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Management Theory and Practice of Health, Safety and Risk Assessment Management models and regulation / legislation
Scenario Young engineers should be aware of the principles, planning and implementation of health and safety practice within an industrial environment such as those to be found in engineering production, manufacture, services and maintenance and those in the chemical, transport and telecommunication engineering industries. In particular, engineers should have an awareness of the selection, application and evaluation of safe working procedures. As a part of this awareness, engineers should be familiar with current UK and EU health and safety legislation, the role of the inspectorate, safety audits and current codes of practice. During the career of a young engineer, risk assessment will be a constant activity. Risk is assessed and evaluated by identifying, rating and assessing the severity of hazards and recording all evidence and actions taken for future monitoring of these hazards. In order for engineers to have a well rounded understanding of these issues, it is important for them to be aware of the risk management activities, including the methods used for gathering evidence, disseminating information, complying with current regulations and implementing policy to minimise risk to life and property, for activities within a general engineering environment. Identify industrial work areas where current regulations would apply and the impact on the organisation.

1. Detail the regulations in force within the chosen work area.

2. Reference current working practices in the chosen work area to current UK / Euro regulations and the specific (if any) management model in use within the organisation. If a management model is not in use, suggest and justify a suitable model that could be adopted or cross referenced to the methods in use.

3. For the scenario you have described, identify the impact on the organisation, referencing legislation and the role of the HSE inspectorate where appropriate. For the organisation chosen, you have been tasked to develop and introduce an in-house auditing programme to assess the effectiveness of the organisations health and safety management arrangements. 4. Describe the organisational and planning issues to be addressed in the development of the audit programme. 5. Prepare an initial schedule outlining the implementation of your programme. You do not need to consider the specific factors to be audited.

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We are instructed to isolate a specific work area within an organisation we are either part of or have a detailed knowledge of; my previous employment has all been in the construction industry, firstly as a builder then more recently as an electrician. I have had to have a strong awareness of current regulations whilst working on construction sites as both an employee and a sub-contractor, a few of the legislations I would have to deal with on a day to day basis were The electricity at work act 1989 (Health and Safety Executive, 2012), The working at height regulation 2005 (Health and Safety Executive, 2005), The personal protective equipment at work act 1992 (Health and Saftey Executive, 1992) and The control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH) 2002 (Health and Safety Executive, 2002). Obviously there are many more regulations to be aware of but these were a few that I would almost certainly deal with every day, Instead of using a specific organisation for this assignment I have chosen to use a fictional company based loosely on a company I have been employed by in the past.

During employment for a building company based in Plymouth, I had been instructed to start work at a construction site with two other employees, before meeting up with the site manager we had a meeting at our head office to be given all a brief run through of the job. Due to the fact we had more than five working employees in our company, BS 31100:2011 (BSI Group, 2011), states that we must complete our company`s daily risk assessment and method statements whilst (Health and Saftey Executive, 1992) says we must wear all the relevant PPE, The HSEs Five steps to risk assessment (Health and safety executive, 2011) says the law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as `reasonably practicable. The job we were undertaking involved wiring a fire alarm system above ceiling height and plastering onto dry wall and sand and cement backgrounds, we would be dealing with mains electricity, erecting and working on tower

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SOUD1216 scaffolds and mixing and laying up Thistle Multi Finish plaster as well as using various 110v and battery power tools.

The main regulations we would have to consider for the tasks set are as follows, The personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992 (Health and Saftey Executive, 1992), We would be required to wear steel toe-capped boots, hi-visibility vests and Hard hats at all times once on site, dust masks, safety goggles and safety gloves were provided to be worn whenever necessary. The manual handling operations regulations 1992 (Health and Safety Executive, 1992), We would be lifting 25kg bags of plaster, sections of tower scaffold as well as all hand tools . COSHH (Health and Safety Executive, 2002), says that Prolonged contact with wet cement in construction can lead to chemical burns and/or dermatitis. The Electricity at work regulations (Health and Safety Executive, 2012), various sub-sections need to be taken into consideration from the IEE Wiring Regulations BS7671. The working at Height Regulations 2005 (Health and Safety Executive, 2005), this is needed because of the use of tower scaffolding to get above ceiling level and to reach high points whilst completing plastering jobs. A permit to work (Health and Safety Executive, 2005) would also be required for access to dry risers whilst wiring alarm system and when preforming isolation procedures (Health and Safety Executive, 2006).

The company follows a specific safety management system, Successful Health and Safety Management (HSG65) (Health and Safety Executive, 1997), This organisation was formed by the accident prevention advisory unit to be used as a guide by managers and directors of company`s wanting to improve health and safety within their own organisations. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive, 1997) says the message it sends out is simple: Organisations need to manage health and safety with the same degree of expertise and to the same standards as other core business activities, if they are effectively to control risks and prevent harm to people. This system encourages managers and employees alike to plan things in great detail, Risk assessments are to be completed on a daily

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SOUD1216 basis to eliminate errors, Tool box talks would also take place at the start of each working day to make clear which areas each employee would be working and whether they had the correct permits to be in the subject area. Once a week a tool box talk would take place with tradesman from other companies so specific jobs could be planned in advance, health and safety issues could be discussed and everybody could find out how the other trades were progressing and whether they would be holding anybody up.

