An Introduction toAn Introduction toHealth and Safety at WorkHealth and Safety at Work

IncludesIncludesHealth and Safety at Work etc Act Health and Safety at Work etc Act

19741974and many Regulationsand many Regulations

Who does it apply to?Who does it apply to?

EmployersEmployers must safeguard, so far as must safeguard, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their safety and welfare of their employees employees and and othersothers who may be affected by who may be affected by the work activity.the work activity.

Applies to Applies to all people at workall people at work including including the the self employedself employed, to , to designers, designers, manufacturers manufacturers andand suppliers suppliers

Duties of employersDuties of employers(What must they do for me)(What must they do for me)

Most duties are subject to “so far as is Most duties are subject to “so far as is reasonably practicable” i.e. the protection reasonably practicable” i.e. the protection must be worth the costmust be worth the cost

To protect the health, safety and welfare To protect the health, safety and welfare of staffof staff

To provide and maintain safe equipment To provide and maintain safe equipment and safe systems of workand safe systems of work

Safe use, handling, storage and transport Safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substancesof articles and substances

Provide a safe workplace with a safe Provide a safe workplace with a safe entrance and exitentrance and exit

Duties of employers cont….Duties of employers cont…. Provide information, instruction, training Provide information, instruction, training

and supervisionand supervision Provide a written safety policy (if there are Provide a written safety policy (if there are

5 or more staff)5 or more staff) Carry out risk assessments (in writing if 5 Carry out risk assessments (in writing if 5

or more staff)or more staff) provide a health and safety law poster provide a health and safety law poster

entitled “Health and Safety law: What you entitled “Health and Safety law: What you should know” displayed in a prominent should know” displayed in a prominent position and containing details of the position and containing details of the enforcing authority.enforcing authority.

Duties of employeesDuties of employees(your responsibilities)(your responsibilities)

N.b. “employee” includes voluntary N.b. “employee” includes voluntary workers and persons on work workers and persons on work experience experience

Duties:Duties:• To take care of themselves and othersTo take care of themselves and others• To follow safety advice and instructionsTo follow safety advice and instructions• Not interfere with any safety deviceNot interfere with any safety device• To report accidentsTo report accidents• To report hazards and risksTo report hazards and risks

Who can I ask about health and Who can I ask about health and safety?safety?

Your supervisor will usually be your Your supervisor will usually be your first contact if you have a health and first contact if you have a health and safety issuesafety issue

Your safety representative – may Your safety representative – may come from the union if the workplace come from the union if the workplace is unionisedis unionised

If you have a serious complaint that If you have a serious complaint that cannot be settled in the workplace, cannot be settled in the workplace, your Inspector (see next slide)your Inspector (see next slide)

EnforcementEnforcement

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Executive (HSE)• Manufacturers; schools and colleges; repairers; Manufacturers; schools and colleges; repairers;

specialist places like hospitals and power specialist places like hospitals and power stationsstations

Environmental Health OfficersEnvironmental Health Officers• Places where the public go like shops, offices, Places where the public go like shops, offices,

leisure facilitiesleisure facilities Fire Officers Fire Officers

– – just enforce the bits relating to fire safetyjust enforce the bits relating to fire safety

PenaltiesPenalties

Magistrate’s courtMagistrate’s court• £20,000 per offence£20,000 per offence• Up to 6 months in prisonUp to 6 months in prison

Employers, managers or employees can Employers, managers or employees can be prosecutedbe prosecuted

Crown court ( for more serious offences Crown court ( for more serious offences and where there is a Judge and jury)and where there is a Judge and jury)• Unlimited finesUnlimited fines• Imprisonment for up to 2 yearsImprisonment for up to 2 years

Accidents at workAccidents at work All accidents, however minor, should be reported All accidents, however minor, should be reported

to your supervisorto your supervisor Similarly, all incidents of ill-health (caused from Similarly, all incidents of ill-health (caused from

work) should also be reportedwork) should also be reported Accidents include those that resulted in injury or Accidents include those that resulted in injury or

damage and “near misses” – those which COULD damage and “near misses” – those which COULD have resulted in injury or damagehave resulted in injury or damage

Your supervisor will decide if the incidents needs Your supervisor will decide if the incidents needs to be recorded in the accident recordsto be recorded in the accident records

Violent incidents are included (this includes verbal Violent incidents are included (this includes verbal threats)threats)

Reporting of Incidents, Diseases Reporting of Incidents, Diseases ands Dangerous Occurrencesands Dangerous Occurrences

