IOSH WS Book

IOSH
Working Safely
IOSH WORKING SAFELY
Part 1: Introducing Working Safely
Part 2: Defining Hazard and Risk
Part 3: Identifying Common Hazards
Part 4: Improving Safety Performance

Contributors
Dr J Phelpstead, BSc, PhD, CMIOSH
Kevin Coley, CMIIOSH, DIP6 NEBOSH, DIP ENV NEBOSH
Vicki Swaine, CMIOSH, GIFE, OSCHR
© RRC International ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All rights reserved. RRC International is the trading name of The Rapid RRC International would like to thank the Institution of Occupational
Results College Limited, Tuition House, 27-37 St George’s Road, Safety and Health (IOSH) for their co-operation in allowing us to
London, SW19 4DS, UK. reproduce extracts from their syllabus guides.
These materials are provided under licence from The Rapid Results This publication contains public sector information published by the
College Limited. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government
in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, Licence v.2 (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-
electronic, electrostatic, mechanical, photocopied or otherwise, licence/version/2).
without the express permission in writing from RRC Publishing.
Every effort has been made to trace copyright material and obtain
For information on all RRC publications and training courses, visit permission to reproduce it. If there are any errors or omissions, RRC
www.rrc.co.uk. would welcome notification so that corrections may be incorporated in
RRC: IOSHWS.2 future reprints or editions of this material.
ISBN: 978-1-911002-94-9 First edition Spring 2017 Whilst the information in this book is believed to be true and accurate
at the date of going to press, neither the author nor the publisher can
accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions
that may be made.
Contents
Introduction
Introducing Working Safely 1-3
Why it is Important to Work Safely 1-3
Who is Responsible for Safety and Health in the Workplace? 1-6
An Organisation’s Responsibilities for Safety and Health 1-7
Who has Responsibility for Worker Actions? 1-7
Study Questions 1-7
Summary 1-8

Defining Hazard and Risk 2-3
The Six Hazard Groups 2-3
Hazards that are Not Easy to Identify 2-4
What is a Hazard? 2-4
What is a Risk? 2-5
What is Meant by the Term ‘Risk Assessment’? 2-6
What is Meant by the Terms ‘Likelihood’ and ‘Consequence’? 2-7
Deciding on What Actions to Take to Control Risk 2-7
What is Meant by the Term ‘Reasonably Practicable’? 2-8
Study Questions 2-8
Summary 2-9
2-3
Contents

Aggression and Violence 3-4
Identifying the Hazards 3-4
Controlling the Risk 3-4
Study Questions 3-4
Asbestos 3-5
Study Questions 3-6
Bullying 3-7
Study Question 3-8
Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3-9
Introduction to Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3-9
Study Question 3-11
Computer Workstations 3-12
Study Questions 3-14
Confined Spaces 3-15
Drugs and Alcohol 3-17
Electricity 3-19
Fire 3-21
Getting In and Out 3-24
Study Question 3-24
Heights 3-25
Housekeeping 3-26
Study Question 3-26
Contents
Lighting 3-27
Study Question 3-27
Manual Handling 3-28
Noise 3-30
Personal Hygiene 3-32
Study Question 3-32
Plant and Machinery 3-33
Introduction to Plant and Machinery 3-33
Slips and Trips 3-35
Study Question 3-35
Stress 3-36
Effects of Stress 3-36
Temperature 3-38
Introduction to Temperature 3-38
Identifying the Risks 3-38
Study Question 3-39
Vehicles and Transport 3-40
Welfare Facilities 3-42
Welfare Requirements 3-42
Workplace Environment Requirements 3-43
Study Question 3-43
Summary 3-44
2-5
Contents

Improving Safety Performance 4-3
What an Organisation Can Do to Manage and Improve Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-3
Worker Responsibilities for Improving Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-4
How Attitude and Behaviour can Affect Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-4
Safe Systems of Work 4-5
Permit-to-Work 4-5
How Safety Signs can Play an Important Part in Communicating Safety and Health Information 4-5
Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4-6
The Safety and Health of Other People Who May Come on Site, Including Contractors, Visitors and
Members of the Public 4-7
The Role of Safety Committees and Worker Representatives in Safety and Health 4-7
Types of Workplace Inspections 4-8
Emergency Procedures 4-8
Incidents, Accidents and Near Misses 4-8
Reporting Incidents, Including Near Misses and Accidents 4-9
First-Aid Provision 4-9
The Role of the Safety and Health Enforcement Inspector 4-9
Health Surveillance and Monitoring 4-10
Summary 4-11
Suggested Answers
Introduction
Course Structure
This textbook has been designed to provide the reader with the core knowledge needed to successfully complete the
IOSH Working Safely course. It follows the structure and content of the IOSH syllabus.
IOSH Working Safely

Part 1 Introducing Working Safely
Part 2 Defining Hazard and Risk
Part 3 Identifying Common Hazards
Part 4 Improving Safety Performance
2-7
Part 1
Introducing Working Safely
Learning Outcomes
On completion of Part 1, you should be able to:
 Identify why it is important to work safely.

 Identify everyone’s responsibilities in
relation to safety, health and wellbeing in
the workplace.
© RRC International © RRC International IOSH Working Safely: Part 1 - Introducing Working Safely 1-1
Contents
Introducing Working Safely 1-3

Why it is Important to Work Safely 1-3
Who is Responsible for Safety and Health in the Workplace? 1-6
An Organisation’s Responsibilities for Safety and Health 1-7
Who has Responsibility for Worker Actions? 1-7
Study Questions 1-7
Summary 1-8
1-2 IOSH Working Safely: Part 1 - Introducing Working Safely © RRC International
Introducing Working Safely 1.1
Introducing Working Safely
IN THIS SECTION...
• It is important to work safely because:
–– You have a sense of self-preservation.
–– You would feel extremely guilty if you unintentionally harmed someone else.
–– You do not want to suffer the potentially life-changing effects of unintentionally causing harm to yourself or
others.
–– The organisation that you work for could be seriously damaged by an accident or ill health that you
unintentionally caused.
–– Working safely has its moral, legal and financial benefits.
–– There are legal requirements to which you and your organisation must comply.
• Your organisation is primarily responsible for health and safety at work.
• An organisation’s responsibilities for safety and health include providing a safe plant; adequate information,
instruction and training; and a safe working environment.
• As a worker, you have a responsibility to take reasonable care for your own health and safety as well as that of
others.
Why it is Important to Work Safely

In this first part of the course we will take a look at some of the reasons for
working safely. Some of these reasons are obvious to everyone who stops and
thinks about it for a minute or two, while others are less obvious.
It is true to say that most people don’t want to injure themselves. If I gave you
a working chainsaw and told you to cut your own leg off you would probably
politely refuse. If I told you to jump in front of a speeding train you might
suggest that I go away and leave you alone.
Avoiding serious personal injury is normal behaviour for most of us and

doesn’t really need much explanation other than to say that it is a mechanism
for self-preservation. If you don’t have this mechanism for self-preservation
(and some people don’t) then you may well end up dead or seriously injured
as the result of behaviour that most people would call ‘very dangerous’,
‘reckless’ or just plain ‘stupid’. Working safely protects you and
others from injury
It is also true to say that most people don’t want to injure others.
If I gave you that chainsaw and asked you to cut someone else’s leg off you would probably repeat your polite refusal.
This would be the case whether or not you knew the other person.
Avoiding injuring others is normal behaviour for most of us. This has little to do with self-preservation and more to do
with our personal sense of what is right and wrong - our moral values.
1.1 Introducing Working Safely
CASE STUDY
A man severed two of his fingers while operating unsafe machinery at a London bakery in November 2007.
The 26-year-old was attempting to clear a dough blockage when a moving blade severed the middle and ring
fingers on his right hand down to the knuckle. The machine was faulty and the rotating blade inside it continued
to move even when the rear doors were opened.
If working safely was just about not deliberately hurting yourself and others with a chainsaw, then this course would be
very short. Unfortunately, working safely is more complicated than that. The reason for this is that the harm is not done
deliberately. Non-deliberate harm can occur in many ways, for example:
• It was an accident - You might harm yourself or other people accidentally, e.g. you might trip and fall down some
steps and break your arm, or you might be distracted when driving your car and run into the car in front of you,
causing the driver a whiplash injury. Neither of these was done intentionally.
• The hazard was not obvious - You might harm yourself or other people because you did not know or
understand what the hazard was. Some hazards are obvious (the chainsaw) but some are not easy to detect
and require special knowledge to fully understand. Radiation is a good example of a hazard that requires prior
knowledge to fully understand.
• The harm was not obvious - Physical injury such as a laceration or amputation is a very obvious form of harm.
But far more people are affected by occupational diseases each year than are harmed in workplace accidents.
Some occupational diseases are very common, e.g. dermatitis, while others are very rare, e.g. lead poisoning.
These diseases often occur over a number of years and there may not be any obvious signs that harm is being
caused until the disease is serious.
• It won’t happen to me - All of us think that accidents happen to other people and will never happen to us.
Unfortunately, this turns out not to be the case. 29,000 people had very bad (non-fatal) accidents at work last
year and every single one of them thought that an accident would not happen to them. They were wrong.
The following statistics are compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These figures represent yearly averages
over recent years.
Every year in Great Britain:

• Over 144 workers are killed at work.
• Over 72,702 workers suffer an over-seven-day injury.
• Over 30.4 million working days are lost:
–– 25.9m as a result of work-related ill health.
–– 4.5m as a result of workplace injury.
• 1.3 million people suffer from an illness they believe was caused or
made worse by their current or past work.
• Over 2,515 people die of asbestos-related lung cancer (mesothelioma),
and thousands more from other occupational cancers and lung diseases.
Over 72,702 workers suffer an

over-seven-day injury
While telling you that working safely is about not harming yourself and others is obvious, it is not very helpful. We have
to recognise that while none of us want to deliberately harm ourselves or anyone else we might unintentionally do just
that unless we are careful. There are many benefits of working safely and these are the three main reasons for practising
good standards of health and safety:
• Moral reasons – it is morally unacceptable for people to be injured while at work.
• Legal reasons – most countries have laws which place responsibilities on organisations and individuals with regards
to health and safety.
• Financial reasons – poor health and safety can result in high costs to the business, both directly (e.g. cost of
repairs, lost production, fines, etc.) and indirectly (e.g. loss of public image).
Not working safely can result in both short- and long-term effects.
Think of what it would be like to be involved in a serious workplace accident or suffer a severe life-changing injury.
Consider the consequences for you, your family, your friends and colleagues.
CASE STUDY
A 61-year-old tool setter was off work for more than 20 months following a relatively minor workplace accident.
In June 2007, the man tripped on a piece of metal flooring which hadn’t been bolted down properly.
He broke a finger on his left hand, severed the muscles in his shoulder and damaged his knee. He needed surgery
to correct his shoulder, received intensive physiotherapy and returned to work on light duties in 2009.
When accidents occur at work there can be very serious consequences for the injured person, such as:
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of earnings.
• Long periods of absence.
• Physiotherapy.
• Retraining.
• Workplace disciplinary.
• Loss of employment.
• Disability.
• Loss of self-esteem.
• Feelings of guilt and recrimination.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• A legal battle to win compensation.
For some, the long-term consequences are so severe that they turn to drugs and alcohol, their family relationships break
down and they even attempt suicide. The impact on the family, friends and colleagues of the injured person cannot be
overstated.
Now think what it would be like if you were personally responsible for someone else’s life-changing injury or disease.
Again, the consequences for you might be very serious:

• Investigation by the authorities.
• Prosecution in the criminal courts.
• Fine and/or imprisonment.

• Media stories about you.
• Alienation from your friends and colleagues.
Similarly, for some, the long-term consequences can be drug or alcohol dependency, relationship breakdown and even
suicide.
There are also serious short-term and long-term consequences for the organisation where the accident took place.
These might include:
• Downtime while the accident is investigated. • Claims for compensation.
• Overtime to make up lost time. • Increased insurance premiums.
• An internal investigation. • Damage to business reputation.
• Investigation by external authorities. • Lost and cancelled orders.
• Prosecution in the criminal courts. • Loss of contracts.
• Fines. • Poor worker morale.
• Bad publicity. • Poor industrial relations.
The best way to avoid all of these negative outcomes is to not have the accident in the first place. That’s working safely.
This course is all about providing you with some knowledge and tools so that you can be more careful. Hopefully by the
end of the course you will be less likely to get injured or injure someone else.
Who is Responsible for Safety and Health in the Workplace?

