tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359620412024-03-07T17:05:04.744-08:00Health and Safety - Nebosh General Certificate - NOW OUT OF DATEPlease note this blog is not being updated. For the latest version please go to
<a href="http://www.simplesensiblesafety.co.uk">www.simplesensiblesafety.co.uk</a> and select the Reference section.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-5061621485045722722008-11-06T03:45:00.001-08:002011-02-03T23:33:15.972-08:00New New NewOver the last couple of weeks I have converted this blog into a website. The content is much the same (in some cases updated or expanded) but I believe it will be far easier to use than this blog. <br />
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Go to <a href="http://www.simplesensiblesafety.co.uk/hs-reference">www.simplesensiblesafety.co.uk</a><br />
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I'd like to hear what you think.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-14295839325278075552007-12-11T13:30:00.000-08:002007-12-11T13:33:39.880-08:00Updated and available as PDF or hard backI have added a number of posts to this blog this week (December 2007) to update with regard to changes to legislation and simply to add a few sections. <br /><br />I have converted this blog in to a book which is available for purchase. An electronic version is available for £3.99 by clicking the button on the right. Alternatively, I often have it on ebay - search for nebosh ebook<br /><br />For a hard copy (£9.75* + postage) go to the printer's <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/621445">website</a><br /><br />You can access the page to buy from, as well as get more information and access some previews, on <a href="http://www.andybrazier.co.uk/Health&safety/book.htm">my website</a><br /><br />Why buy the book?<br /><br />1. The text is far more refined;<br />2. The book links to many guidance documents available free from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website, allowing you to get more detail on subjects when you need it without hunting around for the relevant documents;<br />3. You will be able to use the book offline<br />4. Feedback so far has been very positive with comments such as:<br />* As described, excellent, very comprehensive<br />* Excellent item<br />* Seems to cover everything<br />* Looks very professional<br />* This is a great 'book' many thanks<br /><br />You can access the page to buy from, as well as get more information and access some previews, on <a href="http://www.andybrazier.co.uk/Health&safety/book.htm">my website</a><br /><br />Feeback received so far includes:<br />Exactly what was offered on ebay is what was delivered<br />* As described, excellent, very comprehensive<br />* Excellent item<br />* Seems to cover everything<br />* Looks very professional<br />* This is a great 'book' many thanks<br />* Clear and concise information<br />* ebook covers everything and easy to read<br />* Great item, will help alot, many thanks<br />* First class Health & Safety literature highly recommended NEBOSH student reading<br />* Well presented, easy to follow<br />* Exactly what I was looking for, a moderately concise, matter of fact insight into health and safety<br /><br /><br />*Please note all costs are approximate and depend on exchange rates.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-60218935404876245142007-12-11T12:27:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:29:05.067-08:00First aid in the workplaceEven in the least hazardous workplace people can suffer injuries or become ill. Whatever the cause, it is important that they receive prompt and appropriate attention. First aid can prevent minor problems becoming worse, and for more serious events, calling an ambulance and getting the casualty to hospital can save lives.<br /><br />Making first aid arrangements<br />As a minimum, any work site must have a suitably stocked first-aid box and an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements. However, the following may require a higher standard of first aid provision:<br />* People working with hazardous substances, tools, machinery, loads or animals;<br />* Accidents or cases of ill health experienced in the past;<br />* A large number of people employed;<br />* Inexperienced workers and people on work experience;<br />* Employees with disabilities or special health problems;<br />* Premises that are spread out;<br />* Shiftwork or out-of-hours working;<br />* A workplace remote from emergency medical services;<br />* Employees who travel or work alone;<br />* Members of the public visiting premises.<br /><br />First aid responsibilities<br /><br />An ‘appointed person’ is someone who takes charge when someone is injured or falls ill (including calling an ambulance); and looks after the first-aid equipment (e.g. checks and restocks the first-aid box). An appointed person should be available at all times that people are ay work on site, which may mean appointing more than one. Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.<br /><br />A ‘first aider’ is someone who has undergone a training course in administering first aid at work and holds a current first aid at work certificate. HSE approve training organisations. Work sites that are low risk and have relatively few workers may not require a first aider (but do require an appointed person). Higher risk sites and or where more people work may require more than one first aider.<br /><br />Reference – ‘First aid at work - Your questions’ available free at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg214.pdf <br /><br />Basic principles of first aid<br />The priorities in an emergency where someone is injured or has fallen ill are:<br />1. Assess the situation, without putting yourself in danger;<br />2. Make the area safe;<br />3. Assess all casualties to identify any that are unconscious, which would be the highest priority for treatment;<br />4. Send for help.