Last updated: 10.06.2009
FAQ
Q: Why do I need a ‘system’?
A: System text extract;
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation5) requires the employer to;
'make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the nature of his activities and the size of his undertaking, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective, measures'
Q: Who is responsible for health and safety?
A: System text extract;
Directors carry the joint responsibilities for the company under criminal and civil law.
Health and safety law states that organisations must:
• Provide a written health and safety policy (if they employ five or more people);
• Assess risks to employees, customers, partners and any other people who could be affected by their activities;
• Arrange for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventive and protective measures;
• Ensure they have access to competent health and safety advice;
• Consult employees about their risks at work and current preventive and protective measures.
Failure to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences - for both organisations and individuals.
Sanctions include fines, imprisonment and disqualification.
Q: Who am I responsible for?
A: System text extract;
We all have responsibility under the law to; Employees, Customers, Suppliers, and Members of the public. The legal position is set out in the Health & Safety at Work etc Act of Parliament (1974). There are circa 40 Health & Safety regulations that must be complied with. Offences under these statutes fall within the criminal law in the U.K.
Q: Corporate manslaughter?
A: System text extract;
Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 an offence will be committed where failings by an organisation's senior management are a substantial element in any gross breach of the duty of care owed to the organisation's employees or members of the public, which results in death.
Q: What ‘risk assessments’ do I need?
A: System text extract;
Primarily those required by the regulations:
See the section 'Regulations Requiring Risk assessment' and the example risk assessments provided.
HSE report the following;
The most common causes of ill health;
Musculoskeletal injuries
Stress
Work related asthma
Hearing loss
Bacterial infection
Dermatitis
Vibration white finger
Eyesight
Asbestosis
Work related ill health causes five times as many lost working days than injuries sustained at work.
The most common causes of injuries are;
Manual handling
Slips & Trips
Struck by
Falls from height
Workplace transport
Plant & Equipment
Fires & Explosions
The activities that carry risk of those causes of ill health and injuries require risk assessment.
The practical situation is that the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations effectively require that you assess 'all risks in your workplace that could cause harm, and the likelihood that harm will occur in practice'.
As a person experienced in the business, and with the help and assistance of other employees, you can identify general and specific risks in your business, assess those risks and make everyone at risk aware of them.
Q: How many ‘records’ do I need?
A: System menu extract;
General Management
Policy, Manual And Employee Handbook
Incident And Accident
Reporting And Investigation Records
Employee
Training And PPE Issue
Inspections
Walkabout, Review, Meeting Minutes And Interviews
Fire
Systems, Practices, Plan, Checklist And Marshals
Work Control
Rules For Contractors And Permits To Work
Equipment And Systems
Statutory And Equipment Records
Q: How do I know when actions are due?
A: System text extract;
When you are routinely operating your H&S System the Diary page will be your first port of call.
The Diary identifies all the records you should be inspecting or actions you should be undertaking, on a structured routine basis either;
Weekly e.g. Fire Bell Test,
Monthly e.g. Accident Investigation Records Inspected
The Diary function is coupled to Records.
When no Diary requirements are due for 15 days the Diary colours Green
When a Diary requirement becomes due in the next 14 days it colours Amber
When a Diary requirement becomes overdue it colours Red
The Diary is coupled to the Records for individual items.
Q: Do I need a consultant?
A: System text extract;
Responsibilities
The responsibility for Health & Safety always remains with the employer.
Employers may import experience and expertise from outside their own organisation.
Employers cannot export responsibility for Health & Safety.
The employer is additionally responsible for any externally resourced persons when they are on site, including advisors, consultants, and contractors.
The employer may act upon or incorporate any recommendations, observations, or, suggestions, provided by such external resources.
The management and execution of such measures is the responsibility of the employer.
The accuracy, timeliness and completion of records, also always remain the responsibility of the employer.
Employers cannot sub-contract their responsibilities for Health & Safety.
Practical arrangements
It is often worthwhile engaging; experienced, objective observation, and informed opinion, with regard to the Health & Safety and Risk Management arrangements.
Q: Do I need to be qualified?
A: System text extract;
As a person experienced in the business, and with the help and assistance of other employees, you can identify general and specific risks in your business, assess those risks and make everyone at risk aware of them.
Q: What are ‘toolbox talks’?
A: System text extract;
Toolbox talks are simply guidelines, kept as brief as practicable, for use by line managers and H&S representatives as a discussion and training agenda.
As the title suggests, they are meant for a 10 minute discussion on the shop floor or in the canteen.
The documents may be printed off and posted on the notice board or kept in the workshop H&S folder as a reminder for everyone.
Feedback from employees is welcomed to ensure all risks are identified, assessed and preventive and protective measures put in place.
