= RRC NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE UNIT IGC1: MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - UU o = ya 2Molannnodl Houston NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE UNIT IGC1: MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYRoger Pasey CHIOSH, MRS rs Phepread 65, PH, CMIOSH ‘Mes Zoe Neasha, 8<(Hons) CMOSH Dp208H David Town, 8c; PRO, CMIOSH, AMA, MUL. Cet a (PCET) (2 RC erations ‘Aight reseved ARC nematonali the sain nae of The Rapid ests Coleg Lint, Ton Howse, 27-37 St George's Road, London, SW19 405, UK “Theva mater provided under cence from Th api ess Colege Umited No part f ts publeaion maybe reproduce tored Inaretieval sen, or vansmtdin ary for, ry ary eas, eco rosa, mechani photocopied 2 ater, thot he expres perienn wring fom ARC Publishing For inert on a RC pubes and ining course vt RRC Modulle No: IGC13 |SAN forth volume 9781:90905-10.0 Fist dion Spring 2015 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: BRC inerratonal would ie to thank se Nason arination Board # Occpatonl ale and Hea (NEBOSH) for her co-operation n ‘Bowing to reproduce enacts orn ther slabs pues This pulation contains public ecto nformation publthedy he Heat and Safer feecsin anc ere under the Open Govern. Licence 2 anationalarchivesgovuk/éoejopen goveren ance /vrdon/2) very fforcharbeen made tote copyright miter andoban permion repose # haere ry ear mio, RC ‘ho wee novation otha corectone may become in Fare eps ovens of these. |W the infomation nth hooks bile tbe tue andacut athe dite of going to pres eter the author rar the uber an accep any leg expos or lab or any rosa emis that ay be madeUNIT IGC1 INTRODUCTION ELEMENT 1: FOUNDATIONS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, The Mul Disciplinary Nature of Health and Sefety Barriers to Good Standards of Health and Safety Definitions Revision Question REASONS FOR MAINTAINING AND PROMOTING GOOD STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ‘The Size ofthe Problem ‘Moral Expectations of Good Standards of Health and Safety Social Expectations The Business Case for Health and Safety Ineured and Uninsured Coste Employers Liability Insurance Revision Questions ROLE OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL SODIES ‘The international Framework Employers’ Responsibilities ‘Workers’ Responsibilities and Rights “Tine Role of Enforcement Agencies Consequences of Non-Compliance (Other International Standards Sources of Information Revision Questions SUMMARY, EXAM SKILLS. ELEMENT 2: HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 1 - POLICY KEY ELEMENTS OF A HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 1WO-OSH 2001 Safety and Health Management System Revision Questions PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF SETTING POLICY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY. Role ofthe Heath and Safety Policy in Decision-Making Revision Question KEY FEATURES AND CONTENT OF A HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY General Statement of intent COrgenisation (Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilties) Arrangements Reviewing Policy Revision Questions SUMMARY EXAM SKILLS Contents 23 23 24 26 26 28 29 210 20Contents ELEMENT 3: HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 2 - ORGANISING ORGANISATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Employer Directors and Senior Managers ‘Middle Managers and Supervisors Safety Specialists Workers Controllers of Premises The Self-Employed Suppliers, Manufacturers and Designers Comractors Joint Occupiers of Premises Revision Questions “THE CONCEPT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CULTURE Health and Safety Cukure Relationship Between Safety Culture and Performance Indicators Used to Assess Safety Culture “The influence of Peers Revision Questions FACTORS INFLUENCING SAFETY-RELATED BEHAVIOUR Organisational, Job and Individual Factors ‘Artitude, Competence and Motivation Perception of Risk Revision Question IMPROVING HEALTH AND SAFETY BEHAVIOUR ‘Management Commitment and Leadership Competent Sta Effective Communication Taaining Revision Questions EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Importance of Developing Emergency Procedures ‘Acrangements for Contacting Emergency Services Revision Questions FIRST AID FirsvAid Requirements Role, Training and Number of Fst-Aiders and Appointed Persons Requirements for FirstAid Boxes and Facilities First Aid Coverage Revision Question SUMMARY, EXAM SKILLS 23 33 34 3 a4 34 35 35 35 37 37 38 39 39 an an 32 32 34 315 348 37 307 347 3-18 3:20 321 3.22 322 3.23 3.23 324 3:28 3.24 3.25 3.25 3.25ELEMENT 4: HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 3 - PLANNING IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING ‘The Management System Setting "SMART" Objectives Keeping Up To Date Revsion Question PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF RISK ASSESSMENT. Legal Requirements (Objectives of Risk Assessment Different Types of Incident The Risk Assessors Criteria Fora Suitable and Sufficient Assessment Carrying Out a Risk Assessment Identifying Hazards Evaluating the Rsk and Adequacy of Current Controls Recording Significant Findings Risk Assessment Review Specal Cases and Vulnerable Workers Revision Questions PRINCIPLES OF CONTROL AND A BASIC HIERARCHY OF RISK-REDUCTION MEASURES General Principies of Prevention General Hierarchy of Controls Revision Questions SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON HEALTH AND SAFETY Internal and External Information Sources [National International Agency Information Sources Revision Question DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK Responsbilties of the Employer Role of Competent Persons Worker Involvernent \Weitten Procedures Technica, Procedural and Behavioural Controls Development ofa Safe System of Work Introducing Controls and Formulating Procedures Instruction and Trsning Monitoring Specific Examples of Safe Systems of Work Revision Questions PERMITTO.WORK SYSTEMS Definition Operation and Application Lmnitations ofthe Permit-to-Work System “Typical Permit Systems Revision Questions SUMMARY. EXAM SKILLS. Contents 43 43 43 44 44 45. 45 46 46 47 48 48 28 410 413 43 a3 445 416 416 a7 ani 422 422 #23 423 423 423, 4.24 4.24 4.24 4.25 4.25 4.25 425 47 428 428 428 430 430 anContents ELEMENT 5: HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 4 — MEASURING, AUDIT AND REVIEW ACTIVE AND REACTIVE MONITORING. ‘Active Monitoring Safety Inspections, Sampling, Tours and Surveys ‘Acrangements for Workplace Inspections Effecte Report Writing (Other Active Monitoring Techniques Reactive Monitoring Revision Questions HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDITING Definition of Health and Sa Seape and Purpose of Auditing ‘The Aucit Process Responsibility for Audits External and Internal Audits Actions Taken Following Audits ~ Correcting Non-Conformites Revision Questions INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS Role and Function of Investigations Types of Incident Basic Investigation Procedures Revision Questions RECORDING AND REPORTING INCIDENTS. Recording and Reporting Requireme Reporting of vents to External Agencies Data Collection, Analysis and Communication Lessons Learnt Revision Questions REVIEW OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE Purpose of Regular Reviews Personnel involved in the Review Process Ieeues to be Considered inthe Review Outputs from the Reviews Role ofthe Board and Senior Managers Revision Questions SUMMARY EXAM SKIS REVISION AND EXAMINATION GUIDE SUGGESTED ANSWERS 5-10 5-10 sa sn 52 52 53 543 516 s7, S17 518 519 519 519 5:20 520 521 521 5:22 5:22 5:22, 5:23COURSE STRUCTURE signed to provide the reader ded to successtully This tenbook has beer withthe core knowledge ne complete the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, as well as providing a useful overvi follows the structure and content of the ‘of health and safety management. It (OSH syllabus. The NEBOSH International General Certificate consists of three units of study. When you successfully complete any ofthe units you wil receive a Unit Certificate but to achieve a complete NEBO! qualificti _year period, For more detailed information about how the syllabus is structured, vst the NEBOSH website (onwwnebosh orguk) International Cerificate you need to pass the three units within a five UNIT IGC1 Management of International Health and Safety UNIT GC2 Controlling Workplace Hazards Introduction Picante Poe Element 1_| Foundations in Health nd Safety Element 2 | Health and Safety Management System: 1- Policy Element 3 | Health and Safety Management Systems 2- Organising Element 4 | Health and Safety Management Systems 3 - Planning Element 5 | Health and Safety Management Systems 4 Measuring, Audit and Review Unit GC2: Controlling Workplace Hazards Element 1 | Workplace Hazards and Rsk Control Element 2_ | Transport Hazards and Risk Control Element 3 | Musculosk Control al Hazards and Risk lement 4 | Work Equipment Hazards and Risk Contr! Element 5 _| Electrical Safety Element 6_| Fire Safery Element7 | Chemical and Biological Hazards and Risk Control UNIT GC3 Health and Safety Practical Application eC General Certificate Element 8 | Physical and Payche Risk Contol gical Hazards and Revision and Examination Preparation Peter ec era Aim of the Practical Assessment ‘Workplace Inspection | Report to ManagementIntroduction Assessment To complete the qualification, you