employees you mustrecord the findings of the assessment. There is an example of part of anassessment which you may find useful onthe following pages of this guide but, by allmeans, produce one in your own form if itsuits you better.The assessment record should be kept forfuture use. It can help you if an Inspectorcalls or if you become involved in an actionfor civil liability.
Reviewing the AssessmentThings will change with time and you willneed to consider whether or not thechanges create more risks. If there aresubstantial changes you should repeat theassessment for the changes and record thefact that you have done this.Remember – the aim of assessment is notto carry out a complex analysis but to makedecisions about what needs to be done tomake things safe and healthy. Simple riskscan usually be dealt with simply andquickly.
Further ReadingINDG 163 (rev2) 5 Steps to RiskAssessment (free)
Safe Working ProceduresHaving clear procedures helps to get thingsright and make sure work is done safely. The need for safe procedures can beidentified when you do your riskassessment.
■ Routine work including cleaning.■ Maintenance work.■ Emergencies such as fire or spillage’s.
Think about: -
■ Have safety procedures been worked outfor the job?
■ Are the equipment and tools right for thejob?
■ Do workers know about the safetyprocedures?
■ Are the workers competent to carry themout?
■ Do workers know what to do ifsomething goes wrong?
If you can’t answer yes to the five pointsabove the job probably won’t be donesafely.
Wha
t ar
e th
eha
zard
s?
Falls
fro
m h
eig
ht
Man
ual h
and
ling
Reg
ular
mov
emen
t of
cart
ons
to p
alle
ts. R
olls
of s
tret
ch w
rap
and
flat
palle
ts.
Slip
s, t
rip
s an
d f
alls
Falli
ng o
bje
cts
From
rac
king
and
dur
ing
mov
emen
t
Wha
t ar
e yo
u al
read
y d
oin
g?
•A
ll st
aff a
re g
iven
str
ict
inst
ruct
ions
nev
er t
o cl
imb
rack
ing
– m
onito
red
by
sup
ervi
sors
.
•P
rop
rieta
ry fo
rklif
t ca
ge u
sed
by
mai
nten
ance
wor
ker
for
chan
ging
bul
bs.
Cag
e su
pp
lier’s
info
rmat
ion
show
s it
ism
anuf
actu
red
to
stan
dar
d.
•C
onve
yor
syst
em u
sed
to
red
uce
man
ual h
and
ling
mat
eria
ls in
and
out
of d
eliv
ery
truc
ks.
•Li
ft t
ruck
s us
ed fo
r m
ost
man
ual
hand
ling.
•A
ran
ge o
f man
ual h
and
ling
task
sst
ill r
equi
red
.
•Fl
oorin
g ke
pt
dry
and
qua
lity
mai
ntai
ned
.•
All
staf
f tra
ined
to
mai
ntai
n go
odho
usek
eep
ing
stan
dar
ds
and
ensu
re s
tock
doe
s no
t p
roje
ctin
to g
angw
ays.
•R
acki
ng is
des
igne
d t
o b
esu
itab
le fo
r th
e lo
ads
carr
ied
and
has
not
bee
n m
odifi
ed.
•S
taff
rep
ort
any
dam
age
tora
ckin
g im
med
iate
ly.
•S
yste
m in
pla
ce t
o d
etec
td
efec
tive
pal
lets
•P
rote
ctiv
e fo
otw
ear
used
by
all
ente
ring
war
ehou
se.
Wha
t fu
rthe
r ac
tion
is n
eces
sary
?
•Tr
ain
mai
nten
ance
wor
ker
toch
eck
cage
is in
goo
d c
ond
ition
and
pro
per
ly s
ecur
ed b
efor
e ea
chus
e.
•M
anua
l han
dlin
g tr
aini
ng t
o b
egi
ven
to a
ll w
areh
ouse
sta
ff.•
Rem
aini
ng m
anua
l han
dlin
g ta
sks
to b
e ris
k as
sess
ed u
sing
HS
E’s
Man
ual H
and
ling
Ass
essm
ent
Cha
rt.
•S
uita
ble
ab
sorb
er t
o b
e m
ade
avai
lab
le fo
r liq
uid
sp
ills.
•S
taff
to b
e tr
aine
d t
o cl
ean
and
dry
any
spill
ages
imm
edia
tely
.•
Ext
ra b
ins
to b
e p
rovi
ded
for
was
te m
ater
ial n
ear
load
ing
bay
s.
•S
ign
fixed
to
rack
ing
stat
ing
max
imum
load
s/co
nfig
urat
ion.
Actio
n by
who
m
RB
SP JB RB JB RB
RB
Actio
n by
who
m
17.0
1.08
06.0
2.08
20.0
1.08
18.0
1.08
11.0
1.08
12.0
0.08
14.0
7.08
Done
20.0
1.08
01.0
2.08
20.0
1.08
16.0
1.08
11.0
1.08
12.0
1.08
GH
I War
eho
use
Dat
e o
f R
isk
Ass
essm
ent:
10.
01.0
8
Ass
esso
r:
John
Sm
ith
Who
mig
ht b
e ha
rmed
and
ho
w?
Sta
ff co
uld
suffe
r se
vere
or
even
fata
l inj
urie
s if
they
fell
whi
lst c
limbi
ng r
acki
ng.
Sta
ff co
uld
suffe
r se
vere
or
even
fata
l inj
urie
s if
they
fell
whi
lst c
hang
ing
light
bul
bset
c in
the
high
cei
ling.
All
war
ehou
se s
taff
coul
dsu
ffer
from
bac
k pa
in if
regu
larly
lifti
ng/c
arry
ing
heav
y/aw
kwar
d ob
ject
s.
All
staf
f may
suf
fer
spra
ins
or fr
actu
res
if th
ey tr
ip o
ver
debr
is o
r sl
ip o
n sp
illage
s.
A m
embe
r of
sta
ff or
any
othe
r pe
rson
in th
ew
areh
ouse
may
suf
fer
serio
us in
jury
if s
truc
k by
afa
lling
obje
ct.
Op
erat
ion
of
Lift
Truc
ks
Mac
hine
ryS
tret
ch-w
rap
mac
hine
Po
rtab
le e
lect
rica
leq
uip
men
tM
ess
room
: Ind
ustr
ial
clea
ner,
kett
le a
nd h
eate
r
Haz
ard
ous
sub
stan
ces
Vehi
cle
exha
ust f
umes
Lig
htin
g
inju
ries
such
as
fract
ures
or
at w
orse
fata
litie
s ca
n be
caus
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
:•
the
vehi
cle
cras
hing
into
othe
r ve
hicl
es e
tc.
•st
aff/
visi
tors
hit
by
lift
truc
ks•
lift
truc
ks fa
lling
ove
r•
bei
ng c
rush
ed b
y th
em
ast
All
staf
f usi
ng th
e m
achi
ne.
Mov
ing
part
s ca
n tr
ap p
arts
of th
e bo
dy (e
gfin
gers
/han
d/ar
m) c
ausi
ngcr
ush
inju
ries.
The
who
lebo
dy m
ay a
lso
get t
rapp
edbe
twee
n m
ovin
g pa
llet l
oad
and
fixed
str
uctu
re. S
taff
can
also
cut
them
selv
es &
scal
d on
hot
par
ts.
All
staf
f cou
ld in
cur
pote
ntia
lly fa
tal e
lect
rical
shoc
ks o
r bu
rns
if th
ey u
sefa
ulty
ele
ctric
al e
quip
men
t.
The
fum
es m
ay c
ause
sta
ffey
e irr
itatio
n an
d re
spira
tory
irrita
tion.
Poo
r lig
htin
g is
like
ly to
resu
lt in
hig
her
leve
ls o
fw
ork
erro
r an
d ac
cide
nts.
•A
ll op
erat
ors
trai
ned
and
com
pet
ent
for
use
of t
he li
fttr
uck.
•S
yste
m in
pla
ce fo
r re
fres
her
trai
ning
of d
river
s.•
Gan
gway
s /
aisl
es h
avin
gsu
ffici
ent
spac
e.•
Sys
tem
to
keep
veh
icle
s &
ped
estr
ians
sep
arat
ed.
•Tr
ucks
hav
e se
at b
elts
and
rol
lca
ges.
•O
nly
stan
dar
d p
alle
tised
load
sw
rap
ped
.•
Mac
hine
is r
elat
ivel
y ne
w &
inst
ruct
ions
sho
w it
mee
ts t
here
leva
nt g
uard
ing
stan
dar
d.
•E
mer
genc
y st
op b
utto
n p
rovi
ded
.•
Fixe
d g
uard
s on
mov
ing
par
ts.
•M
echa
nica
l par
ts m
aint
aine
dre
gula
rly.
•S
taff
trai
ned
to
use
corr
ectly
.
•Fi
xed
ele
ctric
al in
stal
latio
ns a
rem
aint
aine
d t
o a
suita
ble
sta
ndar
dan
d in
spec
ted
eve
ry fi
ve y
ears
.
•D
river
s no
t al
low
ed t
o le
ave
engi
nes
runn
ing
in w
areh
ouse
.•
Rol
ler
shut
ter
doo
rs &
war
ehou
sew
ind
ows
open
•G
ood
qua
lity
light
ing
pro
vid
edth
roug
hout
the
war
ehou
se.
•S
tack
ing
of m
ater
ials
res
tric
ted
inor
der
to
avoi
d b
lock
ing
light
and
crea
ting
shad
ows.
•S
uper
viso
r to
ens
ure
truc
k d
river
sch
eck
truc
ks e
ach
day
bef
ore
star
ting
•S
epar
ate
ped
estr
ian
entr
ance
(s)
with
pro
tect
ive
bar
rier
rails
to
be
pro
vid
ed n
ext
to r
olle
r-sh
utte
rd
oors
.•
Str
ict
req
uire
men
t th
at o
nly
com
pet
ent
driv
ers
oper
ate
lift
truc
ks t
o b
e ex
pla
ined
to
all s
taff.
Dis
cip
linar
y ac
tion
take
n ag
ains
tan
yone
bre
akin
g th
is r
ule.
