NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)

Safe buildings.
Safe plant and equipment.
Definitions
Safe systems of work.
Welfare = Looking after the basic needs of people. Competent staff.
Environment = The surroundings in which the organization Adequate supervision.
operates including land, air, water, natural resources, Adequate instructions.
fauna, flora and humans and their inter-relationships.
Worker’s responsibilities:
Ill Health:
To protect themselves and those around them.
Acute = Short-term exposure with immediate effect, usually Co-operate with their employer.
reversible. Report any situation that presents a significant danger.
Chronic = Long-term or repeated exposure with delayed effect, To receive adequate information, instruction and training.
often irreversible. The worker (or representative) should be consulted by their employer
Accident = An unwanted, unforeseen, unplanned event on all aspects of health and safety.
which results in loss.
Incident/Near miss = An unwanted, unforeseen, unplanned Legal System
event with the potential to result in loss. Civil Law:
The aim is to compensate an injured party for loss suffered.
Hazard = Something with the potential to cause harm.
There are 2 types of civil liability:
Physical
a) Fault liability
Chemical
b) No fault liability
Biological
Fault liability: Injured party must prove that:
Ergonomic
There was a duty of care owed.
Psychological
Duty of care owed was breached.
Risk = The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity The breach caused the loss/injury/ill health/death.
of the harm. No Fault liability: The injured party does not have to prove that the
Safety Culture = The product of individual and group values, employer was negligent.

attitudes, competencies and patterns of behavior that

Criminal Law:
determine the commitment to and proficiency of an
The aim is to punish and deter individuals and organizations from
organisation’s Health and Safety. behaving in a way that is unacceptable to society.
Immediate or direct cause of an accident = The unsafe act Punishment of organizations - usually a fine or restriction of activities.
or condition that caused the accident. Punishment for individuals - could be jail, fine, restriction of offices
held or all of the above.

The root or underlying cause of an accident = The failure of

Direct costs of Accidents
management systems and procedures that allowed an
Lost time of injured worker and any continued payments to worker or
unsafe act or condition to occur e.g. poor risk family.
assessment procedure, lack of supervision, no defect Damage to equipment, tools, property, plant or materials.
reporting system. Medical or hospitalization costs.
Time and materials to clean up after the accident.

Indirect costs of Accidents (hidden costs)