need to pass two formal \wetten exams (one for Unit IGC1 and one for Unit GC2), as well as carry out a safety inspection of your workplace, inluding a short report to management (Unit GC3), ach written exam is two hours long and consists of one long question (2088 ofthe marks) and ten short questions (cach being 89 of the total marks). You must answer all To help you prepare, this textbook contains Exam Skills activities atthe end of each element af your course. Guidance on how to answer an exarn-style question is provided, and suggested answers ate provided in as atthe end for you to compare them to your own, \We have also included some guidance on how to go about completing the safety inspection of your workplace so you willbe fully prepared for that, too. More Information ‘As you work your way through this book, always eemember to relate your own experiences in the workplace to the topics you study. An appreciation of the practical application and significance of health and safety wil help you understand the topics. Keeping Yourself Up to Date The field of health and safety is constantly evolving and, as such, it willbe necessary for you to keep up to date with changing legislation and best pact RRC International publishes updates to allits course material via a quarterly -neusleter(ssued in February, May, August and November) which alerts students to key changes in legislation, best practice and other information pertinent to current courses, Please vst htp:/ /wwwirrecouk/news-resources/ newslettersaspx to access these updates. Other Textbooks Available from RRC RRC International is continually adding to its range of textbooks, Visit wow. co.uk publications fora ful ange of curent titles,Before you start to use this textbook, take a moment to read this User Guide At the start of each element you wil find @ Contents table and alist of Learaing Outcomes. These are important because they give you an idea ofthe different topes you will be studying and what you are aiming to achieve KEY INFORMATION Each main section of materia stars wth a Key Information box. This box presents an overview of ‘the important facts, ideas and principles deat with under the section heading, There is no depth or detail here, just the basic. After the Key Information box comes the main content, ‘The main content has been designed to explain and describe the topics specified in the relevant section of the syllabus to the expected level, Examples have been given 10 illustrate various ideas and principles ina variety of diferent workplaces, TOPIC FOCUS ‘Topic Focus boxes provide depth and detall by concentrating on a very specific topic area. User Guide More...boxes contain sources of futher information (Websites are current at the time of writing) Although this book includes everything you need, ‘is worth looking at these additional sources if you can. This wil give you a broader and deeper understanding, REVISION QUESTIONS [At the end of each section you will find Revision Questions. These are not past exam questions, but should be useful for self assessment. ‘You can mark your answers against the Suggested Answers provided EXAM SKILLS ‘After each element you will finda short Exam Shille section containing an exam-style question (oF two) for you to practise answering. Guidance on how to answer is provided, together with a Suggested ‘Answer for you to compare to your own, GLOSSARY Glossary boxes contain descriptions or definitions lof words or phrases that are included in the main HINT AND TIPS Hints and Tips boxes contain simple ideas that can help youas you work through the materials and prepare forthe end-of-course exam. Summary Each element finishes with a Surmmary. This presents avery concise reflection ofthe key ideas and principles contained in the element, When you have finished studying an element you might use the summary to test your recall of the detalled information contained within the element. ‘When you have studied al ofthe elements in a unit you should move on to look at the Revision and Examination Guide,FOUNDATIONS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY @ LEARNING OUTCOMES ‘On completion of this element, you should be able to demonstrate understanding of the content by applying what you have learnt to familiar and unfamiliar situations. In particular, you should be able to: @ atin the scope and nature of occupational health and safer, @ Explain the mora, social and economic reasons for maintaining and promoting good standards of health and safety in the workplace. © Exphin the ole of national g international bodies in formulating a framework for the regulation of health and safety © 8RItrntona Ut IC ~Eleant Foundations in Heath and Safety | 1-1Contents ‘THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEAITH AND SAFETY ‘The Mult: Disciplinary Nature of Health and Safety Barriers to Good Standards of Health and Safery Definitions Revision Question REASONS FOR MAINTAINING AND PROMOTING GOOD STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY _ “The Size ofthe Problem ‘Moral Expectations of Good Standards of Health and Safety Social Expectations “The Business Case for Health and Safety Insured and Uninsured Costs Employers’ Revision Questions iabilty Insurance ROLE OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL BODIES, The International Framework Employers’ Responsiil ‘Workers’ Responsibilities and Rights The Role of Enforcement Agencies Consequences of Non-Compliance (Other International Standarcs Sources of information Revision Questions SUMMARY EXAM SKILLS, 12 1 Foundations in Heh and ety +10 +10 110 a am im © ARC HeeratonBSBSBSBSBRRBERESRERBRERBRBESBERRERBERBSERSBERERE The Scope and Nature of Occupational Health and Safety KEY INFORMATION The study of health and safety involves the study of many different subjects including the sciences (chemistry, pliyscs and biology), engineering, psychology, sociology and the law. are often competing and conflicting demands placed upon people and organisations; and good health and safety practice often relies on the perfect behaviour of individuals, who sometimes do not behave in an idea way Key definitions are: = Health the absence of disease, = Safety the absence of risk of serious personal injury ~ Welfare - acces to basic facilities, ‘Accident -an unplanned, unwanted event which leads to injury, damage or loss Near miss -an unplanned, unwanted event that had the potential to lead to injury, damage or loss (but did nat actually do so) ~ Dangerous occurrence - specified event that may have tobe reported tothe relevant authority bylaw. ~ Hazard - something with the potential to cause harm. ~ Risk - the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm, in combination wth the severity of injury, damage or loss that might occu THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY NATURE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ‘Workplace health and safety practice brings together knowledge from many different disciplines. Some health and safety topics ae simple to understand; others are technical and requir specialist knowledge, Sometimes the practical solution toa heath and safety problem is straightforward; at other times the solution is complicated and demanding and require the correct application of technical knowledge and thinking, In order to fully understand a health and safety issue you reed to be familar wth the Technical background tothe issue and have the relevant knowledge, ‘© Standards that may apply tothe workplace and to the specific health and safety issue under consideration 1 Possible strengths and weaknesses of the various ‘options available to solve the problem. ‘The study of health and safety therefore involves mary diferent subjects, including the sciences (chemistry, physics and biology), engineering, psychology sociology andthe law, © RRC Intersil | | | + There are many barriers to good standards of heath and safety ina workplace: workplaces can be complex; there BARRIERS TO GOOD STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY There are many bar safety in a workplace sto good standards of health and ‘+ Complexity - workplaces can be complicated areas, involving the co-ordination of many people performing ‘many different activities, Finding a solution o a specific health and safety problem or issue can be complex, equiting extensive background knowledge and an awareness of the possible consequences of the various courses of action that are available ‘= Conflicting demands - there are often competing and conflicting demands placed upon people ant ‘organisations. A common contct of interests that between the need to supply a product ora service tan appropriate speed so as to make a profi and the need to do so safely and without risk to people's health, Another conflict can be created by the need to comply with different types of standards at the same health and safety law as well as environmental re: fondatonn ean an ey | 1-3‘+ Behavioural sues - good heath and safety practice foften relies an the perfect behaviour of incividuals, and rmetimes do not behave in ths ideal way. The Solution toa health and safety problem usually requires a worker to cary out their job ina particular way For ‘example, a worker on a construction site should wear ‘hard hat ta protect themselves from fling objects, But people ae not robots they do not behave as they are supposed to all the time. Workers sometimes make mistakes (they do the wrong thing thinking that itis the right