The organisation is primarily responsible for health and safety at work. For
this reason, management must always make sure that appropriate measures
are put in place to create safe working conditions.
However, other people and organisations can influence health and safety in
a workplace. HSWA recognises that these other parties have a responsibility,
such as:
• Contractors and the self-employed are responsible for ensuring the
health and safety of other people who might be affected by their work.
• Landlords and facilities managers are responsible for ensuring that the
workplaces they have control over are safe.
• Manufacturers and suppliers who design, make or supply things such as
machinery for use at work are responsible for ensuring that they are safe
Organisations are responsible for
to use.
health and safety at work
HSWA states that everybody has some responsibility for ensuring good standards of health and safety at work. We all
have a part to play.
An Organisation’s Responsibilities for Safety and Health

Under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), the organisation has a general duty to ensure adequate
health, safety and welfare standards at work.
The organisation’s specific duties are to provide:

• Safe plant and systems of work.
• Safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances.
• Information, instruction, training and supervision.
• A safe workplace and safe access to and from it.
• A safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities. Workers also have duties under the HSWA.
Who has Responsibility for Worker Actions?

As a worker, you have a responsibility to take reasonable care for:
• Your own health and safety.
• The health and safety of anyone who might be affected by your actions and omissions at work. You are also
required to co-operate with your organisation to enable compliance with legal requirements.
Organisations are also responsible for worker actions when performing work activities including driving to a workplace.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. How many fatal workplace accidents are there each year in Great Britain on average?
2. Give three possible consequences for the injured person that might arise from a serious workplace accident.
3. Give three possible consequences for you if you were held to be responsible for unintentionally causing a
serious workplace accident.
4. Give three possible consequences for your organisation following a serious workplace accident.
5. In three words, sum up the main reasons for managing health and safety.
6. Responsibility for health and safety rests primarily with the organisation. List the organisation’s specific duties.
(Suggested Answers are at the end.)
Summary
In Part 1 we have:
• Outlined why it is important to work safely.
• Explained who is responsible for health and safety in the workplace.
• Explained that organisations and workers have responsibilities legally placed upon them.
• Outlined that organisations can be held responsible for worker actions.
Part 2
Defining Hazard and Risk
Learning Outcomes
 Define key terms in safety and health.

 Identify workplace hazards and risks, their
impact and how to control them.
© RRC International © RRC International IOSH Working Safely: Part 2 - Defining Hazard and Risk 2-1
Contents
Defining Hazard and Risk 2-3

The Six Hazard Groups 2-3
Hazards that are Not Easy to Identify 2-4
What is a Hazard? 2-4
What is a Risk? 2-5
What is Meant by the Term ‘Risk Assessment’? 2-6
What is Meant by the Terms ‘Likelihood’ and ‘Consequence’? 2-7
Deciding on What Actions to Take to Control Risk 2-7
What is Meant by the Term ‘Reasonably Practicable’? 2-8
Study Questions 2-8
Summary 2-9
2-2 IOSH Working Safely: Part 2 - Defining Hazard and Risk © RRC International
Defining Hazard and Risk 2.1
Defining Hazard and Risk
IN THIS SECTION...
• There are six main hazard groups: mechanical, physical, chemical, environmental, biological and organisational.
• A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm.
• Risk is the chance of someone coming into contact with a hazard (in combination with the consequences).
• Risk can be assessed by the process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks and identifying controls to avoid or
minimise those risks.
• Likelihood is the chance that a person will come into contact with a particular hazard so that harm is caused;
consequence is the foreseeable harm - how bad would it be?
• Risk can be controlled by the introduction of workplace precautions.
• Establishing controls using ‘reasonably practicable’ judgments.
The Six Hazard Groups

When looking for hazards in the workplace there are six groups of hazards:
• Mechanical (e.g. machinery with moving parts).
• Physical (e.g. trailing cables).
• Chemical (e.g. substances).
• Environmental (e.g. temperature).
• Biological (e.g. waste).
• Organisational (e.g. stress).
Mechanical Physical Chemical
Environmental Biological Organisational
2.1 Defining Hazard and Risk
Hazards that are Not Easy to Identify

Identifying hazards is often easy since the hazards are obvious. In fact, you might say that it’s just common sense.
However, in some cases, hazards can be difficult to identify unless you have prior knowledge. For example, carbon
monoxide gas (also known as ‘the silent killer’) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas which is lethal at low concentrations.
It can’t be detected by your senses and so you would first know of its presence when you start to suffer the symptoms
of exposure (headache, nausea, drowsiness). Common sense won’t help you here unless you have prior knowledge.
Another hazard that is often not easy to see is dust. Asbestos is one of the most dangerous dusts; some fibres are so
small we can’t see them without a microscope, and inhaling these tiny fibres can be fatal.
There are various ways of identifying hazards in your workplace:

• Use your eyes and other senses.
• Use other people’s knowledge and experience.
• Look at the risk assessment.
On that last point - all workplaces have a legal obligation to carry out a risk assessment on their work activities. This
risk assessment should clearly identify the significant hazards that workers and other people might be exposed to. We’ll
look at risk assessments in more detail later in this Part.
Some hazards aren’t easy to identify as they either can’t be seen, occur at certain times of the day or could only affect
certain people. It is important that you consider these points when looking for hazards and talking with workers is one
of the best ways to establish hazards they are exposed to.
What is a Hazard?
Everyday examples of hazards that might be encountered include:
• A moving car on the road - if you are a pedestrian trying to cross that
DEFINITION
road. HAZARD
• Electricity - running through the wires of your kettle or hairdryer. Something with the potential
• A sharp knife in the kitchen. to cause harm.
• The slippery floor of your bath or shower.
• An aggressive dog.
• Food poisoning bacteria - growing on a piece of chicken in a fridge.
• The oven cleaner - stored under the sink in the kitchen.
• Carrying the shopping out of the car and into your house.
• Kneeling on the floor banging nails into floorboards for three hours.
Some hazards are physical things that could cause harm because of their physical nature. In the above list, the car, dog,
knife, slippery floor and electricity are all physical hazards.
On the other hand, the oven cleaner is a chemical hazard. The food poisoning bacteria are a biological hazard and
carrying the shopping and kneeling on the floor are activity hazards.
When we think about the types of harm that the hazards listed above could cause, it is clear that some would cause
injury and some would cause ill health or disease. For example, the food poisoning bacteria do not cause immediate
injury; instead they cause sickness and diarrhoea 24 to 48 hours after you eat the contaminated piece of chicken. That’s
an ill-health effect.
If we turn our attention to the workplace, there are thousands of hazards that might exist.
Stop and think for a moment about the things with the potential to cause harm in your workplace.
Typical examples of workplace hazards would include:

• Fire.
• Moving vehicles.
• Manual handling.
• Slip and trip hazards.
• Falling objects.
• Working at height.
• Noise.
• Chemicals.
• Biological agents.
• Electricity.
• Violence.
• Vibration.
• Dust.
• Poor posture.
• Exposure to radiation.
• A drilling machine.
• Fumes from a production process (if these fumes escape into the wider environment and cause pollution, they
might be described as an environmental hazard).
• Work-related stress (which might be described as an organisational hazard).
ACTIVITY
Consider the hazards associated with the use of a vacuum cleaner.
(Suggested Answer is at the end of this Part.)
What is a Risk?
So, risk is the chance of a hazardous event occurring in combination with the
consequence of that event. DEFINITION
For example, a responsible adult making a cup of tea might be described as a RISK
‘low risk’ activity since they are unlikely to spill boiling water on themselves The chance of someone
and, if they did, it is likely to be of little consequence since they will know to coming into contact with a
run cold water over the burn immediately. hazard (in combination with
the consequences).
But a 3-year-old child trying to do the same activity unaided might be described as a ‘high risk’ since they are far more
likely to spill boiling water over themselves and, if they did, the consequences are likely to be severe. They don’t know
how to treat scalds and they can’t reach the cold tap even if they wanted to. Exactly the same ideas are used in the
workplace when thinking about risk.
Finally, it’s worthwhile pointing out that there is no such thing as ‘zero risk’!
No activity in life is risk-free. Everything that you do at work and at home exposes you to hazards that create risk. You
can be killed or seriously injured by hazards in every room of your house, in your garden, or travelling to and from work.
Work is no exception.
Working safely is not about creating a risk-free workplace since such a thing can’t exist. Instead, working safely is about
recognising and then managing the risks inherent in the workplace and work activities.
What is Meant by the Term ‘Risk Assessment’?

Risk assessment is a simple process that we all do all of the time. We perhaps
don’t call it risk assessment, but we still do it. We do it without even thinking
about it:
• Are there any threats to my safety?
• If there are, what do I need to do about it?
Young children aren’t very good at doing this, which is why we need to do it
for them to keep them safe.
As you grow up you learn to do this better. You learn how to cross the road
safely. You learn how to drive a car safely. You learn how to work on a scaffold
safely. This learning might come through education and training, or it might
come through experience. Often it comes from a combination of both.
If you don’t learn, then you get hurt. Workplace risk assessment
In the workplace, a risk assessment is a careful examination of workplace hazards and what measures can be taken to
control the risks. It looks at what you do and asks the right questions to establish whether workers will be safe. It helps
to decide on what else is needed to make workers safe if existing controls are not adequate.
Risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
These regulations require that:
• A risk assessment is carried out by the organisation.
• The assessment is recorded if the organisation has five or more workers.
• The assessment is reviewed when necessary.
It looks at what is done and asks the right questions to establish whether workers will be safe and helps decide on what
else you need to do to make workers safe if you’re not satisfied with existing controls.
Once an organisation has carried out a risk assessment they must tell workers and other contractors about the key
findings so that workers will understand the hazards and risk involved and the workplace precautions to be used.
It’s a very good idea for organisations to involve workers in risk assessments because of the exchange of knowledge and
experience that happens.
The basic steps of risk assessment are:

• Identify the hazards – what are the things with the potential to cause harm?
• Evaluate the risk – what is the level of risk and is it acceptable?
• Identify the controls – if the level of risk is unacceptable, what needs to be done about it so that the risk is either
eliminated or minimised to an acceptable level?
For example, if you were carrying out roadworks on the hard shoulder of a motorway you might acknowledge that
passing traffic is one of the most significant hazards. If this is not dealt with in some way, the level of risk would be very
high. It would be quite likely that a car moving at high speed would strike a worker, and the worker would probably die
of their injuries. The risk is therefore unacceptable and some control measures have to be introduced to reduce the risk
down to a more acceptable level. In this scenario, traffic cones, barriers, signs and other workplace precautions would
lower the risk down to a more acceptable level. We would have to recognise, though, that there is still some risk that
passing traffic might hit a worker.
What is Meant by the Terms ‘Likelihood’ and ‘Consequence’?

• Likelihood – the chance that a person will come into contact with a particular hazard so that harm is caused.
• Consequence – the foreseeable harm. How bad would it be?
These two factors combine to give us the degree or level of risk. We might then identify the level of risk using words
such as ‘low risk’ or ‘high risk’.
Deciding on What Actions to Take to Control Risk

The ideal way to control unacceptable risk would be to eliminate the hazard that creates it. But in many cases this can’t
be done – it’s not realistic. We might then ask the question – if the hazard can’t be removed, how can the risk be
controlled?
The answer is to use workplace precautions.
Workplace precautions are all of the various different types of control

measure that can be introduced at work to prevent hazards from causing
harm.
There are dozens of different types of workplace precaution available. Here

are a few examples:
• A barrier separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
• Metal guards on a piece of machinery to prevent accidental contact with
the moving parts.
• Fencing around an electrical substation.
• A safety interlock switch on the door of a microwave oven which
A LOTO system
prevents you from operating the oven with the door open.
• Plastic insulation on the flex of an electric kettle preventing contact with live wires.
• Safe systems of work such as the ‘Lock-out, Tag-Out’ (LOTO) procedure which can be carried out to allow for safe
maintenance work. This system is used to make sure dangerous machines are properly shut off and not started up
again until maintenance work is complete.
• Permit-to-work systems such as a hot work permit which ensures that the correct precautions are in place when
someone carries out hot work (such as welding) in a workplace.
• Taking the keys out of the ignition of a forklift truck whenever you leave the truck unattended.
• Using a good lifting technique when carrying out a team lift of a heavy piece of stock metal.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as wearing eye protection when using a petrol powered strimmer (PPE
will be covered in more detail in Part 4).
• Obeying the safety sign that directs you to walk one way around an obstruction.
Workplace precautions that don’t rely on people having to do things are the most effective ones, e.g. a barrier outside
an exit that stops people walking into a vehicle traffic route is more effective than putting up a warning sign or simply
asking people to remember not to walk into the traffic route.
Workplace precautions that rely totally on people remembering to do the right thing at the right time are the least
effective because people are not perfect – they make mistakes.
For this reason, PPE should be seen as a last line of defence because it relies totally on people remembering to wear it
correctly at the right time.
It must be remembered that all workplace precautions have weaknesses. None are perfect. They all require constant
checking and supervision to ensure that they are working properly.
What is Meant by the Term ‘Reasonably Practicable’?