A: System text extract;
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation5) requires the employer to;
'make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the nature of his activities and the size of his undertaking, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective, measures'
Q: Who is responsible for health and safety?
A: System text extract;
Directors carry the joint responsibilities for the company under criminal and civil law.
Health and safety law states that organisations must:
• Provide a written health and safety policy (if they employ five or more people);
• Assess risks to employees, customers, partners and any other people who could be affected by their activities;
• Arrange for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventive and protective measures;
• Ensure they have access to competent health and safety advice;
• Consult employees about their risks at work and current preventive and protective measures.
Failure to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences - for both organisations and individuals.
Sanctions include fines, imprisonment and disqualification.
Q: Who am I responsible for?
A: System text extract;
We all have responsibility under the law to; Employees, Customers, Suppliers, and Members of the public. The legal position is set out in the Health & Safety at Work etc Act of Parliament (1974). There are circa 40 Health & Safety regulations that must be complied with. Offences under these statutes fall within the criminal law in the U.K.
Q: Corporate manslaughter?
A: System text extract;
Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 an offence will be committed where failings by an organisation's senior management are a substantial element in any gross breach of the duty of care owed to the organisation's employees or members of the public, which results in death.
Q: What ‘risk assessments’ do I need?
A: System text extract;
Primarily those required by the regulations:
See the section 'Regulations Requiring Risk assessment' and the example risk assessments provided.
HSE report the following;
The most common causes of ill health;
Musculoskeletal injuries
Stress
Work related asthma
Hearing loss
Bacterial infection
Dermatitis
Vibration white finger
Eyesight
Asbestosis
Work related ill health causes five times as many lost working days than injuries sustained at work.
The most common causes of injuries are;
Manual handling
Slips & Trips
Struck by
Falls from height
Workplace transport
Plant & Equipment
Fires & Explosions
The activities that carry risk of those causes of ill health and injuries require risk assessment.
The practical situation is that the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations effectively require that you assess 'all risks in your workplace that could cause harm, and the likelihood that harm will occur in practice'.
As a person experienced in the business, and with the help and assistance of other employees, you can identify general and specific risks in your business, assess those risks and make everyone at risk aware of them.
Q: How many ‘records’ do I need?
A: System menu extract;
General Management
Policy, Manual And Employee Handbook
Incident And Accident
Reporting And Investigation Records
Employee
Training And PPE Issue
Inspections
Walkabout, Review, Meeting Minutes And Interviews
Fire
Systems, Practices, Plan, Checklist And Marshals
Work Control
Rules For Contractors And Permits To Work
Equipment And Systems
Statutory And Equipment Records
Q: How do I know when actions are due?
A: System text extract;
When you are routinely operating your H&S System the Diary page will be your first port of call.
The Diary identifies all the records you should be inspecting or actions you should be undertaking, on a structured routine basis either;
Weekly e.g. Fire Bell Test,
Monthly e.g. Accident Investigation Records Inspected
The Diary function is coupled to Records.
When no Diary requirements are due for 15 days the Diary colours Green
When a Diary requirement becomes due in the next 14 days it colours Amber
When a Diary requirement becomes overdue it colours Red
The Diary is coupled to the Records for individual items.
Q: Do I need a consultant?
A: System text extract;
Responsibilities
The responsibility for Health & Safety always remains with the employer.
Employers may import experience and expertise from outside their own organisation.
Employers cannot export responsibility for Health & Safety.
The employer is additionally responsible for any externally resourced persons when they are on site, including advisors, consultants, and contractors.
The employer may act upon or incorporate any recommendations, observations, or, suggestions, provided by such external resources.
The management and execution of such measures is the responsibility of the employer.
The accuracy, timeliness and completion of records, also always remain the responsibility of the employer.
Employers cannot sub-contract their responsibilities for Health & Safety.
Practical arrangements
It is often worthwhile engaging; experienced, objective observation, and informed opinion, with regard to the Health & Safety and Risk Management arrangements.
Q: Do I need to be qualified?
A: System text extract;
As a person experienced in the business, and with the help and assistance of other employees, you can identify general and specific risks in your business, assess those risks and make everyone at risk aware of them.
Q: What are ‘toolbox talks’?
A: System text extract;
Toolbox talks are simply guidelines, kept as brief as practicable, for use by line managers and H&S representatives as a discussion and training agenda.
As the title suggests, they are meant for a 10 minute discussion on the shop floor or in the canteen.
The documents may be printed off and posted on the notice board or kept in the workshop H&S folder as a reminder for everyone.
Feedback from employees is welcomed to ensure all risks are identified, assessed and preventive and protective measures put in place.