ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace

issues
1. A sewage drain has collapsed, and it is necessary to inspect the damage prior to its repair. The inspection
requires entry into a confined space 10 meters deep. OUTLINE the possible risks to those entering the
sewer. (10 Marks)

1. Restricted space for entry causing RISK of head injury, slip and trip,
2. Risk associated with the presence of gases and vapours either toxic and / or flammable
3. Risk of oxygen deficiency which could lead asphyxiation and /or suffocation
4. Working on slippery surface and the presence pipe, cables or tools which could result in falls
5. The possibility of the sudden ingress of water with the danger of drowning
6. The presence of chemical or biological contaminants either on the surface water or in the sludge deposited in
the sewer with the risk of contracting illness such as weil’s disease.
7. Working in a restricted space with low headroom which might lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
8. Thermal issues such as heat exhaustion that might occur when working in high temperatures.
9. Contact with sharps with the resultant needle stick injuries
10. The ever present risk of entrapment which could be caused by the collapse of the sewer

2.
a. OUTLINE the possible health and safety effects of inadequate workplace lighting. (4 marks)

Health effects includes:

1. Headache
2. Visual fatigue
3. Eye strain
4. Blurred vision
5. Inadequate posture creating neck and backache to get adequate VIEW for the tasks to be performed. –
6. Safety implications : likely to increase the incidents such as slip, trip and fall, striking with objects because of
insufficient lighting arrangements causing unidentified objects – wrong type of lightings which are creating
stroboscopic effects - Human error which may put others at risk.

b. OUTLINE the factors that should be considered to ensure that lighting in a workplace is adequate. (16
Marks)

Factors that should be considered: -

1. The type of work to be taken

2. The amount of precision required and whether tasks require general, local and/or localised lighting
3. The level of natural light available
4. The workplace layout giving attention to the effects of screens, furniture or racking
5. The considerations of those objects casting shadows
6. The different types and level of lightings required for stairs, corridors and outside security lights.
7. The level of lighting in adjacent areas in order to avoid the effects of moving from a strongly lit area to one
which is dimly lit and vice versa;
8. The individual needs of the employee whether on account of age or disability
9. The possibility of glare on display screen
10. The colour and type of lighting fitted o prevent stroboscopic effects
11. The need for emergency lighting particularly for fire escape routes
12. The need for portable lighting when work has to be carried out in confined space

1|Page
ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace
issues
13. The ease of maintenance whether replacing spent bulbs or cleaning the light fittings for probable
14. All glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of workrooms shall, so far as is practicable, be kept
clean on both the inner and outer surfaces and free from obstruction,

3. A contractor is to repair the felt roofs of an office. OUTLINE the measures that should be taken to reduce
the risks to workers and members of the public. (10 Marks)

1. Selection of contractor
2. Risk Assessments, SSW, method statements
3. Access and egress
4. Correct use of ladders
5. Edge Protection / Fall protections
6. Means for transporting tools, materials
7. Garbage chute
8. Competent employees
9. Precautions while handling gas cylinders
10. Precautions for possible contacts with hazardous substances such as tar, asbestos
11. PPE (knee pad etc.)
12. Additional measures / protection of public: Barriers, Signs at ground, Arrangement for vehicle movement –
Restricted access / security, Traffic control / flagman.

4. A rectangular warehouse building (40m x 100m ground area and 18m high) was constructed on a
structural steel framework, with a flat roof and coated steel walls. During a storm, the warehouse suffered
a catastrophic failure of one of its long walls which in turn caused the collapse of the roof and buckling of
the other walls.
a. OUTLINE the possible causes of this structural failure. (10 Marks)

Cause of failure

1. Exceeded the designed wind loading due to adverse weather,

2. Overloading of structure by excess weight on roof due to accumulation of snow or rain water.
3. Alteration to the structural members which had invalidated the original design calculations.
4. Collapsing or nearby excavations and tunneling operations creating instability.
5. Vibrations caused by the volume of passing traffic
6. Wind variations which would result in fatigue.
7. Poor workmanship - Even superior quality materials, if used imperfectly, may not successfully serve the planned
function, or be as durable as designed.
8. Faulty Construction- occurs when inappropriate material is used for construction. Faults that result in structural
failures include bad welds, improper torque used on nuts and bolts, sand that is too salty for concrete, bad
riveting and inferior steel.
9. Bad Foundation - cause displacement which alters the stress distribution of the building so the construction and
design are changed and no longer meet the necessary specifications.

