Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IDIP UnitA Element5
IDIP UnitA Element5
International Diploma in
Occupational Health & Safety
Please be advised that the course material is regularly reviewed and updated on the eLearning platform.
SHEilds would like to inform students downloading these printable notes and using these from which to
study that we cannot ensure the accuracy subsequent to the date of printing. It is therefore important to
access the eLearning environment regularly to ensure we can track your progress and to ensure you have
the most up to date materials.
Version 1.3a (05/08/2014)
Inspections.
Discussions.
Job safety analysis.
Safety audits.
HAZOP studies etc.
The idea behind this is that by using a variety of techniques all the risks for the organisation are identified. It
is only by identifying the risks that something can be done to control them.
Risk Evaluation.
Once identified, risks should be evaluated on a basis of economic, social or legal considerations.
Economic Considerations, for example :
Well-being of employees.
Well-being of public.
In order to instigate effective risk management, you need to understand the different risk control strategies
available:
Risk Avoidance.
This strategy is where the organisation avoids the risk altogether. For example, replacing a hazardous
chemical with one that is less hazardous but achieves the same required result.
Risk Retention.
This strategy involves the organisation retaining the risk and having to fund any consequences from their
own finances.
There are two aspects to consider:
1. Risk Retention With Knowledge:
This is where the organisation meets any loss through their own funding. These decisions can only
be made once all risks have been identified and evaluated.
2. Risk Retention Without Knowledge:
This is where the organisation fails to insure against or identify a risk and as such, loss occurs.
Risk Transfer.
This strategy involves the transfer of loss from one party to another (usually by implementing an insurance
policy). Under an insurance policy, the insurer will pay-out to the insured against the losses resulting from
an event that is stipulated within the policy.
The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 place responsibilities and duties on 'reasonableness' of the contract
(or policy).
Risk Reduction.
This strategy involves implementing a loss control programme to protect the organisation from risk that
could result in loss i.e. through wastage caused by accidents etc.
2.0 Selecting Risk Controls.
There are many different ways to reduce risks and it would not be feasible to produce them all on this
course.
However, some of the important risk reduction methods can be outlined below as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Information including:
Information relating directly to health and safety, such as standards, guidance and aspects of the
law, and any revisions.
Other technical and management information relating to risk control and the development of a
positive health and safety culture.
2.1 Control of Work Activities.
The operation of the business process in the 'steady state', including routine and non-routine
activities,
The business process in the 'steady state' during maintenance, including the maintenance activity
itself, whether undertaken by contractors or on-site staff.
Planned changes from the 'steady state', arising from any change in the organisation structure,
premises, plant, process, substances, procedures, people or information.
Foreseeable emergencies giving rise to serious and imminent danger, such as fire, injuries, ill
health, incidents or the failure of control equipment (including first aid, emergency planning and
procedures for the management of emergencies, and identification and control of danger areas).
Decommissioning, dismantling and removal of facilities, plant, equipment or substances.
2.2 Control of Outputs.
Objective: To minimise risks outside the organisation arising from the business process, products and
services.
At the output stage, the goal is to minimise the risks to people outside the organisation, whether from work
activities themselves or from the products or services supplied.
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
Lower insurance premiums as a result of no (or fewer) claims being made against the organisation.
Less absenteeism.
Fewer accidents and incidents happening at the organisation.
Fewer cases of property/equipment damage.
Increased productivity andincreased morale and motivation amongst the workforce.
The costs are balanced against the benefits, and then an objective decision can be made on whether to
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
Tel: +44(0)1482 806805
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
Page: 6
a) Avoiding risks.
b) Evaluating risks.
c) Combating the risks at source.
d) Adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of workplaces, the choice of
work equipment and the choices of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to
alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate, and to reducing their effect on
health.
e) Adapting to technical progress.
f) Replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous.
g) Developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work,
working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working
environment.
h) Giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures.
i) Giving appropriate instructions to employees.
Notes to Regulation 4:
Employers and the self-employed need to introduce preventative and protective measures to control the
risks identified by the risk assessment in order to comply with the relevant legislation. A set of principles to
be followed in identifying the appropriate principles is set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulations and is
described below:
In deciding which preventative and protective measures to take, employers and self-employed
people should apply the following principles of prevention:
A) If possible, avoid the risk altogether, e.g. undertake the work in a different way, taking care not to
introduce new hazards.
B) Carrying out a risk assessment to evaluate risks that cannot be avoided.
C) Combat risks at source, rather than taking palliative measures. So, if the steps are slippery,
treating or replacing them is better than displaying a warning sign.