Some accidents, incidents and illnesses have to Some accidents, incidents and illnesses have to be reported to the government be reported to the government

These include accidents that cause an employee These include accidents that cause an employee to be off sick for three days or more, if (following to be off sick for three days or more, if (following a work accident) he is admitted to hospital for 24 a work accident) he is admitted to hospital for 24 hours or more; serious injuries; certain work hours or more; serious injuries; certain work related illnesses (such as repetitive strain related illnesses (such as repetitive strain injuries;) accidents to non-employees if they are injuries;) accidents to non-employees if they are taken to hospital from the scene of the accident taken to hospital from the scene of the accident (even if they are discharged straight away.(even if they are discharged straight away.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a reportable accident, a special form will be filled in reportable accident, a special form will be filled in and there may be a formal investigation and there may be a formal investigation

SummarySummary Employers Employers

• must protect you whilst at work and provide must protect you whilst at work and provide suitable supervision and trainingsuitable supervision and training

• Provide written risk assessments and safety Provide written risk assessments and safety policypolicy

Employees (i.e. Employees (i.e. youyou) must work safely ) must work safely without risking yourself or otherswithout risking yourself or others

The law applies to everyone at work and The law applies to everyone at work and anyone can be prosecuted if they do not anyone can be prosecuted if they do not act safelyact safely

Your manager or your safety Your manager or your safety representative are there to answer your representative are there to answer your safety queriessafety queries

You must report accidents You must report accidents

Prevention of FallsPrevention of Falls

Employers must ensure that any working Employers must ensure that any working areas above the ground or below (e.g. areas above the ground or below (e.g. inspection pits) are guarded or protectedinspection pits) are guarded or protected

If you have to work above ground level If you have to work above ground level you must be kept safe e.g. by wearing a you must be kept safe e.g. by wearing a safety harness if it is an area such as a flat safety harness if it is an area such as a flat roof which is not guardedroof which is not guarded

Stepladders should only be used for jobs Stepladders should only be used for jobs that do not take long and they must be that do not take long and they must be safe and stable when in usesafe and stable when in use

Preventing fallsPreventing falls

DODO• Use kick stools safely – they must be on an Use kick stools safely – they must be on an

even, level surfaceeven, level surface• Follow training when using a stepladderFollow training when using a stepladder• Carry out a visual check on any steps before Carry out a visual check on any steps before

useuse Do not –Do not –

• Stand on the very top of a step ladderStand on the very top of a step ladder• Stand on chairs or tables Stand on chairs or tables • Climb on racking or shelvingClimb on racking or shelving• Stand on the forks of a fork lift truckStand on the forks of a fork lift truck

Welfare at WorkWelfare at Work

FacilitiesFacilities Employers must provide:-Employers must provide:-

• Toilets (can be shared by men and women in Toilets (can be shared by men and women in small workplaces)small workplaces)

• Sanitary disposal facilities for womenSanitary disposal facilities for women• Washbasins for hands near the toilet with hot Washbasins for hands near the toilet with hot

and cold (or warm) water, soap and drying and cold (or warm) water, soap and drying facilities facilities

• Cold drinking water (preferably not in the toilet Cold drinking water (preferably not in the toilet area)area)

• Seating (if the job can be done sitting down)Seating (if the job can be done sitting down)• Somewhere clean to eat lunch (if it is a “dirty” Somewhere clean to eat lunch (if it is a “dirty”

jobjob• Facilities for disabled people and pregnant Facilities for disabled people and pregnant

womenwomen

EnvironmentEnvironment

There must be sufficient space to work There must be sufficient space to work safely and enough lighting and ventilationsafely and enough lighting and ventilation

Workplaces must be kept generally clean Workplaces must be kept generally clean and tidyand tidy

Chairs must be safe and comfortableChairs must be safe and comfortable Temperature – must be “reasonable”Temperature – must be “reasonable”

• Reasonable means at least 16Reasonable means at least 16ooC for office work C for office work and 13and 13ooC where there is physical workC where there is physical work

• In very hot weather, employers only need to In very hot weather, employers only need to provide local cooling e.g. fansprovide local cooling e.g. fans

SummarySummary

At work you are entitled to:-At work you are entitled to:- A safe workplace – this includes A safe workplace – this includes

areas above or below the ground areas above or below the ground levellevel

Toilets Toilets Drinking waterDrinking water A place to eat lunchA place to eat lunch Safe seatingSafe seating

First AidFirst Aid Employers have to provide first aid Employers have to provide first aid

facilities at workfacilities at work As a minimum, there should be a fully As a minimum, there should be a fully

stocked stocked green first aid boxgreen first aid box and a person and a person appointed to take charge in an emergencyappointed to take charge in an emergency