Benefits of Good Health and Safety Practice: Lost time by other workers (curiosity, sympathy, morale)
Increased levels of compliance. Lost time – assisting, investigating, arranging for new staff, preparing
Improved production. reports.
Improved staff morale. Failure to fill customers’ orders on time.
Improved company reputation.
Reduced accidents. Hidden Costs of Accidents:
Reduced ill health. Accident investigation.
Reduced damage to equipment. Payments to injured person.
Reduced staff complaints. Payments for non-productive time.
Reduced staff turnover. Replacement labour.
Reduced insurance premiums. Training for replacement labour.
Reduced fines and compensation payouts Business interruption.
Loss of reputation.
Reasons for Good Health and Safety Practice: Repair or replacement of damaged plant.
Moral Legal fees.
Legal Insurance.
Financial
Uninsured costs (8-36 times greater than insured costs)
Employer’s responsibilities:
The employer must provide:
Safe environment. Sources of Information
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
Internal Sources: 2 Organization (WHO) - To identify H&S roles & responsibilities and
Risk assessments. reporting lines within the company. This involves Competence
Inspection reports. Control Co-operation and Communication
Accident/incident records. 3 Arrangements (WHAT) - Set out in detail the systems and
Medical reports. procedures for implementing the safety policy - for example safe
Safety representatives. systems of work.
Safety committee reports.
Company safety policy. Issues included in Organization:
Maintenance reports. Clear roles and responsibilities for all health and safety responsibilities
allocated.
External Sources: Competence. – From recruitment through to staff transfers and training.
Government organizations –Enforcing Authorities - KATE
Professional institutions – IOSH Control. – Policies, procedures, auditing, supervision and management
World Health Organisation – ILO involvement. Allocating responsibilities accountabilities, instruction,
Suppliers and manufacturers. supervision to achieve control of H&S.
Consultants and specialists. Cooperation. – is assisted by consultation and demonstrates
Insurance companies and workers unions. management commitment - internally between individuals, groups,
departments, including consultation with H&S reps and externally
Elements of HSG65 Health and Safety Management between clients suppliers and contractors.
Communication. – Needs to flow in all directions. Verbal, written, visible,
Systems:
example
POP MR A
Policy: Issues included in Arrangements:
Sets out Health and Safety aims and objectives of the organisation and Sets out in detail how the requirements of the policy will be met This will
Management commitment. include procedures and arrangements for planning, organisation, control,
Safety policy should be signed by the most senior person in the monitoring and review. The procedures might include:
organisation because: Risk assessments.
It shows management commitment. COSHH assessments – Control of substances hazardous to health.
It gives the policy authority. Safe systems of work.
The person who signed it has ultimate responsibility. Permits to work.
Eectrical work, hotwork, confined spaces.
Organisation: 5Cs Manual handling.
Clear roles and responsibilities. Policies and procedures – Fire, First aid
Competence. KATE Training programmes.
Control. (policies, procedures) Maintenance of plant and equipment.
Co-operation obtained through consultation. Housekeeping.
Communication. (Should flow in all directions) Storage, transportation, handling.
Radiation, dust, noise, fumes.
Planning and Implementation: PPE personal protective equipment.
Generate SMART objectives.
Identify hazards, assess risks and decide how risks can be eliminated or The safety policy should be reviewed:
controlled. After:
Set standards against which performance can be measured. Prosecutions
Enforcement Action
Measuring Performance Compensation Claims
Used as a means of determining the extent to which health and safety Review period expires
policy and objectives are being implemented. It should be both: Professional Advise
Proactive. – Safety performance measurements made before an Accidents or Incidents.
accident happens Changes in:
Reactive. – Safety performance measurements made on information Organisation.
resulting from accidents and ill-health. Processes.
Materials.
Premises.
Reviewing Performance
Legislation.
Analysing data gathered through monitoring to see whether
Work patterns.
performance is adequate.
Risk assessments.

Audit Targets
Important because:
Systematic critical examination of each stage of an organisation’s
They give evidence of management commitment.
management systems and procedures.
They motivate staff by giving them something to aim for.

Components of Safety policy:

1 Statement of Intent (WHAT) - Demonstrates Management’s Ineffective Health and Safety Policies
commitment to health and safety and sets the H&S aims and No commitment or leadership.
objectives No annual objectives.
Health and safety not given enough priority.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
Insufficient resources provided. The enforcing authority. EHS
Personnel do not understand the aims. Fire and rescue service.
Too much emphasis on employee responsibility. Insurance company.
No measurement of performance. Contractors.
Management unaware of their role. Consultants and engineers.
No training of management in their responsibilities. Manufacturers and suppliers.
Clients and customers.
Employer’s responsibilities towards Employees: Police.
Specialist health practitioners.
Provide safe plant and equipment.
Public.
Information, instruction, training and supervision (ITIS).
Media.
Safe place of work, access and egress.
Safe environment and welfare facilities.
Provide a Safety policy. Management strategy for contractors
Consult and inform employees. Identification of suitable bidders.
Perform risk assessments. Checking health and safety aspects of bids.
Provide effective health and safety management. Contractors agree to clients rules.
Competent health and safety assistance. Managing the contractors on site.
Health surveillance. Identification of hazards related to job.
Checking contractor work.
Precautions for visitor safety
Signing in. Selection of a suitable contractor
Providing identification badges. Experience with type of work.
Providing personal protective equipment. Reputation.
Site induction e.g. fire precautions. Suitable reference or recommendation.
Escorting visitor to area of work. Previous work record.
Remain with visitor back to reception area. Adequacy of safety policy.
Signing out visitor and removing badge. Enforcement history.
Accident and ill-health data.
Duties of Employees: Membership of trade organisations.
Protect themselves and others from danger. Suitable training for employees.
Co-operation with employer. Arrangements for sub contractors.
Not to interfere with anything provided for safety. Suitable risk assessments etc.
Follow instructions and training given.
Inform employer of dangers and problems with health and safety Managing of contractors on site
arrangements. Appointment of coordinator.
Pre-contract meeting.
Requirements of Safety practitioner: Progress meetings.
Regular inspections.
Knowledge and understanding of the work involved.
Safety committee.
Understanding of principles of risk assessment.
Method statements.
Knowledge of current health and safety applications.
Accident and incident reporting.
Capacity to apply to tasks required.
Client set example.
Ability to identify problems.
Safety propaganda.
Ability to assess the need for action.
Plant documentation.
Ability to design and develop strategies.
Training competency.
Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies.
Promote and communicate health and safety.
Understand current best practice. Reducing the risks to Contractors before and during the
Awareness of own limitations. building project
Willingness to learn. Before:
Membership of a professional body IIRSM IOSH. Careful selection of suitable contractors.
Competence based qualification. Identification of hazards associated with the job.
Checking the health and safety aspects of the bids.
Functions of the safety practitioner Establishing site rules.
Advise management. Suitable risk assessments.
Carry out inspections. Suitable training for employees.
Investigate accidents. Method statements.
Record and analyze accident data. Appointment of co-coordinator.
Assist with training. Pre-contract meeting.
Contact external bodies. During:
Liaison with the work force. Progress meetings.
Keep up to date with new safety standards. Regular inspections.
Liaison with contractors. Safety committee.
Accident/incident reporting.
External parties the Safety practitioner will communicate Clients sets an example.
Safety propaganda.
with.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
Monitor training program. Safety Culture = The product of individual and group values,
attitudes, competencies and patterns of behavior that
Functions of the Safety Representative
determine the commitment to, and proficiency of an
Investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences.
Investigate complaints from employees. organisation’s health and safety performance.
Make representations on general matters of health and safety to
employer. Internal influences on health and safety management
Carry out workplace inspections.
standards:
Examine causes of accidents.
Production demands – Too many resources directed to production and
Consult with enforcement authorities.
not enough to health and safety.
Attend safety committee meetings.
Management commitment.
Communication.
Importance of consulting Competence.
Worker’s committees and representatives should: Employee representation.
Be given adequate information on health and safety matters.
Be consulted when major health and safety changes are envisaged.
External influences on health and safety
Given protection from dismissal when carrying out duties as a
Economic.
representative.
Social expectations – society expects certain safe behavior.
Ability to contribute to decision making process.
Legislation.
Be able to communicate with workers during working hours.