b. OUTLINE the health and safety issues to be considered when planning the subsequent Demolition of the
damaged warehouse. (10 Marks)

Safety issues for demolition:

1. Selection of Demolition contractor (competency)

2|Page
ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace
issues
2. Risk Assessments, SSW, method statements
3. Access and egress
4. Correct use of ladders
5. Edge protection / fall protections
6. Identifications / insulations of buried services (EWG),
7. Inspection, examination and maintenance of plants / equipment
8. Means for transporting tools, materials
9. Garbage chute
10. Competent employees
11. Precautions while handling gas cylinders
12. Identification, Precautions for possible contacts with hazardous substances such as lead paint, asbestos,
13. Protections of adjoining property
14. PPE
15. Additional measures / protection of public: Barriers, Signs at ground, Arrangement for vehicle
movement – Restricted access / security, Traffic control / flagman.

5. A company has been contracted to undertake maintenance work on the roof of a building, which is partly
constructed of fragile material.
a. IDENTIFY the characteristics of the fragile materials that may contribute the risk of falls through the roof.
(3 Marks)

Characteristics of the fragile materials that may contribute the risk of falls through the roof:

1. The age and condition of material;

2. The type of material such as fiber board, asbestos or polycarbonate and thickness;
3. The sheet profile;
4. The span between roof supports;
5. The design of supporting structure such as the purlins;
6. The condition of the fixings;
7. The slippery nature of the surface and
8. The fact that the fragile materials might well be hidden by deposit of dirt, grass etc.

b. OUTLINE the measures to be taken to reduce the risks to those involved in the roof work and those who
may be affected by it. (6 Marks)

(b)
1. Selection of Demolition contractor (competency)
2. Risk Assessments,
3. Consequent production of a method statement detailing the SSW,
4. The SSW should be followed, which will include - Access and egress, access scaffolds, crawling board
5. Edge protection / fall protections - harness with suitable anchorage
6. Identification and demarcation of areas of the roof containing fragile
7. Demarcation can be done using barriers and signages
8. Suitable Cover can also be used to prevent fall through the fragile areas
9. Provision of Safety nets or and air bags under the areas of the roof which contain fragile materials can
provide additional safeguards
10. Means / hoists for transporting tools, materials, equipment
11. Garbage chute

3|Page
ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace
issues
12. Competent employees
13. PPE
14. Additional measures / protection of public: Barriers, Signs at ground, Arrangement for vehicle movement –
Restricted access / security, Traffic control / flagman.
6. It is proposed to inspect, clean and repair the inside of a tank that is 6 metres in diameter and 10 metres
high and which has previously been used for storing leaded petrol.
a. OUTLINE the arrangements that should be considered in order to comply with the Confined Spaces
legislation. Or OUTLINE the steps that should be considered in order to enter this confined space and to
carry out the work safety. Marks:6

The relevant specified risks in this case relate to fire and explosion, and loss of consciousness due to asphyxiation or
high temperatures, works at height.

An SSW is required for entering confined space, to comply with confined space legislation and to carry out work
safely. To develop a safe system of work a full RISK ASSESSMENT needs to be carried out considering the likelihood
of

1. Toxic effects of lead,

2. Flammable atmospheres from the previous contents of the tank
3. Air contamination from the cleaning or repair methods used
4. The build-up of heat within the tank
5. Hazard associated with Working at height

Completion of the risk assessment would point to appropriate arrangements / preventive measures /
precautions such as

1. Initial Arrangements
a. The need to purge the tank with an inert gas,
b. The use of forced ventilation,
c. Atmospheric testing before and during entry, and
d. The provision of PPE including air-fed breathing apparatus
e. The requirements for electrical equipment (e.g. intrinsically safe, flameproof) and earthing
arrangements
f. If heat were to be a foreseeable problem, then consideration should be given to issues such as job
rotation and fluid intake.
2. The physical arrangements for working at height would need to be considered in terms of both
prevention of falls from height and, means of access and egress in the event of escape or rescue.
3. Procedural arrangements would centre on the
a. Implementation of an entry permit
b. Limiting the number of people working in the tank,
c. Communication with standby personnel and
d. Drawing up the emergency arrangements
4. The emergency arrangements to be considered would include issues such as
a. The provision and maintenance of cutting equipment,
b. Tripod / Hoists,
c. Fire-fighting equipment,
d. PPE (e.g. breathing apparatus)
e. First-aid facilities including CPR apparatus and

4|Page
ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace
issues
f. Liaison with emergency services

Additionally, arrangements should also be in place to ensure that all personnel involved in the operation have
received sufficient training in the work methods, the precautions needed and emergency procedures.