Although it is not a legal requirement nearly all building sites now ask for a Valid CITB CSCS card (CSCS, 2012) before entry, this is a general competency exam that all operatives must take to prove that they understand all the risks of working on a building site and are capable of doing the job they are on site to do; regular spot checks from HSE inspectors would take place. There were also some mandatory requirements for the erection and use of tower scaffolds; a tower must be inspected by a competent person, before first use, after substantial alteration and after any event likely to cause instability (Health and Safety Executive, 1997). On the Building site we were working on, a yellow and red card system was in operation; if you were working from a scaffold which wasnt deemed safe then you could receive a yellow card as a first warning followed by a Red card for a second warning, a red card meant indefinite exclusion from the site. The yellow and red card system covered all aspects of health and safety on site and was governed very strictly by some health and safety officials from specific companies and not so much by others; it was usually enforced with a greater deal of intensity at the start of the job and was not a requirement from the HSE.

I believe it is fair to say that the role the HSE plays where Construction sites are concerned is of the utmost importance, peoples lives are at stake and nothing can be taken for granted and although some of the rules and legislations can hamper your ability to get on with a job, they are in place for a reason. Common sense is a key factor in the work place and whilst common sense cannot be handed out to people, the competent person tests that are required are a step in the right direction to

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SOUD1216 ensure accidents are kept to a minimum and that injuries are avoided. Just being competent unfortunately isnt always enough and no matter how well trained somebody is, complete care and attention needs to be used at all times on a construction site, On the 14th September 2007 a young builder was killed in an accident on a building site in Plymouth run by Kier Western. A fully qualified telescopic forklift driver ignored five golden rules (ecv, 2008) which lead to the death of the 20 year old, The HSE and CPS lead an investigation and the driver was charged with manslaughter and received 21 months in prison, this goes to show that the HSE will prosecute individuals for negligence leading to injury in the work place.

An audit is a review to confirm that all rules and regulations are up to date and being followed effectively, obviously where health and safety is concerned, rules and regulations need to be adhered by or the company could find themselves either under investigation or in court. We have been asked to develop an in-house auditing program for our own organisation giving details on organisational and planning issues that may need addressing, followed by preparing a schedule outlining the implementation of the program. My preferred method for an audit would be to devise a checklist which would need to be completed at the beginning of each job commenced on site by all company employees, the checklist would cover a large range of all plant and equipment on site, all of which needs to be inspected by a competent person before works commence. The audit would cover all aspects of work undertaken by the company but only the relevant checklists for the job would be necessary, various subsections would include access, scaffolds, ladders, manual handling, site traffic, tools and machinery, fires and emergencies, hazardous substances, confined spaces, noise, welfare, electricity and public safety.

A mandatory first aid course for all company employees would be arranged in accordance to the health and safety first aid regulations (Health and Safety Executive, 1981), and all company work vehicles would be provided with a first aid kit that meets the British standards (BSI Group, 2011) and

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SOUD1216 a fire extinguisher (BSI Group, 2009). A stock take of all PPE would be taken and employees would be issued with any necessary equipment, an annual allowance of 30 would be allocated to each employee towards Steel toe-capped safety boots and all employees would require an up to date CSCS card along with their own specific qualifications needed for their job. Any 240v equipment would need to have an up to date PAT test (RSG, 1992), all scaffolding and ladders would need inspection tags (BSI Group, 2003), and health and safety signs would be placed in the office and be supplied to each vehicle to be placed around their specified working area. During the first four weeks of running the audit the checklists will be reviewed by the companies appointed Health and safety officer, at this point any flaws or weaknesses can be assessed and dealt with and employees who are not following health and safety procedures shall be issued an official warning.

The steps taken in the audit should ensure the company keeps in line with the HSEs regulations and provide the companies employees with the ability to spot hazards in the work place and deal with them in the appropriate manner. With the relevant training and equipment there is no reason anyone should not abide to the laws and legislations meaning the company can move forward and continue to expand knowing that every person in the organisation is aware of what is expected of them.

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A manufacturing process involves the use of three volatile organic solvents (VOCs), exposure to which is controlled by local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and personal protective equipment (PPE). The LEV system is regularly inspected and is subject to thorough examination and testing on an annual basis. By selecting VOCs of your own choice and with reference to the possible safety phrases for the substances and the associated documentation provided by the HSE;

6. 7.

Outline how the exposure of the process workers to solvent vapours could be assessed. Outline how the data obtained could be used to determine if the exposure of the process workers to the solvents is adequately controlled.