thing to do), Sometimes they deliberately do the weong thing, knowing that itis wrong, but doing itanyway. The fact that health and safety standards are affected by worker behaviour can be a significant barrier to maintaining good standards in a workplace. eur es weer ignores sake 1.4 | Unit16C1 Semen Foundation in Heakh and Safe) DEFINITIONS The topic of heath and safety makes use of key words and phrases. Some important definitions are Health The absence of disease orl health, For example, a creates a health sk because if you inhale asbestos dust you may contract lung cancer (a disease) at some sage Tater in life (perhaps 10 or 20 years after you inhaled the dust), Health relates not ony to physical ll health but also 10 psychological ill health (eg. exposure to extreme stress can lead to nervous breakdown), Safety The absence of risk of serious personal injury. For example, walking under a load suspended from a crane during a lifting operation i not safe because if the load falls serious personal injury or death could res gout of the danger area results in safety Welfare ‘Access to basic faites such as toilet facilities, hand wash stations, changing rooms, restrooms and places where food can be prepared and eaten in relatively hygienic conditions, and drinking water and basic first-aid provision, Wate facia -hand-assh tions REVISION QUESTION 1. Why might the managers of an organisation not consider health and safety to bea priority? (Suggested Answers are atthe end) (© PRC InerstonalReasons for Maintaining and Promoting Good Standards of Health and Safety | KEY INFORMATION ‘+The three main eazons why an organisation has to manage health and safety are: moral, socal (or legal) and ‘+ The moral reason relates to the moral duty that one person has to another. Many people are killed, injured or made sick by their work. Ths s morally unacceptable and society as a whole demands that people are safe whist atwork, + The socal (or egal) eason relates to the framework of laws that govern the conduct of businesses and. organisations. An employer has a duty to provide a safe place of work, safe plant and equipment, safe systems of work, adequate training and supervision, and competent empioyees |. + Theeconmireason rates othe fat that secidents anil heath cost money. When an acdent occur there | them will be uninsured. (Organisations and individuals have to manage health and safety standards within the workplace for various reasons ‘These easons can usualy be grouped under three main headings: moral social (or legal) and economic. THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM ‘The following global statistics have been published by the Incernatonal Labour Organisation (LO) as part oftheir SafeWork programme (you do not need to emembe actual figures, we give them to highlight the sae ofthe problem} ‘+ There are 270 milion occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases recorded each year. ‘© Around 2 milion people die every year from ‘occupational accidents and occupational diseases, 1496 ofthe world’s gross domestic product is ost each {year through the cast of injury, death, absence, et. ‘+ There are around 355,000 work-related fatal accidents each year - half ofthese occur in agriculture. (Other high-risk sectors are the construction and fishing industries. These figure relate to the number of accidents and cases of csease which ae reported and recorded ploblly. Not everything is reported or recorded, however, s0 the real figures are almost certainly higher willbe direct and indirect costs a a result of thet event. Some of these losses can be insured against; many of | MORAL EXPECTATIONS OF GOOD STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY he statistics above indicate thata huge amount of pain and suffering is experienced by people who simply go to work to earn a living, The numbers indicate the scale of the prablem. What the numbers don’t do i tel the individual stories, When health and safety is not managed properly people get killed and injured in gruesome ways or suffer terrible diseases that have a massive impact not only ‘on them, but also their dependants, families, fiends and. colleagues, Society sa whole considers these events to be morally unacceptable, and injury o ill health should not be «price that has to be paid in order for the worker to feed their family Employers (through management) provide the premises and equipment and putin place the working practices \which employees use to produce the goods and services from which employers eatn profits, To that extent employers can be said to gain from the conditions in the workplace. Inretur, they provide an income for employees, but also have a moral responsibilty to provide safe and healthy working conditions [Unt 1GC1~ Bement 1: Foundations in Heath and Safety | 1-5SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS The socal (or legal) reasons for managing health and safety relate to the framework of international and national laus that govern the conduct of businesses and untries have las that set sandards ‘or how organisations should conduct themselves with regorc to health and safety. Failure to achieve these legal minimum standards can lead to enforcement action by the authorities or prosecution before the courts, Successful prosecution can lead toa fine and, in mary countries, 0 impesonment for the individuals concerned Most countries have these order to meet expectations are translated into the laws that govern the conduct of individuals and organisations. The expectations of society tend to increase overtime so the standards of behave gal standards in place in spectations of their society These ‘of organisations have to meet these higher expectations. n this way basic health and safety laws are amended overtime to become more stringent. ‘The legal responsibilty for health and safety at work rests primarly on the emplayer. The employer has a duty to provide the following ‘© Safe Place of Work The empl cof work, which should be reatonabiy safe and without rick to health, What is considered “reasonable” may vary withthe type of ‘work The employer should also provide safe access to and from the workplace. ‘= Safe Plant and Equipment All the machinery tools, plant and equipment us by employees at work should be reasonably safe and without health risk Exactly what this means will end on the type of work being carried out. The greater the risk involved, the greater the care that ‘must be taken. For example, machinery would need tobe inspected; serviced paired and replaced in a stee-making factory, whereas in an office avery simple inspection regime might be sufficient. creates the Aerhrinspecs eupment to eure hate 166 | sitact- ena: Foundation sth an Sly Safe Systems of Work ‘There should be recognised procedures for the safe nduct ofall work actives. These procedures should cover all foreseeable possbilties, ¢g the operation of driling equipment in different types of weather rather than just ase of rules which ensure safety when 1 res should cover the rutin day-to-day activities ofthe organisation and the non. routine, occasional or one-off activities, as well as any foreseeable emergencies that might aise weather is good. Pro Training, Supervision and Competency of Staff Workers must be able to carry out the necessary procedures, Employers have a duty to provide appropriate training so that workers ae aware of ‘the hazards and risks inherent in their work, the safe systems of work and the emergency procedures. This ‘raining can be reinforced by providing information and instru ald supervise workers to ensure that they are carving out their work with rinimal risk to themselves and others. This does not mean that supervisors have to stand end watch every worker at alltimes, they just have to provide adequate levels of supervision. Finally an employer should ensure that al workers, supervisors and managers are competent &, GLOSSARY COMPETENT In this context ‘competent’ means that each person has sufficient taining, knowledge, experience and other abilities or sills to be able to cary out their work safely and without risk to heath‘THE BUSINESS CASE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY The business case for health and safety is simply that accidents and ill health cost money. When an accident ‘occurs there will be direct and indirect costs associated with that event. Some of these lasses can be insured against, but many cannot. Accidents and ill health can significantly affect the profiabiliy ofan organisation and, in some cases, can put an organisation aut of business. Direct and Indirect Costs ‘When an accident occurs there ate two types of losces that ‘the organisation may fac: + Direct costs - the measurable cost arising directly from the accident + Indirect casts - those which arse indirectly a 2 consequence of the event. Indirect costs are often difficult to quantify precisely and may be hard to ify ‘© ARC meron TOPIC FOCUS Examples of direct costs: 4 Fines in the criminal courts, Compensation payable tothe victim, which islixely o be met by insurance cover and wil therefore result in an increase in insurance premiums + First-aid treatment. + Worker sick pay. “+ Repair to, or replacement of, damaged equipment and buildings, ‘© Lost or damaged product ‘+ Lost production time whilst dealing with the injury, + Overtime to make up for lost time. Costs associated with the rehabilitation ofthe injured worker and ther return to work. Examples of indirect costs: Loss of staff from productive duties in order to investigate the incident, prepare reports, undertake hospital visits, deal with relatives, attend court proceedings. + Loss of staff morale (which impacts on productivity, quality and efiiency) # Cost of remedial action following an investigation, eg. change of process or materials and/or the introduction of further control + Compliance with any enforcement notice served, ‘© Cost of recruiting and training temporary or replacernent labour ‘+ General difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff as an indirect result of the accident + Loss of goodwill of customers following delays in production and fuliling orders. ‘+ Activation of pealty causes for failing to meet delivery dates. ‘+ Damage to publcimage and business reputation. ‘Damage to industrial relations, perhaps leading 1 industrial action (eg. strikes) UnitIGC1 = ferent Foundtine in Heath and Safety | 1-71m the examples given you can see that though more difficult to identify the indirect costs associated with a workplace accident can be very large indeed INSURED AND UNINSURED COSTS/ EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE Iris usually possible to take out insurance to cover some ofthe lostes that might foreseeaby occur to an organisation. In most countries itis compulsory to take cout employers’ lability insurance so that fa worker is killed of injured at work there is insurance in lace to pay that worker (or thet dependants) compensation and t0 eet the employer's civil costs, As well as meeting a legal requirement, this insurance may provide some comfort to workers, knowing that in the event of an injury the employer is insured to compensate them financially. Sirilarly itis usual for an employer to insure their premises and stock against fre, However itis not posible to insure agains al losses Some losses are ninsurabe by their very nature. For ‘example, you cannot take out an insurance policy to pay money should you be prosecuted and fined in the ‘criminal law courts. Other lasses cannot be insured against because the loss is too difficult to quantify, or because the insurance would be tao expensive to consider. For example, organisations cannot insure themselves against loss of revenue if their business reputation is damaged asa result of a major workplace accident. There is no law that prevents this type of insurance, but its simpy not offered by insurance providers Many ofthe direct and indirect costs associated with workplace accidents are uninsured for these reasons. thas been estimated that uninsured losses are between 8 and 36 times greater than insured losses. Examples of possible insured and uninsured losses include Damageto plant, buildings and equipment | time Production delays or down Compensation paidto | Loss of raw materia due workers toaccidents ~~ Accident investigation ime | Medical costs ea cogalcont vil eins) | iia ines nd egal costs Sick pay for injured workers Overtime to make up for lost production employees | Firing and taining new | Loss of business reputation 7-8 | UnittGCt - Hemen :Foundtonin Heath and Safty GLOSSARY civ Law ‘The branch of law concerned with compensating individuals for the weongs done to ther REVISION QUESTIONS 2. In three words sum up the reasons why an ‘organisation should manage health and safety. 3. Give three insured costs and three uninsured costs that might arise from a workplace accident (Suggested Answers are atthe end.) © ARC eernstonaRole of National Governments and International Bodies | KEY INFORMATION apply to workplace health and safety standards, in C185 and R64, imprisonment, purpose, ‘THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK ‘There are no truly global legal standards governing workplace health and safety. Most countries have their ‘own laws, developed over the years to tackle their own issues and concerns. However, countries often end up adopting similar basic approaches to protect the health and safety oftheir people; the deta may vary but the underlying principles are the same. [A prime mover inthe area of international standards in health and safety isthe International Labour Organisation (LO) which an agency ofthe United Nations (UN), Most countries are members of the ILO. The two primary outputs of the ILO are “Conventions” and “Recommendations”. These et international standards Conventions and Recommendations can form the basis cof detailed legislation in each member country -the resut being that basic minimums health and safety standards are adopted, The detailed provisions wil sil vary as each member state implements the standards in a nationally appropriate way. In 1981, the tO adopted the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155). This describes a basic policy for health and safety at both the national level and the level ofthe inividual organisation ‘The Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation 1981 (R164) supplements C155 and provides more detailed guidance on how t0 comply with the polices of C155. In particular itidentfes obligations that might be placed on employers and employeesin order to achieve the basic goal ofa safe and healthy place of work. © RRC erin ‘+ The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has set out Convention C155 and Recommendation R164 which ‘These legal standards place a duty on the employer to ensure that workplaces, work activities and work | | | + Most countries and regions have esabished legal standards that meet or exceed the minimum standards set out ‘equipment and substances ae, 50 far ass reasonably practicable safe and without risk to health +The legal standards aso place a duty on workers to look aftr their own and other people’s health and safety ‘through a country’s criminal cours. Successful prosecution usually results ina fine, but may result in + Work-related injuries may result in compensation being pai tothe victim, In some counties this is achieved, + Failure to comply with these legal standards may lead to enforcement action by the authorities or prosecution by legal action through the civil courts, whilst other countries may have worker compensation schemes for this, | ‘Countries that belong tothe ILO have ratified C155 and 164 an have then legislated to put their requirements into the national (or regional) law, In C185 and R164 there isa general recognition that most ‘of the responsibility for ensuring good standards of health and safety at work ies withthe employer -since he or she provides the work the workplace, the tool ystems, methods, etc. They aso recognise that indvidual workers have responsibilities. Though the legal wording varies between countries, the general theme i that employers and workers must exercive reasonable care to ensure safety and absence of risk to health, EMPLOYERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES Article 16 of C185 identifies some basic obligations placed ‘on employers 1. “twensure thatthe workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under ther conto are safe and without risk to health 2. to ensue thatthe chemical, physica and biological Substances and agents unde ther contra are without sto heath 3. to provide. adequate protective clothing and protec equipment prevent. sk of accident or of adverse effects on heath Source: C185 Occupational Safery and Health Convention, 1981 (abbreviated) Copyright® International Labour Organisation 1981 “These duties are very generally worded inthe Convention 164 expands on wat they might mean in practice it identifies some practical obligations to meet the objective of Article 16 of C155, Unit IGC1 - Element 1: Foundations in Heath and Safeyy | 1-9| Topic FOCUS | | spray aide oof mstpaathettoving | Puseoeoretsed cence eeenver emer ea arokabea sciecatinon se Eetaruate + To provide appropriate instructions and training. To provide necessary supervision. ‘To putin place health and safety arrangements adapted to sut the size and nature of the Undertaking + To provide any necessary personal protective clothing and equipment free of charge ‘+ To ensure that the hours af work do not adversely affect employees’ safety and health, ‘© To take measures to eliminate any extreme physical and mental fatigue ‘+ Tostay up-to-date with knowledge in oder to ‘comply with the above, in this way the responsibilty is placed directly on the employer: However itis also recognised that individual ‘workers have a critical part to play in keeping workpl sale, s0 workers are also given duties WORKERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS Article 19 of C155 states that all workers and their representatives have to co-operate with their employer 50 ‘that he or she can full his or her safety obligations 164 provides more detail on ths general duty TOPIC FOCUS 164 says that workers should ‘+ Take reasonable care of their own safety and that cof other people who might be affected by the things that they do and the things that they fal todo. “© Comply with safety instructions and procedures, + Use all safety equipment properly and not tamper with i ‘+ Report any stuation which they believe could be a hazard and which they cannot themselves ‘Report any work-related accident o ill health The Convention and Recommendation not anly puta duty ‘on workers, ut also give those workers rights 140 | Uneicct-Emen 1: FundstoninHethnd fey In addition to the basi ight toa safe workplace, Article 19 of C185 gives workers the folowing rights ‘The right to be provided with adequate information