D) Adapt work to the requirements of the individual (consulting those who will be affected when
designing workplaces, selecting work and personal protective equipment and drawing up working
and safety procedures and methods of production). Aim to alleviate monotonous work and paced
working at a predetermined rate, and increase the control individuals have over work for which they
are responsible.
E) Take advantage of technological and technical progress, which often offers opportunities for
improving working methods and making them safer.
F) Implement risk prevention measures to form part of a coherent policy and approach. This will
progressively reduce those risks that cannot be prevented or avoided altogether, and will take
account of the way work is organised, the working conditions, the environment and any relevant
social factors. Health and safety policy statements required under section 2(3) of the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974 should be prepared and applied by reference to these principles.
G) Give priority to those measures which protect the whole workplace and everyone who works
there and so give the greatest benefit i.e. give collective protective measures priority over individual
measures.
H) Ensure that workers, whether employees or self-employed, understand what they must do.
I) A positive health and safety culture should exist within an organisation. That means the
avoidance, prevention and reduction of risks at work must be accepted as part of the organisation's
approach and attitude to all its activities. It should be recognised at all levels of the organisation,
from junior to senior management.
These are general principles rather than individual prescriptive requirements. They should, however, be
applied wherever it is reasonable to do so.
Experience suggests that, in the majority of cases, adopting good practice will be enough to ensure risks
are reduced sufficiently. Authoritative sources of good practice are prescriptive legislation, Approved Codes
of Practice and guidance produced by Government and HSE inspectors. Other sources include standards
produced by standard-making organisations, and guidance agreed by a body representing an industrial or
occupational sector, provided the guidance has gained general acceptance. Where established industry
practices result in high levels of health and safety, risk assessment should not be used to justify reducing
current control measures.
2.6 Categories of Control Measures.
There are a number of hierarchies of risk controls available and each has its own advantages and
disadvantages.
In this section of the course, we will be looking at the following three categories of control measure:
As already mentioned there are several 'hierarchies of control measures' in the health and safety field, each
having an importance in its own right given the circumstances to which it is to be applied.
Let us list the hierarchies and then give a detailed explanation:
1. Uk's HSG65.
2. Elimination to personal protective equipment.
3. UK's Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Hierarchy of control measures - HSG65:
1. Eliminate Risks:by substituting the dangerous by the inherently less dangerous, e.g.
Use less hazardous substances.
Substitute a better-guarded type of machine to make the same product.
Avoid the use of certain processes, e.g. by buying from subcontractors.
2. Combat Risks: at source by engineering controls and giving collective protective measures priority,
e.g.
Separate the operator from the risk of exposure to a known hazardous substance by enclosing the
process.
Protect the dangerous parts of a machine by guarding. Design process machinery and work
activities to minimise the release of, or to suppress or contain, airborne hazards.
Design machinery that is remotely operated, and to which materials are fed automatically, thus
separating the operator from danger areas.
3. Minimise Risks by designing suitable systems of work; using personal protective clothing and
equipment - this should be only used as a last resort.
Hierarchy of control measures - Elimination to personal protective equipment:
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
A) Avoid risks.
B) Evaluate the risks which cannot be avoided.
C) Combat the risks at source.
D) Adapt the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of workplaces, the choice of
work equipment and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work
and work at a predetermined work rate and to reducing their effect on health.
E) Adapt work to technical progress.
F) Replacing the dangerous by the non dangerous or less dangerous.
G) Develop a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work,
working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working
environment.
H) Give collective protection measures priority over individual protective measures.
I) Give appropriate instructions to employees.
2.8 Choice of Control Measures.
Influences on the choice of control measures you implement will come in a variety of forms.
However, an appreciation of what you should bear in mind is given in the UK's HSG65 document on
Successful Health and Safety Management:
When risks have been analysed and assessed, you can make decisions about workplace precautions. All
final decisions about risk control methods must take into account the relevant legal requirements which
establish minimum levels of risk prevention or control.
Some of the duties imposed by the UK's HSW Act and the relevant statutory provisions are absolute, and
must be complied with. Many requirements are, however, qualified by the words, 'so far as is reasonably
practicable', or 'so far as is practicable'. These require an assessment of cost, along with information about
relative costs, effectiveness and reliability of different control measures.
Other duties require the use of 'best practicable means' - often used in the context of controlling sources of
environmental pollution such as emissions to the atmosphere.
'So far as is reasonably practicable'.
'So far as is practicable'.
'Best practicable means'.
Although none of these expressions is defined in legislation such as the UK's HSW Act, they have acquired
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
(a) design, testing, choice, substitution, installation, arrangement, use and maintenance of the
material elements of work (workplaces, working environment, tools, machinery and equipment,
chemical, physical and biological substances and agents, work processes).
