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SAFETY INSPECTIONS By James McCann

2. INTRODUCTION

The Health and Safety Commission and its operating arm, the
Executive (HSC/E), have spent the last twenty years modernizing the structure of
health and safety law. Their aims are to protect the health, safety and welfare of
employees, and to safeguard others, principally the public, who may be exposed to
risks from industrial activity.

Whether you are carrying out an inspection as a safety technician,

manager or supervisor in a large office complex, factory or a small work shop, there
are many duties and responsibilities that are common to all places of work.

3.

The provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work

that are safe and without risks to health

Arrangements for ensuring the safety and absence of health

risks in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and
substances

Provide such information, instruction, training and

supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety at workplaces under
the employer's control

Ensure that work places, plant and processes are safe and
without risk to health

Provide and maintain safe means of access and egress

(entry, exit and escape) from premises and work areas.

Provide and maintain a working environment for employees

that is safe, without risks to health and adequate as regards facilities and
arrangements for their welfare at work. This includes transport, store , handle
and use materials in a safe manner.

GENERAL DUTIES
4.

Produce and distribute a statement of safety policy and its

implementation to all employees.

Consult with employees' representatives on matters related

to health and safety and establish safety committees if sought by
representatives. Such consultation is guided by published codes of practice.

Ensure that those who are not employed are informed of

safety and hazards for when they work or are present on employer premises and
use equipment and materials.

5.
The regulations apply to most work activities. They up-date and
extend existing UK health and safety law (1974 Act) and impact on employer duties
in relation to employees and others affected by work activity. They also affect the
self- employed obligation to protect themselves and others. They cover European
Union (EU) Article 118A directives on health and safety at work in relation to:
Regulations
6.

Control over Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Health and Safety Management ( Left click here for hyper link Health
and Safety Management.ppt )
Work Equipment Safety (click here for hyper link PUWER.ppt )

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Manual Handling of Loads ( Left click here for hyper link MANUAL
HANDLING POWERPOINT SLIDE SHOW.ppt )
Workplace Conditions

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Personnel Protective Equipment ( Left Click here for hyper link THE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK.ppt )

Display Screen Equipment

Construction (Design and Management)

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (1) The pretender stage health and safety plan and (2) the role of the planning supervisor

Signpost to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)

Regulations 1996 (Left click here to go to hyper link SAFETY SIGNS.doc )

7. Risk Assessment
Employers must assess the risks to the health and safety of
employees and anyone else affected by the work activity.
necessary preventive and protective measures must be identified.

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employers with five or more staff must record the findings of risk
audits and how plans and controls are implemented.
8.
An employer need not duplicate assessment work. Assessments done
e.g. for compliance with COSHH are likely to contribute to servicing the
management regulations.

Employers must devise and implement arrangements for putting

measures (plans, organizational arrangements, control systems, monitoring and
review methods etc) that follow from risk assessment, into practice.
9.
This includes

emergency procedures

co-operating with other employers sharing a work site

providing employees with clear, understandable information

about H&S matters, ensure they have adequate H&S training and are capable
enough at their jobs to avoid risks

temporary workers must be provided with particular H&S

information to meet special needs.

If a risk audit identifies health needs, then employers must provide

appropriate health surveillance for employees, e.g. Shift workers

When developing and applying measures needed for compliance,

employers must appoint competent people (internal or external)

10.

Inspections of the work place should be

carried out on a regular basis, The

inspection should be carried out

Systematically and methodically and be an

opportunity to;

educate,

inform and

to change attitudes

as well as checking that you have done

enough to comply with the your duties under

relevant Statutory provisions.

11.
EXTERNAL, car parking, loading areas.

INTERNAL, house keeping, welfare.

WORK AREAS, cleanliness, ergonomics,

MACHINERY, cleaning, maintenance (electrical and mechanical).

OFFICES cleanliness, ergonomics of work stations

PROCEEDURES, risk assessments, supervision, training and

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information.

Inspections can be split up into areas of responsibility or different functional areas i.e.
12.
There will not only be differences in the approach to meeting the
duties placed on different organisations but also financial considerations.
A safe and healthy working environment promotes motivation and

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productivity
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An unsafe, dirty, poorly equipped or maintained working environment

tends to be a miserable place to work.