on actions the employer has taken to ensure occupational safety and health 1 The right to the necessary taining in occupational safety and health, ‘©The ight to be consulted by the employer on all matters of occupational safety and health relating to their work ‘+The right to leave a workplace which the worker has reason to think presen an imminent and serious danger tohis or her Ife or heath and nct be compelled to return until ite safe ‘THE ROLE OF ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES There is ne harmonised global standard forthe enforcement of health and safety law, so legal and. ‘enforcement systems vary between countries. There ar, however, seme general principles which nermally apply. ‘+ Each country of region has one (or more) enforcement agency responsible fr enforcing health and safety law Such an agency is effectively the “health and safety police force’. in some cicumstances the agency may be, or may enlist the help of the national or regional police. These agencies often provide advice, investigate ‘workplace accidents take formal enforcement action +0 force employers to comply withthe law and start criminal proceedings against persons or organisations they believe have committed offences. + Many countries havea separate fire authority witha role in enforcing fire safer legislation and/or advising employers, *Insome countries insurance companies fulfl a major role in enforcing safety, carrying out inspections and audits on a regular basis. These can help to improve standard, asthe insurance company can demand increased insurance premiums or refuse to provide insurance cover at all unless standards are improved, CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE ‘A breach of health and safety legislation is usually a iminal offence - wherever you are in the world Failure to meet legal standards might lead to ‘© Formal enforcement action: an enforcement. agency might force an employer either to make an improvernent within the workplace within a given ‘ume periog orto stop carrying out high sk activities altogether untilimprovements are made. Failure to comply with formal enforcement action is usually considered to be an offence in itself+ Prosecution of the organisation in the criminal courts: successful prosecution might result in punishment in the form af a fine + Prosecution of individuals, such as directors, ‘managers and workers: succesful prosecution might result in punishment in the form ofa fine and/or imprisonment {As wel as the criminal law consequences thee is also the matter of compensation for workers and others injured by a workplace accident. Depending on the region/country ‘concerned, this might invalve the worker: + Taking legal action against their employer through ‘the cv legal system, and having to prove that thet employer had been negligent and was therefore to blame for thee injury. + Claiming compensation from national or regional compensation schemes, with no requirement to prove negligence or blame through the use of the legal system. OTHER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS “The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) isthe word’ largest developer of management standards. 150 has developed IO 9001 (the quality management standard) and ISO 14001 (the environmental ‘management standard). Whilst these are not legal documents they have been adopted by many companies throughout the world since they demonstrate good ‘management practice. The resltis a common approach to managing quality and environmental matter, hp /awwiloorg © RRC ies ‘Ata technical level, ISO has been responsible for developing safety standards to which machinery ete should conform, eg. ISO 12100: Safety of Machinery. As ‘compliance with the recognised international standard demonstrates safety, national legislation often refers to ‘hese standards. ‘There isan internationally recognised standard for health 1 safety management, The Occupational Heath and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 standard is compatible wth ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, SOURCES OF INFORMATION Information on national standards can be obtained from the relevant national regulatory bodies, who publish ‘guidance decuments which provide information on the legal standards required. Mary ofthe regulatory bodies have websites which are valuable sources of information, such as: ‘+Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inthe UK at: www hsegovuk Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration (OSHA) in the US at: wunwosha gow ' European Agency for Safety and Health at work (EU) hips//oshaeuropaeu/ ‘© Worksafe in Western Australia at: wonwcommerce wa govau/WorkSafe REVISION QUESTIONS 4. Identify three ofthe legal duties that an ‘employer has to comply with 5, Identify two ofthe legal duties that a worker has to comply with 6. What are the consequences for an employer cof non-compliance with health and ssfety responsibilities? (Guggested Answers ae atthe end.) Untt6Ct Eleva ounaorsn Heth and Sey | 4-1| suMMaRy ‘This element has dealt with some of the basic principles of workplace health and safety In particular this element has + Explained that health and safety isa mult-disciplinary topic that requires knowledge across a wide range of subjects and that there ar bares to raising health and safety standards in a workplace. Introduced some of the key wards that will be used in this course, such as: heath; safety; and welfare, ‘+ Highlighted the three main reasons why an organisation has to manage health and safety, which can be summarised as moral, social (or legal and economic. + Set out the basic requirements ofthe international standards that govern health and safety, ie the ILO Convention C158 and Recommendation R164, ‘© Looked in some detail atthe duties that these two standards place on emplayers and on workers, + Discussed the consequences for employers and workers of non-compliance with legal standards, together with the possible sue of worker compensation, Noted some sources of information on national health and safety standards, 1-12 | Unseen Foundation Hes and aes ARC nematoralINTRODUCTION Exam Skills To pass the NEBOSH International General Certificate you need to perform well during the exams, You only have ‘+The amount that you can remember about the elements you've studied; and ‘+ Your success in applying that knowledge to an exam situation, Being good at both aspects s essential. Being calm under exam pressure is pointless ifyou do not have a good knowledge ofthe information required to answer the exam questions. Here we will conser some practical guidelines that can be used to increase success in the exam. Then you will find Exam Skills questions for you to answer atthe end of each element i | | {we Hour and your performance wil be eated to two ey actos l EXAM REQUIREMENTS The IGC1 exam consists of two sections + Section 1 contains one question, which is ikely to consist of a number of sub-parts. This question in total is worth 20 marks, ‘+ Section 2 contains ten questions with each question being worth eight marks There isn choice of questions in the exam - all questions must be answered. The exam in total lasts two hours and. NEBOSH recommends thet you spend: ‘+ about halfan hour on Section 1;and ‘+ about one-and-a-half hours on Section 2 EXAM TECHNIQUE In the exam, candidates often struggle because they hve not understood the question that i being asked. They can interpret questions wrongly and therefore provide an answer for the question they think is being asked bu, in reality, is not. To try to avoid this, lets look a a step-by: step approach that you can adopt when answering exam questions ‘L. The fist step isto read the question carefully Be sure you know exactly what type of information the {question i asking for 2. Monitor the time. The 20-mark question inthe first section should take around 25 minutes to answer, with five minutes reviewing time. The eight-mark questions in Section 2 should take around eight minutes to answer. This wll eave an accumulated time of ten ‘minutes at the end of Section 2to review your answers, Its realy easy to spend more time than you shoul, providing a fantastic answer toa question that you are Confident about, but this could mean that you don’t have time to attempt all the other questions. Equally if you find a question particularly tough, sometimes it's better to move on to the next question and come back 10 it ather than spend too long trying to answer kand ‘sk missing other questions out © FRCInteratona 3. New the marks available. To award each mark the examiner must have apiece of information to award the mark against, 4. Thenex stages to develop a plan. there are various ways todo this. Remind yourself again ofthe content of the question, Underline key words on the examination paper and focus on them to make sure you answer the question set. The answer plan is your memory aid and can take the form of alist, or a ‘mine map’ (simple diagram) that helps you unload. information quickly and make sure you have enough factors (or things) in your answer that will tract the avaiable marks, Keep receading the question to ensure Your answer plan is going to answer the question asked 5. When composing your answer it essential that you _pay proper attention tothe command word (eg, ‘outline, describe, identify explain) that has been used in the question. Candidates laze marke ifthe wrong approach i taken. Remember, you made alist to