Control measures should be ‘reasonably practicable’. This refers to the process of weighing-up the cost of the control
measure/precaution against the risks it protects from.
The greater the risk, the more time, cost and effort should be put in to control it. A control measure is not reasonably
practicable if the cost is grossly disproportionate to the benefits.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What is a hazard?
2. Can all hazards be seen?
3. What is meant by the word ‘risk’?
4. Why do organisations have to carry out risk assessments?
5. What are workplace precautions?
Summary
In Part 2 we have:
• Outlined the six hazard groups:
–– Mechanical.
–– Physical.
–– Chemical.
–– Environmental.
–– Biological.
–– Organisational.
• Explained that some hazards are not easy to identify.
• Defined ‘hazard’ as something with the potential to cause harm.
• Defined ‘risk’ as the chance of someone coming into contact with a hazard (in combination with the
consequences).
• Defined ‘risk assessment’ as a careful examination of workplace hazards, along with what measures can be taken
to control the risks.
• Defined ‘likelihood’ as the chance that a particular hazard will cause harm, and ‘consequence’ as the foreseeable
harm.
• Outlined that when deciding on workplace precautions the first consideration should be if you can eliminate the
hazard.
• Explained that reasonably practicable workplace precautions are based on weighing up the cost against the risk.
ACTIVITY ANSWER
Common hazards associated with the use of a vacuum cleaner:
Electricity Manual handling
Trip Noise
Although the probability of

injury from manual handling
and noise may be considered
as low, they are both
considered as hazards.
Dust
Part 3
Identifying Common Hazards
Learning Outcome
 Identify workplace hazards and risks, their

impact and how to control them.
© RRC International © RRC International IOSH Working Safely: Part 3 - Identifying Common Hazards 3-1
Contents
Aggression and Violence 3-4

Study Questions 3-4
Asbestos 3-5
Study Questions 3-6
Bullying 3-7
Study Question 3-8
Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3-9
Introduction to Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3-9
Study Question 3-11
Computer Workstations 3-12
Confined Spaces 3-15
Drugs and Alcohol 3-17
Electricity 3-19
Fire 3-21
Getting In and Out 3-24
Study Question 3-24
Heights 3-25
Housekeeping 3-26
Study Question 3-26
3-2 IOSH Working Safely: Part 3 - Identifying Common Hazards © RRC International
Contents
Lighting 3-27
Study Question 3-27
Manual Handling 3-28
Noise 3-30
Personal Hygiene 3-32
Study Question 3-32
Plant and Machinery 3-33
Introduction to Plant and Machinery 3-33
Slips and Trips 3-35
Study Question 3-35
Stress 3-36
Effects of Stress 3-36
Temperature 3-38
Introduction to Temperature 3-38
Identifying the Risks 3-38
Study Question 3-39
Vehicles and Transport 3-40
Welfare Facilities 3-42
Welfare Requirements 3-42
Workplace Environment Requirements 3-43
Study Question 3-43
Summary 3-44
3.1 Aggression and Violence
Aggression and Violence
IN THIS SECTION...
• Work-related violence is any incident where a worker is abused, threatened or assaulted while working. Various
occupations are at risk.
• Safety precautions include using security measures, following any training you have been given, avoidance of lone
working and reporting any incidents that do occur.
Identifying the Hazards

Workers can be verbally abused, threatened and even assaulted as they
carry out their work. There is a growing awareness of this issue and an
understanding that abuse, threats and assault are not inevitable occupational
risks that should simply be accepted and ignored.
Some workers are at increased risk of violence because of the work that they
do. Examples include:
• Hospital staff.
• Police.
• Social workers.
• Bus and taxi drivers.
• Fire-fighters and paramedics.
• Railway staff. Hospital staff are exposed to a high
risk of violence
Controlling the Risk

Your organisation has a duty to manage the risk of work-related violence.
DEFINITION
There are some general principles that you should follow to help minimise
WORK-RELATED VIOLENCE
the risks:
“Any incident in which a
• Report all violent incidents to your organisation using their reporting person is abused, threatened
procedures. or assaulted in circumstances
• Always use security measures such as security doors and stay alert and relating to their work.”
aware of your surroundings to prevent breaches in security such as
tailgating (being followed through a secure door).
• Follow the procedures and training that you may have been given.
• Avoid lone working where there is a high risk of violence.
• Raise any concerns that you may have with your organisation or safety representative.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What is work-related violence?
2. Which workers are commonly at a higher risk of work-related violence?
Asbestos 3.2
Asbestos
IN THIS SECTION...
• Asbestos is a naturally occurring material mined in many parts of the world.
• Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:
–– Mesothelioma.
–– Asbestos-related lung cancer.
–– Asbestosis.
–– Diffuse pleural thickening.
• It can take anywhere between 15-60 years for symptoms to develop after exposure.

Asbestos is a generic name given to a collection of naturally occurring
minerals that have been used extensively as fire-resistant building and lagging
materials. The three main forms of asbestos are blue, brown and white.
Historically, they have been incorporated into many building parts such as
roofs (asbestos cement), ceilings (ceiling tiles), walls and ceilings (in fire
breaks), floors (floor tiles), pipes (downpipes), decorative plasters (‘artex’)
and insulation (pipe lagging). It may also be found as asbestos rope or gaskets
in old equipment, such as furnaces, chemical pipework or boilers.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are
released into the air which, if inhaled, can lead to serious diseases. These
diseases will not affect a person immediately and can take a long time to
develop; but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
PPE for asbestos
The four main diseases related to exposure to asbestos are:
• Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive
tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost
always fatal.
• Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over
many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath and in severe cases can be fatal.
• Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as (looks the same as) lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes. It
is estimated that there is around one lung cancer for every mesothelioma death.
• Pleural Thickening
Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura)
thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and
discomfort in the chest.
3.2 Asbestos
The symptoms of these diseases do not become apparent until years after exposure has occurred (10-15 years for
asbestosis and 30-40 years for mesothelioma).
Though asbestos use is now banned in the UK, it remains a serious health risk as it is still present in many buildings.

• All buildings built before 2000 are likely to have asbestos.
• Asbestos surveys must be undertaken to determine where it is likely to be.
• For any refurbishment or demolition works a full asbestos survey (including sampling) must take place.
• Contractors must be provided with the asbestos survey prior to starting any works.
• Asbestos must be managed to ensure identified areas are marked and not disturbed.
STUDY QUESTIONS
3. What are the main health risks from exposure to asbestos?
4. How long can it take for an asbestos-related disease to become evident?
Bullying 3.3
Bullying
IN THIS SECTION...
• Bullying can take many forms; in some cases people can be aware of these, in other cases bullying can be less
obvious.
• Bullying at work is unacceptable and can lead to serious consequences, affecting the worker, the management and
even the entire organisation.

Bullying at work can take many forms. If a worker feels they are being singled
out by a manager or colleague and are subject to offensive, intimidating,
insulting or malicious behaviour that undermines, degenerates or intimidates
the recipient, then they’re probably being bullied.
Bullying is not just a verbal assault; it can take place through written
communications, visual images, emails (this is known as ‘flame mail’), or
other surveillance methods of supervision such as computerised recording
of downtime.
Bullying behaviour may not always be obvious. It can be insidious in its nature,
e.g. blocking a promotion. Behaviour that is considered bullying by one
person may be considered as firm management by another, but most people
will be able to identify extreme cases of bullying.
There are many forms of bullying
Bullying is not only unacceptable behaviour on moral grounds but is also
likely to impact the organisation’s financial performance as bullied workers’ absence levels are likely to increase and
their productivity is likely to drop as their confidence levels fall, resignations may increase and court cases may damage
the company’s reputation. Legal duties to manage bullying at work are found in the Health and Safety at Work, etc.
Act 1974 where the organisation is responsible for the health, safety and welfare at work of all workers. Bullying is
likely to increase the workers’ stress levels. The HSE says that organisations’ actions include ‘taking steps to make sure
workers do not suffer stress-related illness as a result of work’.
Examples of bullying behaviour include:

• Ignoring or excluding someone.
• Constantly criticising competent staff.
• Humiliating someone in public.
• Consistently attacking a member of staff in terms of professional or personal standing.
• Constantly undervaluing someone’s work performance.
• Unfair treatment.
• Spreading malicious rumours.
• Blocking promotion or training opportunities.
3.3 Bullying

To control bullying, the organisation should have a clear anti-bullying policy that includes a clear statement that bullying
will not be tolerated.
The organisation should also have:

• A grievance policy to deal with complaints of bullying.
• Training for managers.
• Protection of victims.
• An investigation procedure.
If you are subject to bullying at work then it is vital that you make use of the internal grievance procedure to report the
problem. If your organisation has a confidential counselling service, this can also be used as a source of support and
advice. Other sources of help and advice include trade unions and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB).
STUDY QUESTION
5. List three ways a worker may be subject to bullying at work.
(Suggested Answer is at the end.)
Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3.4
Chemicals and Harmful Substances
IN THIS SECTION...
• Chemicals can have a range of health effects and can enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, absorption and
injection.
• Safety precautions when handling chemicals include the use of ventilation; personal protective equipment; and
good personal hygiene.
Introduction to Chemicals and Harmful Substances

Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause an immediate health risk (e.g. corrosive skin burn from sulphuric acid) or a
long-term health effect, which may build gradually over time (e.g. lead poisoning). In some instances, the ill health will
not be apparent until years after the exposure that caused it (e.g. lung cancer caused by asbestos can take over 40 years
to develop).

Chemicals are generally covered under the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). These regulations
consider substances that are hazardous to health. Substances can take many
forms and include:
• Chemicals.
• Products containing chemicals.
• Fumes.
• Dusts.
• Vapours.
• Mists.
• Nanotechnology.
• Gases and asphyxiating gases. Exposure to chemicals causes an
• Biological agents (germs). immediate health risk
Chemicals in bottles, packages and drums should be labelled according to their health effects by manufacturers. The
manufacturer must ensure that substances are labelled and packaged correctly.
A product label will carry the following information:

• The name of the substance/preparation.
• Some idea of the components which make the product hazardous (though this often depends on the overall
classification of the product).
• An indication of the danger, which may be by specific warning phrases or symbols, or a combination of both.
• Basic precautions to take (things to avoid or PPE to wear, etc.).
• Name, address and telephone number of the supplier.
3.4 Chemicals and Harmful Substances
Some of the phrases and hazard warning symbols are shown below:
Acute toxicity – causes death or severe ill health at low doses.
Respiratory or skin sensitisation/carcinogenic – causes ill health or inflammation/may cause

cancer.
Corrosive – causes chemical burns and eye damage.
These are very useful when you are trying to identify the hazardous chemicals at work.
Another source of information about the health effects of a hazardous chemical is the Manufacturer’s Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) . This is provided by the supplier and should be kept on file by the organisation.
You should remember that some hazardous chemicals are created by work processes, e.g. welding metal creates a metal
fume – a hazardous substance created by the work process.
Routes of Entry
There are four main routes of entry for hazardous chemicals into the body:
• Inhalation – you breathe it in.
• Ingestion – you swallow it.
• Absorption through the skin – you get it onto your skin and it then passes through the skin.
• Injection through the skin – you puncture the skin (e.g. a needle-stick injury) or it goes through damaged skin
(cuts and grazes).

The organisation must carry out a special risk assessment as required by the
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). This
will allow the correct workplace precaution to be identified.
There are some general principles that you should follow when handling
chemicals:
• Keep hazardous chemicals in properly labelled containers in an
appropriate store.
• Only handle and use chemicals that you are trained and authorised to
use.
• Use any ventilation system that has been supplied (such as extractor
hoods).
• Use any PPE (such as respirator, gloves, goggles and apron) that has PPE will protect you from harmful
been provided. chemicals
Chemicals and Harmful Substances 3.4
Ensure good personal hygiene by washing your hands after you have used
hazardous chemicals. Many hazardous chemicals are put onto the skin or into
the mouth accidentally by cross-contamination:
• Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling hazardous chemicals.
• Never decant or store hazardous chemicals in unlabelled or
inappropriate containers.
• Make sure that you know what to do if a chemical gets on your skin or
in your eyes or mouth.
Washing your hands before eating

will stop you ingesting harmful
chemicals
CASE STUDY
Ten elderly residents of a care home were taken to hospital after drinking what they thought was a soft drink. It
was actually dishwasher cleaning fluid that had been decanted and left out of its proper storage cupboard. One
80-year-old died.
STUDY QUESTION
6. What are the four main routes of entry for hazardous chemicals into the body?
3.5 Computer Workstations
Computer Workstations
IN THIS SECTION...
• Display Screen Equipment (DSE) use can cause Upper Limb Disorder (ULD), back pain and eye strain.
• Precautions for safe use of DSE include: assessment of the workstation; provision of basic equipment; short,
frequent breaks; and eye tests.