Enforcement.
Be free to contact labour inspectors.
Insurance companies.
Be able to contribute to negotiations in the undertaking of health and
Trade unions.
safety matters.
Have reasonable paid time to exercise their health and safety
functions. Indicators of a company’s health and safety culture:
Have recourse to specialists for advise on particular health and safety Accident rates.
problems. Absenteeism.
Sickness.
Staff turnover.
Matters on which employees are to be consulted
Complaints.
Introduction of measures that affect their health and safety.
Compliance with legislation and internal policies.
New processes and technology.
Morale.
New organisation of work patterns.
New personal protective equipment.
Planning and organisation of any training required. Benefits of a positive safety culture:
Increased levels of compliance.
Improved production.
Safety committee Improved staff morale.
Object is to promote co-operation between employees and employer
Improved company reputation.
on health and safety matters.
Reduced accidents.
No set structure. Formation of a safety committee is between the
Reduced ill health.
employer and worker’s union/volunteers.
Reduced damage to equipment.
Equal representation from management and safety representatives.
Reduced staff complaints.
Reduced staff turnover.
Safety committee – effective meetings Reduced insurance premiums.
Agenda may include relevant items such as:
Study of statistics. Factors that can cause a health and safety culture to
Examination of audit reports.
decline:
Analysis of inspector’s report.
Lack of communication.
Consideration of safety representative’s reports.
Perception of a growing blame culture.
Development and monitoring of work safety rules and safe systems
Lack of leadership and management commitment.
of work.
Lack of monitoring.
Appraisal of effectiveness of safety training.
Failure to implement remedial action.
Monitor adequacy of health and safety communication.
Lack of consultation and employee involvement.
Establish a link with the appropriate inspectors.
Poor working environment.
External influences – unions.
Factors that influence the effectiveness of safety committee Health and safety seen as a low priority.
Balanced representation.
Lack of supervision.
Influence in decision making.
Reorganization and uncertainty.
Respect of management.
Commitment from members.
Promoting a positive health and safety culture:
Good leadership and chairmanship.
Senior management commitment.
Good communication channels.
Ownership of health and safety at all levels.
Access to information or specialist advice.
Effective consultation.
Formalised procedures with agendas.
Effective communication.
Relevant (not trivial) agenda items.
Training for all levels of employees.
Agenda not led by industrial relations.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
Shared perception of risks. Maximize effectiveness of health and safety notice board:
Standards of acceptable behavior. Locate in a prominent area.
Learning from experience through monitoring and review. Dedicated to health and safety only.
Balance between health and safety and production. Information displayed is relevant and current.
Information in a neat orderly state.
Why employees fail to comply with safety procedures even Make boards eye-catching through colour and graphics.
when competent:
Lack of motivation. Training should be given at the following stages:
Unrealistic working procedures. On joining the organisation – (Induction training)
Lack of management commitment. Before starting work – (Job specific)
Over familiarisation with the task. At regular intervals – (Refresher training)
Repetitive work leading to boredom. Whenever work practice changes e.g. new material, new technology,
Peer group pressure. revision of systems of work.
Willful disregard of laid down procedures. Before moving to a new job.
Fatigue and stress.
Lack of information. Induction Training is important because:
Job insecurity. Establishes a safety culture.
Shows management commitment.
Types of communication. Identifies responsibilities.
Written Communication: Identifies hazards and precautions.
Letters, memos, reports, notices, procedures etc. Employee made aware of hazards.
Advantages Disadvantages Imparts knowledge.
Permanent record. May be unread. Employees recognize and report hazards.
Reference. One way. Sets the scene for future performance.
Consistent message. Often no feedback.
Accurate detail. Time consuming.
Wide audience. Cost.
Induction training programme
Authoritative. Misinterpretation. Management commitment to safety.
Company safety policy.
Barriers to written communication. Consultative procedures.
Role of safety representatives.
Illiteracy.
Emergency procedures.
Competence.
First aid arrangements.
Level of written material.
Welfare and amenity provisions.
Presentation.
Specific hazards.
Quality of information.
Health surveillance procedures.
Quantity.
How to report accidents.
Attitude.
PPE.
Drugs and alcohol policy.
Verbal Communication:
Instructions, interviews, meetings, lectures.
Advantages Disadvantages Job specific training programme
Direct. No record. Safe system of work, permit to work.
Two way. No reference. Equipment training.
Quick. Unstructured.
PPE training.
Instant feedback. Inconsistent message.
Fire training.
Easy to do. Too much for memory.
Flexible. Limited audience. Safety inspections.