help ‘your memory. The command ward tll you how much information the examiner is expecting you to provide ‘on the factors you have listed [UneiGC1 eet: Founaon in Hatha Safe | 1-13COMMAND WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS Below are some of the most commonly used instructions, with an explanation of their meaning + Identify -select and name - commonly usedin the Certificate exam, + Give - provide an explanation of, give the meaning of no description or depth is required Outline - give the key features of You need to givea brief description of something, ora brie explanation of reasons why A great amount of depth and detail isnot required, unike Describe’ and ‘Explain’ (see below), ‘Outline’ is commonly used in the Certificate + Describe - prove an in-depth description, a picture in words of what the thing i, what it|ooks like, how itworks, ete For ‘Describe’ questions a great amount fof detalls needed, This sometimes used in the Certificate exam ‘+ Explain- provide a detailed explanation - reasons why, reasons for how itworks, ete Again, a great amount ‘of detall is eequited,"Expain’ is usually used in a sub divided question so the detail required i tested in = rnarrowed-down fel \Whem it comes tothe exam, make sure you indicate clearly \which is your Answer Plan and which s your Final Answer, s0 that the examiner can be sure to mark the correct one 41-44 | Unttoct ment Feandatonin ah ands EXAM SKILLS PRACTICE [At the end of each element there i an Exam Skils {question (or two) for you to attempt, with guidance on how to answer in addition toa suggested answer outline. This includes an Answer Plan -allof the points listed in this would attract marks anc you will see most of them developed in the suggested answer eel Remember that when answering exam questions, information from additional reading and personal experience can be included. Examining bodies encourage ‘this and twill enhance your answers. © FRC natnQUESTION “Taking into account what we have just covered on exam technique, consider the following exam style question | ldentify possible costs to an organisation following an accident in the workplace ® APPROACHING THE QUESTION ‘Think now about the steps you would take to answer the question 1. The first step isto read the question carefully. This question calls for you to identify so you don't need to give much detail ~as we saw earlier if asked to "identify" you are expected to “select and name’ son this case name the different possible costs, 2. Next, consider the marks available. In this question there are eight marks. The question doesn’t ask for examples, 50 its reasonable to assume that for eight marks you would be expected ta identify eight coste {As the answer hasn't been livited to only eight factors, feel free to give a few extra in order to maximise the chance of guning ull marks, However, don’t go ‘overboard - watch the time! The question should take around eight minutes in total 3. Now highlight the key words. In tis case, they might look tke this: Identify possible costs to an organisation following an accident in the workplace @) 4. Read the question again to make sure you understand it and have a clear understanding ofthe costs of accidents. (Re-vead your notes if you need to) 5. The next stage isto develop a plan there are various ‘ways to do this. Your answer must be based on the key swords you have highlighted. Remind yourself, rst of allthat you need to be thinking about "What costs are there to an organisation if there isan accident?” Think broadly, not just about the more obvious costs. SUGGESTED ANSWER Plan Direct Costs ‘© Frets treatment. Sick pay. ‘+ Repairs to equipment. + Lost or damaged product. ‘Lost production ime. “© Overtime caver forthe injured person, ‘+ Finesin criminal court ‘+ Compensation payment to victim. Indirect Costs ‘vestigation time, Lost employee morale Cost of addtional control measures. © Compliance with enforcement notices. 1 Cost of rectuting and retraining additional employees, eg. for cover ‘© Damaged customer relationships. ‘+ Damaged publicimage, Now have a goat the question yourself. Unit GC1~ ement 1: Foundations in Hash and Safety | 1-15POSSIBLE ANSWER BY EXAM CANDIDATE & There are many costs of accidents, which can be divided into direct and indirect costs Direct costs may include fst-aid treatment given tothe victim, together with sick pay if they are off work, and ‘overcime costs incurred to cover their absence. Direct cost also include repairs to damaged equipyment, and lose ‘or damaged product arising from the accident. There may also be lost production time Inthe event of legal action there may also be fines or compensation payments Indirect costs may include the time taken to investigate the accident, the costs of addtional control measures to prevent recurrence and to comply with enforcement notices. There may aso be cost associated withthe traning ‘and recruitment of addtional employees. Fnaly there may bea loss of morale inthe workforce, which could impact producti; or damage the evganisation s public mage or customer relationships REASONS FOR POOR MARKS ACHIEVED BY CANDIDATES IN EXAM. ‘Most candidates should have found this question straightforward, It wasn't a requirement of the question to structure the answer as “direct” and “increct” costs; however, sometimes this s asked (which s why we did sohere).A good structure does help ensure that items aren't missed and helps the examiner award marks eal 1-16 | unticct- Eline foudtonin tah ane (8a heronHEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 1 — POLICY LEARNING OUTCOMES (On completion of this element, you should be able to demonstrate understanding of the content by applying what you have learnt to familiar and unfamiliar situations. in particular, you should be able to: @ Outline the key elements of ahealth and safety management system. @ Poin the purpose and importance of setting poly for health and safey. © Describe the key features and appropriate content of an effective health and safety policy ‘RRC erator Unc = seman Hea and Safty Mage 24Contents KEY ELEMENTS OF A HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 'LO-OSH 2001 Safety and Health Management System Revision Questions PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF SETTING POLICY FOR HEAITH AND SAFETY Role ofthe Heaith and Safety Policy in Decision-Making Revision Question KEY FEATURES AND CONTENT OF AHEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY, ‘General Statement of intent Organisation (Health anc Safety Roles and Responsibilities) ‘Arrangements Reviewing Policy Revision Questions SUMMARY EXAM SKILLS 2.2 | Unelict—en2 Hes ene Mansgret Se Pay 25 25 25 26 26 28 29 210 240 © ARC inerstonaKey Elements of a Health and Safety Management System | KEY INFORMATION ‘The ILO-OSH 2001 Sefety and Health Management System ean be summarised a: Policy, Orgenising, Planning and Implementation, Evaluation, Action for Improvernent, and Audi. TOPIC FOCUS Policy - A clear statement has to be made to establish health and safety a¢ a prime commitment of management at all levels of the organisation, but particularly at the top, Organising - A framework of roles and responsibilities for health and safety must be created within the organisation, from senior management down tothe frontline workers, including the appointment of specials staff ‘+ Planning and implementing - Detailed arrangements must be made for the management of health and safety. Central to this idea isthe concept of risk assessment and the identification and implementation of safe systems of ‘work and protective measures, ‘+ Evaluation - Methods must be devised to monitor and review the effectiveness of the arrangements put into place. This might be done reactvely, eg, by reviewing accident and ilheath statistics, or actively, eg, by reviewing inspection reports. Action for Improvement - ny shortcomings identified by the review process must be corrected as soon as possible by making whatever adjustments are necessary tothe polig, organisation and arrangements for implementation. ‘+ Audit - Arrangements must be made forthe independent, systematic and critical examination of the safety ‘management system to ensure that all parts are working acceptably well ‘Continual Improvement - The intention is that the safety management system willnot remain static but wil develop overtime to become increasingly appropriate and useful to the organisation that it exists to serve. ILO-OSH 2001 SAFETY AND HEALTH. Mary different health and safety management systems MANAGEMENT SYSTEM exist, using a similar format, eg, the OHSAS 18001 health and safety management standard. All these safety management systems have common principles, which are ‘demonstrated in the ILO's Occupational Safety and Health ‘Management System, ILO-OSH 2001, We can summarise the key elements of this system ae: Policy, Organising, “The management of workplace health and safety must be considered systematically within an organisation, in the same way a8 any other form of management. A systematic approach to management is often linked tothe *PDCA, oy Panning and implementation, Evakuation, Action for + fan Improvement and Audit. aioe © check es ‘Ths general approach has been used in many management systems, including the 50 9001 Qualty Management System and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management. System mentioned eae, UGC ~ Eee 2: Hesthand Sey Mangement ters Poy | 23rte setae sd reat eras peed == = Controttink The MO-OSH 200 Soe Management Stem utp /wwiloorg/safework/info/ standards-and-insteuments REVISION QUESTIONS 4. What are the organisational requirements for effective health and safety management? 