<br />When assessing a casualty the first thing to do is to check their consciousness. This can be achieved by seeing how they respond when gently shaken by the shoulders and asked loudly ‘Are you all right?’ If there is no response the priorities are to:<br />1. Get help;<br />2. Open the airway;<br />3. Check for breathing, and start Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if required.<br /><br />After this, injuries requiring particular attention include severe bleeding, broken bones and spinal injuries, burns and eye injuries. <br />It is good practice to keep records of any first aid administered. This can assist with any subsequent investigation of the causes of the incident.<br /><br />Reference – ‘Basic advice on first aid at work’ available free at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf <br /><br />First aid regulations<br />The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to their employees if they are injured or become ill at work.<br />The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with five or fewer employees and to the self-employed. <br /><br />What is adequate will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first aiders are needed, what should be included in a first aid box and if a first aid room is needed. Employers should carry out an assessment of first aid needs to determine this.<br /><br />The Regulations do not place a legal obligation on employers to make first aid provision for non-employees such as the public or children in schools. However, HSE strongly recommends that non-employees are included in a first aid needs assessment and that provision is made for them. <br />Reference – Approved Code of Practice L74 provides guidance for complying with this legislation.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-33876603505232164942007-12-11T12:25:00.001-08:002007-12-11T12:25:35.333-08:00Hand toolsHand tools can cause injury and the risks need to be managed. Basic precautions include using the appropriate tool for the job, keeping tools in good condition and training people to use the tools. The following specific guidance applies:<br />* Hammers - avoid split, broken or loose shafts and worn or chipped heads. Make sure the heads are properly secured to the shafts;<br />* Files - these should have a proper handle. Never use them as levers;<br />* Chisels - the cutting edge should be sharpened to the correct angle. Do not allow the head of cold chisels to spread to a mushroom shape (grind off the sides regularly);<br />* Screwdrivers - never use them as chisels and never use hammers on them. Split handles are dangerous;<br />* Spanners - avoid splayed jaws. Scrap any which show signs of slipping. Have enough spanners of the right size. Do not improvise by using pipes etc as extension handles.<br /><br />Reference – ‘Use work equipment safely’ available free at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg229.pdfHuman factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-3874510013960472802007-12-11T12:21:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:22:14.498-08:00Improving the health and safety cultureIt is not possible to improve culture directly. Instead, it is necessary to work at improving factors that can have a positive influence on culture. For example:<br />* Increase the amount of time managers spend visiting the workplace (not just after an accident);<br />* Improve managers non-technical skills (e.g. communication);<br />* Increase levels of workforce participation in safety related problems and solutions;<br />* Promote good job satisfaction and moral;<br />* Promote a ‘just culture’ where blame is only used where someone takes reckless risks;<br />* Implement a competence assurance program to ensure everyone throughout the organisation has the skills they need to work safely.<br /><br />Reference – ‘HSE Human Factors Briefing Note No. 7 - Safety Culture’ available free at http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/comah/07culture.pdfHuman factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-78364117745554335202007-12-11T12:20:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:21:19.250-08:00Signs that suggest a poor cultureThe symptoms of a poor health and safety cultural include:<br />• Widespread, routine procedural violations;<br />• Failure to comply with health and safety systems;<br />• Management decisions that put production or cost before safety.<br />These conditions can be difficult to detect because a poor culture not only contributes to their occurrence, it also means that people may be inclined to hide or cover-up violations and unsafe practices. <br /><br />Reference – ‘Inspectors human factors toolkit - Common topic 4: Safety culture’ available free from http://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/comah/common4.pdfHuman factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-44550455857576907732007-11-23T09:15:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:18:27.706-08:00Update - asbestosAsbestos attracts particular attention because it has had such a devastating effect for so many people.<br /><br />There are three common types<br />1. White (chrysotile), <br />2. Brown (amosite) <br />3. Blue (crocidolite)<br /><br />People working directly with asbestos are clearly at risk, but the main problem is that it has had many applications in the past, and this leads to exposure to others for many years after. Typical uses included:<br />* Pipe lagging; <br />* Ceiling tiles;<br />* Roof and wall sheeting (asbestos cement);<br />* Coatings sprayed on to steel structures to provide fire insulation;<br />* Thermal insulation in lofts and walls;<br />* Gaskets.