Understanding Health and Safety in the Workplace. http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/videos/video_accidents.htm
Understanding Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Where did Health and Safety come from ????? The development of ‘human rights’. The process of ‘civilization’. The ‘Globalization’ of workers. The Unions. The Law.
Key pieces of Legislation. Factories Acts from 1802 until now. The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. Support legislation ‘The European Six Pack’. Management of H+S. P.P.E, Man Handling, Etc. Specific Group Legislation. Children's Act. Food Safety. Events Legislation. Licensing Laws.
Who Controls all this???? Health and Safety Executive – created by 1974 Act. Responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health safety and welfare. It is ‘sponsored’ by Dept of Work and Pensions, but is independent of Govt. Investigates all industrial accidents, large or small. It did report to the Health and Safety Commission but they merged in 2008.
Role of Local Authorities in Health and Safety. Health and Food Hygiene. (Restaurants, café’s, Burger Vans.) Nurseries. (Children’s Act) Licensing Liquor, public entertainment, cinemas, indoor sports licences. Fire Certificates from Fire Authorities. Visiting Fairs. Events Legislation. Mostly small ‘stuff’ but important!
Health and Safety…. Is all about :- POSSIBILITY. – Can a thing happen? PROBABILITY. – If it can, how likely is it to happen and what are seriousness of the consequences?
Possible – yes Probable – no.
Probability……… All is based on a risk assessment. Hazard – the danger. Person at risk – who’s in danger. Level at risk – how dangerous is it. The control measures to reduce risk. Residual risk – Risks when measures are taken. Further preventative measures – what more can be done to reduce risks. Persons responsible for tacking measures – who is going to take the measures.
Special Circumstances. Some activities are inherently more dangerous than others. (cave diving) Some people are more at risk than others. (pregnant women) Some occupations are more dangerous than others. (fishing) Some times are more dangerous than others. (war, pm Friday’s) We try to make every activity as safe as it can be.
Accidents. Do happen. So you should always fill out an accident report form or an accident book. As there could be long term repercussions/consequences. (asbestosis) If an accident could have been avoided and was not, it could have been due to negligence. This could at worst, be a case of manslaughter. (up to 16 years in prison)
Enforcement of Health and Safety. Health and Safety Inspectors can :- Issue a Prohibition notice to stop an activity happening if it’s considered too dangerous. Issue an Improvement notice, which has a time limit for something to be put right. Issue a Closure notice. The situation is so serious they close the place then and there.
Who’s responsible for H+S? Me. You. Everyone.