Some workplaces have qualified first Some workplaces have qualified first aiders and first aid roomsaiders and first aid rooms

Green andGreen and white white noticesnotices should inform you should inform you where the first aid box is kept and who the where the first aid box is kept and who the first aider(s) or appointed person(s) is/arefirst aider(s) or appointed person(s) is/are

Fire safetyFire safety

Employers must have arrangements in Employers must have arrangements in place place • to prevent firesto prevent fires• To raise the alarmTo raise the alarm• To fight fires (fire extinguishers)To fight fires (fire extinguishers)• Emergency evacuation (including a pre-Emergency evacuation (including a pre-

arranged meeting place for staff to assemble arranged meeting place for staff to assemble following evacuation)following evacuation)

Notices Notices showingshowing the the safesafe evacuation evacuation routes routes fromfrom buildings buildings should beshould be green green andand whitewhite

Moving and HandlingMoving and Handling

You may be asked to You may be asked to lift, carry push or lift, carry push or pullpull a load at work a load at work

You should always follow safe practice You should always follow safe practice when doing any moving and handlingwhen doing any moving and handling

You should never attempt to move You should never attempt to move anything that is too heavy or difficult – ask anything that is too heavy or difficult – ask for helpfor help

Employers should provide equipment to Employers should provide equipment to help you to move heavy or difficult loadshelp you to move heavy or difficult loads

Lifting AdviceLifting Advice

Think • Plan the lift. • Consider mechanical aids - even a sack

truck can make a big improvement• Where is the load going to be placed? • Will help be needed with the load? • Remove obstructions such as discarded

wrapping materials. • Walk the route – ensure someone will

be there to open any fire doors

Lifting adviceLifting advice

• Adopt a stable position • Get a good hold• Start in a good posture – bend the knees

and do not bend the back more than a little

• Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways

• For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.

Correct lifting procedurePlanning and preparation Plan the lift and route Assess weight and size of

load Obtain correct PPE/check

clothing

Lift • correct, balanced

posture, feet apart

• use legs, back straight, avoid twisting

• hold object close to body

Move load • hold close• proceed carefully• clear visibility

Lower load • reverse lift close• check positioning

Workplace transportWorkplace transport

Any vehicle or piece of mobile equipment Any vehicle or piece of mobile equipment used at work (does not include vehicles used at work (does not include vehicles travelling on a public road)travelling on a public road)

Employers protect pedestrians by Employers protect pedestrians by • marking traffic routesmarking traffic routes• Signposts at junctionsSignposts at junctions• One way systemsOne way systems• Speed limitsSpeed limits• Warning horns when vehicles reverseWarning horns when vehicles reverse• Training of driversTraining of drivers

Stress at workStress at work

Causes:Causes:• Poor communications – e.g. between Poor communications – e.g. between

management and staffmanagement and staff• Too much work (overload)Too much work (overload)• Too little work (boredom)Too little work (boredom)• Poor relationships with colleaguesPoor relationships with colleagues• Workplace bullyingWorkplace bullying• Noisy workplaceNoisy workplace• Work life and home life out of balanceWork life and home life out of balance

Signs of stressSigns of stress Lack of concentrationLack of concentration Changes in a person's normal behaviourChanges in a person's normal behaviour Poor relations with other staffPoor relations with other staff Being irritableBeing irritable Being indecisiveBeing indecisive Raised blood pressureRaised blood pressure HeadachesHeadaches Loss of appetite/ weight lossLoss of appetite/ weight loss Weight gainWeight gain BackacheBackache Drinking or smoking more than normalDrinking or smoking more than normal

Stress – what you should doStress – what you should do First – tell your manager that you think you are First – tell your manager that you think you are

suffering from stresssuffering from stress Inform your manager of any work related Inform your manager of any work related

stressors (such as impossible deadlines) that may stressors (such as impossible deadlines) that may be contributing to your stress levelsbe contributing to your stress levels

If you do not wish to do this for any reason, you If you do not wish to do this for any reason, you could talk to your union representativecould talk to your union representative

Some workplaces provide a counselling serviceSome workplaces provide a counselling service You may find help through your occupational You may find help through your occupational

health servicehealth service If your health is being seriously affected, you If your health is being seriously affected, you

could consult your doctor (GP)could consult your doctor (GP)

EquipmentEquipment

The term covers everything from a hand The term covers everything from a hand tool to a large machine like a crane.tool to a large machine like a crane.