The following slide show is for illustrative purposes and gives

examples typical or characteristic of a small to medium sized factory/workshop.

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13. EXTERNAL
SAFE ACCESS AND EGRESS
ADEQUATE SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS/CONTROL MEASURES FOR
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

This may involve looking at the area at different times i.e.

Clocking on/off

Times of year

Weather conditions

Parking bays and loading areas clearly marked, traffic signs that

comply with Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)

Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 3-11) i.e.

SPEED RESTRICTIONS

ONE WAY ARROWS

NO PARKING

14. ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS/CONTROL MEASURES FOR PEDESTRIANS

ACCESS AND EGRESS
Remember vehicles and pedestrians dont mix.

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Think about any visitors they may not be familiar with the lay out of,
or what goes on at your place of work again clear signs are vital.

If hard hats are to be worn, proper and adequate warning signs, are
there arrangements in place before a visitor enters a danger area.
15. IF MANNED CONTROLS: PPE HIGH VISIBILITY JACKETS/SAFETY FOOTWEAR

THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK REGULATIONS

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1992
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Also think about PPE & welfare arrangements for other staff working
outside, i.e. loading areas.
Different weather conditions and times of year.

16. SAFETY SIGNS

17. SUFFICIENT OUTSIDE LIGHTING

PARTICULARLY IF THERE IS WORK CARRIED ON OUTSIDE

AGAIN CHECK AT DIFFERENT TIMES/ WEATHER CONDITIONS.

CHECK IF GLARE IS A PROBLEM

18. FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES & ASSEMBLY POINTS

Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (SI
1996 No 3-11)

CLEARLY MARKED

FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS

EXTERNAL FIRE ESCAPES PROPERLY MAINTAINED WITH GOOD

LIGHTING

19. A locked FIRE EXIT = A BIG FINE if you are lucky !!!!

20. GENERAL STATE OF REPAIR OF ROADS AND PATHWAYS

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THESE ARE SUBJECT TO WEAR AND TEAR i.e. CHECK FOR POT HOLES
AND UNEVEN SURFACES
ADEQUATE LIGHTING

21. EXTERNAL DILAPIDATIONS OF BUILDINGS

STRUCTURE

LOOSE DRAIN PIPES

LOOSE SLATES

WINDOWS CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

HASAW etc ACT 1974 S2.2 D

22. ENVIRONMENTAL DUST, FUMES, NOISE, SMELLS & WASTE

Control of Industrial Air Pollution (Registration of Works) Regulations
1989 (SI 1989 No 318)
Air Quality Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 3043)

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(Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) (Amendment)

Regulations 1995 (SI 199.5 No 23.57)
Control of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992

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No 3068)
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Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No

211s)Control of Asbestos in the Air Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No 556)

Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1980

LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

23. BUILDINGS.

24. SAFE ACCESS & EGRESS HASAW etc ACT 1974 S 2.2 D

25. SAFETY SIGNS Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (SI
1996 No 3-11)

ARE FIRE ESCAPES AND ESCAPE ROUTES CLEARLY MARKED

LIGHTING

NOT BLOCKED

NOT LOCKED

EASY TO OPERATE

26. The Fire Precautions Act 1971

The Act furthers the provisions for the protection of persons from fire
risks. If any premises are put to use and are designated a certificate is required
from the fire authority.

27. BLOCKED FIRE EQUIPMENT

28. FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Abstract of Special Regulations (Highly Flammable Liquids and

Liquefied Petroleum Gases) Order 1974 (SI 1974 No 1587)

FIRE APPLIANCES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE/CHECKS

(click here Fire & Extinguishers.ppt )

FIRE DRILLS / TRAINING (PARTICULARLY FOR NEW STAFF)

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARMS, MAINTENANCE

29. FIRE RISK

30. TRAINED FIRST AIDERS & EMERGENCY PROCEEDURES

Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981 No 917)

ACCIDENT RECORDING INCLUDING NEAR MISSES (F2508 ACCIDENT

REPORT FORM, B 15 10 ACCIDENT REPORT BOOK)

PROCEEDURES FOR REPORTING ACCIDENTS, RIDDOR

FIRST AIDERS; QUALIFIED, IN DATE WHO, AND WHERE.