<br /><br />Illnesses caused by asbestos inhalation include<br />* Pneumoconiosis; <br />* Asthma; <br />* Asbestosis; <br />* Mesothelioma; <br />* Lung cancer.<br /><br />Asbestos is covered by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006. They create a duty on employers if workers are likely to come into contact with asbestos based materials or if there is asbestos based material in the workplace. <br /><br />A suitable and sufficient assessment of the presence and type of asbestos is required prior to commencement of work. Where there is doubt it should be assumed that asbestos is present and that all the applicable provisions of the regulations apply. Anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos at work requires training. Where asbestos is found in the workplace a decision needs to be made about whether it needs to be removed or made safe whilst leaving it is position (i.e. encapsulated). Most activities involving asbestos must be performed by companies licensed to do so, although there are some exceptions, the most notable being work with textured decorative coatings such as Artex, although precautions are still required.<br /><br />There are two Approved Codes of Practice<br />* L143 “Work with materials containing asbestos” - Gives an in-depth look at the Regulations <br />* L127 “The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises” - Deals with how to manage asbestos.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-78691733852281261062007-11-23T07:55:00.000-08:002007-11-23T09:09:57.204-08:00The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007<br /><br />CDM regulations apply to most common building, civil engineering and engineering construction work. They require clients of construction work to make reasonable arrangements for managing projects (including the allocation of sufficient time and other resources) so that: <br /><br />1. Work can be carried out without risk to the health and safety of any person, <br />2. The welfare of people working on the construction site is addressed (e.g. providing sanitary and washing facilities, drinking water etc.)<br />3. Any structures designed for use as a workplace have been designed taking account of the provisions of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.<br /><br />Under the regulations the client has a duty to appoint certain roles (listed below). They must take reasonable steps to ensure only competent people are appointed or engaged; and any person taking on a role must only do so if they are competent. The client must:<br /><br />• Appoint a CDM co-ordinator – required to give suitable and sufficient advice and assistance to the client, ensuring suitable arrangements for the co-ordination of health and safety measures during the project, collating and providing health and safety information, liaising with the principal contractor, and notifying the HSE where required;<br />• Appoint a principal contractor – responsible for co-ordinating health and safety aspects during the construction phase;<br />• Ensure that the CDM co-ordinator is provided with health and safety information about the premises or site where construction work is to be carried out.<br /><br />Appointments need to be made in a timely manner so that there is time to develop suitable health and safety plans before construction begins. Everyone involved in the project must seek the co-operation of, and co-operate with others working on the project. Also, any person working under the control of another person has to report anything they are aware that is likely to endanger the health or safety of themselves or others.<br /><br />Every person involved in design, planning and preparation of a project must take account of the general principles of prevention of accidents and ill health.<br />For the purposes of these Regulations, a project is notifiable to the Health and Safety Executive if it is not for a domestic client (in which case there is no requirement for notification) and the construction phase is likely to involve more than 30 days or 500 person days of construction work. <br />A health and safety file must be developed that contains information relating to the project which is likely to be needed during any construction work, and future maintenance or modification. The file is passed on to the client at the end of the project. It should include any of the following where appropriate:<br /><br />• ‘Record’ or ‘as built’ drawings and plans used and produced throughout the construction process;<br />• The design criteria;<br />• General details of the construction methods and materials used;<br />• Details of the equipment and maintenance facilities within the structure;<br />• Maintenance procedures and requirements for the structure;<br />• Manuals produced by specialist contractors and suppliers which outline operating maintenance procedures and schedules for plant and equipment installed as part of the structure;<br />• Location and nature of utilities and services, including emergency and fire-fighting systems.<br /><br />The client must be given the safety file at the end of the project and take reasonable steps to ensure that it is kept available for inspection by those considering future construction work.<br /><br />Reference – The regulations are available <a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20070320.htm">free</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-61965222984054343812007-11-23T06:21:00.000-08:002007-12-10T10:35:51.812-08:00Update - corporate manslaughterThe Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is due to come into force on 6 April 2008. It will mean that companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter if its activities are managed or organised by its senior managers in such a way that <br />1. causes a person’s death, and<br />2. amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organisation to the deceased.