MR. J. Hanna Occupational Studies

1. MR. J. Hanna Occupational Studies

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Health and Safety Commission (HSE)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. 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.

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

21. 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.

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

23. 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.

24. 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”

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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)

29. 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.

30. 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.