•A
rea
arou
nd m
achi
ne t
o b
e ke
pt
unob
stru
cted
at
all t
imes
•A
rea
arou
nd m
achi
ne t
o b
ein
dic
ated
by
use
of m
arki
ngs
inflo
ures
cent
ora
nge-
red
.•
Wee
kly
chec
k on
gua
rdin
g an
dco
nditi
on o
f mac
hine
.
•M
anag
er t
o ar
rang
e an
d r
ecor
d t
hesi
x m
onth
ly in
spec
tion
and
tes
ting
of p
orta
ble
eq
uip
men
t.•
Inst
ruct
sta
ff to
rep
ort
faul
tsim
med
iate
ly.
•N
o fu
rthe
r ac
tion
req
uire
d.
•N
o fu
rthe
r ac
tion
req
uire
d.
JB RB
SP
SP JB RB JB SP JB
10.0
1.08
20.0
8.08
23.0
1.08
23.0
1.08
18.0
1.08
28.0
4.08
18.0
1.08
01.0
5.08
13.0
1.08
10.0
1.08
23.0
1.08
23.0
1.08
18.0
1.08
18.0
1.08
13.0
1.08
20
Information, Instruction and TrainingA lack of training is often a signifcant factorin the cause of accidents. Employees mustbe given adequate information, instructionand training to enable them to carry outtheir work safely. In practice:
■ Information means providing factualmaterial which tells people about risksand health and safety measures
■ Instruction means telling people whatthey should do; and
■ Training means helping them learn how todo it, but can include giving informationand instruction.
What are the benefits of training staff?Training will encourage you and your staff toadopt safer practices. It should also enableyou to foresee and prevent problems, ratherthan having to cure them once they haveoccurred. Training will help you to complywith your legal duties and should result in amore cost effective and efficient business. Health and Safety Training to nationallyrecognised standards and certificated bythe Chartered Institute of EnvironmentalHealth (CIEH) and Institute ofOccupational Safety (IOSH) are offered byvarious accredited training providers, detailsof which can be found on their respectivewebsites www.cieh.org andwww.iosh.co.uk
For example training is available on
■ workplace safety management; ■ risk assessment; ■ principles of COSHH; ■ manual handling; ■ first aid; ■ conflict resolution and personal safety.
Health and Safety Training
21
As far as possible, accidents at workshould be prevented. If you have the propersafety arrangements in place injuries shouldnot happen. Doing a proper riskassessment will help you do this.
What to do in an emergencyYour priorities are to: ■ assess the situation – do not put yourself
in danger■ make the area safe■ assess all casualties and attend first to
any unconscious casualties■ send for help – do not delay
Check for a responseGently shake the casualty’s shoulders andask loudly ‘are you all right?’If there is no response, your priorities are to:■ shout for help■ open the airway■ check for normal breathing■ take appropriate action
If injuries do happen you should have clearprocedures for providing first aid, gettingassistance, investigating and reporting theaccident to the authorities whereappropriate.Proper accident investigation can preventsimilar injuries and should be carried outstraight away.
Reporting AccidentsCertain accidents, illnesses or dangerous
occurrences must be reported to theenforcing authority. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases andDangerous Occurrences Regulations1995 (RIDDOR) require that you mustreport the following immediately:
■ Death■ Major injury■ Member of Public taken to hospital as
a result of a workplace injury■ Dangerous Occurrence
An over-three-day injury or work relateddisease must be reported within 10 days. This should be done via the IncidentContact Centre (ICC).This system allows you to report all casesto a single point, the ICC based atCaerphilly. The Centre means that you nolonger need to be concerned about whichoffice and which enforcing authority youshould report to.You can report incidents in a variety ofways, by telephone, fax, via the internet orby post.Please send postal reports to the followingaddress:Incident Contact Centre, CaerphillyBusiness ParkCaerphilly, CF83 3GGFor Internet reports please go to:www.hse.gov.uk/riddorBy telephone: 0845 300 9923By fax: 0845 300 9924
Accidents and Emergencies
22
By e-mail: [email protected] you can continue to reportdirectly to your enforcing authority, TestValley Borough Council or the Health andSafety Executive (HSE).
Reportable Major Injuries are:This list summarises the major injuries■ fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or
toes;■ amputation;■ dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or
spine;■ loss of sight (temporary or permanent);■ chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or
any penetrating injury to the eye;■ injury resulting from an electric shock or
electrical burn leading tounconsciousness caused by asphyxia orexposure to harmful substance orbiological agent;
■ acute illness requiring medical treatment,or loss of consciousness arising fromabsorption of any substance byinhalation, ingestion or through the skin;
■ acute illness requiring medical treatmentwhere there is reason to believe that thisresulted from exposure to a biologicalagent or its toxins or infected material.
Reportable Dangerous Occurrencesare:This list summarises each of the dangerousoccurrences■ collapse, overturning or failure of load-
earing parts of lifts and lifting equipment;■ explosion, collapse or bursting or any
closed vessel or associated pipe work;■ failure of any freight container in any of its
load-bearing parts;■ plant or equipment coming into contact
with overhead power lines;■ electrical short circuit or overload causing
fire or explosion;■ any unintentional explosion, misfire,
failure of demolition to cause theintended collapse, projection of materialbeyond a site boundary, injury caused byan explosion;
■ accidental release of a biological agentlikely to cause severe human illness;
■ failure of, industrial radiography orirradiation equipment to de-energise orreturn to its safe position after theintended exposure period.
■ Malfunction of breathing apparatus whilein use or during testing immediatelybefore use;
■ Collapse or partial collapse of a scaffoldover five metres high, or erected nearwater where there could be a risk ofdrowning after a fall;
■ Unintended collision of a train with anyvehicle;
■ Dangerous occurrence at a well (otherthan a water well);
■ Dangerous occurrence at a pipeline;■ Failure of any load-bearing fairground
equipment, or derailment or unintendedcollision of cars or trains;
23
■ A road tanker carrying a dangeroussubstance overturns, suffers seriousdamage, catches fire or the substance isreleased;
■ Unintended collapse of: any building orstructure under construction, alterationor demolition where over five tonnes ofmaterial falls;
■ Explosion or fire causing suspension ofnormal work for over 24 hours;
■ Sudden, uncontrolled release in abuilding of: 100 kg or more flammableliquid; 10 kg of flammable liquid above itsboiling point; 10 kg or more of flammablegas; or of 500 kg of these substances ifthe release is in the open air;
■ Accidental release of any substancewhich may damage health.
Reportable Diseases include:■ certain poisonings;■ some skin diseases such as occupational
dermatitis, skin cancer, chrome ulcer, oilfolliculitis/acne;
■ lung diseases including: occupationalasthma, farmer’s lung, pneumoconiosis,asbestosis, mesothelioma;
■ infections such as: leptospirosis,hepatitis; tuberculosis; anthrax;legionellosis and tetanus;
■ other conditions such as: occupationalcancer; certain musculoskeletaldisorders, decompression illness andhand-arm vibration syndrome.
The full list of reportable diseases can befound in the detailed guide to theregulations and in the pad of report forms.
First AidAll businesses have to make arrangementsfor first aid treatment. You must have:
■ Someone to take charge in anemergency.
■ A first aid box.■ Notices telling people where the box is
and who the appointed person is.■ A trained first aider and first aid room if
your business is particularly hazardous.
Remember: Qualified first aiders must betrained by an organisation registered withthe Employment Medical Advisory Service(EMAS).
Record KeepingIt is good practice to use a book forrecording any incident involving injuries orillness which you have attended. Includethe following information in your entry:
■ the date, time and place of incident■ the name and job of the injured or ill
person■ details of the injury/illness and any first
aid given■ what happened to the casualty
immediately afterwards (eg went back to
24
work, went home, went to hospital)■ the name and signature of the person
dealing with the incident.
This information can help identify accidenttrends and possible areas for improvementin the control of health and safety risks.
Accident bookThe Accident Book BI510 is a valuabledocument that organisations can use torecord accident information as part of theirmanagement of health and safety. A tick box is included on each page of theAccident Book asking whether the injuredperson gives his or her consent to thedisclosure of the information contained inthat record to safety representatives. The employer should:
■ if the injured person has ticked the tickbox (and signed the form), disclose theinformation contained in the accidentrecord, so far as it relates to the injuredperson, to safety representatives and/orrepresentatives of employee safety;
■ anonymise the information if the injuredperson does not tick the tick box anddisclose it to safety representativesand/or representatives of employeesafety.
The arrangements to pass on thisinformation should be discussed betweenemployers, employees and/or theirrepresentatives. The aim should be to makethe best possible use of this (and other)information to meet health and safetyobjectives. By following this approach youand your employer will not be infringing theData Protection Act (DPA) or confidentialitylaw. Safety representatives are legally entitled toinspect records of accidents that employershave to keep under the Reporting ofInjuries, Diseases and DangerousOccurences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).HSE Accident Book ISBN : 0717626032can be purchased from HSE Books.Contact details: HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165Website: www.hsebooks.com
Further reading:MISC 769 RIDDOR Ring & Report (free)L 73 A guide to RIDDOR – ISBN
0717610128 (priced)INDG 214 First Aid at Work – your
questions answered (free)INDG 347 (rev1) Basic Advice on First Aid
at Work (free)INDG 355 Reduce risks – cut costs (free)
25
The following is a brief summary of therequirements:
Access to the WorkplaceThe route used for people to get to andfrom any workplace must be safe andwithout hazard, this includes passages,floors, walkways, stairs, ladders, etc., all ofwhich should be in accordance with currentsafety standards and without hazard.Where any work surface is above groundlevel, precautions must be taken to preventpersons falling. Where there are vehiclesand pedestrians arrangements should bemade wherever possible to separate them.
LightingAll workplaces must be adequately lit,usually by a combination of natural andartificial lighting. Emergency lighting maybe required in some circumstances.
VentilationSuitable and sufficient ventilation must beprovided either by natural or mechanicalmeans.
SpaceSufficient space should be provided foremployees to work safely. As a guide thereshould be a minimum of 11 cubic metresper person in each work room.
TemperatureA reasonable temperature of at least 16°Cmust be maintained in all workplaces.There are a few exceptions to thisrequirement and a lower temperature of
13°C can be acceptable for work whichinvolves physical effort. Any means ofheating provided must be safe.
CleanlinessThe workplace and any furnishings andfittings should be kept clean and wastematerial should not be allowed toaccumulate.
