MR. J. Hanna Occupational Studies

Contents The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 Duties of The Employees Safety Policy Statement Accident Reporting Everybody’s Business Health and Safety Commission First Aid Lifting Access and Working at Heights Scaffolding Ladder – Before Use Ladder Safety Excavations Excavations Precautions Buried services

The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 One act to enable and to enforce Intent:- create simple rules Adequate, enforceable law Provide safety in the work place and protection for visitors and the public Create duties for employers, employees and others Make it everybody’s business

The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 Creates duties for :- Employers Employees Others Make it everybody’s business

Duties of The Employees To take reasonable care for the health and safety of self and others To comply with :- –The employer’s health and safety rules –Health and safety law Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with anything provided in the interest of health and safety

Safety Policy Statement Five or more employees Employer must –Prepare –Publicise –Revise when necessary A written statement of employers safety policy And The organisation and arrangement in force to carry out that policy

Accident Reporting Employees should :- –Report all accidents –Report all dangerous occurrences including near misses –Where a near miss is defined as an event that could have caused injury, damage or loss but in this case but in this instance did not Consult their general practitioner and their employer if diagnosed as suffering from a disease that might be related to their work activity.

Everybody’s Business To involve :- Employers Managers Employees Contractors, sub- contractors Controllers of premises. Manufactures, suppliers, retailers, etc To protect :- Everyone including members of the public.

Health and Safety Commission (HSE)

First Aid Action The person at the scene of an accident should Remove the hazard if safe to do so Call for help e.g. First aider Call for an ambulance, if necessary Whilst awaiting the arrival of an ambulance

First Aid Action Do not remove casualty, unless in immediate danger Remain with the casualty and give reassurance Make the casualty as comfortable as possible Give no drinks or food to the casualty moisten lip only Do not allow the casualty to smoke

Lifting The kinetic method 1 Keep head erect Keep straight back ( do not bend the back) Keep elbows in, and a good grip on the load Keep knees bent Keep feet slightly apart Lift by straightening the knees

Lifting The kinetic method 2 Changing the grip Moving off Team lifting Mechanical aids e.g. Rollers, fork lift Make sure the lowering area is clear of obstructions

Access and Working at Heights 55 % of accident deaths in the construction industry are the results of falls of people or tools and materials from heights, often by only a few metres. Many involve the misuse of simple items of equipment such as ladders and stepladders

Access and Working at Heights The law requires that where work cannot be done safely from the ground, access equipment must be provided. The term access equipment covers ladders, steps, trestles, lightweight platforms, mobile towers and scaffolding.

Access and Working at Heights It is essential in all cases to be able to :- Select the right piece of equipment for the job. Check it is sound. Erected properly. Use it safely.

Scaffolding Before use :- Confirm with supervisor that scaffolding is safe to use. Note if “ scaffolding incomplete” notices are displayed. Note where sections are barred off.

Scaffolding In use Do not climb scaffold or climb from adjoining structures or building.

Scaffolding Do use a ladder or passenger hoist for access to scaffolding. Do not interfere with scaffolding e.g. Do not remove any members. Ensure brick guards are fitted, particularly when materials are stacked above toeboard height.

Scaffolding Keep working platforms and gangways clear and free from debris and waste materials. Avoid overloading working platforms.

Scaffolding Do not throw materials or debris from working platforms. Do not rig tarpaulins on scaffolding: windsail effect may cause collapse of scaffolding. Inform the supervisor of any defects e.g. Guardrails missing.

Ladder – Before Use Check before use for defects. Report all defects. Do not paint ladders. Never use aluminium ladders near electrical equipment.

Ladder – Before Use Employers maintains records of inspection. The right ladder for the job. Know the safe systems of work Use the safe systems of work.

Ladder Safety Ladder at correct angle 1 out to 4 up or 75 degrees Extend at least 1 metre above landing place. Lashed securely at the top or at the bottom. Alternatively the ladder should be “footed”

Excavations Every year on average 7 people are killed in excavations Deep trenches look dangerous but precautions are usually taken ; most deaths occur in trenches less than 2.5m deep.

Excavations Rain and drying out in hot weather can cause trenches to collapse A cubic metre of soil weights over a tonne. A person buried under this amount in a trench would quickly suffocate and die.

Excavations Precautions Safety helmets must be worn at all times. Access to and from the excavation should be by ladder, securely fixed. Do not climb in and out of excavations using the supports. Guardrails and warning signs are required where a person may fall into an excavation and where the public are at risk.

Buried Services Before excavation starts Determine the dangers Obtain advice on the location and ownership of the buried cables. Check existing plans to establish cable routes, depth and voltage. Use location devices to determine exact route(s)

Buried Services During excavation. Assume all cables are live. Use careful hand digging when nearing assumed cable route. Do not use excavators or power tools within 0.5m of the indicated route.

Buried Services Look for marker tape or other types of indicator, such as marker tiles, buried directly above the route of the cables. Support exposed services and do not use them as hand hold or foothold. Other services communication cables, water pipes, gas pipes etc.