Use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE), or computers and keyboards, is a
common workplace activity that has several associated ill-health issues:
• Upper limb disorder (repetitive strain injury) – wrist and hand injuries
associated with repetitive use of the keyboard and mouse for long
periods of time.
• Eye strain – temporary eye fatigue associated with prolonged use of the
screen.
• Back pain – and other musculoskeletal disorders associated with sitting
in a fixed position, perhaps with poor posture, for long periods of time.
• Fatigue and stress – associated with the type of work being done, e.g.
call centre staff may be subjected to verbal abuse during telephone calls.
Controlling the Risk The portability of laptops allows

them to be used in a casual manner
Your organisation must carry out a DSE workstation assessment to ensure which is inappropriate for long-
that your workstation meets minimum standards. They must provide you duration use
with a suitable workstation. This should include a chair with a stable five-star base and adjustable seat and back. They
must also provide you with a free DSE eye test and, if required, pay for your glasses if they are specifically for DSE use.
There are some general principles that you should follow when using DSE:
• Plan your work routine so that you can take short, frequent breaks from screen and keyboard use.
• Make use of the free routine eye tests to detect eye problems early.
• Set up your workstation so that your eyes are level with the top of the screen.
• Adjust your chair so that your posture is upright and your forearms are horizontal when typing on the keyboard.
• Avoid glare and reflections on the screen by careful positioning of the screen and blinds over windows.
• Report any symptoms to your line manager or safety representative.
Computer Workstations 3.5
Some of the good practices with regards to posture and workstation use are illustrated in the following figure:
Good ergonomics at a DSE workstation
The numbered issues are as follows:
1. Adjustable height and angle to seat back. 6. Space for postural change, no obstacles under the desk; this
allows the user to fidget and change position as they work.
2. Good lumbar support.
7. Forearms approximately horizontal when hands are on the
3. Adjustable height seat to bring the hands keyboard.
to a comfortable position on the keyboard.
Seat also has a stable five-star base. 8. Minimal extension, flexion or deviation of wrists; wrists
should be straight and flat when on the keyboard indicating
4. Correct seat height adjustment and keeping proper seat height adjustment.
the feet supported prevents excess pressure
on underside of thighs and backs of knees. 9. Screen height and tilt should be adjustable so as to allow
comfortable head position.
5. Foot support if user cannot get their feet on
the floor. 10. Space in front of the keyboard to support hands/wrists
during pauses in typing; a wrist-rest can provide further
support if required.
3.5 Computer Workstations
STUDY QUESTIONS
7. What are the main health risks associated with the use of display screen equipment?
8. What are the basic characteristics of a chair suitable for DSE use?
Confined Spaces 3.6
Confined Spaces
IN THIS SECTION...
• Hazards that may be present in a confined space are:
–– Oxygen (too little or too much). –– Temperature extremes.
–– Liquids or solids entering the space. –– Moving parts of machinery.
–– Contamination from external sources. –– Slippery or obstructed floors.
–– Flammable or explosive atmospheres. –– Poor or reduced visibility.
• Avoiding the need for entry should be the first priority.

There are many definitions of a confined space, but a generally recognised
description is that a confined space is an enclosed, or partially enclosed
area that is large enough for a worker to enter. The UK Confined Spaces
Regulations 1997 define a confined space as “any place, including any
chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space
in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable
specified risk. “
Examples of confined spaces include tanks, silos, storage bins, process vessels,
pipelines, sewers, underground vaults, loft spaces and vats.
Workers have died because they did not know they were entering a confined
space with a hazardous atmosphere and therefore did not take the necessary
precautions.
Confined space
Avoiding the Need for Entry

Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous and unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are in place,
workers must not enter such spaces.
A thorough risk assessment should take into account any reasonably practicable steps that could be taken to complete
the task without entering the confined space.
Safe Isolation
Where access to a confined space is required, additional measures are needed
to prevent danger from mechanical, electrical and other hazards to which DEFINITION
workers may be exposed. There should be clear company rules on what
isolation procedures are required, and in what circumstances (for example, SAFE ISOLATION
some cleaning of mixing machinery may require isolation, even though it The interruption,
might not be considered a maintenance task). disconnection and separation
of all the equipment’s motive
Isolation requires the use of devices that are specifically designed for this power sources in such a
purpose. Any stored energy (hydraulic or pneumatic, for instance) should be way that this disconnection
dissipated before the work starts. and separation is secure by
lockable means.
3.6 Confined Spaces
If more than one maintenance worker is involved in the work, each of them should lock off the power with their own
padlock. Multi-padlock hasps can be used in such circumstances. Such isolation procedures can also be applied to
locking off valves for services (such as steam) and material supplies.
Before entering the confined space, it is essential that the effectiveness of the isolation is verified by a suitably competent
person.
Remember that emergency stop buttons with integral locks normally only lockout the control circuitry and therefore
are not suitable for access into dangerous areas.
Access into confined spaces should only be carried out with the main isolator locked off.
STUDY QUESTIONS
9. What do you understand by the term ‘confined space’?
10. Give the meaning of the term ‘safe isolation’.
Drugs and Alcohol 3.7
Drugs and Alcohol
IN THIS SECTION...
• Organisations have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 (HSW) to ensure, so far
as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their workers.
• They also have a duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to assess the
risks to the health and safety of their workers.
• If managers knowingly allow a worker under the influence of alcohol or drugs to continue working and his or her
behaviour places the worker or others at risk, they could be prosecuted.
• The same duty applies to workers who are also required to take reasonable care of themselves and others who
could be affected by what they do (or don’t do) at work.

Drugs at Work
The principal legislation in the UK for controlling the misuse of drugs is the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and nearly all drugs with misuse, or dependence
liability, are covered by it.
The Act makes the production, supply and possession of these controlled
drugs unlawful, except in certain specified circumstances (for example,
when they have been prescribed by a doctor). If managers knowingly permit
the production or supply of any controlled drugs, the smoking of cannabis
or certain other activities to take place on their premises they could be
committing an offence.
Managers should remember that simultaneous use of alcohol and drugs is

particularly dangerous.
Drugs can affect the brain and the body in a number of ways. They can Drugs and alcohol
alter the way a person thinks, perceives and feels, and this can lead to either
impaired judgment or concentration.
Alcohol at Work
Organisations and managers should be aware that alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a disease that includes four
symptoms:
1. Craving – a strong need or urge to drink.
2. Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
3. Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms such as upset stomach (vomiting), sweating, shaking (delirium
tremens) and anxiety after stopping drinking.
4. Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the effects (the ‘high’).
3.7 Drugs and Alcohol
The functional alcoholic consumes as much alcohol as any ‘full-blown’ alcoholic, but does not exhibit the outward
symptoms of intoxication. This is because they have developed a tolerance for alcohol and, consequently, they must
drink increasingly larger amounts to get the same ‘buzz’ they want.
When alcohol is present in the brain for long periods, as with long-term heavy drinking, the brain seeks to compensate
for its effects. To restore a balanced state, long-term chemical changes occur so it can perform more normally in the
presence of alcohol. These long-term chemical changes and slow build-up of alcohol tolerance means the functional
alcoholic is drinking at dangerous levels which can result in alcohol-related organ damage and alcohol dependence.

Drug Screening and Testing
Drug screening or testing is a sensitive issue because of the many employment implications involved. Securing the
agreement of the workforce to the principle of screening is essential (except in cases of pre-employment testing), partly
because of the practical and legal issues involved.
Screening is only likely to be acceptable if it can be seen to be part of an organisation’s occupational health policy and
is clearly designed to prevent risks to the misuser and others.
Screening by itself will never be the complete answer to problems caused by drug misuse and its results must always be
supplemented by a professional assessment of the worker.
STUDY QUESTIONS
11. When should a drugs policy be introduced?
12. When might drug screening be seen to be acceptable?
13. Give the four symptoms of alcoholism or alcohol dependence.
Electricity 3.8
Electricity
IN THIS SECTION...
• The hazards of electricity are: electric shock, burns, fire and explosion, arcing and secondary effects.
• Safety precautions include: never tampering with electrical equipment, carrying out a simple inspection for hand-
held equipment before use and taking defective equipment out of use immediately.

The hazards of electricity are:
• Electric shock – electricity passes through the body and can cause muscle spasms, severe burns, breathing
difficulties and stop the heart.
• Burns – caused by direct passage of electricity through the body or by proximity to burning, arcing or exploding
equipment.
• Fire and explosion – caused by faulty, over-rated, misused or poorly maintained equipment.
• Arcing – where electrical current jumps across an air gap. This hazard is particularly significant for high-voltage
electrical systems.
• Secondary effects – injuries often occur when workers fall from height or are thrown away from equipment
during electric shock accidents.
Sometimes the hazard of electricity will not be obvious, e.g. live underground cables are often difficult to detect, so
construction workers are at risk during excavation work.

Your organisation must ensure that all electrical equipment and systems are
safe.
There are some general principles that you should follow when using electrical
equipment. You should:
• Ensure that it’s suitable for the task that it will be used for and the
environment in which it will be used.
• Never tamper with fuses or change a fuse for a higher-rated one than
that intended.
• Ensure that electrical equipment is isolated, switched off or unplugged
before any work is carried out and covers or insulation is removed.
• Make use of any Residual Current Device (RCD) or similar trip device
supplied for electrical equipment that is used outdoors or in wet areas.
An RCD is specifically designed to protect human life in the event of Don’t try this at home: an unsafe
electric shock by cutting the power very quickly. Visually inspect hand- fuse that has been tampered with by
held electrical equipment before using it to check that the insulation and wrapping it in tin-foil
covers are intact and that the equipment appears safe. Source: HSG107 Maintaining
• Look at the Portable Appliance Test (PAT) stickers on the equipment to portable and transportable electrical
check that it has not passed the expiry date. equipment (2nd ed.), HSE, 2004
• Never use electrical equipment that you believe is unsafe; take it out of use immediately.
3.8 Electricity
• Never carry out work on any sort of electrical equipment unless you are the authorised competent person.
• Switch off electrical items when not in use.
• Never use electrical items that you have brought into work from home unless they have been tested to ensure
they are safe.
• Never touch a person who might be receiving an electric shock; if the current is passing through them it might
pass through you as well.
STUDY QUESTIONS
14. What are the main hazards of electricity?
15. What type of person can carry out work on electrical equipment and systems at work?
Fire 3.9
Fire
IN THIS SECTION...
• Three things must be present for a fire to start: fuel, oxygen and heat.
• Fire can be prevented by separating fuel and ignition sources.
• Safety precautions include keeping fire doors closed, keeping fire exits clear and using the fire alarm quickly in the
event of a fire.

The basic principles of fire are shown by the fire triangle:
For fire to exist, three things must be present:

• Fuel – a combustible material (e.g. paper, wood or petrol).
• Oxygen – present in air.
• Heat – a heat or ignition source to start combustion.
Once a fire has started, it will produce heat, flames and smoke. Most
people who die in fires die of smoke inhalation.
The fire triangle

Common Causes of Workplace Fire
Some of the most common causes of workplace fires are:
• Electrical equipment – faulty, overloaded or misused electrical
equipment.
• Arson – some fires are started deliberately.
• Hot work – any work that creates a naked flame or significant ignition
source (e.g. arc-welding).
• Smoking – in particular, carelessly discarded cigarette butts.
• Cooking and heating appliances, e.g. fat fryer left unattended.
• Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases, e.g. petrol.
Controlling the Risk Unsafe storage of gas cylinders

Your organisation is responsible for providing a range of preventive and
precautionary measures necessary for fire safety in your workplace. These measures will vary depending on the
workplace.
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to fire safety:
Fire Prevention
• Ensure good standards of housekeeping to minimise the quantities of flammables (e.g. waste packaging) in the
workplace.
• Keep flammables separate from ignition sources.
• Never leave ignition sources such as cookers or heaters unattended (unless they are designed to be safe).
3.9 Fire
Prevention of The Spread of Smoke and Flames

Fire doors are built to prevent the spread of smoke and flames within buildings. You should keep them closed at all
times unless they are in use.
Fire Alarms
Delaying an evacuation in the event of an alarm costs people their lives because of the speed with which a fire can
spread in a building. You must react to fire alarms promptly – even if there have been previous false alarms.
CASE STUDY
In the Bradford fire disaster of 1985, a small fire spread to swallow up an entire football stand in less than four
minutes. 56 people died, even though the front of the stand was completely open to the pitch. The fire spread
very fast.
Escape Routes
Always know the fire escape routes. They must be kept clear of obstructions such as stored material – you should never
block fire exits.
Fire-Fighting Equipment
Various types of portable fire extinguisher are commonly found, though they are usually coloured red. Each fire
extinguisher is only safe to use on certain types of fire and each has its own potential dangers.
Only use a fire extinguisher if you have received training and it’s safe for you to fight the fire without endangering
yourself or other people.
Never delay sounding the fire alarm in order to fight a fire.
Emergency Procedures
In most workplaces, the emergency procedures to follow in the event of a fire
alarm are very simple:
• Leave immediately by the nearest fire escape route.
• Go to the assembly point.
• Do not re-enter the building until told to do so by someone in authority.
In other words: get out and stay out!
If you happen to be the person who first discovers the fire then typically you
should:
• Sound the fire alarm.
• Leave immediately.
• Only fight the fire if you are trained and it’s safe to do so. Fire alarm
In some workplaces (e.g. a hospital) more complicated procedures such as phased evacuations have to be used.
You must know what the fire alarm signal is, how to activate it and what to do when the fire alarm is given.
Fire 3.9
STUDY QUESTIONS
16. What is the fire triangle?
17. Why shouldn’t an untrained person use a fire extinguisher?
3.10 Getting In and Out
Getting In and Out
IN THIS SECTION...
• Organisations are responsible for making sure that access to and from work is safe.
• Floors and traffic routes must be clear at all times.
• Inspections should be carried out to assess any potential hazard.