Floor & StairsAll floors and stairs must be maintained in asound condition, free from holes etc. Thestairs must be kept free from obstructionand be provided with handrails, it may benecessary to highlight nosings. In someareas slip resistant floor coverings may beneeded.
Other safety requirementsPrecautions must be taken to ensure thatpeople are not able to fall from a height andinjure themselves. Similarly, it must beensured that people cannot be hurt byobjects falling on them.
Glass, doors and partitionsIf glass doors or partitions are locatedwhere there is a specific need for healthand safety protection, they must be madeof safety material or adequately protected.They must also be marked so that it is notpossible to mistakenly walk into them.
SeatingIf the work can be done sitting, appropriateseating and if necessary a foot rest must beprovided, otherwise suitable seats for staff
The Workplace
26
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27
to sit on when the opportunity arises mustbe arranged.
Drinking WaterA supply of drinking water and suitablecups must be provided.
Rest facilitiesIt may be necessary to provide a rest roomto allow employees to take breaks, eatfood, etc. away from the work area. Facilities must also be provided forpregnant women and nursing mothers.
ToiletsEvery workplace must have an adequatenumber of toilets. These must havesatisfactory lighting, ventilation and be keptclean.
TransportIf you operate any vehicles as part of yourwork activity or if other vehicles visit yourworkplace you should:■ Ensure roadways are clearly marked,
properly maintained and well lit.■ Supervise vehicle movements, particularly
at blind corners and when reversing
■ Ensure the safety of banksmen andloading personnel
■ Separate vehicles and pedestrianswhenever possible by providing clearlymarked walkways and crossing points.
■ Ensure drivers are properly trained beforethey are authorised to drive
■ Check that vehicle loads are stable andsecure
StorageSafe storage applies to almost everybusiness from the largest warehouse to thesmallest shop or office and should beconsidered as part of the risk assessmentprocess. Use the following checklist toreview your storage arrangements:
■ Check the safe loading of racks, shelvesand floors and do not exceed it
■ Use a properly constructed rack forstorage and secure it to the wall forstability.
■ Ensure stacks on floor or racks are stableand do not protrude into gangways.
■ Make sure there is a safe way for
Number of people Number of Number of at Work water closets wash basins
1 to 5 1 16 to 25 2 226 to 50 3 351 to 75 4 476 to 100 5 5
28
assessing loads on racks and that anyladders or steps used are appropriateand in good repair.
■ Store heavy items as near to floor level aspossible. Do not overload racking.
■ Check loads that might roll, such asdrums or pipes.
■ Inspect racking and pallets regularly fordamage, corrosion, bending etc and setup a defect reporting system.
Further reading:L 24 Approved Code of Practice – ISBN
9780717604125 (priced)INDG 173 OfficewiseINDG 212 Workplace Health and Safety:
glazingINDG 244 (rev2) Workplace health, safety
and welfare (free)INDG 225 (rev1) Preventing slips and trips
at work (free)INDG 293 (rev1) Welfare at Work –
guidance for employers (free)
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29
Environment Floor
Contamination& obstaclesPeople
Footwear
Slip & TripPotential
Slips and trips are the most common causeof major injuries at work. Around 90% ofthese are broken bones. They represent33% of all reported major injuries and costemployers over £500m a year plus £800min costs to society. In addition there isincalculable human cost and suffering tothose injured. Legal action following an injury can beextremely damaging to business, especiallywhere the public is involved. Insurance onlycovers part of the cost.The Management of Health and Safety atWork Regulations 1999 build on the generalduties of the Health and Safety at Work etcAct 1974 to include duties
■ on employers to assess slip and trip risksto employees and others who may beaffected by their work activity and takeaction to control these risks
■ on those who employ cleaningcontractors in their premises to makesure the contractors are given informationon health and safety in those premises.
The Workplace (Health, Safety andWelfare) Regulations 1992 require floorsto be suitable for the purpose for whichthey are used and free from obstructionsand from any article or substance whichmay cause a person to slip, trip or fall.Poor design and the installation ofunsuitable floor surfaces, use of
inappropriate footwear and unsafe methodsof floor cleaning are the main cause of slipand trip accidents. Effective solutions areoften simple, inexpensive and can lead toother benefits.
Premises DesignThe Construction (Design andManagement) Regulations 2007 place astatutory duty on architects, designers andothers who are involved in the design andconstruction of workplace premises tomake provision to eliminate slip and triphazards. This will involve providing measures for safeaccess to, egress from and movementthrough the workplace. Consideration mustbe given to traffic routes, floor surfacematerials, traffic volume, contaminationrisks, human behaviour and managementcontrols. Extensive guidance has beenproduced by HSE, local authorities, tradeand industry organisations on this matter.
Slips and Trips
The most effective approach is to ensure that slips andtrip hazards are designed out of a building.
30
Safety FootwearSelecting the right footwear can be anothercost-effective way to help reduceaccidents. Choosing the most suitable slip-resistant footwear for a particularenvironment/work activity will involvediscussion with suppliers having regard tothe nature of the floor surface,contamination risks, and cleaning methods.Footwear selection should take account offactors, such as comfort, durability and anyadditional safety features required, such assteel mid-sole. Suppliers can assistpurchasers in making the right choice byfacilitating field trials of footwear.
CleaningCleaning is another key factor in controllingslips and trips. It affects the surfaceproperties of the floor, the safety ofpedestrians (and cleaners themselves) andthe control of contamination and obstacles.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)have produced extensive guidanceincluding information sheets and casestudies on this matter, which are availablefree of charge on HSE websitewww.hse.gov.uk/slipsIt will be useful for those who:
■ are involved in the construction, designand/or management of workplacepremises
■ employ or supervise cleaners■ manage cleaning contracts
■ manage premises where cleaning takesplace (either in-house or contracted out)
■ are responsible for purchasing, issuingand maintaining personal protectiveequipment (PPE) which includes safetyfootwear.
■ are involved in workplace health andsafety, for example safety representatives.
Further ReadingINDG 411 – A quick guide onConstruction (Design and Management)Regulations 2007INDG 255 (rev1) Preventing Slips and Tripsat Work. (free)
HSE Information Sheets – Slips and Trips:the importance of floor cleaningHSE Catering Information Sheet No 6(revised) – Preventing slips and trips inkitchens and food serviceHSE Food Sheet – Slips and trips:Summary guidance for the food industry
31
All work at height must be properlyplanned and organised andundertaken by competent persons.The following hierarchy should beapplied to all work at height:
■ Avoid work at height where possible■ Use work equipment or other measures
to prevent falls where they cannot avoidworking at height; and
■ Where they cannot eliminate the risk of afall, use equipment or other measures tominimise the distance and consequencesof a fall should one occur.
Window CleaningWindows usually need cleaning periodicallyand cleaners will need safe access towindows. Where your windows cannot becleaned from the ground you should makesure that one or more of the following isdone:
■ Make sure windows can be cleaned frominside e.g. pivot windows.
■ Provide access and a firm level surfacefor ladders or other mobile accessequipment.
■ Where ladders over 6 metres long areneeded provide points for tying or fixingthe ladder.
■ Provide suitable anchorage points forsafety harnesses.
■ If you have a high building, take specialistadvice.
Falls or Falling ObjectsSecure fences must be provided wherethere is a risk of falling a distance liable tocause personal injury. The fencing shouldhave at least two guard-rails and an up-stand or toe-board to prevent objects fallingfrom the edge.Any openings in fences or floors should becovered. The covers should only beremoved for access and be replaced assoon as possible afterwards.Further reading:INDG 401 (rev1) The Work at HeightRegulations 2005 (as amended) – A brief guide (free)INDG 402 Safe use of ladders andstepladders – An employers guide (free)MISC 611 Safety in window cleaning usingsuspended and powered accessequipment (free)MISC 612 Safety in window cleaning usingrope access techniques (free)MISC 613 Safety in window cleaning usingportable ladders (free)MISC 614 Preventing falls from boom-typeelevated work platforms (free)INDG 284 Working on Roofs (free)INDG 220 Construction (Health, Safety andWelfare) Regulations 1996 (free)INDG 395 Avoiding Falls from Vehicles (free)INDG 413 Preventing falls from Vehicles –Advice for workersINDG 403 A Toolbox talk on leaning ladderand stepladder safety (free)INDG 405 Top tips for ladder andstepladder safety (free)
Work at Height
32
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33
The Manual Handling OperationsRegulations 1992 (as amended) requireemployers to carry out a risk assessmenton manual handling tasks. Manual handling includes any transportingor supporting of a load (including the lifting,putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying ormoving) by hand or bodily force.Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are themost common cause of occupational illhealth in Great Britain, currently affecting1.0 million people a year and costingsociety £5.7 billion. MSDs affect themuscles, joints, tendons and other parts ofthe musculoskeletal system.It is important to understand the risksassociated with manual handling and takeappropriate measures to assess andultimately reduce these risks, so thelikelihood of suffering from MSDs such asback pain are reduced. Employers have a legal obligation to protecttheir health and safety and that of theirworkforce. The Health and Safety Executive(HSE) have produced detailed guidance(revised in March 2004) which includes achecklist to help you assess the risk posedby workplace pushing and pulling activities
These Regulations require employers to:
■ Avoid the need for hazardous manualhandling so far as is reasonablypracticable
■ Assess the risk of injury from anyhazardous manual handling that can’t beavoided, and
■ Reduce the risk of injury from hazardousmanual handling, so far as is reasonablypracticable.
Avoid Manual Handling – Check whether you need to move it at all.For example, does a large workpiece reallyneed to be moved, or can the activity safelybe done where the item already is ?Consider automation, particularly for newprocesses. Think about mechanisation and usinghandling aids. For example: a conveyor,pallet truck, electric or hand-powered hoist,a lift truck but be aware of new hazardsfrom automation or mechanisation.
Assessing and reducing the risk ofinjuryThe assessment is the employers
Lifting and Handling
34
responsibility. You should be able to domost assessments in-house. You, youremployees and safety representatives knowyour business better than anyone else. Most situations will require just a fewminutes observation to identify ways tomake the activity easier and less risky, i.e.less physically demanding. Later in thisbooklet you will find easy to use guidelinesto help decided whether there are riskylifting activities where a full assessment isrequired. Advice from outside experts maybe helpful in difficulty or unusual cases, orto get you started.
