Describe the responsibilities of the employer under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA)
- Provide a safe place of work for employees, including safe access and exit to buildings, and ensure that entrances and exits are clearly marked.
- Ensure all equipment provided is safe and ensure ongoing maintenance of equipment by making regular checks on equipment and machinery.
- Provide information about safety in the workplace and provide training programmes and advice to employees.
- Provide a written health and safety policy, circulate written statements and ensure that details are kept up to date.
- Provide a safety representative to represent employees needs.
Describe the responsibilities of the employee under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA)
- Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and ensure that they report any faults immediately.
- Take reasonable care for the health and safety of others and be observant and if they spot any hazards in the organisation, report them.
- Co-operate with the employer or line manager by attending any health and safety session and be familiar with the health and safety policy document.
- Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided for health and safety and never operate machinery they are not authorised to use.
Describe the key requirements under the Health and Safety (first-aid) Regulations Act 1981
- Employers must provide a suitably stocked first-aid box including basics of a first-aid guide, plasters, bandages, wound dressings and disposable gloves.
- Employees must be informed of first-aid arrangements such as who the first aides are, how to fill in an accident report form and where the first aid room is located.
- A first aide must be appointed and possibly a first aid room allocated.
Describe the minimum requirements for the working environment under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Fresh clean air should be circulated throughout the building. Through open windows or a mechanical system. Ventilation should reduce or remove warm humid air.
- Temperature - minimum 16c, no maximum legal temperature but must be at a comfortable level. May have to use fans or air conditioning units.
- Lighting - should be sufficient to allow staff to move around safely. Automatic emergency lighting for loss of power or an emergency.
Describe the minimum requirements for safety under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Floors should be suitable and not uneven or slippery. Floor areas should be kept clear from obstructions.
- Windows must be made of a safety material or protected against breakage.
Describe the minimum requirements for maintenance of equipment and premises under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- The workplace must be in good working order and have a planned system of regular maintenance.
- Equipment must be checked and maintained to ensure it is safe to use.
Describe the minimum requirements for facilities available under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- High quality drinking water must be provided from a main supply or bought in containers.
- Facilities to rest and eat meals and take breaks should be provided, this includes a suitable seating area.
- Equipment should be provided to store, prepare and heat own food.
- Toilets and washing facilities - must be clean, well ventilated and having drying facilities. Should also have soap and hot and cold running water.
Describe the fire safety policy
All businesses must have a fire safety policy which includes arrangements for planning, controlling, monitoring and reviewing fire safety measures. There must be one named person within each premises who has responsibility for co-ordinating fire safety measures.
Describe the emergency fire action plan
The fire action plan is the responsibility of management and should detail the action staff should take in the event of a fire.
Describe the training under the Fire Safety Regulations
Staff should regularly be made familiar with the policy and procedures in place for dealing with fire. Some staff should be identified as having specific duties in the event of a fire. These are called fire Marshalls and they should receive specialised training.
Describe what is meant by drills under the Fire Safety Regulations
Regulations suggest that drills should be held at least once a year, but the frequency will depend on the type of premises and risks identified in the risk assessment. The drill gives staff the opportunity to put into practice the fire action plan.
Describe what is meant by maintenance under the Fire Safety Regulations
Fire safety equipment should be checked frequently. These range from daily checks to ensure exits are not blocked, to weekly checks that the fire alarm system is working. Fire extinguishers should be checked annually.
Describe what is meant by record keeping under the Fire Safety Regulations
Larger organisations have to maintain records on issues identified in their risk assessment and any action taken. These could be audited by authorities to ensure that the regulations are being met.
Describe the ways how to prevent a fire under the Fire Safety Regulations
- Housekeeping and storage - keeping potential combustible material stored in appropriate places and keeping cleaning materials locked in a cupboard after use.
- Furniture- consideration given to the type of furniture that is purchased and must ensure it meets the minimum safety standards.
- Electrical - electrical faults are often a major cause of fires. Staff should be trained to use equipment correctly to reduce the risk of faults. Equipment should be regularly tested and any fault repaired swiftly.
Name the health conditions under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) 1992
- Repetitive strain injury
- Fatigue/ extreme tiredness
- Eye strain and dry/ sore eyes
- Backache or upper limb problems
Describe the areas covered under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Employers must examine workstations and ensure that they are suitable for the work carried out. Workstations must at least meet the minimum requirements.
- The visual DSE must have adjustable brightness and contrast to protect against eye strain. The screen/ monitor must swivel and tilt. The screen must also be suited to its intended use e.g., intensive graphic design work may require a large monitor.
- Adjustable chairs which are ergonomically designed, this means that the seat must have an adjustable back angle, seat height and swivel mechanism to ensure it does not cause any discomfort or back pain. A footrest could also be provided on request.
- The keyboard should be separate from the screen and the mouse should also be positioned closer to the user. There should be support for the users wrist and forearm to avoid RSI.
- Employers must provide for eye tests if the employee requests this and provide glasses or contact lenses if special ones are needed for work.
Describe the key areas under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Everyone has the right to access official information.
- A requester of information doers not need to give a reason for wanting the information.
- All requests for information must be treated equally regardless of who they are from.
- Only information that can be released to the world at large - qualifies for disclosure.