31. FIRST AID KITS

CHECK CONTENTS ALSO ENSURE THATTHERE ARE NO PROHIBITED
ITEMS i.e. DRUGS, EVEN OVER THE COUNTER ONES.
32. HEATING LIGHTING VENTILATION
Minimum working temp 15 C or 65 F after half an hour for those who
are considered sedentary workers

Filters cleaned

temperatures controlled

Adequate lighting

Diffusers cleaned

Not draughty

33. AIR MOVEMENT

A DRAUGHTY WORKING ENVIRONMENT CAN BE VERY

UNCOMFORTABLE TO WORK IN
Check doors and windows are fitting properly also that doors are not

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wedged open

34. ADEQUATE WITH REGARDS TO WELFARE PROVISSIONS; HSE. INDG293 5/99

Click here for more on welfare provisions
35. Welfare (Left click here to go to hyper link)

Enough toilets and washbasins for those expected to use them people should not have to queue for long periods to go to the toilet;

Where possible, separate facilities for men and women - failing that,
rooms with lockable doors;

Clean facilities - to help achieve this walls and floors should preferably
be tiled (or covered in suitable waterproof material) to make them easier to clean;

A supply of toilet paper and, for female employees, a means of

disposing of sanitary dressings;

Facilities that are well lit and ventilated;

Facilities with hot and cold running water;

Enough soap or other washing agents;

A basin large enough to wash hands and forearms if necessary;

A means for drying hands, e.g. paper towels or a hot air dryer;

Showers where necessary, i.e. for particularly dirty work.

36. The following tables show the minimum number of toilets and washbasins that should
be provided . Table 1: Number of toilets and washbasins for mixed use (or women only) Number of
people at work Number of toilets Number of washbasins 1-5 1 1 6-25 2 2 26-50 3 3 51-75 4 4 76100 5 5

37. Table 2: Toilets used by men only Number of men at work Number of toilets Number of
urinals 1-15 1 1 16-30 2 1 31-45 2 2 46-60 3 2 61-75 3 3 76-90 4 3 91-100 4 4

38. REST ROOMS - FOOD PREPERATION AREAS

FIRE HAZARDS & PRECAUTIONS

HYGIENE

CLEANLINESS

39. INTERNAL DILAPIDATIONS

REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

LOOSE FITTINGS

FLAKING PAINT WORK

BUILD UP OF DIRT/ GREASE RUBBISH etc.

40. EMPLOYEES COMPETENT PERSONS

Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 135)

TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

41. WORK AREAS MACHINERY & PROCESSES

42.

SAFE ACCESS & EGRESS

GANGWAYS CLEARLY MARKED

POTENTIAL SLIP TRIP BUMP HAZARDS POTENTIAL FALL FROM HEIGHT

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HAZARDS
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FENCED OR RESTRICTED AREAS CLEARLY MARKED MAINTAINED

WORK AREA ERGONOMICS;

SEATING,

FLOORING,

LIGHTING

VENTILATION

43. SAFETY SIGNS

44. MACHINERY

FENCING,GUARDS & EMERGANCY STOPS.

LIFTS HOISTS FORKLIFTS DATES TESTED AND CERTIFIED. Lifting

Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

POWER PRESSES GUARDS AND SAFETY FENCING,

OPERATOR TRAINING

RISK ASSESSMENTS

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MACHINERY & TOOLS SUITABLE FOR PURPOSE, MAINTENANCE

(PUWER) (CLICK HERE TO GO TO HYPER LINK HAND ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME}
EXHAUST VENTILATION. Environmental pollution

45.