2. What isthe role of evaluation? (Suggested Answers are at the end) 24 | UnIGC1 ~ hart 2: Hest and Safety Managemen Stems FlyPurpose and Importance of Setting Policy for KEY INFORMATION Health and Safety ‘+The health and safety policy ofan organisation isan importanc document tha sets out the oxganisaton‘s aims ‘+The policy has a roe in the decision-making of both senior management, who formulate it, and mide and junior management, who are required to implement it with regard to heath and safety, who is responsible for achieving these aims, and how the aims are to be achieved. | | ROLE OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY IN DECISION-MAKING ‘One foundation stone of good heath and safety management in any organisation is the health and safety policy. A good health and safety polcy sets out the organisation's general approach and commitment to achieving particular aims and objectives. t provides «framework of general and specific health and safety responsibilities fr staff, and guidance on the detailed ‘operational arrangement tobe taken to protect ‘employees and others from harm as result of workplace activities, In particu, the policy should influence decsion-making \within the organisation This wll occur in wo ways: © Firatly senior management have to decide what kind of health and safety standards they are committing the organisation to, and will have to allocate resources, accordingly. *# Seconcly, other managers have to ensure that their decision-making sin line wth the policy and does rot work against the organisation's stated aims and objectives. aR erator Unt i6 There is no one correct format or set of contents fora heath and safety policy, but it must ceflecs the particular circumstances of the individual organisation the hazards and risks, the sze, and the complexity of the ‘organisation The policy must therefore be developed and. tallored to ft the particular organisation that it exists to serve. For example the safety policy of a small, loversk ‘manufacturing company may be very different from that of a large, high-rsk ol and gas multinational REVISION QUESTION 3. Why might the health and safety policy of to ‘organisations, both undertaking similar work, be different? (Guggested Answer is at the end) ever: Heth and Sty Manageme Ste =P | 25Key Features and Content of a Health and Safety Policy KEY INFORMATION ‘+ Abealth and safety policy is usualy re section, and the Arrangements section ‘+ The General Statement of Intent autines the importance thatthe organisation places on health and safety and the commitment that can be expected. It sets aims and objectives for the organisation to achieve Its signed by ‘the person in overall control of the organisation. ted in three parts: the General Statement of Intent, the Organisation ‘+ The Organisation section highlights the role and responsibil that exis at al evels within the organisation. It shows the lines of responsibilty and accountability ‘+ The Arrangements section provides the detal on how the organisation manages heslth and safety. outlines the general arrangements that relate to health and safety management and the specific arrangements that relate to individual health and safety topics and issues, ‘+Health and safety policies have to be reviewed inorder to stay current and relevant GENERAL STATEMENT OF INTENT This spells out the organisation's overall approach to health and safety management, and its aims in terms of performance. I must commit the organisation to achieving legal compliance, and in many cases the commitment will bbe to achieving a higher standard than that set by the law, either asa matter of corporate policy or because of the nature of the organisation, The Statement wil also usually contain goals and objectives fr the organisation. “The Statement of Intent should recognise that managers and workers a all levels within the organisation have 3 part to play in implementing policy, and will therefore state very dearly that every person must campy with the policy and that serious breaches of policy may be treated as disciplinary offences. ‘The General Statement of Intent should be: Signed by the person atthe top ofthe organisation (Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing Director (MD), etc) to authorise the policy and indicate that the policy commitment comes fr the highest level. This person azo has ultimate responsibilty for health and safety inthe orgersation so should be committed to the policy's contents. Dated, to indicate when the current statement was prepared and provide a reference point for review 2.6 | unset ene 2: Heth and Sty Mangement pens Poly (een| Topic Focus Objectives The Statement of Intent may recognise some general objectives that have to be achieved by the ‘organisation, such as + Meeting legal obligations + Provision ofa safe workplace, safe equipment and safe systems of work, information, instruction, training and supervision. + Risk assessment of all elevant workplace + Performance monitoring, + Provision of adequate resources, such as expert health and safery advice + Effective communication and consultation wth workers. Targets ‘The Statement of Intent may abo set quantifiable targets for the organisation to achieve. Targets are useful, as they allow performance to be measured and provide tangible goal for staf to aim for. They azo help rive continual improvement. Possible targets might relate to: + Accident rates: to achieve a reduction inthe ‘accident or illhealth rate + Active monitoring: to complete successfully 2 numberof active monitoring activities, such a = Suecessul completion of 90% ofall supervzor safety inspections over a year = Completion of key activities, such as carrying ‘out risk assessments across the organisation, ~ Delivery of training to all workers, ~ Development of a consultation process to engage the workforce. Targets may beset in relation to past performance, ‘or the performance of other similar organisations, for the industry as awhole. The process of ‘compating performance in this way is known a “benchmarking. So, if fatal road-accident rates in an industry as a whole are, for example, one for every 100,000 miles riven, the target for a particular ‘organisation may be to achieve that standard, or have a lower rate (© RRC nenstona ‘The General Staterent of inter souls be ged bythe by the person at ‘hetop ofthe onan LUntIGCt~ lament 2: Heah ard Site Management Stems t-Poy | 2-7Heath apa Sey Orgiiation Chat ORGANISATION (HEALTH AND SAFETY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES) This section ofthe health and safety policy deals with people and their operational duties in relation to healt and safety, It outlines the chain of command for heath and safety management and identifies the roles and responsbilites of staff to enable clear delegation of duties. leis standard practice for this section to include an organisation chart showing the lines of responsibility and accountability (in terms of health and safety management). This chart also shows the lines of ‘communication and the feedback routes that exst Within the organisation for clear reporting The figure above shows atypical organisation chart for a company The grey lines show "line management, responsibility” flowing down through the structure. The green lines show the functional responsibility” that the health and safety manager has for providing advice at all level ofthe organisation The orange lines show the lines of communication and feedback up through the structure, The Organisation section will usually reflect the ‘management hierarchy within the organisation and allocate responsbilies accordingly + The CEO or MD - ultimately responsible and accountable for the entire organisation. + Management at alllevels - responsible for ensuring that al appropriate safety measures are in place and being carried out effectively within the part of the ‘organisation under theic management control. This ‘might be done by breaking down the management hierarchy into discrete layers and allocating responsibilities to each layer, eg, senior managers’ responsibilities, middle managers responsibilities, supervisors esponsbiltes, + Allemployees- responsibie for acting safely at all times in the course oftheir duties at work + Competent persons - have operational duties but are also considered competent to carry out one oF more specialist healt and safety duties, og as fstaiders, fire marshal, et + Specialt health and safety practitioners responsible for providing advice to support management and employees in achieving safety, 2-8 | Unttoct amet Hath ad Sey Maar Sper Poly Am treraton!TOPIC FOCUS General health and safety management Carrying out risk assessments Identifying and supplying health and safety information, instruction and taining + Accident and near-miss reporting, recording and investigation. * Consuitaton with workers on heath and safety Developing safe systems of work and permit-to work systems to control hazards + Welfare and first-aid provision + Housekeeping + Fire safety and prevention, Emergency procedures Communication of health and safety matters, including hazards and control measures. ‘Compliance monitoring including auelting cof systems but also measuring workplace parameters, eg, noise, to asess the effectiveness © ARC