Barriers to verbal communication. Additional health and safety training

Hearing or speech defects. Increase in accidents or incidents.
Noise. Result of an accident investigation.
Distance. Dangerous occurrences.
Language – jargon. New processes or technology.
Lack of knowledge. Job change.
Attitude. Changes in working procedures.
Duration – speed. Changes in work patterns – night shift.
Promotion or reorganization.
New legislation.
Health and safety notice boards.
Enforcement action.
Information should include:
Results of inspections/audits.
Information for employees regulation poster.
Results of risk assessments.
Health and safety policy.
Insurance company requirements.
Evacuation procedures.
First aid arrangements.
Contact details for safety representatives. Young person’s training.
Targets for accident reduction. Young workers at risk because:
Overenthusiastic.
No experience comparisons.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
More likely to take risks. Examination of documents. – Manufacturers data, material safety
Open to influence and peer group pressure. data, legislation, codes of practice.
Body not fully developed. Combined techniques. – Analysing the results of safety audits.
Accident and ill-health data. – Monitoring accident statistics and
Precautions for young workers should include: investigation and ill-health complaints to identify the causes and
Provisions of suitable work equipment. then determining the hazards from the results.
Organisation of work processes. Near miss reports.
Health and safety training.
Mentoring. 2. Decide who may be harmed and how.
Supervision. What are the hazards.
Limited working hours. How likely are they to occur.
Consequences.
Number of employees exposed.
Benefits of training.
Frequency and duration of the exposure.
Employee Employer
Less suffering. Less accidents. Effects of the exposure.
Quality of life. Less absenteeism. Competence.
Job satisfaction. Less claims and premiums. Existing controls.
Achieve standard. Less legal issues. Example: - risk to pregnant women.
Flexibility of staff. Improve morale. Exposure to chemicals.
Improve safety attitude. Greater productivity.
Lead.
Improve efficiency.
Biological exposure.
Ionizing radiation.
Consideration for training session Extremes of temperature.
What employees need to know and what they do already know – gap Ergonomic issues like prolonged standing.
analysis. Stress.
Types of training already received. PPE
Employees responsibilities.
Activities carried out. 3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions
Risks associated with activities. are adequate.
Actions required by employees. Use a likelihood x severity matrix 5 x 5.
Different requirements for various staff. Likelihood:
Numbers involved. 1. Very unlikely.
Resources needed. 2. Unlikely.
Competence of trainers. 3. Likely.
Communicating to employees and getting their commitment. 4. Very likely.
5. Certain – imminent.
Employer should keep training records because:
Proof of employees’ competence. Severity:
Identify when refresher training is needed. 1. Minor injury – no time off.
Review effectiveness of training. 2. Minor injury – 3 days off work.
Assess progress against targets. 3. Injury, non-disabling illness, over 3 days off work.
Provide evidence in investigations. 4. Major disabling injury.
Provide evidence in legal actions. 5. Fatality.
1 – 7 = low risk.
Competent persons 8-15 = medium risk.
A person shall be considered competent when he has sufficient 16 – 25 = high risk.
knowledge, ability, training and experience to enable him to carry
out the tasks required of him and knowledge of his own limitations. 4. Record the significant findings.
Factors to be considered: Significant hazards should be recorded. Information such as the
Evidence of qualifications. number of people affected, the adequacy of existing control
Level of training. measures and any further precautions that may be necessary.
Membership of professional organisation. 5. Review the assessment and revise it if necessary.
Undertaking of written or practical assessments. Reviews should be done:
References or recommendations. Changes in process.
Changes in materials.
Changes in premises.
What is a risk assessment
Changes in legislation.
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what hazards are in the
Changes in work patterns.
work place and what precautions should be put in place to prevent
After an incident or accident.
harm.
After prosecution.
After enforcement action.
Steps in the risk assessment process After compensation claims.
1. Identify the hazards. After a policy review.
Workplace inspections. After professional advice.
Talking to the workforce.
Non-inspection techniques. – Break down the job into tasks and
evaluate each task to identify hazards. Methods of identifying hazards
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
Sources and forms of harm can be identified via:
Workplace inspection. (Proactive) Lone working
Job task analysis. (Proactive) Employer has a duty of care to persons working alone without close or
Manufacturers information. (Proactive) direct supervision:
Risk assessment. (Proactive) Single persons working on the premises.
Accident incident data. (Reactive) Persons working separately from the others.
Persons working outside normal working hours.
Mobile workers working away from their normal base.
Identifying hazards for different states of operation
Complex activities should be broken down into component parts. Lone working risk assessment
Installation. Should take into account the following:
Normal operation. Does the workplace present any special risks.
Cleaning. Is there safe access and egress.
Adjusting. Does the task present any special risks.
Breakdown maintenance. Is there a risk of violence.
Dismantling. Are women especially at risk.
Are young workers especially at risk.
Types of hazards to look for. Does the worker have any special medical conditions.
Mechanical hazards. Is the lone working likely to impose any additional physical or mental
Electrical hazards. burdens on the worker.
Thermal hazards.
Noise and vibration hazards. Lone worker controls
Radiation hazards. Training.
Toxic materials. Supervision.
Ergonomic design hazards. Monitoring.
Periodic visits.
Competence of risk assessors. Regular contact using telephone or radios.
A combination of knowledge, ability, training and experience Automatic or manual warning devices.
(KATE)and personal qualities.
Knowledge of own limitations. Hierarchy of control measures
A thorough understanding of the processes and procedures involved. ERICPD
Good communication skills. Eliminate – can the hazard be removed completely. E.g. Remove the
trailing cable.
Suitable and sufficient assessment Reduce – Can the risk be reduced at the source or is there a safer
The risk assessment will be suitable and sufficient if: alternative? e.g. reduce the risk of injury by using low voltage tools.
The detail in the risk assessment is proportionate to the level of risk. Isolate – Can the hazard be enclosed or contained. e.g. Guard on a
All aspects of the work activity must be reviewed taking into account dangerous part of a machine.
the way the work is organized: Control – Limiting the time or frequency of the exposure.
All of the significant hazards and risks must be identified. PPE – Can something be provided to reduce the injury in case of
The risks have been evaluated. accident. E.g. Issuing safety helmets or boots.
Employees and others at risk must be identified. Discipline – Ensuring that the procedures and rules are being followed
Suitable control measures must be identified. and taking action if not.
The control measures must be appropriate to the nature of the work.
The residual risk must be low. Safe system of work = A system of doing the work in the
Priorities have been set.
safest way practicable by performing a task analysis to
Takes account of non-routine operations.
Staff undertaking the risk assessment are competent. identify the hazards likely to be present and creating
Risk assessment is valid for a reasonable amount of time. procedures including the precautions necessary to avoid or
minimize the health and safety risks.

