Element IA1: Principles of Health and Safety Management

1. Give a definition for hazard and risk.

A hazard has been defined as:

 BS8800

BS8800 defines a hazard as - “A source or a situation with a potential for harm in

terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the environment,
or a combination of these”

 OHSAS 18001

OHSAS 18001 defines a hazard as a - “source or situation with a potential for harm
in terms of injury or ill health, damage to the workplace, damage to the workplace
environment, or a combination of these.”

A risk has been defined as:

 MHSWR

In Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999,

a risk is defined as - "the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised.
The extent of the risk will depend on:

 the likelihood of that harm occurring;

 the potential severity of that harm, i.e. of any resultant injury or adverse health
effect; and

 the population that might be affected by the hazard , i.e. the number of people
who might be exposed.

2. Identify five costs of accidents that insurance will not cover

 Investigation costs
 Fines
 Hiring or training replacement staff
  Loss of experience and expertise
 Lowering of morale
 Loss of goodwill
 Loss of image
 Business interruptions
 Product liability
 Production delays
 Increased insurance premiums

3. Explain the key features of each stage of the safety management model described
in HSG65.

Policy
 clear direction for the organisation to set out its general objectives

Organisation
 ensures that the appropriate management structure and arrangements are in
place to deliver the objectives contained in the policy.
 Allocation of responsibilities for health and safety.
 The promotion of a health and safety culture through a regime based on the 4
C’s: Control, Co-operation, Communication and Competence.

Planning and Implementation stage

 Hazards are identified
 Risks are assessed
 Control Systems are put in place
 Performance standards are established

Measuring Performance
 Involves the measurement of actual performance by a variety of means

Reviewing performance
 Performance is reviewed in the light of the targets set.

Auditing of the System

 Concerned with the entire safety management system
 Designed to identify non-compliance with procedures and weaknesses in the
current system in order that improvements might be made.

4. What does the Turnbull Report requires companies to do?

All of the following four requirements are the responsibilities of the board of directors:
a. The maintenance of a sound system of internal control. The basis for a sound
system of internal control includes:

o A board procedures manual.

o A manual of delegated authorities and mandates.

o Board and committee terms of reference.

o An organisation chart.

o Job descriptions for all staff members.

o A documented strategic plan.

o Timely, relevant and reliable management information.

o A formal briefing process for staff.

o Procedure manuals for every process.

o A controls manual.

o A control certification procedure.

o An ongoing process for the identification and assessment of risks

b. Regular review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control.

c. An annual statement on the effectiveness of the system of internal control.

d. An annual review of the effectiveness of internal audit, or the need for internal
audit if there is no such function.

5.Give three reasons for setting performance targets as part of health and safety
management system.

To find out:

 Where you are.

 Where you want to be.
 What is the difference and why?
6. In a safety policy, what is the purpose of a written ‘Statement of intent’?

 Demonstrating senior management commitment.

 Setting health and safety in context with other business objectives
 Making a commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety
performance

7. Give three examples of personnel and tasks that may be identified in the
‘organisation’ section of a safety policy.

 Senior managers
 Middle managers
 First line managers
 Functional staff e.g. health and safety practitioner, occupational health
 Employees.

Key functions should be allocated to the above personnel in the organisational

structure and include:
Health and safety training and information
Health surveillance
Monitoring of plant and equipment and its maintenance
Liaison with external agencies
Accident investigation and reporting
Health and safety monitoring and audit

Health and Safety advisor – provide specialist information to managers in the

organisation and monitor the effectiveness of health and safety procedures

8.Identify six provisions that would typically be found in the ‘Arrangements’ section of
a safety policy.
 Relevant risk assessments
 Emergency procedures
 First aid
 Permits to work procedures
 Procedures for contractors and visitors
 Health and safety inspection and audit procedures
 Electrical equipment – maintenance and testing
 Accident and illness reporting and investigation procedures
 Employee health and safety code of practice
 Control of hazardous substances, manual handling, PPE
 Machinery safety (including safe systems of work), lifting and pressure
equipment
 Terms of reference and constitution of the safety committee
 Procedures for cleanliness and access and egress
9. Explain what is meant by a `duty of care’?
Duty of care is the obligation to exercise a level of care towards an individual, that is
reasonable - in all circumstances - to avoid injury to that individual or his property.

10. Draw the elements of the 18001 model.

11. List the six procedures that make up ISO9001:2008

1. Document Control.
2. Quality Records.
3. Internal Audits.
4. Non-Conforming Product.
5. Corrective Action.
6. Preventive Action.

12. List the processes involved in implementing a quality management system.

Review support literature and software

Assemble a team and agree your strategy
Consider Training
Review Consultancy Options
Choose an Assessor
Develop a Quality manual
Develop support documentation
Implement your Quality Management System
Consider a pre-assessment
Gain registration
Continual assessment

13. Explain what is meant by TQM

Total Quality Management(TQM) is a business philosophy that seeks to encourage
both individual and collective commitment to quality at every stage of the production
process from initial design and conception to after-sales service.

14. List the processes that are common among quality, environmental and OHS
systems and can likely be integrated into one process that meets business needs.

Document control.
• Record control.
•Management review.
• Employee training.
• Design and development control.
• Operational controls.
• Measuring and monitoring device control
• Equipment maintenance.
• Purchasing.
• Corrective action.
• Preventive action.
• Internal audits.

15.With reference to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

1999 outline the requirements of Regulation 7(1) in relation to health and safety
assistance.

Regulation 7:Health and Safety Assistance.

(1) Every employer shall, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), appoint one or more
competent persons to assist him in undertaking the measures he needs to take to
comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by the relevant
statutory provisions and by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

16. List the key elements that make up competency.

 Experience.
 Knowledge.
 Qualifications

17. Outline the subjects in which a health and safety advisor may assist
organisations.

Health and safety policy formulations and development;

Structuring and operating all parts of the organisation (including the supporting
systems) in order to promote a positive health and safety culture, and to secure the
effective implementation of policy;
Planning for health and safety, including the setting of realistic short and long-term
objectives, deciding priorities and establishing adequate performance standards;
Day-to-day implementation and monitoring of policy and plans, including accident
and incident investigation, reporting and analysis;

18. Outline the purpose of the consultants register.

In March 2011, the Government announced that it was introducing a new scheme for
the registration of Health and Safety consultants. Their motivation was to bring an
element of accreditation to an area where previously there had been very little, and
to stop unqualified and inexperienced individuals from passing themselves off as
consultants and offering misleading or erroneous advice to businesses

19. Explain what is meant by CPD.

One way to monitor competence and encourage improvement is to utilise a

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system. CPD gives professionals the
opportunity to create a structured career path and safeguard their professional
status. CPD is about skills, knowledge and expertise, and encouraging a process of
self-reflection.

20. List the characteristics of a high-integrity organisation.

A high-integrity organisation exhibits characteristics which will probably include the

following:

1. There exists a clear vision and picture of integrity throughout the organization.
2. The vision is owned and embodied by top management, over time.
3. The reward system is aligned with the vision of integrity.
4. Policies and practices of the organization are aligned with the vision; no mixed
messages.
5. It is understood that every significant management decision has ethical value
dimensions.
6. Everyone is expected to work through conflicting-stakeholder value perspectives