<br /><br />The offence will be Corporate Manslaughter in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Corporate Homicide in Scotland.<br /><br />The introduction of the act will make organisations liable for Corporate Manslaughter if a fatality results from the way in which its activities are managed or organised. This approach is not confined to a particular level of management within an organisation. The test considers how an activity was managed within the organisation as a whole. However, it will not be possible to convict an organisation unless a substantial part of the organisation’s failure lay at a senior management level.<br />Corporate manslaughter will continue to be an extremely serious offence, reserved for the very worst cases of corporate mismanagement leading to death. The offence is concerned with the way in which an organisation’s activities were managed or organised. Under this test, courts will look at management systems and practices across the organisation, and whether an adequate standard of care was applied to the fatal activity. Juries will be required to consider the extent to which an organisation was in breach of health and safety requirements, and how serious those failings were. They will also be able to consider wider cultural issues within the organisation, such as attitudes or practices that tolerated health and safety breaches. <br /><br />The threshold for the offence is gross negligence. The way in which activities were managed or organised must have fallen far below what could reasonably have been expected.<br /><br /><br />More information is available at the Ministry of Justice <a href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporatemanslaughter2007.htm">website</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-72588094349200790702007-01-10T09:08:00.000-08:002007-05-12T01:50:15.673-07:00Blog now available as PDF and hard copy bookI have converted this blog in to a book which is available for purchase. An electronic version is available for £3.99 by clicking the button on the right. Alternatively, I often have it on <a href="http://search.ebay.co.uk/Health-and-Safety-2007-ebook-Nebosh-Cert_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfposZLL30Q201TYQQfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsacatZQ2d1QQsadisZ200QQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsatitleZHealthQ20andQ20SafetyQ202007Q20Q2dQ20ebookQ20Q2dQ20NeboshQ20CertQQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs">ebay </a><br /><br />For a hard copy (£9.75* + postage) go to the printer's <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/621445">website</a><br /><br />You can access the page to buy from, as well as get more information and access some previews, on <a href="http://www.andybrazier.co.uk/Health&safety/book.htm">my website</a><br /><br />Why buy the book?<br /><br />1. The text is far more refined;<br />2. The book links to many guidance documents available free from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website, allowing you to get more detail on subjects when you need it without hunting around for the relevant documents;<br />3. You will be able to use the book offline<br />4. Feedback so far has been very positive with comments such as:<br />* As described, excellent, very comprehensive<br />* Excellent item<br />* Seems to cover everything<br />* Looks very professional<br />* This is a great 'book' many thanks<br /><br />You can access the page to buy from, as well as get more information and access some previews, on <a href="http://www.andybrazier.co.uk/Health&safety/book.htm">my website</a><br /><br />Feeback received so far includes:<br />Exactly what was offered on ebay is what was delivered<br />* As described, excellent, very comprehensive<br />* Excellent item<br />* Seems to cover everything<br />* Looks very professional<br />* This is a great 'book' many thanks<br />* Clear and concise information<br />* ebook covers everything and easy to read<br />* Great item, will help alot, many thanks<br />* First class Health & Safety literature highly recommended NEBOSH student reading<br />* Well presented, easy to follow<br />* Exactly what I was looking for, a moderately concise, matter of fact insight into health and safety<br /><br /><br />*Please note all costs are approximate and depend on exchange rates.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-46897730281972893522006-12-01T01:13:00.002-08:002006-12-01T01:14:21.177-08:00As well as a realistic perception of risk, people need to be motivated to work safely. In general terms people at work are motivated by:<br /><br />* Skill variety – not having to do the same thing all day every day;<br />* Task significance – feeling their job is making a difference;<br />* Task identity – understanding how their contribution fits in to the bigger picture;<br />* Autonomy – having some control over how they do their task;<br />* Task feedback – getting information that they are doing their job well.<br /><br />These can present a challenge to health and safety. In particular, the desire for variety and autonomy can lead to people deviating from laid down procedures. Also, if people do not perceive the risks to be high, some of the activities they do for safety can seem to have little significance.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-21327253976186436502006-12-01T01:13:00.001-08:002006-12-01T01:13:42.327-08:00Risk perceptionsOne reason why people fail to pay sufficient attention to what they are doing or choose to either not read a procedure or to knowingly violate it is because their perception of the risk is less than reality (i.e. they think they are safer than they really are). Equally there are many high profile cases where people perceive the risk of something to be higher than is probably is (e.g. nuclear power, travelling by train in the days after an accident).