Horizontal Milling Machines Regulations 1928/1934 (SR&O 1928 No

548, SR&0 1934 No 207)

Operations at Unfenced Machinery Regulations 1938,1946 (SR&Os

1938 No 641; 1946 No 156)

Power Presses Regulations 1965 as amended (SI 1965 No 1441, SI

1972 No 1512)

Prescribed Dangerous Machines Order 1964 (SI 1964 No 971)

DANGEROUS MACHINERY
46. MECHANICAL HAZARDS

CUTTING HAZARDS

PUNCTURE HAZARDS

CRUSHING & PINCHING HAZARDS

SPINNING / IN RUNNING HAZARDS

EJECTION HAZARDS

47. GRINDING OPERATIONS

Protection of Eyes Regulations 1974 (SI 1974 No 1681)

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No

2932) 1998 (SI 1998 No 2306)

PPE REGS
48. CHEMICALS: COSHH REGULATIONS

USE , STORAGE HANDLING & TRANSPORTATION

RISK ASSESSMENTS

RECORDS

PPE

CONTAINERS

EMERGENCY and FIRST AID PROCEEDURES

49.

CONTACT WITH IRRITATING SUBSTANCES PROTECTION OF EYES,

HANDS etc. PPE

CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL CONTACT DERMATITIS ; PPE

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF EMPLOYEES

50. NOISE LEVELS ( left click here for hyper link)

DURATION & TIME EXPOSED (LAeq) dBA

CHECK AT DIFFERENT TIMES

51. VIBRATION

FREQUENCY & AMPLITUDE ( m/s )

THINK ABOUT DAMPING

DURATION
2

52. ATMOSPHERE ANYLISING

FUMES & DUST VENTILATION & EXTRACTION

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CONFINED SPACES any room, compartment, tunnels, etc that do not

have fixed / permanent or natural ventilation
53. WASTE DISPOSAL
The Environmental Protection Act 1990

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To prevent the pollution from emissions to air, land or water from

scheduled processes the concept of integrated pollution control has been
introduced.

Authorisation to operate the relevant processes must be obtained

from the enforcing authority which, for the more heavily polluting industries, is HM
Inspectorate of Pollution.

Control of pollution to air from the less heavily polluting processes is

through the local authority.

54.

Regulations also place a 'duty of care' on all those involved in the

management of waste, be it collecting, disposing or treating Controlled Waste
which is subject to licensing.
55.
In addition to extending the Clean Air Acts by including new measures
to control nuisances, the Regulations introduce litter control;

amend the Radioactive Substances Act 1960;

regulate genetically modified organisms;

regulate the import and export of waste;

regulate the supply, storage and use of polluting substances and

allow the setting up of contaminated land registers by the local authority.

In 1991 the Water Act 1989 that controlled the pollution and supply of
water was replaced by five separate Acts.

56. MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS ( left click here to go to hyper link manual
handling)

CHECK RISK ASSESSMENTS

PPE

Musculoskeletal disorders are by far the most common form of workrelated ill-health problem in Great Britain. They can prove costly for the individual,
the business and health service providers.
57. OFFICES

VISUAL DISPLAY SCREENS audit display screen equipment workstations and reduce risks that are discovered

ensure that workstations satisfy minimum requirements for

the display screen itself, the keyboard, desk and chair, lighting and ventilation in
the working environment, the design of the task etc

plan work involving display screen equipment to

accommodate breaks and variation in activity

provide information and training for target users.

ACCESS EGRESS

58. SAFETY POLICIES & PROCEEDURES

INFORMATION AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES; Health and Safety
Information for Employees Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 682)

Employers have 2 principal duties under the Regulations:

either to display the poster OR to distribute the leaflet (HSIER Reg.4);

To provide further information giving details of the enforcing authority

for the premises and the local address for EMAS (HSIER Reg.5).

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POLICY STATEMENTS
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (Click here for more on reporting injuries
diseases dangerous occurrences)
Employer liability insurance

59. PRODUCTS SECTION 36 and Schedule 3 of Consumer Protection Act 1987 - articles
for use at work) places specific duties on the designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers

Such people must: ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that

articles they design, constructed, make, import, supply etc are safe and without
risks to health at all times e.g. when it is being set up , cleaned, used or maintained
by someone at work

Carry out (or arrange for) such testing and examination necessary to
perform the duties above

Take steps to ensure that those supplying someone with "the

article/substance" have adequate information about its designed and tested
use. This includes essential conditions for dismantling and disposal

Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people so

supplied are given updated information where it becomes known that the
article/substance gives rise to serious risk to health/safety.

60. The end