IGC1.

1 FOUNDATIONS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. In relation to occupational health and safety, explain, using an example in EACH case, the
meaning of the following terms
a. Hazard something which has potential to cause harm
Example: chemicals, electricity, noise etc.
b. Risk is the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised.
Example: a worker using a machine without a guard
c. Welfare provision of facilities to maintain the health and well being of individuals at the
workplace
Example: washing, heating, lighting, seating etc.
d. Work-related ill health physical or mental illnesses that are either caused or triggered by
workplace activities
Example: asthma attack from dust exposure; deafness from noise exposure etc.
e. Near miss a no loss, no injury incident which could have resulted in an accident
Example: an object falling over when the area was unoccupied
2. A. Explain the reasons that organisations are required to have employer liability insurance.
In many countries, employers are required to take out employers liability insurance to cover their
liability in the event of accidents and work-related ill health to employees and others who may be
affected by their operations. This ensures that any employee, who successfully sues his/her
employer following an accident, is assured of receiving compensation irrespective of their financial
position of the employer.
b. outline six possible direct and six possible indirect costs to an organisation
following a serious accident in the workplace. Identify those costs that are insurable and those
that are not.
Direct Cost
Civil claims
Property damage
Equipment damage
Production loss
Absence of employee
Medical expenses
Indirect Cost
Fines resulting from prosecution
Sick pay
Product damage
Insurance premiums
Overtime cost
Investigation cost/time
Insured Costs
Cumulative business loss
Product/process liability claim
Recruitment or replacement of staff

Uninsured Costs
Loss of goodwill and a poor corporate image
Accident investigation time
Production delay
c. identify possible costs to an organisation resulting from poor health and safety standards.
Combine all above costs...
3. Outline the ways in which the International Labour Organisation (ILO) formulates a framework of
international standards in occupational health and safety.
The International labour standards were developed to improve working conditions with respect to
health and safety and career advancement. The ILO has set up conventions and recommendation
through which they enforce the legal framework to employers to maintain certain standards. These
may be modified as they are required to the local national laws.
ILO Conventions are international treaties signed by ILO member states and each country has an
obligation to comply with the standards that the convention establishes.
ILO Recommendations are non-binding instruments that often deal with the same topics as
Conventions. Recommendations are adopted when the subject, or an aspect of it, is not considered
suitable or appropriate at that time for a Convention. Recommendations guide the national policy
of member states so that a common international practice may develop and be followed by the
adoption of a Convention.
The ILO also publishes codes of practice, guidance and manuals on health and safety matters.
These are often used as reference material by either those responsible for drafting detailed
regulations or those who have responsibility for health and safety within an organisation.
4. Explain, giving an example in each case, the differences between the levels of duty absolute,
practicable and reasonably practicable.
Absolute Duty
This is the highest level of duty and, often occurs when the risk of injury is so high that injury is
inevitable unless safety precautions are taken. Many health and safety management requirements
contained in national health and safety law place an absolute duty on the employer. Examples of
this include: the need for written safety policies, risk assessments, information and training for high
risk activities.
Practicable Duty
This level of duty is more often used than the absolute duty as far as the provision of safeguards is
concerned and, in many ways, has the same effect. A duty that the employer ensures, so far as is
practicable that any control measure is maintained in an efficient state means that if the duty is
technically possible or feasible then it must be done irrespective of any difficulty, inconvenience
cost.
Reasonably practicable
This is the common level of duty and means that if the risk of injury is very small compared to the
cost, time and effort required to reduce it, no action is necessary . It is important to constantly
monitor that risk does not increase.

5. a. Outline the principal duties and responsibilities of employers to safeguard the health and
safety of workers in their organisation
Principal duties and responsibilities of employers are:
1. to provide and maintain workplaces,
2. to provide safe equipment
3. to give necessary instruction and training
4. to provide adequate supervision
5. to provide safe working environment
6. to provide adequate welfare facilities
7. to provide personal protective equipment free of cost
8. to ensure adequate information is cascaded
b. outline the main health and safety responsibilities and rights of the workers in the organisation
Rights:

To be consulted regarding any hazards or risks to health and safety from hazardous factors at the
workplace

Receive adequate information and training

To receive basic welfare arrangements

To be provided with free of cost personal protective equipment
Responsibilities:

To take reasonable care for their own safety and that of other persons who may be affected by
their acts or omissions at work

Comply with instructions given for their own health and safety and those of others and with health
and safety procedures

Use safety devices and protective equipment correctly and not to render them inoperative

Report forthwith to their immediate supervisor any situation which they have reason to believe
could present a hazard and which they cannot themselves correct and

Report any accident or injury to health which arises in the course of or in connection with work

6 a. Outline reasons why national or state governments have health and safety laws
The international labour standards were developed for four reasons. The main motivation was to improve
working conditions with respect to health and safety and career advancement. The second motivation was
to reduce the potential for social unrest as industrialisation progressed . Third, the Member states want
common standards so that no single country has a competitive advantage over another due to poor
working conditions. Finally, the union of these countries creates the possibility of a lasting peace based on
social justice.

b. outline ways in which national / state governments try to help ensure organisations comply with
health and safety laws

by setting guidance
introducing regulations
monitoring them through visits and consultations
ratifying the organisations for motivating the standards

c. identify the actions that a national health and safety enforcement agency may take if a workplace is
deemed to be unsafe

Enforcement agency may issue:

Improvement notice to make changes to the conditions
Prohibition notice to completely seize the operation
Fines and Penalties may be imposed

7. identify three sources of information on national / state health and safety standards

Health and Safety legislation

HSE Publications, such as Approved Codes of Practice, guidance documents, leaflets, journals,
books and their website

European and British Standards

ILO

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - USA

European Agency for Safety and Health

Worksafe Australia

Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet

The internet and Encyclopaedia

8. a. Identify the possible consequences of an accident to

i. the injured worker

temporary or permanent disability

lack of confidence
lowered morale
financial implications
pain and suffering
family disturbance
loss of job

ii. Their employer

fines and penalties

medical cost
damage and repair cost
replacement and recruitment of labour
production loss
civil claim
insurance premiums

b. outline actions management may take to prevent similar accidents

Carry out risk assessments

Effective policies
Emergency procedures developed and practiced
Training and competency of the workers
Maintenance of work place
Review of existing control measures