Before you use equipment at work you Before you use equipment at work you should be shown how to use it safelyshould be shown how to use it safely

You should never use equipment that you You should never use equipment that you are not trained or authorised to useare not trained or authorised to use

Electrical equipment should have a sticker Electrical equipment should have a sticker on it indicating that it has been P.A.T. on it indicating that it has been P.A.T. tested and giving a date when the next tested and giving a date when the next test is duetest is due

Dangers from work equipmentDangers from work equipment

Traps – of fingers or other partsTraps – of fingers or other parts Entanglement – of clothing or hairEntanglement – of clothing or hair Ejection – things being thrown out of Ejection – things being thrown out of

the machinethe machine Contact – with hot or abrasive Contact – with hot or abrasive Impact – being hit by moving parts Impact – being hit by moving parts

of the machineof the machine Electrical dangersElectrical dangers

Safety of equipmentSafety of equipment Only use equipment for which you have Only use equipment for which you have

been authorised and/or trainedbeen authorised and/or trained Always wear any personal protective Always wear any personal protective

equipment such as goggles or gloves if equipment such as goggles or gloves if you have been instructed to do soyou have been instructed to do so

Carry out a visual check of equipment Carry out a visual check of equipment before you use it and look for any obvious before you use it and look for any obvious defectsdefects

If you notice something wrong or unusual, If you notice something wrong or unusual, report it to your manager and put the report it to your manager and put the equipment out of useequipment out of use

Control measuresControl measures Control measures are put in place by Control measures are put in place by

employers to protect staff from hazards employers to protect staff from hazards and risks that have been identified and risks that have been identified

The hierarchy of controlsThe hierarchy of controls Employers are allowed to take costs into Employers are allowed to take costs into

account and work their way down the list account and work their way down the list until a suitable solution at reasonable cost until a suitable solution at reasonable cost has been identifiedhas been identified• EliminationElimination• SubstitutionSubstitution• Controlling risks at sourceControlling risks at source• Training, instruction and supervisionTraining, instruction and supervision• Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment

Personal Protective equipment Personal Protective equipment (p.p.e.)(p.p.e.)

Includes clothing and other items Includes clothing and other items worn by staff to protect themselves worn by staff to protect themselves from work hazardsfrom work hazards

Must only be used as a last resort Must only be used as a last resort i.e. when no other protection can be i.e. when no other protection can be provided at reasonable costprovided at reasonable cost

Examples ;Examples ;• Gloves, goggles, hard hats, hearing Gloves, goggles, hard hats, hearing

protectors, warm clothing (in cold protectors, warm clothing (in cold conditions), safety shoes or boots, conditions), safety shoes or boots, respirators etcrespirators etc

What must your employer doWhat must your employer do

Provide the p.p.e. (free) if a risk Provide the p.p.e. (free) if a risk assessment has shown it to be necessaryassessment has shown it to be necessary

It must be exclusively for you and fit you It must be exclusively for you and fit you comfortablycomfortably

Provide somewhere to store itProvide somewhere to store it Provide facilities for it to be cleaned and Provide facilities for it to be cleaned and

maintainedmaintained Replace it when necessaryReplace it when necessary Provide training (if necessary) in how to Provide training (if necessary) in how to

wear/use it properlywear/use it properly

What you must doWhat you must do

You You mustmust wear the p.p.e. if it has wear the p.p.e. if it has been provided for you. You could be been provided for you. You could be held personally liable if you had an held personally liable if you had an accident which could have been accident which could have been prevented by you wearing your prevented by you wearing your p.p.e.;p.p.e.;

You must care for it, store it and You must care for it, store it and clean it as necessary;clean it as necessary;

You must report any defects.You must report any defects.

Working with substancesWorking with substances

You may be exposed to hazardous You may be exposed to hazardous substances whilst at worksubstances whilst at work

Could be –Could be –• FumesFumes• DustsDusts• ChemicalsChemicals• SolidsSolids• Bodily fluids or solidsBodily fluids or solids• Micro organismsMicro organisms

Substances hazardous to healthSubstances hazardous to health

COSHH assessmentsCOSHH assessments The use of hazardous substances must be assessedThe use of hazardous substances must be assessed Prevention of exposurePrevention of exposure Protection of employeesProtection of employees

Special risk assessments should be available that Special risk assessments should be available that describe how to use and store the chemical safelydescribe how to use and store the chemical safely

You may be provided with p.p.e. e.g. gloves, goggles, You may be provided with p.p.e. e.g. gloves, goggles, apron apron –– this MUST be worn this MUST be worn