How far must you reduce the risk ?To the lowest level ‘reasonably practicable’.This means reducing the risk until the costof any further precautions – time, effort ormoney – would be far too great inproportion to the benefits.You should definitely provide mechanicalaids if it is reasonably practicable to do soand the risks identified in your riskassessment can be reduced or eliminated
by this means. But you should considermechanical aids in other situations as well –they can improve productivity as well assafety. Even something as simple as a sacktruck can be a big improvement.
TrainingTraining is important but remember on itsown it can’t overcome:
■ a lack of mechanical aids ■ unsuitable loads■ bad working conditions
Training should cover:■ Manual handling risk factors and how
injuries can occur■ How to carry out safe manual handling
including good handling techniques■ Appropriate systems of work for the
individuals task and environment■ Use of mechanical aids■ Practical work to allow the trainer to
identify and put right anything the traineeis not doing safely.
Powered trucks andtrolleys, vehicles etc
Fork
Tru
ck
Truc
k w
ithhy
drau
lic li
ft
ball
tabl
e an
dro
llers
Non-powered trucks,trolleys and aids
Tracks, conveyors,slides/chutes, roller balls
35
3kg 7kg
7kg 13kg
10kg 16kg
7kg 13kg
3kg 7kg
Figure 1. Lifting and Lowering
10kg 5kg
20kg 10kg
25kg 15kg
20kg 10kg
10kg 5kg
Shoulder height
Elbow height
Knuckle height
Mid lower leg height
Shoulder height
Elbow height
Knuckle height
Mid lower leg height
General risk assessment guidelinesThere is no such thing as a completely‘safe’ manual handling operation. Butworking within the following guidelines willcut the risk and reduce the need for a moredetailed assessment.
Lifting and Lowering.Use Figure 1 to make a quick and easyassessment. Each box contains a guidelineweight for lifting and lowering in that zone.As you can see the guideline weights arereduced if handling is done with armsextended, or at high or low levels, as that iswhere injuries are most likely to occur. The guideline weights assume that the loadis readily grasped with both hands and thatthe operation takes place in reasonableworking conditions, with the lifter in a stablebody position.
Further ReadingINDG 143 (rev2) Getting to grips withmanual handling - A short guide. (free)INDG 348 Mark a parcel save a back. (free)INDG 383 Manual Handling AssessmentCharts (MAC) (free).INDG 398 Are you making the best use oflifting and handling aids (free)L23 Manual Handling Guidance onRegulations - ISBN 071762823X (priced)
womenmen
36
Every year, a significant number of peopleare killed by accidents involving vehicles inthe workplace, and many people areinjured. A lot of damage is also done toproperty and profit. Better planning, trainingand awareness, and the appropriate use ofvehicles, can avoid most of theseaccidents.Workplace transport means any vehiclethat is used in a work setting such as fork-lift trucks and delivery vehicles. It can alsoinclude cars, vans and large goods vehiclesthat are operating off the public highway.For example a goods vehicle that is loadingor unloading on the public highway isregarded as workplace transport. Guidancehas been produced by the Health andSafety Executive (HSE) to help peopleinvolved in transport in the workplacereduce the chances of accidentshappening.Managing for safety is about reducingrisks, not eliminating them. Think aboutwhat accidents might happen, and takesteps to try and make sure they areavoided. This is called a ‘risk assessment’,and every employer has to do it by law.First, identify the work activitiesinvolving vehicles (including visitingvehicles) over a reasonable period (eg overthe course of a week). Activities include:
■ arrival and departure■ travel within the workplace■ loading, unloading and securing loads
■ sheeting■ coupling, and■ vehicle maintenance work
Next identify the risk associatedwith these activities. Ask yourself,what the possible dangers are, andwhat is causing those dangers. Forexample,
■ Could someone be hit by a movingvehicle ?
■ Could someone fall from a vehicle whilegetting in or out, or during loading?
■ Could someone be hit by an object fallingfrom a vehicle ?
■ Could a vehicle tip over ?
When looking for hazards, include:
■ The vehicles themselves. Are they safeand suitable for their use ? Are theyproperly maintained ? Do they need to bereplaced with new, safer vehicles ?
■ The routes or roadways used byvehicles. Are they safe and suitable forthe type and number of vehicles usingthem? Are they properly maintained?Have you considered nearbyobstructions, curbs or edges?
■ What drivers are doing? Are therepressures on operators that mightencourage them to work less safely? Forexample, so they have to rush tocomplete their work on schedule? Is
Workplace Transport
37
there a risk drivers becoming over tired?Are they working safely, eg when gettinginto or out of vehicles, during loading,unloading and are they observing routesand speed limits? Look out for ‘shortcuts’ that drivers may be tempted to usein both routes and safety procedures.
■ What other people are doing? Areother workers, customers or members ofthe public kept clear of workplacevehicles wherever possible?
Are drivers and any other workers at thesite (including contractors or members ofthe public) kept clear of workplace vehicleswherever possible?Remember, the risk assessment shouldalways be kept up to date, regardless ofany reviews that may be due ‘soon’. If youintroduce new vehicles, equipment orworking practices, look at the riskassessment and see if it needs updating.
Getting on and off a vehicleMore than 2000 serious injuries to peoplefalling from vehicles are reported to HSEeach year. Many of these injuries are brokenarms or legs, resulting in weeks off workand possible loss of earning. There areprobably many more injuries that are notreported. Employees need to made aware that theymay suffer permanent knee damage manyyears later after having jumped down off theback of a lorry or from an elevated work
area. They should be instructed to alwaysuse steps and handholds if provided andtake a few seconds to climb down from thecab, load area or catwalk facing the vehiclewhilst using the handhold.
Further ReadingINDG 136 Workplace Transport Safety –An employers’ guide (free)INDG 199 (rev1) Workplace TransportSafety – An overview (free)INDG 395 Avoiding Falls from Vehicles(free)INDG 413 Preventing falls from Vehicles –Advice for workers (free)INDG 313 Safe Unloading of Steel Stock(free)INDG 382 Driving at Work – Managing workrelated road safety (free)
38
There are many hazards associated withwork equipment which can cause seriousinjuries. Even if the dangers are so obviousthat you think nobody will take risks nearwork equipment you are mistaken. Youcannot rely on employees to avoiddangerous parts.The following points will help you ensurethat work equipment is used safely.
■ Make sure all dangerous parts areguarded.
■ Provide instruction and training for alloperators. Don’t allow untrained peopleto use machines.
■ Make sure controls are properly markedand that emergency stops are brightlycoloured and easily reached.
■ Keep work equipment in good workingorder. Some work equipment (such aslifting equipment and air receivers) mustbe inspected regularly by a competentperson – usually an insurance companyengineer.
Lifting equipment includes such equipmentas cranes, lift trucks, goods lifts, vehicleinspection hoists, ropes, bell hoists andvehicle tail lifts.
Thorough Examination and InspectionsThe Safe Use of Lifting EquipmentOperations and Lifting EquipmentRegulations 1998 (LOLER) require thatlifting equipment on initial use after
installation and periodically during its lifemust be thoroughly examined by acompetent person. This person is often aninsurance company engineer but could beanyone sufficiently knowledgeable andtrained for the purpose. For a person lift the intervals should be atleast every 6 months, for any other liftingequipment at least every 12 months e.g. afork lift truck.Reports of thorough examinations andother documents such as current record ofinspection, servicing and repairdocumentation, and any daily checksshould be kept and readily available at theworkplace.
Written Schemes of ExaminationThe Pressure Systems SafetyRegulations 2000 require users andowners of pressure systems todemonstrate that they know the safeoperating limits, principally pressure andtemperature, of their pressure systems, andthat the systems are safe under thoseconditions. They need to ensure that a suitable writtenscheme of examination is in place beforethe system is operated. They also need toensure that the pressure system is actuallyexamined in accordance with the writtenscheme of examination.A written scheme of examination is adocument containing information aboutselected items of plant or equipment which
Work Equipment
39
form a pressure system, operate underpressure and contain a ‘relevant fluid’. Theterm relevant fluid is defined in theRegulations and covers compressed orliquified gas, including air, at a pressuregreater that 0.5 bar (approximately 7 psl)above atmospheric pressure, pressurisedhot water above 100 C; and steam at anypressure.The following pressurised systems arelikely to require a written scheme ofexamination:
■ a compressed air receiver and theassociated pipework, where the productof the pressure in bars multiplied by theinternal capacity in litres of the receiver isequal to or greater than 250 bar litres;
■ a steam sterilising autoclave andassociated pipework and protectivedevices;
■ a steam boiler and associated pipeworkand protective devices;
■ a pressure cooker;■ a gas loaded hydraulic accumulator;■ a vapour compression refrigeration
system where the installed powerexceeds 25 kW
■ a narrow gauge steram locomotive;■ the components of self-contained
breathing apparatus sets (excluding thegas container);
■ a fixed LPG storage system, supplyingfuel for heating in a workplace.
The following pressurised systems are notlikely to require a written scheme ofexamination:
■ an office hot water urn (for making tea);■ a machine tool hydraulic system;■ a pneumatic cylinder in a compressed air
system;■ a hand-held tool;■ a combustion engine cooling system■ a portable compressed air receiver and
the associated pipework, where theproduct of the pressure in bars multipliedby the internal capacity in litres of thereceiver is less than 250 bar litres;
■ any pipeline and its protective devices inwhich the pressure does not exceed 2bar above atmospheric pressure;
■ a portable fire extinguisher with a workingpressure below 25 bar at 60°C andhaving a total mass not exceeding 23kilograms;
■ a portable LPG cylinder;■ a tyre used on a vehicle.
These are typical examples for guidancepurposes only. You must decide whetheryour pressurised system is covered by theRegulations in practice.
Dangerous EquipmentYoung persons i.e. those under 18 years ofage must not use high risk liftingequipment, wood working machinery orpower presses unless they have sufficient
40
maturity and competence, or they areundergoing training with adequatesupervision.
