Topic 2 - Safe Working Practices

1. Topic 2 - Safe Working Practices Textbook pages 62–67

2. Learning outcomes By the end of the topic learners will have an awareness of, and key intentions in: • The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA), for leisure contexts • The main European regulations in leisure contexts (the six-pack) • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Act (COSHH) • The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) • The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) – though knowledge of the DDA is not required in the assessment.

3. Health & Safety At Work Act 1974HASAWA Staff Responsibilities • Under HASAWA, Leisure Staff would have to ensure that: • Customers are safe at all times which changing, swimming or playing • Materials and equipment are stored away correctly and out of the way in proper store rooms • Notices, signs and information about safety procedures are clearly displayed • Any maintenance processes are carried out as per the required schedule e.g. gum equipment, lifts and escalators • Locations around the facility and practises that the staff are suppose to carry out are checked regularly

4. Health & Safety At Work Act 1974HASAWA Employers Responsibilities • Under HASAWA, Employers in the Leisure Industry would have to ensure that: • Staff take care of their own and colleagues’ health and safety, an know how to do so • Action I taken on any faults or repairs reported or logged • Staff are trained to use equipment safely, and follow the manufacturers’ recommendations • Training and awareness of staff is kept up to date

5. Health & Safety At Work Act 1974HASAWA • HASAWA was reviewed an amended in 1999 • The 1999 update brought in some important changes: • ‘Risk Assessment’ became the basis of all safety checks. This means identifying hazards, assessing how dangerous they are and what action is needed to make them sage • Special measures for the protection of young people and pregnant workers were introduced – police checks on anyone working with young people, and regular health checks for pregnant workers. • It became compulsory for an organisation or facility to have a written safety plan • It became compulsory for an organisation or building to appoint a safety officer • Emergency procedures now have to be agreed and practised – for fire and bomb threats, and for evacuation of large numbers quickly

6. The European Regulations of 1992The Six Pack The Management of Health and Safety at Work 1992 The Workplace Regulations 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1991 Personal Protective Equipment (and Clothing) at Work 1992 Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

7. The Management of Health & Safety at Work 1992 Brought in Risk Assessments The need for employers and employees to take action when a hazard is identified Everyone in the team becomes a risk assessor Employer MUST take action when problem is reported

8. The Workplace Regulations 1992 • Provide minimum standards for the working environment relating to Health, Safety and Welfare of Staff and Customers • In a leisure context: • In administrative areas –adequate space to work, work stations must be set up correctly for height, light and seating, smoking has become totally banned from these areas • In playing and changing areas – heating, lighting and ventilation must be maintained at recognised levels for comfort, e.g. around 21°C, with a free flow of air and low-glare bulbs. In leisure areas such as Ice Rinks, Ski Slopes or Indoor Spas, suitable clothing must be provided for staff • Doors, windows and any escalators or lifts must fire retardant, unobstructed and of safe material and have emergency stop buttons or crash bars for escape

9. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 • Relevant to leisure workers as they are often asked to carry, lift and move leisure equipment, boxes, mats and other sports kit. • The regulations set out how to manage loads better, by suggesting that before you begin the task you: • Think about redesigning the task – by breaking it into smaller chunks or using some lifting and carrying gear • Carry out a risk assessment to identify the things that could go wrong and decide if you can still manage the task safely in those circumstances • Ask to be trained in shifting the load, ask for better lighting if that will help or ask the load to be repositioned to shorten the lift

10. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1991 • PUWER for Short • Meant to ensure the provision of safe working equipment and its proper use • Examples • Poolside, there might be a lifting hoist for disabled people, which needs correct use so as not to drop them into the pool and maintenance as it in a humid atmosphere and parts may rust • Theme parks with a range of rides are particularly susceptible to mechanical failure if proper maintenance and safety checks are not carried out • Museums may well have large displays that need cleaning with electric machines • Staff in botanical gardens have to carefully consider how the tall hothouse plants or trees are reached, e.g. by using climbing equipment

11. Personal Protective Equipment (and Clothing) at Work 1992 • PPE for short • Helps to ensure that when staff are working in a noisy, dangerous or unusual conditions they have the use of protective equipment and clothing to minimise risk and have been trained in how to wear it effectively, for example: • Climbing instructors need helmets, harnesses, ropes and other hardware • Canoeing instructors need helmets, lifejackets, throw lines and spray decks, among other things

12. Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 • Staff in the Leisure Industry may use computers for many purposes • These regulations ensure that organisations must provide equipment that complies with the minimum standards for Visual Display Units (VDUs). They recommend that: • Any employees who use a computer for more that an hour a day should have health checks • All workstations should be checked for sitting and reading heights, distance from the screen, glare and lumbar support • Staff should have several regular short breaks rather than fewer longer breaks

13. COSHH • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Act 1994 • Often large amounts of cleaning fluids, pool chemicals, caustic substances for cleaning drains, pesticides, etc. on leisure premises. This would include Swimming Pools, premises with Canteens and kitchens, multi-sports centres, theme parks, hotels and children’s farms or visitor centres – about 2/3 of the industry • The Act requires staff to • Pass on any information about Hazardous Materials • Assess risks to staff and customers carefully • Store and handle chemicals safely

14. RIDDOR • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 • Requires organisations and individuals to keep a record of and report any accidents or serious occurrences of ill health so that: • Organisations can assess if there is a pattern or cause, and identify solutions • If an claims are involved, a clear record of the incident helps decisions be made fairly • Within 3 years of an incident, customer or staff may make claims of negligence against individuals or the organisation, and if they are found guilty in court, compensation may have to be paid

15. RIDDOR • Examples of incidents in the leisure industry that would certainly require recording and reporting are: • If someone has a fall, or is injured by something falling, or • If someone trips over an obstruction or slips on a wet surface • It is wise to ensure that all incidents are reported