The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974
Floors and traffic routes should be of sound construction and free from any
holes or uneven or slippery surfaces which are likely to:
• Cause a person to slip, trip or fall.
• Cause a person to drop or lose control of anything being lifted or
carried.
• Cause instability or loss of control of vehicles and/or their loads.
Floors and traffic routes should be kept free of obstructions which may
present a hazard or impede access.
Keep walkways clear

Arrangements should be made to inspect and maintain floors and traffic routes, repair holes, clear snow and ice and
remove blockages caused by stored material. The process of cleaning can create slip- and trip-hazards, especially for
those entering the area being cleaned, such as the cleaners themselves!
STUDY QUESTION
18. How do you assess potential hazards on traffic routes for vehicles and pedestrians?
Heights 3.11
Heights
IN THIS SECTION...
• Work at height results in more fatalities than any other work activity.
• Work at height should be avoided where possible. Where this is not possible, safe access equipment such as tower
scaffolds and cherry pickers should be used to prevent falls.
• Ladders should be used with care for short duration work only.

Falls from height cause a higher number of fatalities than any other type of
work accident.
Falling objects also cause severe injuries that may result in death, brain
damage, paralysis or multiple broken bones.
It’s worth noting that even falls from a relatively modest height (such as from
a step-ladder) can cause death and disabling injury.

Organisations have a duty to avoid work at height where they can. If work
at height cannot be avoided then safe access equipment and safe systems of
work must be provided to prevent or minimise falls.
A worker gains entry to the top work
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to platform of a tower scaffold
work at height:
• Avoid work at height where you can. DEFINITION
• Make use of suitable access equipment such as scaffolds, tower scaffolds
and Mobile Elevating Working Platforms (MEWPs) such as cherry WORK AT HEIGHT
pickers if the work at height cannot be avoided. Work where there’s a risk of
• When access equipment is being used always fit the guardrails, a fall liable to cause personal
toeboards and stabilisers provided. injury. Remember that it’s
possible to work at height
• Only use ladders for short duration work.
whilst underground or at
• Never use a ladder or step-ladder unless you are authorised and suitably ground level (e.g. at the side of
experienced or trained. a sheer drop).
• Always inspect a ladder before using it.
STUDY QUESTIONS
19. What does ‘work at height’ mean?
20. What is the preferred option when controlling the risks of work at height?
3.12 Housekeeping
Housekeeping
IN THIS SECTION...
• Good housekeeping is important for fire safety; preventing slips and trips; and good hygiene.
• Basic housekeeping is about tidying up and preventing the build-up of clutter and waste.

Poor housekeeping increases the risk in many ways:
• Dirty work areas increase the risk of cross-contamination with any
chemicals present.
• Slip- and trip-accidents are more likely.
• Fire risk increases because of the build-up of waste materials and the
proximity of waste to ignition sources.
• Emergency exits become congested or blocked.
• Hazards become more difficult to spot in a cluttered and untidy
workplace.

Your organisation has a duty to make sure that work areas are safe. This Hazards are difficult to spot in
requires attention to routine housekeeping. Good housekeeping is often cluttered areas
described as ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’.
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to housekeeping:
• Keep your work area clutter-free and get into the habit of tidying up routinely.
• Ensure that rubbish is disposed of correctly – bins are not allowed to overflow.
• Clean up spills and debris quickly to avoid slips and trips.
• Never obstruct emergency escape routes.
STUDY QUESTION
21. Give three benefits of ‘good housekeeping’.
Lighting 3.13
Lighting
IN THIS SECTION...
• Natural daylight is best, however, additional lighting is usually required.
• Lighting at hazardous points, such as changes in level, prevents accidents.

Poor lighting increases the risk in many ways:
• Causing workers to strain their eyes or make mistakes.
• Reducing the chance of hazards being spotted, such as changes in
levels.

• Your organisation has a duty to make sure that work areas are safe
and this includes sufficient lighting for the task and to highlight any
hazards, e.g. lighting when there are changes in levels is crucial to
reducing accidents.
• Natural daylight is best, although this is usually not enough for
workers to see the tasks they are performing and needs to be
substituted by additional lighting. Artificial lighting is sometimes needed
• Lighting should not create shadows in the workplace, it should be dispersed so that it is equal throughout the
workplace.
• Light shining directly into the eyes can cause glare and discomfort, so lighting must be designed to minimise glare,
screens angled to avoid reflections and workstations facing windows avoided.
STUDY QUESTION
22. What is the best sort of lighting in the workplace?
3.14 Manual Handling
Manual Handling
IN THIS SECTION...
• Manual handling is a common cause of injury to the back, tendons, ligaments and muscles, as well as upper limb
disorder.
• Safety precautions include using handling aids, modifying the task, load or environment and using safe handling
technique.

Common types of manual handling injury include:
• Back injury - such as slipped discs. DEFINITION
• Tendon and ligament injuries. MANUAL HANDLING
• Muscle injuries - including hernias. The lifting, carrying, pushing
• Upper limb disorders (repetitive strain injuries). and pulling of a load by bodily
force.
• Cuts, burns and broken bones.
Manual handling injuries are responsible for more lost time than any other cause.

Your organisation is required to eliminate hazardous manual handling where
possible. This might be done by automation or mechanisation (e.g. using a
hoist to lift the load). When a manual handling activity cannot be eliminated
then it must be assessed. This manual handling risk assessment will identify
the workplace precautions needed to minimise the risks.
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to safe
manual handling:
• Always make use of any handling aids that are available, such as a trolley
or sack truck.
Holding a load away from your torso

when lifting increases the risk of
injury
Handling aid in use

Based on original source HSG115 Manual Handling -
Solutions you can handle, HSE, 1994
Manual Handling 3.14
• Think about changing the way you do the work, e.g. by rearranging a workplace so that the handling involves less
twisting and over-reaching.
• Think about making changes to the load, e.g. by splitting a large, heavy load into smaller, lighter parts.
Always follow good lifting technique when lifting and carrying:
• Before lifting:
–– Check the weight, centre of gravity and stability of
the load.
–– Plan the route of the carry.
–– Establish a firm grip.
• The lift:
–– Bend the knees and use the leg muscles to lift.
–– Keep the back upright.
–– Keep the load close to the body.
–– Avoid twisting, over-reaching, jerking.
• Setting down:
–– Use the same principles as when lifting; bend the
knees and do not twist or stoop over.
–– Maintain good balance.
–– Set the load down and then adjust its position
using your body weight.
Never lift a load that you are not confident is within your capabilities.
STUDY QUESTIONS
23. What is manual handling?
24. Name three types of manual handling injury.
3.15 Noise
Noise
IN THIS SECTION...
• Exposure to excessive noise causes permanent deafness and tinnitus.
• Safety precautions include using hearing protection (ear defenders and ear plugs) at all appropriate times and
ensuring that these are kept in good condition, clean and fit properly.

The health and safety issues associated with excessive noise are:
• Permanent loss of hearing (deafness) as a result of repeated exposure to
excessively loud noise or one-off exposure to extremely loud noise.
• Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Inability to hear hazards (such as vehicles), alarms and spoken
instructions.
If you have ever been to a loud concert or nightclub you will have experienced
some of the temporary effects of exposure to loud noise. Your ears probably
recovered over a day or two. The louder the noise, the longer the recovery
takes. Frequent exposure to loud noise causes permanent damage over time
and the ears stop recovering. The louder the noise the quicker the damage
is done.
Worker using noisy machinery
And if you are wondering what ‘excessive noise’ means – as a general rule, if wearing ear defenders
you can’t have a normal conversation with someone stood two metres away
then the noise may be excessively loud.
It’s worth considering that the source of the excessive noise is irrelevant when thinking about the health risks; whether
the noise comes from work or from your home life makes no difference.

Your organisation has a duty to reduce worker exposure to excessive noise, e.g. by substituting a very noisy machine
with another that generates less noise or by changing a work method to a quieter alternative. Where they can’t reduce
worker exposure by these methods they must issue hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear defenders.
There are some general principles that you should follow to protect your hearing in a high-noise environment:
• Hearing protection must be worn correctly at all times inside designated hearing protection zones. These zones
will be marked with ‘mandatory’ safety signs.
• Ensure that your hearing protection is fitted correctly. If it doesn’t fit then it’s not protecting you.
• Hearing protection must also be kept clean and stored properly.
• Lost or damaged hearing protection must be repaired or replaced immediately.
• Report any hearing problems promptly. Damage to your hearing can be irreparable.
Noise 3.15
STUDY QUESTIONS
25. What are the main health and safety risks associated with exposure to loud noise?
26. Where must hearing protection be worn?
3.16 Personal Hygiene
Personal Hygiene
IN THIS SECTION...
Personal hygiene is crucial to prevent exposure to any hazardous substances.

Personal hygiene is often critical to prevent exposure to hazardous substances.
Many biological agents and some hazardous chemicals are put onto the
skin or into the mouth by cross-contamination. For example, a laboratory
worker’s hands become contaminated with bacteria in the lab; they then
touch their nose or mouth and the bacteria have direct access. Alternatively,
food or cigarettes can be cross-contaminated by hand contact and then put
into the mouth.

It is essential that good hygiene practices are adopted, as appropriate:
• Hand-washing when leaving work-rooms.
• Careful removal and disposal of potentially contaminated PPE to prevent Good hygiene practices need to be
cross-contamination to normal clothes. adopted
• Prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking in work areas.
This will require the provision of appropriate washing facilities (water, soap and drying equipment), changing facilities,
and food preparation and eating areas.
STUDY QUESTION
27. Why is personal hygiene important when people are working with chemicals or biological agents?
Plant and Machinery 3.17
Plant and Machinery
IN THIS SECTION...
• All machinery has moving parts. Contact with these moving parts can result in serious or fatal injury as a result of
entanglement, drawing in, ejection of parts, etc.
• Safety precautions for safe use of machinery include:
–– Adequate training for all workers required to use machinery for work.
–– Guards and other safety devices fitted to machinery.
–– Safe procedures and adequate levels of supervision.
• Maintenance of machinery should only be carried out by authorised people.
Introduction to Plant and Machinery

A wide range of machinery is used for work purposes, from simple office
machinery such as a printer, photocopier or paper shredder, to large industrial DEFINITION
machines such as steel rolling mills and power presses.
MECHANICAL HAZARDS
Hazards arising from the direct
Identifying the Hazards interaction of people with the
Machinery comes with a range of hazards. The exact nature of the hazards machine itself.
will depend on the machinery – for example, two of the hazards of an office
printer are electricity and printer ink.
Some of the hazards of machinery are created by its moving parts. These are
known as mechanical hazards.
Contact with moving parts of machinery can cause injury. The exact nature
of the injury will depend on the size of the machine and the nature of the
moving part where contact has occurred.
For example, a rotating machine part can catch on clothing or hair and cause
entanglement.
Entanglement of clothing with the

rotating parts of a lathe
CASE STUDY
A farm worker lost his arm on an unguarded Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft attached to a tractor and a water
tanker. He was standing at the rear of the tractor when his clothing was caught on an exposed section of the
rotating PTO shaft and his arm was ripped off. The guard for the PTO shaft was damaged and defective. It had
not been replaced or repaired.
3.17 Plant and Machinery
Alternatively, the machine may draw a worker in. This is where a part of the body (typically fingers) is caught between
the two moving parts of a machine, causing injury to fingers, arms or the whole body if the machine is large and
powerful enough.
CASE STUDY
In 2013, a father of two died from multiple injuries after he was pulled into fast-moving machinery at a
papermill in Devon. He opened an unlocked gate to gain access to the spinning rollers and was attempting to
clear paper waste from the rollers with a tool when he was drawn into the machine.