(b) relationships between the material elements of work and the persons who carry out or supervise
the work, and adaptation of machinery, equipment, working time, organisation of work and work
processes to the physical and mental capacities of the workers.
(c) training, including necessary further training, qualifications and motivations of persons involved,
in one capacity or another, in the achievement of adequate levels of safety and health.
(d) communication and co-operation at the levels of the working group and the undertaking and at
all other appropriate levels up to and including the national level.
(e) the protection of workers and their representatives from disciplinary measures as a result of
actions properly taken by them in conformity with the policy referred to in Article 4 of this
Convention.
Students are encouraged to refer to the full convention available on the following link:
http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/convde.pl?C155.
The International Labour Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation R164,
International Labour Organisation, Geneva, 1981, supplements the Occupational Safety and Health
Convention, 1981, available on the following link: http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/convde.pl?R164
3.0 Safe Systems of Work.
A safe system of work can be defined as "the integration of personnel, articles and substances in a suitable
environment and workplace to produce and maintain an acceptable standard of safety. Due consideration
must also be given to foreseeable emergencies and the provisions of adequate rescue facilities. A safe
system of work is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, whereby the Act
requires the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably
practicable, safe and without risks to health".
The following text shows the seriousness of non-compliance as highlighted in the case study:
Fireworks company receives rocket from Magistrate update.
Bracknell Fireworks Ltd has been fined a total of 28,000 at Witney Magistrates' Court, Oxfordshire, for
breaches of health and safety legislation arising from laxity at its Upper Heyford explosives licensed factory.
During January 2003, visiting HSE officials noted several boxes of fireworks containing damaged fireworks
which were leaking explosives' composition. Investigation established that the company did not have a safe
system of work for dealing with this occurrence, and it had not taken all due precautions for the prevention
of an accident by fire or explosion.
Bracknell Fireworks Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmic Fireworks Ltd, and a tenant at the Upper
Heyford site using licensed magazines there) was fined 13,000 after pleading guilty to breaching s.2(1) of
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and 2,000 for breaching s.23 of the Explosives Act 1875,
with costs of 13,000.
Comment.
"It is very fortunate that two people were not killed or seriously injured. There is considerable doubt over the
use of adequate procedures even after eight months of new management. This demonstrates the company
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
Safe behaviour.
Knowledge (of operator etc).
Skills.
Motivation.
Experience.
Materials.
Environment.
Temperature.
Lighting.
Ventilation.
Dusts.
Fumes.
Vapours.
Chemical, biological and radiation hazards.
Noise level.
Safe access and egress.
Welfare facilities.
A) A layout that allows for safe access to, and egress from, the working area and plant within.
B) A correct sequence of operations with materials and products conveyed mechanically, wherever
appropriate, to and from work positions.
C) Analysis of tasks, including Job Safety Analysis and the provision of clear job instructions.
D) Identification of safe procedures, both routine and emergency, including requirements that:
1. The authority for starting and stopping machines is clearly allocated and obvious.
2. Clear instructions are given to those allocated to carry out any maintenance work, including
circumstances under which this work may be done.
3. Adequate arrangements are made for removal of materials, components, scrap, swarf and
dirt from the plant and floor areas.
Task Analysis is an analysis of how people perform their jobs i.e. the things they use and the actions they
perform.
There are three types of task analysis:
The job safety analysis can be completed on a form such as the one outlined below:
Job Safety Analysis
Job Title
Department
Purpose
Using Job Safety Analysis helps with the writing and implementation of safe systems of work, as the
hazards and risks identified can be incorporated into the safe system of work.
In completing a safe system of work the following methods need to be addressed:
Engineering solution - whereby the main priority is to completely eliminate the risk.
Safe procedure - whereby written instructions are given to enable the employee to work safely.
Behavioural solution - whereby verbal instructions and training of operative are given.
3.2 Permit-To-Work Systems.
A permit-to-work system is a formal written system used to control certain types of work that are potentially
hazardous.
The HSE defines a permit-to-work system as "a formal recorded process used to control work which is
identified as potentially hazardous. It is also a means of communication between site/installation
management, plant supervisors and operators and those who carry out hazardous work."
A permit to work is a document that specifies the work to be done and the precautions to be taken.
The term 'permit to work' refer to the paper or electronic certificate or form which is used as part of an
overall safe sysetm of work.
Permits to work form an essential part of safe systems of work for many maintenance activities. They allow
work to start only after safe procedures have been defined, and they provide a clear record that all
foreseeable hazards have been considered. A permit to work is needed when maintenance work can only
be carried out if normal safeguards are dropped, or when new hazards are introduced by the work.
The UK's Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on the employer to ensure the health and
safety at work of all employees and to provide safe systems of work together with adequate supervision - a
permit-to-work system is one way of achieving this.