neratinl ARRANGEMENTS: “The Arrangements section is often the largest section of the policy. t deals withthe general arrangernents that exist to manage health and safety and the specific arrangements that are necessary to deal with particular risk relevant tothe organisation and ts activites. The systems and procedures used to manage health and safety are contained in this section, All the general health and safety management issues ‘will be relevant to all workplaces; they are generic isues. However, the practical arrangements made for the management of these issues will have to be tailor’ the organisation Depending on the workplace, specific health and safety arrangements will also have to be developed to deal with particular risks The lst of posible arrangements that might be required ‘an be long and depends on the problems and issues faced by the organisation in question. For example, a lorry haulage company will have a set of arrangements to ‘manage transpor ris, but an office-based company willnot Examples of specific risks and problems within an lorgonisation that may need detailed arrangements include: © Lone working *# Noise-exposure control * Vibration exposure control. + Control of exposure to tie material * Control of contractors and vistors Control of transport risks = Waste disposal Not all organisations will have all ofthese risks - these axe "specific" tothe organisation and its function, Control cof exposure may require health surveillance and PPE, the tue and maintenance of which should be covered in the arrangements, Salty Margene Se 1 Py | 2.9REVIEWING POLICY [A ealth and safety policy should not be considered as rigid and unchanging. Instead, it should be subject to regular review so that it remains current and relevant. In this way it ean be kept a "live" document. Itis good practice to review policy ona regular basis, og annually. However there are other circumstances which could give rise to reviews ‘The sim of the review i to make sure thatthe policy is up-to-date and accurate. The date ofthe previous review should be recarded on policy document t indicate How current they are Standards and Guidance Article 14 ofthe International Labour Organisation's ‘Occupational Safety and Health Recornmendation 1981 (R164) states: “Employers should, where the nature ofthe operation inthe undertakings wartant te required to et ou in writing thir poli and arrangements in thefld of ocupational safety and health and the vrious responsblities exercised under thse arrangements, and 0 bring thisinformation othe note of every worker na language or med the worker readily understands.” Source: R164 Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981 © International Labour Organisation 1981 The ILO's Occupational Safety nd Health Management System, LO-OSH 2001, ha additonal guidance on safety policy. National governments usualy have specific {guidance on what ths actualy means in practice in a given Fegion. For example, in the UK, the HSE publshes several ‘uidance documents on the topic huip://snwuilo org/public/english/protection/ safework/managmnt/guide him hutp//oowuhse gowuk 2-10 | UnciGc1 ment 2: Heth and Sy Mnapret Ses Pay TOPIC FOCUS Creunstancs that might requeareviw of poly | + Techologeal anges eg ntoducton ofr plontorpoceser + Organisational changes. 6g changes to key pesone, such asa CEO or MO, oF Change wo the management srucare othe omit + Legal changes suchas the introduction of new legalton spl o the ergonsaton + Changes tothe ype of work tat the orgesion doc + Where an aud nvesigaton or rkasessment sugges tbe palin longer eect + When equstedy thre ary such asan Inawanc company relent «+ Fallowing enforcement scion, ‘+ Following consultation withthe workforce ‘+ After the passage of time (eg. an annual review isa.common practice) REVISION QUESTIONS 4. What are the tree key elements ofa health and safety policy? 5. Who should sign the policy statement? {6 What health and safety responsibilities do all workers have? 7. What does a safety organisation chart show? 8 What cicumstances might requir a review of policy? (Suggested Answers ae atthe end.) © ARC Inerstona(© RRC neti Unit IGC1 = tement 2: Heath an Safety Management Stem - Poy Summary SUMMARY ‘This element has dealt with the Policy element of health and safety management systems. In particular, this element has: ‘+ Overviewed the ILO-OSH 2001 health and safety management sytem, which can be summarised as: Policy, ‘Organising, Planning and Implementation, Evaluation, Action for Improvement, and Audit ‘Identified the health and safety policy of an organisation as an important document, which sets out what the ‘organisation's aims are with regard to health and safety, who is responsible fr achieving those aims, and how those ams are to be achieved. Explained that the policy is usually presented in three parts: the General Statement of Intent, the Organisation section, and the Arrangements section = The General Statement of Intent communicates the importance thatthe organisation places on health and safety the commitment that can be expected and the aims and objectives forthe organisation to achieve. It is signed by the person in overall control ofthe organisation The Organisation section deals with the rales and responsibilities hat exist within all levels of the organisation and indicates the lines of esponsibiliy and accountailiy = The Arrangements section provides the detail on how the organisation manages health and safety It outlines, the general arrangements that relate to health and safety management and the specific arrangements that relate to individual health and safety topes and issues, Noted that heaith and safety policies have tobe reviewed in order to stay current and relevant, and that reviews right be carried out periodically or in response to changes, such as those to key personnel or management structureExam Skills ' QUESTION X% (@) entity a range of heath ad sey ages that may be nuded in the statement fren” section feat andsafty poy, @ | (b) Describe the purpose of: |) the‘ogarisatin’ section of heath and safety poli, @ | the‘arangements scion ofa heath and safety peli. @ APPROACHING THE QUESTION (0) Deserve te puro of “Thnk now about the eps you would ake to aower the (the ‘gaiaton section of tueston heath and safety pl @ 1. Theft step isto read the question careful, Note the aan Seton that part (a) fhe question ask out identiy Ckahealthandsafeyypoiey, possible heath and safety targets that may be inelided in the statement of intent. As we saw earlier to "identify" something you need to select and name the key issues, We haven't tackled a description yet - fora "describe question you need to provide an in-depth description, a word picture of what the thing is, what it looks like, how t works, ete. This requires a great amount of detail, and candidates who don’t “describe* where required to will not gan the marks. So, in part (b)of this question you are required to produce descriptions ofthe purpose of the organisation and arrangements sections of the poli. 2. Next, consider the marks avaiable. In ths question there ae eight marks, 2 te expected that around eight oF nine diferent pieces of information should be provided. Questions that ae spitinta parts (this ‘one is split into two parts worth four marks each) are often easier to pick up marks on, because the signposts NEBOSH uses are so much easier to see. In the first part the question asks you to identify’ and. worth our marks, so you should provide four targets, The second partis a description ofthe purpose of the organisation and arrangements sections ofthe policy, ‘which are worth two marks each, The whale question should take around eight minutes, which isa mark per minute! 3. Now highlight the key words. In this case, they might look lke the: (2). Mdentity a range of health and safety targets that may be included in the ‘statement of intent! section ofa health and safety poly, @ 2:12 | Unttocs ment 2 ath an ey Margene Sensi 4. Read the question again to make sure you understand itand have a clear understanding of heath and safety policy and safety targets, (Re-read your notes ifyou need to) 5. Thernext stages to develop a plan - there are various \ways to do this. Remind yours, ist of al, that you need to be thinking about ‘the health and safety targets that could be included in the policy statement’ for the fist pars and the purpose of the organisation and arrangements sections for the second par. “The answer plan will take the form of abullet-pointed list that you need to develop into a full answer Your answer must be based on the key words you have highlighted. So, inthis case we need to identify the targets that may be included ina statement of intent, then describe the purpose of the organisation and arrangernents sections of the policy, [Now have a goat the question, Draw up an answer pan, and then use it asthe bass to write out an answer as you ‘would in the exam. Key hints although we know part (a) is wort four marks, if you give a couple of additonal targets it may maximise your chance of gaining all four marks (though you won't [get more than four marks! For each subsection of part (b), {you wil get two marks forthe description - therefore it reeds to be detailed enough to show that you understand, for example, the purpose of the arrangements section. But you don’t need to write an essay afew sentences should be enough! When you have finished, compare your plan and full answer to those tha fallow, © RRC eeratone