Further ReadingINDG 290 Simple guide to the LiftingOperations and Lifting EquipmentRegulations 1998 (free)INDG 291 Simple guide to the Provisionand Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1998 (free)INDG 339 (rev 1) Thorough Examinationand Testing of LiftsINDG 178 (rev 1) Written Schemes ofExamination (free)INDG 261 (rev 1) Pressure Systems – safetyand you (free)
14
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41
Electricity can kill and even no-fatal shockscan cause severe and permanent injury.Electric shock, burns, fires and explosionscan all be caused by poor electricalstandards.The Electricity at Work Regulations 1999are intended to control the risks arisingform the use of electricity at work.Simple common sense precautions canhelp, the main points for general safety arecovered below:
■ Make sure that all electrical wiring andequipment is sound. If wiring is old or hasnot been checked for some time it shouldbe inspected by a competent person andrepaired if necessary. Portable ApplianceTesting (PAT) is a good way of ensuringportable electrical equipment is safe, butis NOT a legal requirement.
■ Check that cables and sockets can copewith the loads on them.
■ Make sure that switches including themains switches are clearly identified andreadily accessible.
■ Take suspect or faulty equipment out ofuse and label it “DO NOT USE” until it isattended to.
■ If you extend or join cables use a properlyinsulated connector or coupler. Do notuse “chocolate block” terminalconnections – they are not safe except incertain situations.
■ Additional precautions are required ifelectrical equipment may reasonably
foreseeably be exposed to (a) mechanical damage; (b) the effects of the weather, natural
hazards, temperature or pressure;(c) the effects of wet, dirty, dusty or
corrosive conditions; or (d) any flammable or explosive substance,
including dusts, vapours or gases. Insuch case equipment should be of suchconstruction or as necessary protectedas to prevent, so far as is reasonablypracticable, danger arising from suchexposure. Using water proof fittings,residual current devices are examples ofsafety measures that can be taken.
BatteriesBatteries are used to store electricalenergy. Many of the things we useevery day rely on the instant powerprovided by batteries. However, thelarger batteries found in workplacescan be dangerous and may explodeif used incorrectly. Every year atleast 25 people are seriously injuredwhen working with, moving handlingor using large batteries at work.Injuries from batteries include seriouschemical burns to the face, eyes andhands, and wounds from flying pieces ofmetal and plastic. Burns from metal objectsthat have become very hot or haveexploded after short-circuiting the battery’sterminals occur frequently. Serious electricshocks and burns are common in
Electrical Safety
42
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43
accidents involving high-voltage batterypacks. HSE has produced guidance onusing electric storage batteries safely.
Further InformationINDG 68 (rev1 ) Do you use a steam/waterpressure cleaner – you could be in for ashockINDG 139 (rev1 ) Using electric storagebatteries safelyINDG 231 Electrical safety and you (free)
INDG 247 Electrical safety for entertainers(free)INDG 236 Maintaining portable electricalequipment in offices and other low riskenvironments (free) INDG 237 Maintaining portable electricalequipment in hotels and touristaccommodation (free) HSE Catering sheet no 12 - Maintenancepriorities in catering
Thorough examination, inspection and test intervals
Electrical appliances(hotels, apart from high-risk areas such askitchens)
Portable:1 User check before use for damage to outside of equipment
and its lead and plug;2 Formal visual inspection, 6-12 months;3 Combined inspection and testing, 1-5 years
Fixed:Inspection and testing 4-yearly as recommended by the Institutionof Electrical Engineers (IEE).
Because of the more demanding environment, the IEE recom-mends more frequent inspections for catering equipment inkitchens.
For example, if portable:1 Formal visual inspection, 1 month;2 Combined inspection and test, 6 months
Greater detail is beyond the scope of this summary table, and youshould get advice from a competent electrician. All installations aredifferent and it may be possible to reduce the frequency of inspections, based on initial results.
Electrical appliances (inkitchens)
Electrical circuit As advised by a competent electrician
44
Fixed InstallationsEvery year people die from carbonmonoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gasappliances and flues which had not beenproperly installed or maintained. Manyothers also suffered ill health. When gasdoes not burn properly excess CO isproduced which is poisonous. You can’tsee it, taste it or smell it but CO can killwithout warning in just a matter of hours. Getting your gas appliances servicedregularly is essential. Boilers and otherappliances should be given an annualservice by a SafeGas registered engineer.SafeGas is the national watchdog for gassafety in the UK. SafeGas believe in prevention – one deathor injury from carbon monoxide or gasrelated explosion or fire is one too many.The organisation investigates complaintsand advises on the safety of gasinstallations and connections.If you are having gas work done the persondoing the work must be SafeGasregistered. They must also hold the correctqualifications to do the type of work youneed. Make sure that the installer shows you theSafeGas ID card before they start work.SafeGas estimate that there could be asmany as 20,000 people working illegallyacross the UK. A ‘cowboy’ may seem like a cheap optionhowever they will probably cost you muchmore in the long term, as they may not
keep up to date with training, may not usethe correct equipment, may not hold thecorrect qualifications to do the type of workyou need, may leave you with unsafeappliances, may not provide a Declarationof Safety Certificate of BuildingRegulations Compliance Certificate forany installation or replacement of gasappliance in your workplace.Using a cowboy may leave work errorsleading to carbon monoxide poisoning.Report Illegal gas work to SafeGas if yoususpect you have had work undertaken bya non registered person. If you have anydoubts or concerns, you can contactSafeGas on freephone number 0800 4085500.
What to Do in an Emergency■ If you smell gas, call the Emergency
Helpline 0800 111 999 which operates afree 24 hour emergency service.
■ If you are calling from a mobile phone,then go outside first.
■ Do NOT smoke, do NOT turn lightswitches on or off and do NOT doanything to cause a spark
■ Turn off the supply at the meter. ■ If you do not have to switch on a light to
do so, open doors and windows and waitoutside for the emergency engineer toarrive.
■ If is vital that any victim is removedimmediately from the contaminated area,places in to the open air and given pure
Gas Safety
45
oxygen, if available, victims should bekept at rest.
LPG LPG is the generic name for commercialpropane and commercial butane. Theyhave the special property of becomingliquid at atmospheric temperature ifmoderately compressed, and reverting togases when the pressure is sufficientlyreduced. Butane is usually supplied tocustomers in cylinders. Propane can besupplied in cylinders or in bulk for storage intanks at the customers premisesLPG (propane or butane) is a colourlessliquid which readily evaporates into a gas. Ithas no smell, although it will normally havean odour added to help detect leaks. It canburn or explode when it is mixed with airand it meets a source of ignition. It isheavier than air, so it tends to sink towardsthe ground. It can flow for long distancesalong the ground, and can collect in drains,gullies and cellars. LPG is supplied in pressurised cylinders tokeep it liquefied. The cylinders are strongand not easily damaged, although the valveat the top can be vulnerable to impact.Leaks can occur from valves and pipeconnections, most likely as a gas. LPGliquid can cause cold burns to the skin. Outdoor radiant patio heaters using an LPGcylinder are becoming more popular.Assembly maintenance and any repairshould be undertaken by a competent
person. Care is needed when positioningthem to ensure the products of combustiondo not adversely affect people or propertyat burner level. Guidance is available from LP GasAssociation, Unit 14, Bow Court,Fletchworth Gate, Burnsall Road, Coventry,CV5 6SP Email: [email protected]
Precautions
■ Keep all cylinders in a safe, well-ventilated place, preferably in the openair, and away from occupied buildings,boundaries and sources of ignition and ofheat.
■ Make sure the cylinders are properlysecured and are kept upright. keeprubbish and anything combustible wellaway,
■ Keep weeds and grass in the vicinity cutdown. Don’t use chlorate-basedweedkiller, as it can be a fire hazard.
■ Don’t let anyone have any electricalequipment, vehicles, bonfires, barbecuesor other sources of ignition near thecylinders. Exceptions are items purpose-designed to use LPG, such as gas-firedbarbecues.
■ Do not smoke when changing cylinders■ Keep vehicles well away from the
installation■ If a cylinder is no longer needed it should
be returned to a local dealer. Local LPGsuppliers and dealers can be found in the
46
Yellow Pages under Bottled Gas or GasBottles or Gas Suppliers.
Further Reading INDG 238 (rev 2) Gas Appliances: GetThem checked, Keep Them SafeHSE Chemical Information Sheet no 5. –Small scale use of LPG in cylinders (free)LPGA Code of Practice 7, Storage of Fulland Empty LPG Cylinders and Cartridges(priced).
47
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order2005This Order came into force in October2006, under the Regulatory Reform Act2001. The order replaced most previousFire Safety legislation with one simple order.What the order means, is that any personwho has some level of control in premisesmust take reasonable steps to reduce therisk from fire and make sure people cansafely escape if there is a fire. The orderapplies to virtually all premises and coversnearly every type of building, structure andopen space.Examples:
■ Offices and shops.■ Premises that provide care, including
care homes and hospitals.■ Community halls, places of worship and
other community premises.■ The shared areas of properties several
households live in (housing laws mayapply).
■ Pubs, clubs and restaurants.■ Schools and sports centres.■ Tents and marquees.■ Hotels and hostels.■ Factories and warehouses.
It does not apply to:-■ People’s private homes, including
individual flats in a block or house.
What the main rules under the ordersay you must do:■ Carry out a fire-risk assessment
identifying any possible dangers andrisks.
■ Consider who may be especially at risk.■ Get rid of or reduce the risk from fire as
far as is reasonably possible and providegeneral fire precautions to deal with anypossible risk left.
■ Take other measures to make sure thereis protection if flammable or explosivematerials are used or stored.
■ Create a plan to deal with any emergencyand, in most cases, keep a record of yourfindings.
■ Review your findings when necessary.
Who is responsible for meeting theorder?Under the order, anyone who has control ofpremises or anyone who has a degree ofcontrol over certain areas or systems maybe a ‘responsible person’. For example, itcould be:-
■ The employer for those parts of premisesstaff may go to.
■ The managing agent or owner for sharedparts of premises or shared fire safetyequipment such as fire-warning systemsor sprinklers.
■ The occupier, such as self-employedpeople or voluntary organisations if theyhave any control, or
Fire Safety
48
■ Any other person who has some controlover a part of the premises.
Although in many premises the responsibleperson will be obvious, there may be timeswhen a number of people have someresponsibility.