Requirements of the system.
In order to be effective, any permit-to-work system must provide:
A) Concise and accurate information about who is to do the work. The time frame in which the
permit is valid. Specific work to be carried out, and any necessary precautions.
B) The work instruction in the permit must be considered the principal instruction. This instruction
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
Tel: +44(0)1482 806805
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
Page: 15
Selection and training needs to be addressed when both writing and implementing the permit to
work:
Are those who issue permits sufficiently knowledgeable concerning the hazards and precautions
associated with the plant and proposed work?
Do they have the imagination and experience to ask enough 'what if' questions to enable them to
identify all hazards?
Do staff and contractors fully understand the importance of the permit to work system and are they
trained in its use?
Pressure testing.
Well intervention.
Work on high voltage electrical equipment.
Work involving temporary equipment such as generators or welding equpment.
Work affecting evacuation, escape, or rescue systems.
Work at height.
Work which may involve breaking containment of a flammable, toxic or other dangerous substance.
Any operation which required additional precautions or personal protective equipment (PPE) to be
in place.
Diving including onshore operations near water.
Work involving the use of hazardous substances, including explosives and radioactive materials.
Entry and work within tanks and other confined spaces.
Work which may generate sparks or other sources of ignition.
Work of any type where heat is used (flame cutting, grinding).
Other potentially high risk operations.
Co-ordinated.
Controlled.
Adequately supervised.
Monitored.
This should include site visits and not just the scrutinising of forms, to check that the conditions of the
permit are being complied with. The authorisation procedure should be more rigorous, by requiring the
permit to be shown to a second person or permit authoriser, particularly when the potential for harm is
considered to be high.
Roles within permit-to-work systems.
It is essential that roles and responsibilities within permit-to-work systems are clearly defined.
Title
Role
Originator.
Permit user.
Permit authoriser.
Issuing authority.
Performing authority.
Area authority.
Site checker.
Isolating authority.
Permit Suspension.
suspended perimts should be kept on the permit recording system and also information on the condition in
wich the plant has been left and the consequences for other activities should be specified.
Work may have to be suspended if there is a general alarm, for operational reasons when two process
have to be carried out at the same time which could cause the release of a dangerous substance and when
there is a change to or conflit with the nature or scope of the work. Work should only be re-started when the
issuing authority verifies that it is safe to do so.
Alternatively the permit may be cancelled so that the suspended job is treated as new work requiring a new
permit when re-started.
Permit interaction.
In some cases there may be more than one permit-to-work in place at any one time. It is very important to
ensure that one activity under a permit-to-work does not create a danger for another regardless of whether
or not the other activity is under a permit-to-work. Those responsible for issuing permits-to-work should be
aware of any potential interaction. Also, when it comes to isolation, interacting activities may make special
demands upon isolation procedures. Isolations should be clearly detailed on the permit when an isolation is
common to more than one job.
Handover Procedure.
A shift handover procedure should be in place when work is to be carried over to another shift. The
outgoing shift should ensure that the new shift coming onto the job is aware of any outstanding permitcontrolled jobs. It is also important that information such as the status of the jobs and plant is
communicated. It is good practice to ensure that the incoming issuing authority signs to allow the permit to
SHEilds Ltd www.sheilds.org
eLearning: www.sheilds-elearning.com
NEBOSH International Diploma v 1.3a (05/08/2014)
The following is a permit to work system that is suggested by the Health and Safety Executive:
1. Permit title.
2. Permit reference number.
3. Job Location.
4. Plant identification.
5. Description of work to be done and its limitations.
6. Hazard identification.
7. Precautions necessary.
8. Protective Equipment.
9. Authorisation.
10. Acceptance (signature confirming the understanding of the work to be done).
11. Hand-over procedures.
12. Hand-back - signed by acceptor certifying the work has been completed.
13. Cancellation - certifying work tested and plant satisfactorily re-commissioned.
Permit-to-work documentation.
The permit to work should be printed in triplicate, self-carbonated and serial-numbered and be
handed out thus:
The original should go to the person undertaking the work, and possibly posted at the place of work.
The first copy should be given to the person responsible for the department or area in which the
work is to take place.
The second copy should be retained by the originator.
Using Job Safety Analysis helps with the writing and implementation of safe systems of work - as the
hazards and risks identified can be incorporated into the safe system of work.
An example of an Engineering solution is.
Question 3.
Permit to work system would typically be operated in which of the following activities.
SHEilds UK
SHEilds FZ-LLC
SHEilds House
24 Priory Tec Park
Saxon Way
Hessle
Hull
HU13 9PB
Block 19
Office 204
Knowledge Village
Dubai
PO Box 501725