<br /><br />The reality is that people are pretty poor at evaluating risks. Lack of knowledge clearly has an influence, but there are greater powers at work. Complacency is one of these, and is a natural reaction when people become familiar with a hazard so that they can almost forget it exists. Also, people seem to make an automatic evaluation of risks vs. benefits, and will instinctively accept a risk where they feel the benefit is worthwhile. Road travel is a good example. People are happy to continue this activity even though an average of 10 people die per day on UK roads, but would not accept anything like this risk from any work setting. <br /> <br />The challenge for health and safety is to get people having a realistic perception of risks. We want to understand there are reasons for controls, but we do not want them to become overly risk averse as this can stifle the business and stops people actually engaging with the risk management process. Getting this level of understanding is not easy, and will require continuous attention. As with many things, communication is the key and will involve finding ways informing people about risks in a way they will understand.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-85929951828112352992006-12-01T01:12:00.002-08:002006-12-01T01:13:14.102-08:00Communications errorsError is a natural part of human communication. It occurs when someone understands a message differently than the sender of that message intends. It is largely related to ambiguity in language, but also due to individuals having a different understanding of the subject. Errors are particularly common when one person is much more knowledgeable than another (i.e. experienced person talking to a trainee).<br /><br />One-to-one face-to-face communication is usually most reliable because people have an opportunity to discuss the message so that both parties can be sure it has been understood properly. Of course that requires the people to choose to discuss. Other forms of communication including remotely (i.e. by telephone or radio) and written usually cause more errors.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-75449671954370062952006-12-01T01:12:00.001-08:002006-12-01T01:12:48.545-08:00Types of human errorThere are many different types of error, but most fall into the following categories:<br /><br />* Omitting an action;<br />* Doing the wrong action;<br />* Doing the right action on the wrong object;<br />* Doing the action to soon or late;<br />* Doing the action too quickly or slowly.<br /><br />This list can be used during risk assessments to consider the potential consequences of different types of error.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-62926726757255161702006-12-01T01:11:00.000-08:002006-12-01T01:12:07.801-08:00Human errorStudies suggest that up to 80% of accident causes are contributed to some form of human failure. These failures are either people <br /><br />* Meaning to do the right thing but making a slip or lapse of attention and ending up getting wrong;<br />* Thinking they are doing the right thing, doing it perfectly but it turns out they made the wrong decision or selection at the start;<br />* Choosing to do the wrong thing by violating a rule or procedure.<br /><br />The important thing to realise that human failures are not random events and are actually caused. This means they can be predicted and their likelihood reduced. HSE guidance document HSG48 shows that the causes fall into three main categories:<br /><br />* Job factors - illogical design of equipment, disturbances and interruptions, poor instructions, poorly maintained equipment, high workload and unpleasant working conditions;<br />* Individual factors - low skill and competence levels, tired staff, bored or disheartened staff or individual medical problems;<br />* Organisational and management factors - poor work planning, leading to high work pressure, lack of safety systems and barriers, inadequate responses to previous incidents, management based on one-way communications, poor health and safety culture.<br /><br />Understanding the root causes of human failures and general performance problems is essential if effective solutions are to be developed.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-66157929138964796752006-11-23T10:37:00.000-08:002006-11-27T01:52:15.047-08:00Violence in the workplaceAlthough a violent is not usually seen as an accident, the potential for violence at work is a risk that needs to be managed. There are two sources of violence that need to be considered, employees attacking each other and members of the public attacking employees. People working in health sectors, education, handling cash (retail outlets and cash deliveries) and people in positions of authority (e.g. police) are most at risk, especially if working alone.<br /><br />Whilst violence is largely unpredictable, there are certain factors that make it more likely. They include:<br /><br />* The incentive for violence (e.g. perception that large amounts of money or drugs can be obtained);<br />* The perception of the likelihood of getting caught;<br />* The potential for conflict (e.g. situations where people may disagree with what is happening, such as when being arrested)<br />* Likelihood that people are drunk or have taken drugs.<br /><br />The job and working environment need to be designed to minimise the opportunities and incentives for violence. Employees who are at risk need to be trained how to deal with it, including recognising warning signs and taking appropriate action. Arrangements need to be made to summon help when required and to increase deterrents (e.g. CCTV). Violent incidents should be recorded and investigated in a similar way to accidents, in order to identify trends.