How do I meet the order?If you are the responsible person, you mustmake sure you carry out a fire-riskassessment although you can pass thistask to some other competent person.However, you will still be responsible, in law,for meeting the order. The responsible person, either on their ownor with any other responsible person, mustas far as is reasonably practical make surethat everyone on the premises, or nearby,can escape safety if there is a fire.
Five steps to Fire Risk Assessment:1. Identify fire hazards. Identify:
Sources of ignition;Sources of fuel; andSources of oxygen.
2. Identify people at risk. Identify:People in and around the premises; andPeople who are especially at risk.
3.Evaluate, remove or reduce, andprotect from riskEvaluate the risk of a fire starting.Evaluate the risk to people from a fire.Remove or reduce fire hazards.Remove or reduce the risks to people
from a fire.Protect people by providing fireprecautions.
4.Record, plan, inform, instruct and trainRecord any major findings and action youhave taken.Discuss and work with other responsiblepeople.Prepare an emergency plan.Inform and instruct relevant people.Provide training.
5.ReviewReview your fire-risk assessmentregularly.Make changes where necessary.
If you need more practical advice andinformation after you have carried out yourfire-risk assessment, contact your local FireStation or:
Hampshire Fire & Rescue ServiceHeadquarters,Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 9SJ
Tel: 023 8064 4000Fax: 023 8064 3178www.hantsfire.gov.uk
You can obtain guides, suitable for yourtype of premises from good book shopsand by downloading them from the internetat www.firesafetyguides.communities.gov.uk
49
Asbestos
Your building may contain asbestos. It islikely to be present if your building:
■ Was constructed or refurbished between1950-1980 and particularly if it has asteel frame.
■ Has boilers with insulation.
If it is in good condition it is probably safestto leave it in position. If the asbestos is inpoor condition or is likely to be damaged ordisturbed you will need to decide whether itshould be repaired, sealed, enclosed orremoved. If you are unaware what to do,seek specialist advice. Remember, work onasbestos insulation and lagging, includingsealing and removal, must normally bedone only by a contractor licensed by HSE.If in doubt don’t disturb it.The Control of Asbestos at WorkRegulations 2002 impose a duty on thepersons in charge of buildings toproactively manage the risk from asbestosin non-domestic premises. The duty requires you to manage the riskby:
■ Finding out if there is asbestos in thepremises, its amount and the condition itis in
■ Presuming materials contain asbestos,unless you have strong evidence thatthey do not
■ Making and keeping up to date a recordof the location and condition of asbestos
containing materials (ACMs) or presumedACMs in your premises
■ Assessing the risk from the material■ Preparing a plan that sets out in detail
how you are going to manage the riskfrom this material
■ Taking the steps needed to put your planinto action
■ Reviewing and monitoring your plan andthe arrangements made to put it in place
■ Providing information on the location andcondition of the material to anyone who is liable to workon or disturb it
Asbestos legislation was furtherconsolidated in The Control of Asbestosat Work Regulations 2006.
ASBESTOSCONSULTANCYSERVICES
• ASBESTOS PROJECT MANAGEMENT• UKAS ACCREDITED ASBESTOS SURVEYS
(industrial, commercial, local authority, residential)• ASBESTOS AWARENESS COURSES/SEMINARS• BOHS ASBESTOS PROFICIENCY MODULES• NON-LICENSED ASBESTOS REMOVAL (ABP TASK)• ASBESTOS SITE / OFFICE AUDITINGE: [email protected]: 02380 866 888 F: 02380 668 549ABP Associates Ltd, Fourelle HouseCentral Crescent, Marchwood Industrial ParkHampshire SO40 4BJ 27
No 402
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Further ReadingINDG 223 (rev3) A short guide tomanaging asbestos in premises (free)INDG 418 Asbestos kills – A quick guide toprotecting yourselfINDG 419 Asbestos Kills - Protect yourself
51
People who deal directly with the publicmay face aggressive or violent behaviour.They may be sworn at, threatened or evenattacked.The Health and Safety Executive’s definitionof work-related violence is: “any incidentin which a person is abused, threatened orassaulted in circumstances relating to theirwork”.Verbal abuse and threats are the mostcommon types of incident. Physical attacksare comparatively rare.
Who is at risk?Employees whose job requres them to dealwith the public can be at risk from violence.Most at risk are those who are engaged in:
● giving a service● caring● education● cash transactions● delivery/collection● controlling● representing authority
Is it my concern?Both employer and employees have aninterest in reducing violence at work. Foremployers, violence can lead to poormorale and a poor image for theorganisation, making it difficult to recruitand keep staff. It can also mean extra cost,with absenteeism, higher insurancepremiums and compensation payments.
For employees, violence can cause pain,distress and even disability or death.Physical attacks are obviously dangerousbut serious or persistent verbal abuse orthreats can also damage employees’ healththrough anxiety or stress.
What the law requires● The Health and Safety at Work etc Act
1974 (HSW Act). Employers have a legal duty under thisAct to ensure, so far as is reasonablypracticable, the health, safety and welfareat work of their employees.
● The Reporting of Injuries, Diseasesand Dangerous OccurrencesRegulations 1995 (RIDDOR).Employers must notify their enforcingauthority in the event of an accident atwork to any employee resulting in death,major injury or incapacity for normal workfor three or more consecutive days. Thisincludes any act of non-consensualphysical violence done to a person atwork.
Effective management of violenceA straightforward four stage managementprocess is set out below
Stage 1 Finding out if you have problemStage 2 Deciding what action to takeStage 3 Take actionStage 4 Check what you have done
Violence to Staff
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It is important to remember that these fourstages are not a one-off set of actions. Ifstage 4 shows there is still a problem thenthe process hould be repeated again.Stages 1 and 2 are completed by carryingout a risk assessment.
What about the victims?If there is a violent incident involving yourworkforce you will need to respond quicklyto avoid any long-term distress toemployees. It is essential to plan how youare going to provide them with support,before any incidents. You may want toconsider the following:
■ debriefingvictims will need to talk through theirexperience as soon as possible after theevent. Remember that verbal abuse canbe just as upsetting as a physical attack;
■ time off workindividuals will react differently and mayneed differing amounts of time to recover.In some circumstances they might needspecialist counselling;
■ legal helpin serious cases legal help may beappropriate;
■ other employeesmay need guidance and/or training tohelp them to react appropriately.
The Home Office leaflet ‘Victims of Crime’gives more useful advice if one of youremployees suffers an injury, loss or damagefrom a crime, including how to apply forcompensation. It should be available fromlibraries, police stations, Citizens AdviceBureaux and victim support schemes.Further help may be available from victimsupport schemes that operate in manyareas. Your local police station can directyou to your nearest one. Alternatively youcan contact them yourself at the followingaddress:In England and Wales:
Victim Support National OfficeCranmer House 39 Brixton RoadLondon SW9 6DZ
Tel: 020 7735 9166www.victimsupport.org
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What is Test Valley Borough Councildoing?Inspectors from the Test Valley BoroughCouncil’s Housing, Health, CommunitiesService which includes the CommercialTeam & Community Safety Team arecommitted to working in partnership withthe Hampshire Police and local businessesto help combat violent crime and safeguardemployees and members of the public fromviolent incidents, robbery and crime. This is one of the Council’s priorities tomake Test Valley a safer place to live, workand visit.
Further ReadingINDG 69 (rev) Violence at work – A guidefor employersINDG 73 (rev) Working Alone in Safety -Controlling the risks of solitary work (free)
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On 1 July 2007 new legislation came intoforce in England, which bans smoking invirtually all enclosed public places andworkplaces. A smokefree England ensures a healthierenvironment, so everyone can socialise,relax, travel, shop and work free fromsecondhand smoke. Smoking is prohibited in all ‘enclosed’and ‘substantially enclosed’ publicplaces and workplaces. From 1 July2007, it has been an offence to:
■ smoke in a smokefree premises■ allow others to smoke in a smokefree
premises ■ fail to display the correct no-smoking sign
The law means indoor smoking rooms areno longer allowed. Any workplace which isused by more than one person has to besmokefree.
Definition of enclosed and substantiallyenclosedPremises are considered ‘enclosed’ if theyhave a ceiling or roof and (except for doors,windows or passageways) are whollyenclosed either on a permanent ortemporary basis. Premises are considered ‘substantiallyenclosed’ if they have a ceiling or roof, buthave an opening in the walls, which is lessthan half the total area of the walls. Thearea of the opening does not include doors,
windows or any other fittings that can beopened or shut.
No-smoking signageAll smokefree premises and vehicles needto display no-smoking signs that meet therequirements of the law. No-smoking signsmake it clear which premises and vehiclesare smokefree and demonstrate that youare taking the necessary steps to meet therequirements of the new smokefree law.
Official guide to the smokefree law The official ‘Everything you need’ guide tothe new smokefree law is available todownload from websitewww.smokefreeengland.co.uk This is theofficial Government guidance and explainseverything businesses and organisationsneed to know about the new smokefreelaw, including details of signage.
Monitoring Smokefree compliance inTest ValleyInspectors from Test Valley BoroughCouncil’s Commercial Team conduct
Smoke free Environments
Fig 1Example of substantiallyenclosed premises
Fig 2Example of non-substantially enclosedpremises
55
random visits to smokefree premises tocheck compliance.
■ Any smoking shelters which are found toexceed the 50 per cent rule may besubject to enforcement action.
■ People found smoking in a smokefreepremises may be issued with a fixedpenalty notice of £50.
■ Additionally anyone permitting smoking ina smokefree premises may be subject toenforcement action leading toprosecution with a fine of up to £2,000.
The council has become aware that somesuppliers of smoking tents and marqueesare approaching businesses to buy non-compliant smoking shelters.