Principles of Machine Guarding
Different types of guarding system have been developed to stop people from
getting too close to dangerous parts of machines:
• Fixed guards are bolted in place, completely enclosing the dangerous
moving parts.
• Interlocked guards are designed to be opened. Once opened, the
machinery cannot be restarted until the guards are closed. The door on
a photocopier is one example of an interlocked guard.
• Self-adjusting guards are spring-loaded and automatically adjust
themselves as the machine operates.
• Adjustable guards are set in place by the machine operator and can be
adjusted to suit the circumstances of use.
Machinery guards are not optional and whenever fitted they must be used Fixed guard
correctly. Never use any machine that is missing its guards.
Other Safety Principles for Machinery

You should not use any machine that you have not been trained to use. This training should cover the hazards of the
machine and any safety precautions.
Before using a machine it is good practice (and in some instances it is mandatory) to inspect the machine to make sure
that it is safe to use.
Never use a machine for a job that it was not designed to do or use one in an environment that it was not designed to
work in.
Never carry out any repairs or modification to a machine unless you are an authorised company engineer.
STUDY QUESTIONS
28. What are drawing-in injuries?
29. Name TWO main controls for the safe use of machinery.
Slips and Trips 3.18
Slips and Trips
IN THIS SECTION...
• Slips and trips are one of the most common causes of workplace accidents.
• Slips and trips can be caused by poor housekeeping.

Slips and trips happen in most workplaces and are caused by:
• Changes in types of flooring, such as from carpet to vinyl.
• Changes in levels.
• Items left in walkways and on stairs (poor housekeeping).
• Trailing wires/cables.
• Poorly maintained floors.
• Trip hazards which are hard to see, such as small steps.

Good housekeeping is key to ensuring slips and trips are reduced, including
maintaining walkways and regularly checking that they aren’t obstructed.
Stairs are also a key focus for reducing slips and trips, from making sure they Trailing cable can be a trip hazard
are obvious to reducing any trip hazards on them. Areas where slips occur
need to be treated to reduce the chances of an accident recurring.
STUDY QUESTION
30. Give three ways flooring can cause a slip or trip hazard.
3.19 Stress
Stress
IN THIS SECTION...
• Stress is an adverse reaction to excessive pressure. If prolonged, it can cause various psychological, physical and
behavioural effects and ill health.
• Causes of stress are often a combination of home and work pressures.
• Organisations have a clear duty to manage the demands that they place on their workers.

Psychological stress results from the imbalance between the demands placed
on an individual and their ability to cope. Reasonable pressure can be good DEFINITION
to keep people interested and motivated. It’s when demand exceeds the
STRESS
capacity to deliver that stress is the result.
“The adverse reaction people
“Some people thrive under pressure, others succumb to it! Showing have to excessive pressures or
signs of stress doesn’t mean we’re weak. It just means we’re human.” other types of demand placed
(The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.) upon them.”
Causes of stress are often a combination of home and work pressures. Most
common sources of stress include financial pressures, health concerns, insecurity, change in responsibilities, excess
workload, etc.
Effects of Stress
Work-related stress is not an illness, but it can lead to increased problems
with ill health if it is prolonged or particularly intense. For example:
• Physical effects:
–– Heart disease.
–– Back pain, headaches, stomach disorders and various minor illnesses.
• Psychological effects:
–– Anxiety and depression, insomnia and/or early waking.
–– Inability to make decisions.
–– Emotional and irrational behaviour.
• Behavioural effects:
–– Increased absence from work.
Work-related stress can seriously
–– Poor work performance. affect your physical and psychological
–– Irritability, aggression, bullying and being critical of colleagues. health
If stress is prolonged and relentless these effects can lead to the complete physical and mental breakdown of the
individual. The consequences for the individual concerned can be extreme: job loss, divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction,
etc.
The consequences for the organisation include increased absenteeism, poor relationships, conflict and higher staff
turnover.
Stress 3.19

Organisations have a clear duty to manage the demands that they place on their workers. They also have a clear duty
to manage any problems that are brought to their attention.
You can help at work by:

• Talking to your organisation if you have a problem. If they don’t know there’s a problem, they can’t help.
• Supporting your colleagues if they are experiencing work-related stress. Encourage them to talk to their manager
or staff representative.
• Making use of your organisation’s counselling or assistance service (if provided).
• Speaking to your GP.
STUDY QUESTIONS
31. What is stress?
32. What are some of the effects that stress can have?
3.20 Temperature
Temperature
IN THIS SECTION...
• Both hot and cold environments can cause ill health.
• There is a need for workplaces to be a comfortable temperature – cold or hot workplaces can be a hazard to
workers.
Introduction to Temperature
Workrooms should be maintained at a reasonable temperature and so some form of heating or cooling (air-conditioning)
may be required.
In general, the workroom should be at or above 16°C if people are doing low activity work, e.g. office tasks. Where
people are doing work requiring hard manual labour then a minimum temperature of 13°C is acceptable. There is no
prescribed maximum temperature.
Identifying the Risks

However, there will always be situations where, due to the nature of the
work, you may be exposed to temperatures far above or below what could
be considered comfortable. Examples include:
• Extreme heat – working with molten metals in foundries.
• Extreme cold – working in cold-stores.
Effects of Extreme Temperatures

Prolonged exposure to hot environments can result in:
• Fatigue.
• Slow reactions.
• Loss of dexterity.
Working outside in cold weather may
• Burns (through contact with hot surfaces).
result in frostbite of the extremities
• Heat exhaustion.
• Dehydration.
• Fainting.
• Heat stroke.
Initially, when exposed to cold, people will shiver and may experience pain and discomfort. Contact with very cold
materials can result in a burn. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can also result in:
• Fatigue.
• Slow reactions.
• Loss of dexterity.
• Frostbite (of extremities, e.g. fingers or toes).
• Hypothermia.
• Reduced grip strength and co-ordination.
Temperature 3.20

Where extremes of temperature can’t be avoided, organisations should try to make the environment comfortable by
providing:
• Ventilation for hot environments.
• Insulated floors where workers are standing on cold floors.
• Job rotation to reduce exposure time.
• Protective clothing, e.g. warm clothing and gloves for cold environments and heat-resistant clothing for hot
environments.
• Rest facilities and drinks to warm up or cool down, as necessary.
If you are working in very hot or cold conditions and you feel that you may be suffering any symptoms of heat stress or
hypothermia, then you must report this to your line manager.
STUDY QUESTION
33. Identify the protective measures to be used for working in conditions of extreme heat.
3.21 Vehicles and Transport
Vehicles and Transport
IN THIS SECTION...
• Vehicles can be hazardous to pedestrians, other vehicles, the driver and other passengers; they can cause injuries,
deaths and damage to property.
• Safety precautions for vehicle use include:
–– Ensuring that your vehicle is in good working order before driving it.
–– Only driving vehicles that you are trained and qualified to drive.
–– Getting help when reversing.
–– Never carrying passengers except in seats designed for the purpose.

When vehicles move around in workplaces they are a hazard to pedestrians,
to other vehicles, the driver and other passengers. Vehicle accidents are
responsible for many serious and fatal injuries and also cause significant
property damage.
Even if you work in an office you may still be at risk from vehicles at work for
some of your day since you may drive to work and park in an on-site car park.

Your organisation is responsible for ensuring the safe use of vehicles at work.
Wherever possible, vehicles and pedestrians should be segregated. This is
best done using barriers. As a minimum, traffic routes should be marked on
the ground.
Vehicles and people must be
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to the segregated where possible
safe use of vehicles:
• Speed limits and direction signs must be obeyed by both drivers and pedestrians.
• Vehicles and people must be segregated where possible.
• Inspect your vehicle routinely before driving it. Even a company car should be visually checked to ensure that
simple matters such as tyre tread and pressure are satisfactory.
• Only drive a vehicle if you are a suitably trained and qualified member of staff. In some cases (e.g. a car or van)
you will require a driving licence. In other cases (e.g. forklift truck,) you will require a specific certificate.
• You must be medically fit to drive and must declare any medical condition that might compromise your ability to
drive safely.
• Get help when you need it. Certain high-risk vehicle movements, such as reversing, should be supervised by a
banksman to give you directions.
• Never carry passengers in or on a vehicle unless there are seats installed for that purpose.
Vehicles and Transport 3.21
STUDY QUESTIONS
34. How can vehicles and pedestrians be segregated in the workplace?
35. Where should passengers be carried?
3.22 Welfare Facilities
Welfare Facilities
IN THIS SECTION...
• There is a requirement to provide welfare facilities in the workplace. These would normally include:
–– Drinking water.
–– Toilets and washing facilities.
–– Storage for clothing.
–– Rest and eating facilities.
• Most workplaces would also be expected to contain seating, and be provided with adequate heating, lighting and
ventilation.
Welfare Requirements
Drinking Water
It may seem obvious, but an adequate supply of drinking water must be
provided for everyone at work. Taps that do not supply drinking water should
be clearly labelled.
Toilets and Washing Facilities

Toilets and washing stations should be provided in a workplace. There should
normally be separate facilities for men and women and all facilities must be
well lit, well ventilated and kept clean. Special facilities should be provided for
disabled people.
Washing facilities should be provided, with hot and cold water, soap and
drying facilities. Showers may be needed where the nature of the work is
particularly strenuous or dirty.
Water must be available in all work
Changing Rooms and Storage for Clothing environments
If you are required to change into special work clothing (such as overalls, uniforms, etc.) your organisation should
provide changing rooms and also lockers to store your normal clothing while you are at work.
Rest and Eating Facilities

Organisations should provide facilities for you to rest and to eat meals. Rest facilities should have chairs and tables in an
area where PPE isn’t required.
Where you normally eat meals at work, you should be able to get a hot drink (e.g. from a kettle or vending machine)
and hot food (or a way of heating your own food, e.g. a microwave oven).
Welfare Facilities 3.22
Workplace Environment Requirements

Seating
Seating provided for you at workstations should, where possible, meet the
following specifications:
• Chairs should be stable and capable of full adjustment to suit the
operator, i.e. be adjustable in height, and the seat back adjustable in both
height and tilt.
• The backrest must provide adequate support for the lower back.
• A footrest should be provided on request for anyone who can’t
comfortably place their feet flat on the floor.
We discussed computer workstations in more detail earlier in this Part.
Ventilation
Enclosed workplaces should be properly ventilated with fresh or purified air. Backache caused by a poorly
designed workstation
You should take good care of the welfare facilities provided for you at work. Keep facilities clean and tidy. Report any
problems that occur with these facilities to your line manager.
STUDY QUESTION
36. Should organisations provide each of the following at all times, and if not, are there circumstances in
which they should?
(a) Soap and a towel or air drier in washing facilities.
(b) Baths or showers.
(c) Changing rooms.
(d) Eating facilities.
Summary
Summary
In Part 3 we have:
• Outlined aggression and violence as any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted while
working.
• Explained that asbestos can be in any building built before 2000 (when it was banned), and outlined that surveys
must be undertaken.
• Outlined the many forms bullying can take and the ways to control this behaviour.
• Outlined the classification, routes of entry and health effects of chemicals and hazardous substances and the
control measures that can be used to eliminate or control exposure.
• Outlined the health effects of display screen equipment and the precautions for safe use of DSE.
• Defined confined spaces as enclosed, or partially enclosed, areas that are large enough for a worker to enter.
• Outlined the risks of drugs and alcohol, and explained how managers and workers must ensure no further harm is
caused.
• Outlined the hazards of electricity and the basic protection methods and devices.
• Outlined the fire triangle, the common causes of workplace fires, the basic requirements for fire prevention and
fire precautions, and emergency procedures.
• Outlined the hazards associated with getting in and out of the workplace and the methods for making access to
and egress from the workplace safe.
• Defined work at height as any activity where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. Explained that it
should be avoided wherever possible.
• Outlined poor housekeeping and the principles to follow to control the associated risks.
• Outlined that lighting should be natural wherever possible.
• Explained that manual handling is the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of a load by bodily force. It should be
controlled using equipment, training and/or changing the process (load and task).
• Outlined that noise has health effects from both short- and long-term exposure, and looked at the various
methods to reduce the risks.
• Explained that personal hygiene is important to prevent cross-contamination.
• Explained that plant and machinery should be well maintained, guarded and processes outlined to ensure
mechanical and non-mechanical hazards are controlled.
• Defined slips and trips as one of the most common causes of accidents and outlined how they can be prevented.
• Defined stress, outlined some of the effects of stress and some precautions for the management of the risk.
• Outlined that temperature in the workplace should be controlled to make people safe and comfortable.
• Vehicles and pedestrians must be separated, signage should be provided for drivers and they must inspect their
vehicles. Drivers must be trained, fit and ask for help when required.
• Outlined the welfare facilities required in the workplace.
Part 4
Improving Safety Performance
Learning Outcomes
 Identify everyone’s responsibilities in

relation to safety, health and wellbeing in
the workplace.
 Define key terms in safety and health.