<br /><br /><a href=http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg69.pdf>Reference</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-19117800155246726442006-11-23T10:36:00.000-08:002006-11-27T00:41:51.223-08:00Working away from the normal work placePeople may have a location away from their main base for some or all of their work (e.g. working from home) or may travel away from base to work (e.g. to visit clients). In both cases, the problem is that it is more difficult to know what hazards are going to be encountered and hence to assess risk and implement controls. Also, travelling is a risk in its own right.<br /><br />Issues to consider include<br /><br />* Where people work at a separate location on a regular basis, this location should be subject to the same assessments and controls as those for the normal work space. If the work is hazardous, the additional controls necessary may make working away from base uneconomic. Most work will be of low hazard, and setting up suitable office space and work stations will be the main concern.<br />* Where people visit sites controlled by another organisation, it is difficult to impose any further controls. In this case the employer should take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety standards at the site are adequate, and to impose restrictions on what the employee can and cannot do. The employee should be competent in assessing their own risks and know to stop work if they consider it to be unsafe.<br />* There are some steps employers can take to minimise the risk of travelling. These include making sure vehicles are in good condition, providing driver training (e.g. defensive driving) and planning routes in advance. Policies for use of mobile phones and other devices (e.g. satellite navigation) should be developed.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-24483080782107549372006-11-23T10:35:00.000-08:002006-11-27T00:20:40.160-08:00Lone workingPeople working alone are not really exposed to any different hazards than if someone else was present, but the risks can be greater and so need to be considered in assessments. The following may apply to lone workers:<br /><br />* If they have an accident or fall ill it may be a long time before they are discovered;<br />* They may be more prone to violence<br />* They may be tempted to tasks that should be done by two or more people because there is no one available to help<br />* They may break rules more often because there is no supervision<br />* Some may have psychological problems working alone, and find it stressful.<br /><br />As a result of the risk assessment it should be possible to determine if it is safe for someone to work alone. If it is, measures are likely to be required that ensure lone workers do not have health problems that make them unsuitable, provide communication, ensure adequate competence and supervision. There are alarm systems that automatically alert to a 'man down' situation, but of course it is important to ensure there is someone to receive and act on any alarm.<br /><br /><a href=http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf>Reference</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-77265749924251767432006-11-23T10:34:00.000-08:002006-11-24T12:42:12.732-08:00Night workersWorking nights can affect health and causes other safety concerns.<br /><br />Health problems occur because people are working outside normal 'circadian' rhythms. This disrupts sleep patterns which causes fatigue, that can have physical and psychological consequences. Nights workers are believed to be at higher risk of heart and stomach problems. Also, working unusual hours can impact relationships.<br /><br />People working at night are likely to be tired and so prone to errors. Also, it is likely to be dark and there is usually less support (e.g. technical), which can create problems.<br /><br />Where people work shifts (i.e. not on permanent nights) the pattern of days to nights and how they rotate can make a significant difference. Night workers can reduce risks by making sure they take their breaks (i.e. do not work overtime), get sleep when they can, power napping, eating healthily and not smoking.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-50293140956774251732006-11-23T10:33:00.007-08:002006-11-24T12:29:55.412-08:00Young people in the workplaceYoung people can be at higher risk than because of their age and lack of experience of working in general, and in the particular job they are doing. <br /><br />The following need to be considered in risk assessments when young people are at work.<br /><br />* People are at particular risk of injury in the first six months of a job as they may be unaware of existing or potential risks. <br />* Young people may lack experience or maturity or may be unaware of how to raise concerns.<br />* They may not have reached physical maturity and therefore lack the strength demanded<br />* They may be eager to impress or please people with whom they work<br /><br />A young person's first employer has an excellent opportunity to instill safe and healthy work in them, that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.<br /><br />Legislation defines young people as being under the age of 18. It places restrictions on some activities and the hours they are able to work.