When is a safe system needed

Young persons A safe system of work is needed when the hazards cannot be
Young persons at greater risk because: physically eliminated.
Lack of knowledge, ability, training and experience (KATE). Cleaning and maintenance operations.
Body not fully developed. Changes to work layouts, materials etc.
More likely to take risks. Employees working away from base/alone.
More likely to respond to peer pressure. Breakdown emergencies.
Overenthusiastic. Contractors on your premises.
Control measures for young persons: Loading, unloading and movement of vehicles.
Induction training.
Close supervision.
5 Steps of the safe system of work
Mentoring.
1. Assess the task.
Clear lines of communication.
Materials.
Restrictions on type of work.
Equipment.
Restriction of working hours.
Environment.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
People involved.
Purpose of the task. Reasons why employees may not to wear PPE and
Work methods.
Reasons PPE should be a last resort.
Legal requirements.
Poor selection or fit.
Standards.
Lack of comfort.
Existing controls.
Incompatibility with other PPE.
2. Identify the hazards.
Fails to danger.
Working at height.
Contamination.
Working below ground.
Misuse or non-use.
Machinery.
Relies on action being taken by the user.
Electricity.
May create additional hazards.
Vehicles.
Difficulty in obtaining equipment.
Chemical hazards.
Relies on management commitment.
Environment.
3. Define safe method.
4. Implement the safe system.
5. Monitor the safe system.
Selection of PPE
Identify the hazard.
Designing a safe system by considering MEEP
Choose type of equipment.
Materials. – Raw, unfinished, disposal
Compliance with standards.
Equipment and machinery. – Design specification, ergonomics.
Comfort.
Environment. – light heat noise, space
Compatibility.
People. – Behavior, knowledge, skills.
Costs.
Replacement.
3 forms of workplace controls Training needs.
1. Technical. Hygiene problems.
Equipment – design e.g. guarding. Supervision.
Access egress – wide aisles. Storage.
Materials – choice of packaging to make handling easier.
Environment – Local exhaust ventilation. Training in the use of PPE
2. Procedural.
Legal and organizational requirements.
Policy and standards.
Consequences of not wearing it.
Procedures and rules.
Protection offered.
Permit to work.
Limitations of the PPE.
Purchasing control – buy good quality.
Compatibility with other types of PPE.
Emergency preparedness.
Correct usage.
3. Behavioral.
How to keep it clean.
Supervision.
Correct storage arrangements.
Health surveillance.
When and how to replace.
Competence. – KATE
Motivation.
Communication. Main purposes of First aid
Perception. Preserve life.
Prevent deterioration.
Permit to work = A permit to work is a formal written Promote recovery.
system used to control certain types of potentially
Assessment of first aid needs checklist
hazardous work.
Size of the organisation.
Work requiring permits:
Nature and distribution of the workforce.
Confined spaces.
Nature of the work.
Hot work and cold work.
Types of hazards and risks.
Electrical.
Past accident injury types.
Remoteness of emergency services.
Design of permit to work system Travelling, remote and lone workers.
1. Job location/plant identification. Need to train personnel in special procedures.
2. Description of work. Need to cover absence of first aiders.
3. Time limits.
4. Description of hazards.
5. Tests and checks prior to work commencing.
Workplace emergencies
6. Further precautions. Arrangements to be considered when developing an Emergency
7. Authorization. Response Plan:
8. Acceptance. Type of emergency – fire, hazardous chemical spillage, bomb,
9. Time extensions/Shift change procedures. flood, earthquake, tsunami.
10. Hand back. Emergency services contact and response times.
11. Cancellation. Appoint persons to deal with emergency.
All signatures must be legible. Communication systems.
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
First aid and medical facilities. It is only a snapshot in time.
Evacuation procedures. Some hazards may not be visible.
Effects on surrounding community. Some hazards may not be present at the time of the inspection.
Post emergency action e.g. media, repair, investigation. Unsafe practices may not occur during the inspection.
Emergency procedure should be practiced so that weaknesses in the
system are highlighted and corrected. Safety inspection checklist
Housekeeping.
Electrical safety.
Provision and use of PPE.
Reasons for monitoring Use and storage of hazardous substances.
Identify sub-standard health and safety practices. Manual handling.
Identify trends and patterns. Traffic routes.
Compare actual performance against targets. Machinery.
Useful in benchmarking. Internal transport.
Identify use and effectiveness of control measures. Emergency equipment.
Make decisions on suitable remedial measures. Welfare facilities.
Set priorities and establish realistic timescales. Systems of work.
Assess compliance with legal requirements. Working environment.
Provide information to board, committees etc.
Strengths of using a checklist to complete Health and safety
Types of monitoring inspections
Reactive monitoring. Enables prior preparation and planning.
Examining accident figures. More structured and systematic.
Claims records. Prevents issues from being overlooked.
Other reactive monitoring methods such as number of defects Ensure a consistent approach.
reported following safety inspection, enforcement action against Immediate record available.
company, prosecutions, legal mandates or court orders. Easy method for comparison and audit.

Proactive monitoring. Weakness of using a checklist to complete Health and safety