 Identify ways safety, health and wellbeing
are managed and improved within the
workplace.
© RRC International © RRC International IOSH Working Safely: Part 4 - Improving Safety Performance 4-1
Contents
Improving Safety Performance 4-3

What an Organisation Can Do to Manage and Improve Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-3
Worker Responsibilities for Improving Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-4
How Attitude and Behaviour can Affect Safety and Health in the Workplace 4-4
Safe Systems of Work 4-5
Permit-to-Work 4-5
How Safety Signs can Play an Important Part in Communicating Safety and Health Information 4-5
Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4-6
The Safety and Health of Other People Who May Come on Site, Including Contractors, Visitors and
Members of the Public 4-7
The Role of Safety Committees and Worker Representatives in Safety and Health 4-7
Types of Workplace Inspections 4-8
Emergency Procedures 4-8
Incidents, Accidents and Near Misses 4-8
Reporting Incidents, Including Near Misses and Accidents 4-9
First-Aid Provision 4-9
The Role of the Safety and Health Enforcement Inspector 4-9
Health Surveillance and Monitoring 4-10
Summary 4-11
4-2 IOSH Working Safely: Part 4 - Improving Safety Performance © RRC International
Improving Safety Performance 4.1
Improving Safety Performance
IN THIS SECTION...
• How organisations manage and improve safety.
• Ways in which workers can assist in improving safety.
• How attitude and behaviour can affect safety and health in the workplace.
• Safe systems of work and permits to work.
• Safety signs, personal protective equipment and other precautions used to control hazards.
• Role of safety committees and worker representatives in safety and health.
• Types of workplace inspection.
• Emergency procedures.
• Defining the terms ‘incident’, ‘accident’ and ‘near miss’.
• Reporting incidents, including near misses and accidents.
• First-aid provision.
• The role of the safety and health enforcement inspector.
• Health surveillance and monitoring.
Introduction
What an Organisation Can Do to Manage and Improve Safety

and Health in the Workplace
In their health and safety policy, organisations should explain clearly how
they intend to manage health and safety. This is often done by reference to a
‘safety management system’.
A safety management system can be useful to the organisation when trying

to improve their health and safety performance.
Typical elements of a safety management system are:

• Plan.
• Do.
• Check.
• Act.
All organisations are required to have a health and safety policy. If they have Organisations need to manage safety
five or more workers then this must be recorded. and health in the workplace
This health and safety policy will normally consist of three main sections:
• Statement of intent – what the general aims of your organisation are.
• Organisation – who has responsibilities and what those responsibilities are.
• Arrangements – how health and safety will be managed.
Your organisation is responsible for informing you of their policy and any changes to it.
4.1 Improving Safety Performance
You should know where you can find your organisation’s health and safety policy and you should be aware of what it
says.
To improve on safety, organisations need to set some objectives, they can then check their progress against the objectives
and put actions in place to improve safety.
There are numerous ‘checks’ organisations can do:
Proactive Reactive
Maintain equipment Absentee records
Safety inspections Accident reports
Audits First-aid incidents
Worker Responsibilities for Improving Safety and Health in the

Workplace
Organisations can’t improve safety alone, they need assistance from workers
to be able to see all of the issues that may be occurring.
As a worker, you must:

• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety.
• Take reasonable care of the health and safety of anyone else that your
actions might affect.
• Co-operate with your organisation on health and safety matters.
Workers can also contribute to improving safety by reporting incidents,
accidents and near misses which occur (we will touch on these in more detail
later in this Part) and by highlighting any shortcomings their organisation has.
Workers should also ensure they are competent. The term ‘competence’ Health and safety at work is a shared
refers to both general, work-related skills and specific, technical knowledge. responsibility
Achieving the necessary combination of skill, knowledge and ability
throughout an organisation receives a great deal of attention because of the need to have skilled staff at all levels to
ensure quality of products and profitability – but this also applies to health and safety! Organisations have the duty to
ensure staff are generally competent to work safely, and they must appoint ‘competent’ persons in health and safety to
take on specific roles.
How Attitude and Behaviour Can Affect Safety and Health in the
Workplace
People bring to their job their own personal mix of knowledge and experience, skills, attitudes and personality. These
individual characteristics influence behaviour in complex and significant ways. Some of these characteristics can’t be
changed but others can.
Attitude is defined as a person’s point of view or way of looking at something, and how they feel and think about it.
When we look at behaviour in the workplace, we find that attitudes are important because a worker’s attitude will make
them more or less likely to behave safely.
For example, if a worker’s attitude to a machine guard is that the guard is excellent and that it’s there to stop their
arm being cut off, then the worker is unlikely to remove the guard. But, if the worker’s attitude is that it’s unnecessary
to have it and it’s only there to make the job more difficult, then the worker is likely to remove the guard as soon as
possible.
Safe Systems of Work

A Safe System of Work (SSW) is a formal procedure based on a systematic examination of work which identifies the
hazards. It defines safe methods of working which eliminate those hazards or minimise the risks associated with them.
It is the organisations responsibility to ensure that safe systems of work are available for all work activities that create
significant risk, just as it’s the organisations responsibility to carry out risk assessments of all work activities.
Safe systems of work should be developed by people with the relevant knowledge, experience, training and skill to
understand the work under analysis. Involving workers to share their practical knowledge and skills is a valuable way to
help the workers gain a deeper understanding of hazards and risks; it will also help them to better understand the way
the SSW will minimise those risks. Getting workers involved in this way usually increases the level of compliance with
the SSW that is developed.
Permit to Work
P
Permit-to-work systems are part of a SSW, to control high risk work activities
such as:
• Hot work.
• Work on live electrical systems.
• Entry into a confined space.
• Some forms of machinery maintenance.
A permit system formalises the control of high-risk work to ensure that:
• All risks have been identified.
• All the precautions have been put in place.
• Appropriate information has been communicated to all relevant parties.
A permit to work usually has four main sections: Hot work requires a permit to work
• Issue.
• Receipt.
• Clearance.
• Cancellation.
Permit-to-work systems rely on the use of paper permits, but they only control risk properly when they are used
correctly.
How Safety Signs can Play an Important Part in Communicating

Safety and Health Information
Your organisation will use safety signs to give essential health and safety information in a way that is easy to understand.
You should always observe and follow the directions given by these signs.
Safety signs combine shape, colour and pictograms to convey specific health and safety information.
There are five main categories of safety sign:
• Prohibition - ‘You Must Not’, e.g. “No smoking”.
• Warning - ‘Hazard‘ or ‘Danger’, e.g. “Toxic material”.
• Mandatory - ‘You Must’, e.g. “Safety boots must be worn”.
• Safe condition - ‘This is for Safety’, e.g. “Fire exit route”.
• Fire-fighting equipment - e.g. “Hose reels”.
Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Your organisation is responsible for providing you with suitable Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to do your job safely. DEFINITION
PPE is the equipment and clothing that you might wear to protect you from PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
the hazards of work, for example: EQUIPMENT
• Hard hats. Equipment or clothing worn

by a worker to protect them
• Goggles.
against one or more risks to
• High-visibility jackets. their health and safety.
• Safety boots and gloves.
In many cases, PPE must always be worn to ensure safety during a particular work activity.
For example, a welder will always wear a head-shield or visor to protect their
face and eyes from harmful UV radiation given off during the welding process.
It’s important to recognise that all PPE has limitations.
There are some general principles that you should follow with regards to the
PPE that you are given:
• Always use the required PPE as instructed.
• Make sure that you fit PPE correctly; if it doesn’t fit then it will not
protect you.
• Keep PPE clean; contaminated PPE can cause health problems.
• Inspect your PPE routinely to check it’s in good condition.
• Report defective or lost PPE immediately and get a replacement. PPE must fit correctly
• Store PPE correctly when it’s not in use to avoid damage and
contamination.
If you find that your PPE interferes with your ability to do the job then you should report this to your manager or safety
representative.
The Safety and Health of Other People Who May Come on Site,
Including Contractors, Visitors and Members of the Public
Many people may come onto your organisation’s site including contractors, visitors and members of the public.
Everyone who enters your organisation’s doors or could be affected by your organisation’s work activities has to be
considered when assessing risk.
Visitors are usually invited into the organisation and escorted while on site. Whereas members of the public may enter
accessible areas unsupervised or potentially trespass on your organisations property.
When contractors are working in your workplace, their organisation and your organisation have a shared responsibility
for the work that they do. They must work safely because their work could present a risk to both themselves and others.
They should provide their own work tools and equipment and you should not lend them tools or equipment unless this
has already been agreed on. If you have any concerns about the way that contractors are working, you should inform
your line manager.
The Role of Safety Committees and Worker Representatives in

Safety and Health
Your organisation is required by law to consult with workers on health and safety matters. In many workplaces,
safety representatives or staff representatives are elected for this purpose and the organisation will meet with these
representatives to form a health and safety committee.
You should know the identity of your local safety/staff representative and you should inform them of any health and
safety concerns you may have.
Types of Workplace Inspections

In many workplaces, systematic inspections play a crucial role in checking
that the standards that should be in place are, in fact, in place. They allow
management to resolve problems before those problems become critical.
They also allow workers to see that checks are being carried out and perhaps
get involved in the inspection process itself.
Workplace safety inspections can occur in many forms but the level of
concentration on the:
• plant,
• premises,
• people, and
• procedures,
will vary (remember the four Ps!). Inspections are crucial in checking
standards of health and safety
Emergency Procedures
Despite all the controls that can be introduced into an organisation, things can still go wrong! Accidents and incidents
do happen and when they do it’s critical that the organisation has emergency procedures that can be carried out
without delay – otherwise the response may be poor or inappropriate, and it could make things worse instead of better.
The most well-known emergency procedure is what to do when there is a fire (which we looked at in Part 3); every
worker should be familiar with this procedure. One of the benefits of having an emergency procedure in place is that
you can practise it to make sure it works and that everyone knows what to do. Workers who are given additional
authority and responsibility in emergency situations (like fire marshals) can also practise their role.
Other areas of work that require emergency procedures include working in confined spaces and working at height. In
both cases, the emergency procedure anticipates a worker needing rescuing. Loss of consciousness in a confined space
is a potential risk as a result of exposure to toxic gases.
There are many cases of rescuers losing their lives trying to rescue others from a confined space. Having a well-thought-
out emergency procedure that is practised would make sure that there is the necessary equipment to carry out the
rescue, together with trained workers.
Incidents, Accidents and Near Misses

Your organiation will have arrangements in place for the reporting of
incidents, accidents and near misses at work. DEFINITIONS
You should report all instances of these that happen to you at work no matter INCIDENT
how small they may seem at first. “An undesired event that has
caused or could have caused
Before we look at accident reporting, we need to define a few terms. damage, death, injury or ill
The only thing that separates accidents and a near misses is the outcome of health.”
the event. An accident causes loss; a near miss doesn’t. ACCIDENT
“An unplanned, unwanted
You might call a near miss a ‘close call’.
event which leads to injury,
damage or loss.”
It is important to recognise why near misses are important. Why should we

be interested in near misses when nothing bad resulted? The reason is that, DEFINITION
in some cases, near misses will have the potential for very serious injury. If the
NEAR MISS
near miss is not reported, investigated and dealt with, then a similar event will
probably happen a second time. Things may go very differently a second time “An unplanned, unwanted
– people may not be as lucky and there may be a serious injury. event that had the potential to
lead to injury, damage or loss,
but did not do so.”
Reporting Incidents, Including Near
Misses and Accidents
There are many reasons why you should report all accidents and near misses that happen at work:
• The law requires that a record of all work-related injuries is kept by the organisation.
• The organisation may have to report the event to the authorities.
• The organisation can investigate the event to see what went wrong.
• Preventive measures can be put in place to stop the event happening a second time.
• The organisation may be able to see patterns and trends based on the reports.
The most important reason is prevention of a recurrence. If a near miss or accident is not reported, then managers will
not know that an investigation should be carried out – so nothing will be done to prevent the accident from happening
again!
First-Aid Provision
Organisations are responsible for providing adequate first-aid cover and
facilities at work. You should know who your first aiders are and where to find
the first-aid equipment and facilities.
You should get help from a first aider rather than trying to deal with injuries
yourself because you may risk making the injury worse if you give the wrong
treatment.
The Role of the Safety and Health

