MR. J. HannaOccupational Studies

Contents• The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974• Duties of The Employees• Safety Policy Statement• Accident Reporting• Everybody’s Business• Health and Safety Commission• First Aid• Lifting• Access and Working at Heights• Scaffolding• Ladder – Before Use• Ladder Safety• Excavations• Excavations Precautions• Buried services

The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974

• One act to enable and to enforce

• Intent:- create simple rules• Adequate, enforceable law• Provide safety in the work

place and protection for visitors and the public

• Create duties for employers, employees and others

• Make it everybody’s business

The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974

• Creates duties for :-

• Employers• Employees• Others

• Make it everybody’s business

Duties of The Employees

• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of self and others

• To comply with :-– The employer’s health

and safety rules– Health and safety law

• Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with anything provided in the interest of health and safety

Safety Policy Statement

• Five or more employees

• Employer must– Prepare– Publicise– Revise when necessaryA written statement of

employers safety policyAnd

The organisation and arrangement in force to carry out that policy

Accident Reporting• Employees should :-

– Report all accidents– Report all dangerous

occurrences including near misses

– Where a near miss is defined as an event that could have caused injury, damage or loss but in this case but in this instance did not

• Consult their general practitioner and their employer if diagnosed as suffering from a disease that might be related to their work activity.

Everybody’s Business

To involve :-• Employers• Managers• Employees• Contractors, sub-

contractors• Controllers of premises.• Manufactures, suppliers,

retailers, etcTo protect :-• Everyone including

members of the public.

Health and Safety Commission (HSE)

Health and Safety ExecutiveH S E

E n forcesL aw s an d R eg u la tion s

Em ploym ent M edicalA d viso ry se rvice

E M A S

Health and Safety Com m issionH S E

M akes th e lawsan d reg u la tion s

First Aid

• Action• The person at the scene of

an accident should• Remove the hazard if safe to

do so• Call for help e.g. First aider• Call for an ambulance, if

necessary• Whilst awaiting the arrival of

an ambulance

First Aid

• Action• Do not remove casualty,

unless in immediate danger• Remain with the casualty

and give reassurance• Make the casualty as

comfortable as possible• Give no drinks or food to the

casualty moisten lip only• Do not allow the casualty to

smoke

Lifting

• The kinetic method 1• Keep head erect• Keep straight back ( do not bend the back)• Keep elbows in, and a good grip on the

load• Keep knees bent • Keep feet slightly apart• Lift by straightening the knees

Lifting

• The kinetic method 2• Changing the grip• Moving off• Team lifting• Mechanical aids e.g. Rollers, fork lift• Make sure the lowering area is clear

of obstructions

Access and Working at Heights

• 55 % of accident deaths in the construction industry are the results of falls of people or tools and materials from heights, often by only a few metres.

• Many involve the misuse of simple items of equipment such as ladders and stepladders

Access and Working at Heights

• The law requires that where work cannot be done safely from the ground, access equipment must be provided.

• The term access equipment covers ladders, steps, trestles, lightweight platforms, mobile towers and scaffolding.

Access and Working at Heights

• It is essential in all cases to be able to :-

• Select the right piece of equipment for the job.

• Check it is sound.• Erected properly.• Use it safely.

Scaffolding

• Before use :-• Confirm with supervisor that

scaffolding is safe to use.• Note if “ scaffolding incomplete”

notices are displayed.• Note where sections are barred off.

Scaffolding

• In use• Do not climb scaffold or climb from

adjoining structures or building.

Scaffolding

• Do use a ladder or passenger hoist for access to scaffolding.

• Do not interfere with scaffolding e.g. Do not remove any members.

• Ensure brick guards are fitted, particularly when materials are stacked above toeboard height.

Scaffolding

• Keep working platforms and gangways clear and free from debris and waste materials.

• Avoid overloading working platforms.

Scaffolding

• Do not throw materials or debris from working platforms.

• Do not rig tarpaulins on scaffolding: windsail effect may cause collapse of scaffolding.

• Inform the supervisor of any defects e.g. Guardrails missing.

Ladder – Before Use

• Check before use for defects.• Report all defects.• Do not paint ladders.• Never use aluminium ladders near

electrical equipment.

Ladder – Before Use

• Employers maintains records of inspection.

• The right ladder for the job.• Know the safe systems of work• Use the safe systems of work.

Ladder Safety

• Ladder at correct angle 1 out to 4 up or 75 degrees

• Extend at least 1 metre above landing place.

• Lashed securely at the top or at the bottom.

• Alternatively the ladder should be “footed”

Excavations

• Every year on average 7 people are killed in excavations

• Deep trenches look dangerous but precautions are usually taken ; most deaths occur in trenches less than 2.5m deep.

Excavations

• Rain and drying out in hot weather can cause trenches to collapse

• A cubic metre of soil weights over a tonne.

• A person buried under this amount in a trench would quickly suffocate and die.

Excavations Precautions

• Safety helmets must be worn at all times.• Access to and from the excavation should

be by ladder, securely fixed.• Do not climb in and out of excavations

using the supports.• Guardrails and warning signs are required

where a person may fall into an excavation and where the public are at risk.

Buried Services

• Before excavation starts• Determine the dangers• Obtain advice on the location and

ownership of the buried cables.• Check existing plans to establish

cable routes, depth and voltage.• Use location devices to determine

exact route(s)

Buried Services

• During excavation.• Assume all cables are live.• Use careful hand digging when

nearing assumed cable route.• Do not use excavators or power

tools within 0.5m of the indicated route.

Buried Services

• Look for marker tape or other types of indicator, such as marker tiles, buried directly above the route of the cables.

• Support exposed services and do not use them as hand hold or foothold.

• Other services communication cables, water pipes, gas pipes etc.