Further ReadingThe official ‘Everything you need’ guide tothe smokefree law
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Using chemicals or other hazardoussubstances at work can put people’s healthat risk, so the law requires employers tocontrol exposure to hazardous substancesto prevent ill health. They have to protectboth employees and others who may beexposed by complying with the Control ofSubstances Hazardous to HealthRegulations 2002 (COSHH) (asamended).COSHH is a useful tool of goodmanagement which sets eight basicmeasures that employers, and sometimesemployees, must take. These are set out bya simple step-by-step approach which helpyou to assess risks, implement anymeasures needed to control exposure andestablish good working practices.If you as an employer fail to adequatelycontrol hazardous substances, youremployees or others may become ill.Effects from hazardous substances rangefrom mild eye irritation ot chronic lungdisease or, on occasions, death. This may:
■ result in lost productivity to yourbusiness;
■ leave you liable to enforcement action,including prosecution under the COSHHRegulations;
■ result in civil claims from your employees
There can be positive benefits to yourbusiness from carefully following throughthe requirements of COSHH:
■ improved productivity as a result of usingmore effective controls (eg less use ofraw material);
■ improved employee morale;■ better employee understanding and
compliance with health and safetyrequirements.
Hazardous substancesHazardous substances include:
■ substances used directly in workactivities (eg adhesives, paints, cleaningagents);
■ substances generated during workactivities (eg fumes from soldering andwelding);
■ naturally occurring substances (eg graindust);
■ biological agents such as bacteria andother micro-organisms.
Effects of hazardous substancesExamples of the effects of hazardoussubstances include:
■ skin irritation or dermatitis as a result ofskin contact;
■ asthma as a result of developing allergyto substances used at work;
■ losing consciousness as a result of beingovercome by toxic fumes;
■ cancer, which may appear long after theexposure to the chemical that caused it;
Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
57
■ infection from bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents).
The 8 Step Approach to COSHHCompliance
Step 1: Assess the risksDecide if there is a problem with thesubstance(s) your staff are using or those towhich your employees are incidentallyexposed. This is called a risk assessment.Step 2: Decide what precautions areneeded. If you significant risks, decide on the actionyou need to take to remove or reduce themto acceptable levels.Step 3: Prevent or adequately controlexposureStep 4: Ensure that control measures areused and maintainedStep 5: Monitor exposureStep 6: Carry out appropriate healthsurveillanceStep 7: Prepare plans and procedures todeal with accidents, incidents andemergenciesStep 8: Ensure that employees areproperly informed, trained andsupervised.
These requirements are vital. You mustensure your employees understand therisks from the hazardous substances theycould be exposed to. Your controlmeasures will not be fully effective if your
employees do not know their purpose, howto use them properly, or the importance ofreporting faults.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Employers have basic duties concerningthe provision and use of personal protectiveequipment at work. These are set down inthe Personal Protective Equipment atWork Regulations 1992.PPE is defined as ‘all equipment (includingclothing affording protection against theweather) which is intended to be worn toheld by a person at work and whichprotects against one or more risks to healthor safety.’ E.g. safety helmets, gloves, eyeprotection, high visibility clothing, safetyfootwear and safety harnesses.The COSHH assessment will identifynecessary PPE to protect against injuryfrom hazardous substances.
Further ReadingINDG 138 (rev3) COSHH: A brief guide tothe Regulations 2002 INDG 174 (rev 1) A short guide to thePersonal Protective Equipment at WorkRegulations 1992INDG 330 Selecting Protective Gloves forWork with Chemicals
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Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatalpneumonia caused by legionella bacteria.Infection is caused by breathing in smalldroplets of water contaminated by thebacteria. The disease cannot be passedfrom one person to another. Everyone ispotentially susceptible to infection but somepeople care at higher risk e.g. those over45 years of age, smokers and heavydrinkers, those suffering from chronicrespiratory or kidney disease, and peoplewhose immune system is impaired. Legionella bacteria are common in naturalwater courses such as rivers and ponds.Since legionellae are widespread in theenvironment, they may contaminate andgrow in other water systems such ascooling towers and hot and cold waterservices.They survive low temperatures and thrive attemperatures between 20°C and 45°C if the conditions are right, e.g if asupply of nutrients is present such as rust,sludge, scale, algae and other bacteria.They are killed by high temperatures.Cooling towers, evaporative condensersand hot and cold water systems havebeen associated with outbreaks. Otherpotential sources where precautions mightbe needed include humidifiers, spa baths,fountains, car wash facilities, gardencentre hosing.
Controlling the riskUnder general health and safety law, youhave to consider the risks from legionellathat may affect your staff or members of thepublic and take suitable precautions. As anemployer or a person in control of thepremises (eg a landlord) you must :
■ Identify and assess sources of risk■ Prepare a scheme (or course of action)
for preventing or controlling the risk■ Implement and manage the scheme –
appointing a person to be manageriallyresponsible, sometimes referred to as the‘responsible person’
■ Keep records and check that what hasbeen done is effective and
■ If appropriate notify the local authoritythat you have a cooling tower(s) on site.
You need to prepare a written schemewhich sets out how you intend to controlthe risk from legionella. You should ■ Ensure that the release of water spray is
properly controlled■ Avoid water temperatures and conditions
that favour the growth of legionella andother micro-organisms
■ Ensure water cannot stagnate anywherein the system by keeping pipe lengths asshort as possible or by removingredundant pipework
■ Avoid materials that encourage thegrowth of legionella
Legionnaires’ Disease
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■ Keep the system and the water in itclean, and
■ Treat water to either kill legionella (andany other micro-organisms) or limit theirability to grow.
Notification of Cooling Towers andEvaportaive CondensersIf you have a cooling tower or evaporativecondenser on site you must under theNotification of Cooling Towers andEvaporative Condensers Regulations1992 notify the local authority in writing withdetails of where it is located. You must alsotell when/if such devices are no longer inuse.Notification forms are available from theCommercial Team.If you have a case of legionelloses in anemployee who has worked on coolingtowers or hot water systems that are likelyto be contaminated with legionella, youhave to report this under the Reporting ofInjuries, Diseases and DangerousOccurrences Regulations 1995.
Further ReadingIAC 27 (rev 2) Legionnaires disease: aguide for employersINDG 376 Legionnaires disease: essentialinformation for providers of residentialaccommodationHSE Information Sheet Legionnairesdisease – Controlling the risks associatedwith using spa bathsL8 Legionnaires disease: The control oflegionella bacteria in water systems. ISBN 0717617726
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The Construction (Design andManagement) Regulations 2007 apply tonearly all construction projects in the UK. Aproject is not only the construction work,but also includes all the planning, design,and management or other work until theend of the construction phase. The CDM Regulations put in placeprocedures for improving the planning andhealth and safety management ofconstruction projects of all types,throughout every phase and involving allparties (client, designer, contractor andsubcontractor) in the management ofhazard and risk.The Regulations place a statutory duty onarchitects, designers and others who areinvolved in the design and construction ofworkplace premises to make provision toeliminate hazards in the finished workplaceand especially during the constructionprocess. This will involve providing measures for safeaccess to, egress from and movementthrough the workplace. Consideration mustbe given to traffic routes, floor surfacematerials, traffic volume, contaminationrisks, human behaviour and managementcontrols. Extensive guidance has beenproduced by HSE, local authorities, tradeand industry organisations on this matter.
Health and Safety PlanThe principal contractor has to produce aconstruction phase health and safety plan
outlining the key arrangements to ensurethat the work is carried out safely. Youshould not allow work to start on site untilthere is an adequate plan.
Health and Safety FileAt the end of a construction project, theCDM coordinator must give you a healthand safety file which should contain usefulhealth and safety information to help youmanage health and safety risks during anyfuture maintenance repair, constructionwork or demolition. The file needs to bekept safe, made available to anyone whoneeds to alter or maintain the building andupdated if circumstances change.
Notifiable ProjectsA construction project is notifiable to theHealth and Safety Executive (HSE) if theconstruction phase will be longer than 30days or 500 person days of constructionwork.
Demolition WorkDemolition means the deliberate pullingdown, destruction or taking apart of astructure, or a substantial part of astructure. Similarly, dismantling will beconsidered to be the taking down or takingapart of all, or a substantial part of astructure. A plan detailing the arrangements for howdemolition work will be carried out must beprepared before demolition or dismantling
CDM Regulations 2007
61
work begins. This applies to all demolitionwork regardless of size, duration or whetherthe job is notifiable.
Clients DutiesAs an employer or person in control of apremises where construction or majorrefurbishment is to take place, you must:
■ Plan and co-ordinate work with othersinvolved with the project in order toensure the safety of those carrying outthe construction work, and others whomay be affected by it - i.e. your staff,members of the public.
■ Ensure that contractors involved inconstruction work make arrangementsfor suitable welfare facilities to beprovided from the start and throughoutthe construction phase.
■ Ensure that designers, architects,contractors and others involved inconstruction or refurbishment of any fixedworkplaces (e.g. offices, shops,warehouse, leisure facility etc) comply, inrespect of their design and the materialsused, with any requirements of theWorkplace (Health, Safety andWelfare) Regulations 1992.
This means preventing injury from slips,trips, workplace transport, glazing, lighting,ventilation and welfare facilities■ Poor design and the installation of
unsuitable floor surfaces, means of
access and egress and unsafe methodsof floor cleaning are the main cause ofslip and trip accidents. Inclement weatherincreases risk of injury externally andneeds to be taken into consideration.
■ Poor design of traffic routes are the maincause of pedestrian injuries
■ Poor design of glazing, high level lightingand other workplace equipment and theneed to clean and maintain same are thecause of many injuries associated withfalls from height
■ Installing lifts, hoists, pulley, conveyorsystems will reduce manual handlinginjury associated with moving goods andequipment between different floor levels.
Asbestos in buildings present particularhealth risks. You should already holdinformation about the presence orotherwise of asbestos, but if you have noinformation, then you should arrange for acomprehensive asbestos survey (commonlyreferred to as a Type 3 survey) to be carriedout by a competent person.
Further information:INDG 411 Want Construction Work DoneSafely – A quick guide for clients on CDMRegulations 2007 (free)INDG 384 The High 5 – Five ways toreduce risk on site (free)L144 Approved Code of Practice –Construction (Design and Management)Regulations 2007. (priced)
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Consulting employees on health and safetymatters can be very important in creatingand maintaining a safe and healthy workingenvironment. Consultation involves employers not onlygiving information to employees but alsolistening to and taking account of whatemployees say before they make any healthand safety decisions.If a decision involving work equipment,processes or organisation could affect thehealth and safety of employees, theemployer must:
■ allow time to give the employees or theirrepresentatives information about what isproposed,
■ give employees or their representativetime to express their views,
■ take account of these views beforereaching a decision.