Safety audit – A systematic, critical assessment of each aspect of the
inspections
health and safety management system and procedures.
Inflexible approach.
Lengthy process carried out by a trained auditor, either internal or
Not reviewed or updated to account for changes.
external.
Inspections become routine and no follow-up questions asked.
The aim is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the health
No scope for secondary issues to be considered.
and safety management system
Incompetent person conducting the inspection.
A structured way of assessing the health and safety performance
Inspection procedure leading to human error or abuse.
that makes use of a scoring system so that improvements can
be measured.
Safety inspections – The straight forward observation of a Pre-audit preparation procedure
workplace, activities and equipment. Setting audit objectives.
Usually carried out by the manager, employee representative and Selecting the audit team.
safety advisor. Contact with the organisation being audited.
Often aided by the use of a checklist. Undertaking the audit.
The aim is to identify hazards and assess the use and effectiveness Draw conclusions.
of the control measures. Report and presentation.
May be carried out routinely Action by the organisation.
Safety surveys – focusing on particular activities and may be carried
out by a specialist. Internal audits
Safety tours – unscheduled, less formal workplace inspections are Advantages:
carried out to check on issues such as housekeeping or the use of Easier to arrange.
PPE. Lower cost to the organisation.
Safety sampling – Targeting specific areas. Employees may not feel so threatened.
Benchmarking – Where an organisations performance in certain Disadvantages:
areas is compared with those of similar organisation. Could be influenced by internal relationships.
Health surveillance - Providing periodic health checks before Conclusions may not be taken seriously.
symptoms appear The auditor may make assumptions.
Performance review – Did the organisation:
Achieve its health and safety objectives.
External audits
Implement effective control measures.
Disadvantages:
Ensure the effectiveness of training, communication and
Require more time to arrange.
consulting programmes.
Higher cost to the organisation.
Learn from management system failures.
Employees may feel threatened.
Meet legal standards.
Advantages:
Reduce the risk of accidents and ill-health.
Auditor will be completely independent and unbiased.
The auditor will ask questions and will not make assumptions.
Limitations of safety inspection
NEBOSH International General Certificate – IGC 1 (Quick Revision)
More weight may be given to their conclusions. Training records.
Maintenance records.
Initial actions to be taken following a major injury accident Equipment instructions.
Monitoring records – dust, noise.
at work Supervision quotas.
Make sure the area is safe to enter before entering as there could be
Inspection reports.
hazards surrounding the accident scene.
Pre-start equipment checks.
Call the first aiders to attend to the injured person.
Call for an ambulance if needed.
2. Analyse the information – What happened and why.
Secure the area by barricading to prevent unwanted people from
Analysis should determine:
entering.
Immediate/direct causes.
Preserve the evidence.
Root/underlying causes.
Identify witnesses.
Collect evidence like taking photographs or take sketches of the
3. Identify the risk control measures – possible solutions to be
accident scene.
identified.
Notify the authorities as per legal requirements.
The analysis may have identified that no control measures in
place.
Aims of accident investigation Control measures in place but not used.
Determine the cause of an accident. Combinations of both.
Identify weaknesses in the management system. Measures should be evaluated for:
Identify weaknesses in the risk assessment. The effectiveness of the control measures.
Demonstrate management commitment. Are the control measures practical.
Comply with legal requirements. Will the control measures be used.
Collect data to establish trends which can be used to prevent future Will the control measures remain effective.
business losses.
Provide information for Civil/Criminal actions. 4. Take action – should have SMART objectives.
Provide information to insurance company. Involves senior management.
Highest priority risk control measures implemented first.
Immediate and longer term action after an accident Prioritize the order of control measures to be implemented.
First aid for injured party. A senior manager nominated to be in charge of the
Calling for medical assistance if necessary. implementation.
Isolation of the accident scene.
Report to relevant enforcing authority if necessary. Reasons for reporting accidents
Identify witnesses.
Implement initial controls.
Set up investigating team.
Monitoring health and safety performance.
Full investigation to determine root cause. Make recommendations.
Starting point for investigation.
Implement corrective action.
To comply with legal requirements.
To prevent reoccurrences and further injuries/losses.
Preparation before investigation To provide information for any subsequent claim.
Who should be involved and the depth of the investigation. Review of risk assessments.
Accident scene preserved.
Gather relevant existing documents. Accident data can:
Identifying the witnesses.
Show trends and patterns.
Have legal requirements been met.
Identify weaknesses in procedures and policies.
Any equipment needed. Method to be adopted.
Prioritize safety measures.
Style of report and recipients.
Identify areas that require improvement.
Set targets for reduction.
Investigation team
Line manager – has knowledge of the processes involved. Employees can be discouraged from reporting accidents
Supervisor – has knowledge of the process.
because:
Safety representative – has legal right.
Ignorance of procedures.
Safety practitioner – to advise on health and safety implications.
Peer pressure.
Engineer – to advise on technical matters.
Retribution by management.
Senior manager – from a different department to be unbiased.
Preservation of the department’s safety record.
Over-complicated response to reports.
Undertaking accident investigation
1. Gather the information – Where, When, Who, What, Why.
MEEP – Materials, Equipment, Environment, People.
Nature of work.
Specialist examinations.
Medical reports.
Interviews and witness statements.
Documents:
Risk assessments.
Safe systems of work.
Incident/accident history.