The first VOC in my chosen manufacturing process is BOYSEN ACRYLIC LOW VOC PRIMER, an ultralow, eco-friendly VOC adhesive used for priming masonry, the relevant data sheet (BOYSEN, 2010), gives us all the needed risk and safety phrases needed to complete the required task. Risk phrase 43: May cause sensation by skin contact Safety phrase 2: keep out of reach of children Safety phrase 23: Do dont breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray Safety phrase 24: Avoid contact with skin Safety phrase 29/56: Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point Safety phrase 37: wear suitable gloves Safety phrase 46: If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label

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SOUD1216 The second VOC used is Clear Cure VOC J7WB, a water based resin curing compound used on freshly laid concrete floors and walls to act as a membrane and to aid hydration of cement. The material data sheets in accordance to ISO/DIS 11014 (Superior, 2012), can gives us the required safety and risk phrases associated with this product. Risk phrases: 36 and 43 Safety phrases: 2, 23, 24/25, 26, 28, 37/39, 46 Various specific toxic chemicals are found in this product and are governed by section 313 (toxic chemical listings). The third substance used is Evostick `sticks like sh*t (Bostik, 2005), an industrial strength glue used in the same way as grip fill for bonding various different materials together, the risk and safety phrases are as follows. Risk phrase R20: Harmful by inhalation Risk phrase R36/37: Irritating to eyes and skin Risk phrase R65: Harmful: May cause lung damage if swallowed Safety phrases: S2 and S36/37/39 This products data sheet contains a guidance note naming the occupational exposure limits (EH40), the introduction to local exhaust ventilation HS (G) 37 and CHIP for everyone HS(G)108 to be taken into consideration.

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SOUD1216 Certain control measures can be taken to ensure exposure to these harmful substances is kept to a minimum, as well as the LEV system and employees PPE, hand and eye wash stations need to be positioned directly outside each workstation where exposure is possible. All employees would need regular in-house medicals to keep track of workplace exposure levels keeping in line with (WELs) EH40/2005 (Health and safety executive, 2005), other sampling strategies include personal sampling; a measurement of the hazardous substance within the breathing zone of the employee, specific methods can be found in the HSE`s `methods for the determination of hazardous substances (MDHS). Time limitations should be set to keep employees exposure levels to the desired minimum, a clocking in and out system is a good way of knowing the exact times an individual has spent in a hazardous area and keeping them under the exposure limit.

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Works Cited
Bostik, 2005. Insulation Place. [Online] Available at: http://www.insulationplace.co.uk/files/Evode/Sticks-like-Sht.pdf [Accessed 05 03 2013]. BOYSEN, 2010. B-105 acrylic low VOC primer. [Online] Available at: www.boysen.com.ph/donloaditemfile.do?_id=2604 [Accessed 05 03 2013]. BSI Group, 2003. Temporary works equipment, scoffolds. [Online] Available at: http://shop.bsigroup.com/en/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030015900 [Accessed 24 02 2013]. BSI Group, 2009. BSI.shop. [Online] Available at: http://shop.bsigroup.com/en/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030254534 [Accessed 25 02 2013]. BSI Group, 2011. BSI.shop. [Online] Available at: http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030234646 [Accessed 2005 02 2013]. BSI Group, 2011. risk management. [Online] Available at: http://shop.bsigroup.com/en/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030228064 [Accessed 04 02 2013]. CSCS, 2012. http://www.cscs.uk.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.cscs.uk.com/cards/health-and-safety-test/ [Accessed 05 02 2013]. ecv, K., 2008. Health and safety. [Online] Available at: http://www.kosran.com/health.asp [Accessed 25 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 1981. First Aid at work. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l74.htm [Accessed 2005 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 1992. Manual Handling Operations Regulations. [Online] Available at: http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=978071762823 0 [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 1997. General access scaffolds and ladders. [Online] Available at: http://www.county-safety-services.com/_docs/cis10.pdf [Accessed 05 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 1997. Successful Health and Safety Management. [Online]

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Available at: http://www.hseni.gov.uk/hsg65_successful_h_s_management.pdf [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 2002. Working with substances hazardous to health: a brief guide to COSHH. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.htm [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 2005. Guidance on permit-to-work systems. [Online] Available at: http://www.hseni.gov.uk/hsg250_guidance_on_permit_to_work_systems.pdf [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 2005. The working at height regulations 2005. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.htm [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and safety executive, 2005. Workplace exposure limits. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/eh40.pdf [Accessed 06 03 2013]. Health and Safety Executive, 2006. The safe isolation of plant and equipment. [Online] Available at: http://www.hseni.gov.uk/hsg253_the_safe_isolation_of_plant_and_equipment.pdf [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and safety executive, 2011. Five steps to risk assessment, s.l.: s.n. Health and Safety Executive, 2012. The Electricity at Work Regualtions. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg85.pdf [Accessed 04 02 2013]. Health and Saftey Executive, 1992. Protective Equipment at Work. [Online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf [Accessed 04 02 2013]. RSG, 1992. The law and legislation of PAT testing. [Online]. Superior, D., 2012. clear cure data sheet. [Online] Available at: http://www.daytonsuperior.com/Artifacts/83-143953__Clear_Cure_VOC_J7WB_(USA).pdf [Accessed 05 03 2013].

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