Health and Safety Executive

The health and safety toolboxHow to control risks at work

FINAL NEW TO PRINT new index.indd 1 31/01/2014 15:28

Health and Safety Executive

The health and safety toolboxHow to control risks at work

HSE Books

FINAL NEW TO PRINT new index.indd 1 31/01/2014 15:28

iii

Contents

Introduction 1

1 How to manage health and safety 2

Planning for health and safety 2 Writing a health and safety policy 3 Controlling the risks 4 Accidents and investigations 7 Multi-occupancy workplaces 7 Deciding who will help you with your duties 7 Consulting your employees 8 Providing training and information 9 Providing supervision 10 First aid 10 Emergency procedures 11 Reporting accidents, incidents and diseases 12 The health and safety law poster 13 Safety signs 13 Insurance 14 Inspectors and the law 14 2 Your organisation 15

Ergonomics and human factors 15 Shift work and fatigue 15 Health surveillance 16 Work-related stress 17 Drugs and alcohol 17 Violence at work 18 3 Your workers 19

Your responsibilities 19 New and expectant mothers 19 Agency/temporary workers 20 New to the job and young workers 20 Migrant workers 21 Lone workers 22 Homeworkers 22 Transient workers 23 People with disabilities 23 Contractors 24

4 Your workplace 25

What does the workplace cover? 25 A safe place of work 25 Designing workstations 27 Display screen equipment 28 5 Electrical safety 29 Maintenance 30 When is someone competent to do electrical work? 31 Key points to remember 31 Overhead electric lines 32 Underground cables 32

6 Fire safety 33 General fire safety hazards 33 Dangerous substances that cause fire and explosion 34

7 Gas safety 36 Who is competent to work on gas fittings? 36

8 Harmful substances 39 How to carry out a COSHH risk assessment 40 Maintain controls 41 Simple checks to control dust and mist 41 Ventilation 42 Simple checks to prevent skin damage 42 Workplace exposure limits 43 Are your controls adequate? 43 Micro-organisms 45 Asbestos 46 Lead 47

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9 Machinery, plant and equipment 48 Why is machinery safety important? 48 Plant and equipment maintenance 51 Safe lifting by machine 53 Vehicle repair 54

10 Manual handling 55 Why is dealing with manual handling important? 55 Practical tips for good lifting technique 56

11 Noise 58

Why is dealing with noise important? 58 Do I have a noise problem? 59 How can I control noise? 59 Choosing quieter equipment and machinery 60 When should personal hearing protection be used? 60 Detecting damage to hearing 60

12 Personal protective equipment (PPE) 61

Why is PPE important? 61 Selection and use 62 Maintenance 62 Types of PPE you can use 63 Emergency equipment 64

13 Pressure equipment 65

Why is pressure equipment safety important? 65 Assess the risks 65 Basic precautions 66 Written scheme of examination 66

14 Radiations 68

What are the main types of radiation? 68 The hazards 69 Dos and don’ts of radiation safety 70 15 Slips and trips 71 Why is dealing with slips and trips important? 71 Slips and Trips eLearning Package (STEP) 72

16 Vibration 73

Why is dealing with vibration important? 73 How can I reduce hand-arm vibration? 74 How can I reduce whole-body vibration? 74

17 Working at height 75

Dos and don’ts of working at height 76 18 Working in confined spaces 77 Dos and don’ts of working in confined spaces 78

19 Workplace transport 79

Safe site 80 Safe vehicle Safe driver 81 Index 82

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