7.
a. Give the meaning of the term ‘confined space’. (2 Marks)

Confined spaces are defined as ‘any place . . . in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably
foreseeable specified risk’ (i.e. of serious injury, drowning or asphyxiation). Or any enclosed o partially enclosed lace
such as a chamber, tank etc or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a
reasonably foreseeable specified risk such as lack of oxygen or the possibility of drowning in free-flowing solids.
Confined spaces include: Chambers, Tanks (sealed and open-top), Vessels, Furnaces, Ducts, Sewers, Manholes, Pits,
Flues, Excavations, Boilers, Reactors and Ovens.

b. Outline the factors that should be considered to ensure that emergency rescue arrangement for confined
space work are suitable and sufficient.

The risks identified and how an emergency rescue might take place and could include –

 The means provided for emergency access / egress,

 The equipment required e.g. Life lines, lifting equipment (Tripod / Hoist), air fed breathing apparatus,
 Methods for raising the alarm with others outside the confined space e.g. Radio, personal alarms etc, to
initiate rescue procedures
 The availability of first aid assistance until the arrival of professional medical help.
 Ensuring that there are persons present who are competent to undertake (CPR) resuscitation procedures,
 The number and competence of those who would be involved in the rescue operation.
 Precautions taken to protect rescuers from the risks to health and safety identified in the risk assessment
 Precautions taken in the event of fire such as the provision of fire extinguishers;
 Identification of plant which may need to be shut down during an emergency rescue and
 Means provided for contacting public emergency services and supplying them with relevant information.
 Training or refresher trainings for emergency personnel.

8. A vegetable packing plant employing 200 men and 60 women is about to open.
a. OUTLINE the specific welfare arrangements that need to be provided before the plant opens. (10 Marks)

1. Sanitary Conveniences: Sufficient numbers of well-lit and ventilated sanitary conveniences

i. Maintained in a clean and tidy condition.
ii. Provision of Toilet paper, a coat hook
iii. Separate rooms or blocks for men and women (or capable of being locked from inside if the
sanitary conveniences in the same room).
2. Washing Facilities: Sufficient numbers of well-lit and ventilated washing facilities
i. Changing rooms and Showers to be provided and maintained in a clean, tidy condition
ii. Supply of hot and cold or warm running water,
iii. Soap and a means of drying
3. Drinking Water: An adequate supply of drinking water with cups
i. Readily accessible, located away from sources of contamination
ii. Marked conspicuously

5|Page
ELEMENT 1C: Workplace welfare requirements and specific workplace
issues
4. Accommodation for Clothing / Facilities for Changing Clothing: Clothing accommodation with a
hook/peg located in a clean, warm, dry, ventilated place should be provided for each worker to hang
their own clothes if not worn during the working day.
i. Changing facilities separate for men and women and contain means of drying wet clothing and
separate storage of contaminated clothing
ii. Decontamination facilities with shower and a clear division between clean and dirty areas
5. Facilities for Rest and to Eat Meals: Rest and eating facilities –
i. Readily accessible, contain adequate seating and tables
ii. Be maintained in a clean condition
iii. Arrangement for preparing and heating food and for boiling water
iv. Means or procedure for preventing contamination of the area where food and drinks are taken
v. Rest rooms and areas should be arranged to ensure that non-smokers do not have to be
exposed to smokers
vi. Separate rooms/areas, prohibition.
vii. Adequate Facilities for nursing mothers and pregnant women to rest.
6. First aid facilities including trained personnel taking into account the number of persons employed and
the proximity of emergency services.

9. OUTLINE the main design features of a workplace designed to reduce the risk of injury associated with
INTERNAL TRANSPORT.

6|Page