<br /><br /><a href=http://www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/index.htm>Reference</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-1164187794549956162006-11-23T10:32:00.005-08:002006-11-27T02:00:02.532-08:00Medical conditionsThe health of people can be a significant risk factor for hazardous work. Problems can arise because a medical condition may be exacerbated by the activity and/or if they do have a problem it may not be easy for them to receive appropriate medical treatment in a timely manner. This needs to be considered in risk assessments. the following may be an issue for activities involving work at height (especially from a ladder), driving, confined space entry:<br /><br />* Recurring dizziness<br />* Epilepsy<br />* Psychiatric conditions (inc fear of heights)<br />* Heart condition<br />* Severe lung conditions<br />* Alcohol and drug abuse<br />* Significant impaired joint function<br />* Medication that recommends you do not operate machinery could also be a problem<br /><br />When people are working with hazardous substances it is important to consider whether they are more susceptible than most due to a health problem (e.g. eczema, lung problems).Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-12708904602484955462006-11-23T10:32:00.004-08:002006-11-24T12:15:37.158-08:00Women of child bearing ageUnborn and young babies are particularly vulnerable to certain hazards. Therefore, any workplace where women of child bearing age may be present must assess the risks to unborn and young babies. It is not good enough to just deal with this when someone announces they are present as a lot of damage can be done in the early weeks of pregnancy, and it must be recognised that the woman may not even know she is pregnant at this time.<br /><br />Particular concerns are where any of these are present or can occur<br /><br />* Working in awkward spaces and workstations.<br />* Vibration.<br />* Noise.<br />* Radiation <br />* Biological agents<br />* Infections.<br />* Chemical hazards<br />* Handling drugs and pesticides, <br />* Lead etc<br />* Inadequate facilities (including rest rooms).<br />* Excessive working hours (nightwork etc).<br />* Unusually stressful work.<br />* Exposure to cigarette smoke.<br />* High or low temperatures.<br />* Lone working.<br />* Work at heights.<br />* Travelling.<br />* Exposure to violence.<br /><br />Also, it is recognised that expectant and new mothers can suffer from pregnancy related health problems that need to be taken into account.<br /><br />Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to take particular account of of risks to new and expectant mothers. They require risks to be assessed and results made known to all women of child bearing age. <br /><br /><a href=http://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/indg373hp.pdf>Reference</a>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-991888514528421722006-11-23T10:32:00.003-08:002006-11-24T09:35:20.683-08:00Housekeeping50% of all trip accidents are caused by bad housekeeping. Leaving flammable materials lying around can cause a fire risk, and any obstacles can hinder escape in a fire. Also, there is a cultural element to housekeeping with people tending to feel safety it more important if their workplace is tidy and well ordered.<br /><br />* Ensure there is a suitable walkway through the workplace<br />* Keep it clear, no trailing wires, no obstructions.<br />* Make sure there are places to put waste materials and make sure people use them promptly after waste is produced (e.g. packaging, broken equipment and parts)<br />* Make sure there is enough room to store tools, equipment and supplies and make sure items are returned to the correct store immediately after use.<br /><br />It is all simple stuff that does not cost any money. But it can have a big impact on safety and how people perceive the importance of safety.Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-21368928560159943122006-11-23T06:09:00.001-08:002006-11-23T09:04:37.923-08:00Legal requirements for monitoring<p:colorscheme colors="#FFFFFF,#000000,#5E574E,#FF0000,#FF6600,#FFCC00,#996633,#808000"> </p:colorscheme><div shape="_x0000_s1026" class="O" style=""><span style="font-size: 24pt; color: rgb(0, 51, 204);"><b></b></span></div>there is a clear duty under the The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992 for monitoring.<br /><br />"Every employer shall 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, <span style="font-weight: bold;">monitoring</span> and review of the preventive and protective measures"<div shape="_x0000_s1026" class="O"><div style=""><span style="font-size: 28pt;"><b> </b></span></div> </div>Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35962041.post-8761515512266129382006-11-23T06:08:00.001-08:002006-11-23T08:58:45.030-08:00Seting health and safety performance targetsAs with most things in life, setting health and safety performance targets can help improve performance by giving people something tangible to aim for and because they show that the organisation is serious about the issue. However, setting targets can be fraught with problems. the obvious outcome we want from health and safety is that no one is harmed at work, but given that hazards always exist, risk management can only reduce the likelihood rather than eliminate it all together. But, setting what may be considered a more realistic target (i.e. something above zero) can give the impression that accidents are acceptable or that the organisation is willing to compromise on safety.<br /><br />It is possible to set reactive targets (e.g. accident, incident and ill health rates; claims, enforcement and complaints) but their use may be limited. It is probably much better to set targets for positive outcomes. Examples may be:<br /><br />* Completing inspections and audits as per schedule<br />* Implementing recommendations within a specified time scale<br />* People completing training<br />* People achieving competency standards<br />* Achieving a recognised standard (OHSAS 18001, RoSPA award)Human factors in risk managementhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222971712040213908noreply@blogger.com0