Information can be provided in whateverform is most suitable, as long as it can beunderstood by everyone. Employers mayneed to make special arrangements foremployees who do not understand Englishvery well, who cannot read or who have acondition that means they need to be giveninformation in different ways.
The Safety Representatives and SafetyCommittees Regulations (SRSCR) 1977If an employer recognises a trade union andthat trade union has appointed a safety
representative under SRSCR 1977 then theemployer must consult those safetyrepresentatives on matters affecting thegroup of employees they represent.Members of these groups of employeesmay include people who are not membersof that trade union.Safety representatives are also entitled tosee copies of any document that employersmust keep under health and safety law, forexample the important findings of riskassessments or information relating tooccurrences of any accident, dangerousoccurrence or notifiable industrial disease.
The Health and Safety (Consultationwith Employees) Regulations (HSCER)1996Any employees not in groups covered bytrade union safety representatives must beconsulted by their employers under HSCER1996. The employer can choose to consultthem directly or through electedrepresentatives.If the employer consults employees directly,he can choose whichever method suitseveryone best. If the employer decides toconsult his employees through an electedrepresentative, the employees have to electone or more people to represent themForming a health and safety committeewhich meets regularly to discuss and agreematters affecting health and safety in theworkplace in one effective process.
Consulting with Employees
63
Health and Safety Notice BoardThe use of Health and Safety Notice Boardsis one way of communicating informationsuch as safety policy, procedures, riskassessment, fire evacuation procedure, lawposter, certificate of employers liabilityinsurance, first aid provision, agenda andminutes of health and safety committee,health and safety updates or other essentialinformation and instruction. Copies of workplace inspection reports andaudits could be posted on the notice boardfor employees to read and be kept fullyinformed.Note that if the employers arrangementsalready satisfy the law then there is no needfor change.
Further InformationINDG 232 Consulting Employees on Healthand Safety (free)
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The main provisions are as follows:
Main requirements:■ A worker should not work more than an
average of 48 hours a week, unless thereis a written agreement with the employer.
■ Employees can agree to 'opt out' of theregulations or to end an 'opt-outagreement'.
■ A night worker should not work morethan an average 8 hour shift.
■ Night workers are entitled to free healthassessments.
■ Adult workers have the right to a restperiod of 11 consecutive hours betweeneach working day and a day off eachweek.*
■ Young workers have the right to 12 hoursrest in each 24 hour period and two daysoff each week.*
■ Adult workers have a right to a 20 minuterest break (but not necessarily paid) ifworking longer than 6 hours and youngworkers to 30 minutes if working overfour and a half hours.*
■ Extra breaks are needed where the workis monotonous or strenuous.*
■ Workers are entitled to 4 weeks paidleave.*
* Weekly and daily rest, rest breaks andpaid annual leave are enforced through theEmployment Tribunals.
Specific rights also exist for adolescents,i.e. those over the minimum school leavingage, but under 18 years. Employees orworkers can agree to work longer andemployers need to keep suitable records. Enforcement is split between LocalAuthorities and Industrial Tribunals.
Further reading:Your Guide to the Working TimeRegulations DTI URN 00/633Department of Trade and Industry (08456000 925)
Working Time Regulations 1998
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Stress is the reaction people have toexcessive demands or pressures. In theworkplace it arises when people try to copewith the tasks, responsibilities or othertypes of pressure connected with their jobsbut find difficulty, strain or worry in doing so.Stress triggers complex changes in thebody’s processes, causing physiologicalchanges and affecting the way peoplethink, feel and behave, i.e.
Physiological changes■ increased heart rate, perspiration■ dry mouth, headache, dizziness, blurred
vision■ lowered resistance to infections■ aching neck and shoulders
Behavioural changes■ anxiety, irritability, drink more alcohol■ smoking more, loss of sleep■ reduced motivation
People experience stress in different waysand to different degrees. Much depends onhow individuals cope or think they copeand the extent of support, which is availableto them. The stress response is not in itselfan illness – its effects often being short-lived and causing no lasting harm.However, where workplace pressures areintense, sustained for some time or aresimply beyond the capacity of the person tocope, stress can lead to actual mentaland/or physical ill-health. Where such a risk
exists, then stress and the workplacepressures causing it become a legitimatehealth and safety concern.
Cause of Work Related StressThere are a number of aspects of work,which may give rise to stress:
■ General management and culture of theorganisation
■ Role of the organisation■ Career development■ Decision making/control■ Relationships at work■ Home/work issues■ Job design■ Workload/work pace■ Work schedule
The Legal PositionThere is no specific legislation on controllingstress at work. However, employers have ageneral duty under the Health and Safetyat Work etc Act 1974 to ensure, so far asis reasonably practicable, that theirworkplaces are safe and healthy. Also,under the Management of Health andSafety Regulations 1999 employers areobliged to assess the nature and extent ofrisks to health in their workplace and basetheir control measures on it.Employers have a legal duty to takereasonable care to ensure that health is notput at risk through excessive and sustainedlevels of stress arising from work activities
Stress
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i.e. to treat stress like any other healthhazard.
What can be done?■ Good management – including ‘regard
for people’ attitudes.■ Ensure appropriately open and
understanding attitudes to stress.■ Ensure jobs are ‘do-able’, matching the
job with the person in it.■ Management style – consistent,
concerned, communicative and caring.■ Managing periods of change so as to
reduce uncertainty.■ Providing help, support and training.■ Monitoring stress levels – perhaps
through a combination of sicknessabsence.
Further reading:Tackling work-related stress: Amanagers’ guide to improving andmaintaining employee health and well-beingHSG218 HSE Books 2001 ISBN 071762050 6.Mental well-being in the workplace: Aresource pack for management training anddevelopment HSE Books 1998 ISBN07176 7524 3Essentials of health and safety at workHSE Books 1994 ISBN 07176 0716 XStress at Work – A guide for employersBooklet HS(G) 116 ISBN 0 7176 0733 XABC of mental health in the workplace(Dept of Health) from PO Box 99, Sudbury,Suffolk, 06BFR. Tel: 01787 884466
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Office of Public Sector Information(OPSI)The Office of Public Sector Informationprovides access to UK legislation online.Acts of Parliament from 1988-2006 andStatutory Instruments (SIs) from 1987-2006are available on the site.http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation.htm
HSE InfolineFor enquiries about occupational health andsafety legislation and any other workplaceissues, Infoline will provide confidentialadvice. Tel: 0845 4350055. Fax: 0845 408 9566. Email [email protected] Website:http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm
HSE DirectThe most authoritative and reliable sourceof health and safety legislation andguidance available in the UKhttp://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/hsedirect/default.asp
Employment RightsInformation about the legal rights andresponsibilities of workers and safetyrepresentatives, from HSE. website:http://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/index.htm
Business LinkThe Business Link website has a tool tohelp small businesses get a summary of thelegislation that is relevant to them (not juston health and safety). http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home
Test Valley Health and SafetyAdvisory and Enforcementhttp://www.testvalley.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4510
Sources of useful information
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The Commercial Team The Housing, Health & Communities ServiceTest Valley Borough CouncilBeech Hurst, Weyhill RoadAndover, SP10 3AJ Tel: 01264 368460 Fax: 01264 368499Email: [email protected]: www.testvalley.gov.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)South East Regional Office, Priestley House, Priestley Road,Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NWTel 01256 404000 Fax 01256 404100
Hampshire Fire & Rescue ServiceHeadquartersLeigh Road, Eastleigh Hants, SO50 9SJTel: 023 8064 4000 Fax: 023 8064 3178www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Employment Medical Advisory Service(EMAS)South East Regional OfficePriestley House, Priestley Road,Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NWTel 01256 404000 Fax 01256 404100
HSE BooksPO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WATel 01787 881165 Fax 01787 313995Email [email protected]
Chartered Institute of EnvironmentalHealth (CIEH)Chadwick Court, 15 Hatfields, London SE1 8DJTel 0207 928 6006 Fax 0207 827 5862Email [email protected] www.cieh.org
Institution of Occupational Safety andHealth (IOSH)The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston,Leicestershire LE18 1PP Tel 0116 257 3100 Fax 0116 257 3101Email [email protected] www.iosh.co.uk
Royal Society for Prevention ofAccidents (ROSPA) ROSPA House, Edgbaston Park, 353Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST Tel 0121 248 2000 Fax 0121 248 2001Email [email protected] www.rospa.co.uk
Contacts
Please take a few minutes to respond to the questionnaire and then detach the page andreturn to:
The Commercial TeamThe Housing, Health & Communities ServiceTest Valley Borough CouncilBeech Hurst, Weyhill RoadAndover, SP10 3AJ
1. Did you find information contained in this booklet easy to understand?
2. Was the information contained in the booklet satisfactory?
3. Would you like further information on any aspect of health and safety covered in thisbook
Feedback Questionnaire
StronglyAgree
Agree Neither Agreeor Disagree
StronglyDisagree
NotApplicable
Yes No
Please State: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contact Tel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disagree
StronglyAgree
Agree Neither Agreeor Disagree
StronglyDisagree
NotApplicable
Disagree
Please State:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Contact: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Company Name:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Contact No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
StronglyAgree
Agree Neither Agreeor Disagree
StronglyDisagree
NotApplicable
Disagree
StronglyAgree
Agree Neither Agreeor Disagree
StronglyDisagree
NotApplicable
Disagree
5.Did you feel the contact was helpful?
4. If your business was inspected by an officer from the food and safety team, was ittreated fairly?
Your Company Name and Address:
71
Notes
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Notes
Please Call or Email for advice or assistance 01782 791552Email: [email protected] or visit our website www.ultrasol-chemicals.co.ukOld Hall Road, Mill Meece, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. ST21 6QT
Suppliers of Janitorial Chemicals, Spillage Products, Aerosols, Paper Products, SkinCare, Hygiene products, Floor Care, Building Chemicals, and Winter Frost PreventionProducts. Whatever products you require in the chemical field, please do not hesitate to contact us.With over twenty five years experience in the supply of chemicals to industry wewill be glad to try to assist you in any way that we can.
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Published by The Commercial Team,The Housing, Health & Communities Service, Test Valley Borough CouncilProduced by Priory Publications, Hassell Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1AX. Tel: 01782 711500 T20 WPG/08/09