Unit 27 Understanding Health and Safety in the Business Workplace

Understand how health and safety legislation and regulations affect a business working environment.

It is estimated that there are around 1.6 million accidents each year in the workplace with a cost to British industry of around £700m. 

These figures would be much worse without a strong set of laws passed by the UK & EU Parliaments.

Would you see this scene in the UK?

The main piece of legislation in the UK is The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Details here.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1994. Details here.



Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Details here.

Unit 27 Understanding Health and Safety in the Business Workplace

Know the requirements for healthy, safe and productive working conditions.

Physical environment:

What do you think are the top ten causes of accidents in the workplace?

Accidents that occur in the working environment are commonly caused by:

Falling objects.

Hand tools.

Moving objects.

Evacuation assembly areas:



Site building works:

What additional risks may be associated with building works?

Off-site work:

For health and safety purposes workers 'off site' are still covered by health and safety legislation. 

What additional risks may occur in these situations?

See: www.bath.ac.uk/hr/...safe.../fieldwork/generic-ra-remote-working.docx

Organic infestations:

Houseflies.

Cockroaches.

Ants.

Wasps.

Birds.

Foxes.

Vermin infestation:

Rats.

Mice.

Fleas.

Dampness and mould:

Who is responsible for the prevention of dampness and mould?

What problems can dampness and mould cause?


Materials:

We have already looked at the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).


Hygiene facilities:

Toilets and washing facilities.

When may an employer have to provide showers for their employees?


Food preparation areas:

What not to do:



Unit 27 Understanding Health and Safety in the Business Workplace

Equipment related to health and safety

What do you think are some of more of the commonly used examples of safety equipment in the workplace?

Think about a factory:

A supermarket:

A college...before:

After:

Examples of safety equipment:

1. Safety guards.

What type of risks may require safety guards?

Mixers
Meat slicers

Vegetable slicers

2. Warning signs and sound signals



3. Protective clothing

What type of protective clothing may be used in the college?



4. Accessible emergency exits

5. Fire extinguishers or sprinkler systems

Activity: Spot the fire extinguisher

Location:
Where is it positioned e.g. on wall, floor:
Type of extinguisher:
Is it the correct type?:
Are there any sign of tampering or damage?
Is it clearly marked with safety signs?
Date of last test / service:

Unit 27 Understanding Health and Safety in the Business Workplace

Implementation in the Workplace

Can you remember what RIDDOR stands for? Have a look at this.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34899459

An example of an accident report form. Look here.

Key personnel responsible for Health & Safety:

Director
Overall implementation of policy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15894895 

Head of Operations
Training
Promoting safety culture
Monitoring
Risk assessment
Implementation of H&S regulations
Testing

First Aiders

Fire Marshalls



All Staff
General safety and the welfare of others