Enforcement Inspector
If individuals or organisations fail in their legal duties, then the enforcing
authorities can investigate and may decide to use enforcement action or
prosecute in the criminal courts. The enforcing authority in most workplaces Organisations need to provide
is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In others, it’s the Local Authority adequate first aid
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).
Enforcement inspectors have a very wide range of enforcement powers available to them, such as investigating the
scene of accidents, interviewing witnesses, inspecting documentation and seizing evidence. They carry a warrant card
and have more power than a police officer.
Individuals found guilty of health and safety offences can be fined and/or imprisoned.
Health Surveillance and Monitoring

The fundamental objectives of health surveillance are to:
• Protect the health of the individual workers by immediate detection of
any changes that may have resulted from exposure to any workplace
hazard.
• Assist in the evaluation of measures taken to control exposure.
• Collect, maintain and use the data for the detection and evaluation of
hazards to health.
The purpose of routine health surveillance is to identify, at the earliest stage
possible, any variations in the health of workers which may be related to
working conditions, e.g. processes known to expose workers to noise would
be monitored through audiometry (checking workers’ hearing).
Health surveillance helps to identify

problems at an early stage
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Name the elements of a safety management system.
2. Identify the standard shape, colour and meaning of each of the following types of safety sign:
(a) Mandatory.
(b) Warning.
(c) Prohibition.
4. What is the main objective of an emergency procedure?
Summary
Summary
In Part 4 we have:
• Outlined how organisations use safety management systems to manage and improve safety. The safety
management system has four key parts: Plan, Do, Check and Act.
• Explained why workers should inform organisations of any shortcomings.
• Outlined how attitude and behaviour can impact safety.
• Defined safe systems of work and permits to work, and explained how they are used to control processes.
• Explained how safety signs play an important part in communicating safety and health information.
• Outlined the importance of personal protective equipment.
• Outlined who is responsible for the safety of contractors, visitors and members of the public.
• Defined the roles of safety committees and worker representatives, communicating safety information both from
management and to management.
• Explained that workplace inspections are used to monitor safety.
• Outlined the importance of emergency procedures.
• Defined incidents, accidents and near misses, and the importance of reporting them to prevent recurrence.
• Outlined the importance of first aid being provided within all workplaces.
• Defined the role of safety enforcement inspectors; they can take action against organisations and individuals.
• Explained that health surveillance and monitoring is used to protect workers and ensure control measures are put
in place.
IOSH Working Safely
Suggested Answers
No Peeking!
Once you have worked your way through the
study questions in this book, use the suggested
answers on the following pages to find out
where you went wrong (and what you got
right), and as a resource to improve your
knowledge and question-answering technique.
© RRC International IOSH Working Safely: Suggested Answers 1

1 Suggested Answers to Study Questions

Question 1
144.
Question 2
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of earnings.
• Long periods of absence.
• Physiotherapy.
• Retraining.
• Disability.
• Post traumatic stress disorder.
• A legal battle to win compensation.
(Any three of the above.)
Question 3
• Investigation by the authorities.
• Media stories about you.
• Alienation from your friends and colleagues.
2 IOSH Working Safely: Suggested Answers © RRC International

Suggested Answers to Study Questions 1
Question 4
• Downtime while the accident is investigated.
• Overtime to make up lost time.
• An internal investigation.
• Investigation by external authorities.
• Formal enforcement action.
• Fines.
• Bad publicity.
• Claims for compensation.
• Increased insurance premiums.
• Damage to business reputation.
• Lost and cancelled orders.
• Loss of contracts.
• Poor worker morale.
• Poor industrial relations.
Question 5
Moral (or humanitarian), legal, and financial (or economic).
Question 6
• Safe plant and systems of work.
• Safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances.
• Information, instruction, training and supervision.
• A safe workplace with safe access to and from it.
• A safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities.

1-3

Question 1
A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm.
Question 2
No. Some hazards cannot be detected by sight or any other senses. For example, carbon monoxide gas is a colourless,
odourless, tasteless gas that is lethal at low concentrations.
Question 3
Risk is the chance of a person coming into contact with a hazard (in combination with the consequences).
Question 4
Risk assessments are a legal requirement under health and safety law (specifically the Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1999).
Question 5
Workplace precautions are the control measures that can be put in place to prevent hazards from causing harm.
The very best option for controlling risk is to eliminate that risk entirely by getting rid of the hazard.
But that is not practical or realistic in most cases. The hazard must remain so the risk must be minimised using workplace
precautions such as guards, permits-to-work and personal protective equipment.


Question 1
Work-related violence is any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to
their work.
(Any similar definition is fine.)
Question 2
Workers commonly at a higher risk of work-related violence would include:
• Hospital staff.
• Police.
• Social workers.
• Bus and taxi drivers.
• Fire-fighters and paramedics.
• Railway staff.
Question 3
Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:
• Mesothelioma.
• Asbestos-related lung cancer.
• Asbestosis.
• Diffuse pleural thickening.
Question 4
It can take anywhere between 10-40 years for symptoms to develop after exposure.
Question 5
• Verbal assault.
• Written communication.
• Visual image.
• Emails (flame mail).
• Promotion blocked.
• Malicious rumours.
• Being undervalued.
• Being humiliated.
• Constant criticism, etc.
Bullying is often a combination of these examples.

1-5
Question 6
The four main routes of entry for hazardous chemicals into the body are:
• Inhalation.
• Ingestion.
• Absorption through the skin.
• Injection through the skin.
Question 7
The main health risks associated with the use of DSE are:
• Upper limb disorder (repetitive strain injury).
• Eye strain.
• Back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.
• Fatigue and stress.
Question 8
The main characteristics of a chair suitable for DSE use are:
• A stable five-star base.
• An adjustable height seat.
An adjustable height back with adjustable tilt and good lumbar support.
Question 9
The UK Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 define a confined space as “any place, including any chamber, tank, vat,
silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a
reasonably foreseeable specified risk “.
Question 10
Safe isolation is the interruption, disconnection and separation of all the equipment’s motive power sources in such a
way that this disconnection and separation is secure by lockable means.
Question 11
After consultation with the entire workforce.
Question 12
Screening is only likely to be acceptable if it can be seen to be part of an organisation’s occupational health policy and
is clearly designed to prevent risks to the misuser and others.
Question 13
• Craving – a strong need or urge to drink.
• Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
• Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms such as upset stomach (vomiting), sweating, shaking (delirium
tremens) and anxiety after stopping drinking.
• Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the effects (the “high”).

Question 14
• Electric shock.
• Burns.
• Fire and explosion.
• Arcing.
• Secondary effects.
Question 15
The only person who should carry out work on electrical equipment at work is someone who is authorised and
competent to do so.
Question 16
The fire triangle is heat, oxygen and fuel; the three things that must be present for a fire to start and continue to burn.
Question 17
An untrained person shouldn’t use a fire extinguisher because they might endanger themselves and others. Each
fire extinguisher is only suitable for certain types of fire and can make a fire worse if used inappropriately. Each fire
extinguisher also has its own hazards that can cause injury to the untrained or unwary user.
Question 18
By carrying out inspections.
Question 19
Work at height means any work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.
Question 20
The preferred option when controlling the risks of work at height is to avoid work at height entirely.
If this cannot be done then safe access equipment and safe systems of work must be provided to prevent falls.
Question 21
• Fewer trips and slip accidents due to no clutter and spill free work areas.
• Reduced fire hazard.
• Reduced exposure to hazardous substances (asbestos, dust).
• Better control of tool inventories.
• Better control of security.
• Improved hygiene.
• More effective use of space.
• Improved morale.
• Less property damage.
• Improved productivity.

1-7
Question 22
Natural light is the best source of light.
Question 23
Manual handling is any lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of a load by bodily force.
Question 24
Manual handling injuries can include:
• Back injury such as slipped discs.
• Tendon and ligament injury.
• Muscle tears and hernias.
• Upper limb disorders or repetitive strain injuries.
• Broken bones, cuts, etc.
Question 25
The main health and safety risks associated with exposure to loud noise are:
• Permanent loss of hearing (deafness).
• Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Inability to hear hazards, alarms and spoken instructions.
Question 26
Hearing protection must be worn in mandatory hearing protection zones which will be marked by signs.
Question 27
Personal hygiene is important because it is easy to contaminate your hands and skin and then pass that contamination
on to your face and mouth. This might be done by touching food, drink or even cigarettes before putting them in
your mouth.
Question 28
These occur where part of the body is caught between two moving parts and drawn into the machine.
Question 29
Guarding and maintenance.
Question 30
Flooring can cause a trip hazard by:
• Changes in types of flooring, such as from carpet to vinyl.
• Items left in walkways and on stairs (poor housekeeping).
• Poorly maintained floors.
Question 31
Stress is the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other demands placed upon them.

Question 32
Stress can have a range of effects, such as:
• Physical effects:
–– Heart disease.
–– Back pain, headaches, stomach disorders and various minor illnesses.
• Psychological effects:
–– Anxiety and depression, insomnia and/or early waking.
–– Inability to make decisions.
–– Emotional and irrational behaviour.
• Behavioural effects:
–– Increased absence from work.
–– Poor work performance.
–– Irritability, aggression, bullying and being critical of colleagues.
Question 33
• Ventilation for hot environments.
• Job rotation to reduce exposure time.
• Protective clothing, such as resistant clothing for hot environments.
• Rest facilities and drinks to cool down the workers, as necessary.
Question 34
Vehicles and pedestrians can be segregated in the workplace by the use of barriers and signs. Barriers provide the best
protection because they physically separate vehicles and pedestrians. Markings and signs should be used where barriers
and guardrails, etc. cannot be used.
Question 35
Passengers should only be carried in proper seats installed for the purpose.
Question 36
(a) Yes.
(b) No, only where the nature of the work is particularly strenuous or dirty, or there is a risk of contamination of the
skin from harmful or offensive substances.
(c) No, only if the work requires workers to wear special clothing.
(d) Yes, it does not have to be a special place, but there should be facilities for eating food.

1-9

Question 1
The elements of a safety management system are:
• Plan.
• Do.
• Check.
• Act.
Question 2
The standard ‘shape’, ‘colour’ and ‘meaning’ of each of the following types of safety sign are:
(a) Mandatory: Round/circular; blue; it must be done.
(b) Warning: Triangular; yellow; hazard/warning/danger.
(c) Prohibition: Round/circular; red; must not be done.
Question 3
The main objective of an emergency procedure is to ensure the safety and health of staff and others who might be
affected by the emergency. In some instances, minimising other losses associated with the emergency will also be a
priority. Preventing an escalation of the emergency may also be important.

IOSH WS Book

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

IOSH WS Book

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

IOSH

Part 1: Introducing Working Safely

Part 2: Defining Hazard and Risk

Part 3: Identifying Common Hazards

Part 4: Improving Safety Performance

© RRC International ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Part 2: Defining Hazard and Risk

Part 3: Identifying Common Hazards

Part 4: Improving Safety Performance

IOSH Working Safely

On completion of Part 1, you should be able to:

 Identify why it is important to work safely.

Introducing Working Safely 1-3

Introducing Working Safely

Why it is Important to Work Safely

Avoiding serious personal injury is normal behaviour for most of us and

Every year in Great Britain:

Over 72,702 workers suffer an

Again, the consequences for you might be very serious:

• Fine and/or imprisonment.

Who is Responsible for Safety and Health in the Workplace?

An Organisation’s Responsibilities for Safety and Health

The organisation’s specific duties are to provide:

Who has Responsibility for Worker Actions?

(Suggested Answers are at the end.)

On completion of Part 2, you should be able to:

 Define key terms in safety and health.

Defining Hazard and Risk 2-3

Defining Hazard and Risk

The Six Hazard Groups

Mechanical Physical Chemical

Environmental Biological Organisational

Hazards that are Not Easy to Identify

There are various ways of identifying hazards in your workplace:

Typical examples of workplace hazards would include:

(Suggested Answer is at the end of this Part.)

What is Meant by the Term ‘Risk Assessment’?

The basic steps of risk assessment are:

What is Meant by the Terms ‘Likelihood’ and ‘Consequence’?

Deciding on What Actions to Take to Control Risk

The answer is to use workplace precautions.

Workplace precautions are all of the various different types of control

There are dozens of different types of workplace precaution available. Here

What is Meant by the Term ‘Reasonably Practicable’?

2. Can all hazards be seen?

3. What is meant by the word ‘risk’?

4. Why do organisations have to carry out risk assessments?

5. What are workplace precautions?

(Suggested Answers are at the end.)

Electricity Manual handling

Although the probability of

On completion of Part 3, you should be able to:

 Identify workplace hazards and risks, their

Aggression and Violence 3-4

Aggression and Violence

Identifying the Hazards

Controlling the Risk

2. Which workers are commonly at a higher risk of work-related violence?

(Suggested Answers are at the end.)

Identifying the Hazards

• Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

Controlling the Risk

4. How long can it take for an asbestos-related disease to become evident?

 Identify why it is important to work safely.

 Define key terms in safety and health.

 Identify workplace hazards and risks, their