1. An Introduction toAn Introduction to
Health and Safety at WorkHealth and Safety at Work
IncludesIncludes
Health and Safety at Work etc ActHealth and Safety at Work etc Act
19741974
and many Regulationsand many Regulations
2. Who does it apply to?Who does it apply to?
EmployersEmployers must safeguard, so far asmust safeguard, so far as
is reasonably practicable, the health,is reasonably practicable, the health,
safety and welfare of theirsafety and welfare of their employeesemployees
andand othersothers who may be affected bywho may be affected by
the work activity.the work activity.
Applies toApplies to all people at workall people at work includingincluding
thethe self employedself employed, to, to designers,designers,
manufacturersmanufacturers andand supplierssuppliers
3. Duties of employersDuties of employers
(What must they do for me)(What must they do for me)
Most duties are subject to “so far as isMost duties are subject to “so far as is
reasonably practicable” i.e. the protectionreasonably practicable” i.e. the protection
must be worth the costmust be worth the cost
To protect the health, safety and welfareTo protect the health, safety and welfare
of staffof staff
To provide and maintain safe equipmentTo provide and maintain safe equipment
and safe systems of workand safe systems of work
Safe use, handling, storage and transportSafe use, handling, storage and transport
of articles and substancesof articles and substances
Provide a safe workplace with a safeProvide a safe workplace with a safe
entrance and exitentrance and exit
4. Duties of employers cont….Duties of employers cont….
Provide information, instruction, trainingProvide information, instruction, training
and supervisionand supervision
Provide a written safety policy (if there areProvide a written safety policy (if there are
5 or more staff)5 or more staff)
Carry out risk assessments (in writing if 5Carry out risk assessments (in writing if 5
or more staff)or more staff)
provide a health and safety law posterprovide a health and safety law poster
entitled “Health and Safety law: What youentitled “Health and Safety law: What you
should know” displayed in a prominentshould know” displayed in a prominent
position and containing details of theposition and containing details of the
enforcing authority.enforcing authority.
5. Duties of employeesDuties of employees
(your responsibilities)(your responsibilities)
N.b. “employee” includes voluntaryN.b. “employee” includes voluntary
workers and persons on workworkers and persons on work
experienceexperience
Duties:Duties:
• To take care of themselves and othersTo take care of themselves and others
• To follow safety advice and instructionsTo follow safety advice and instructions
• Not interfere with any safety deviceNot interfere with any safety device
• To report accidentsTo report accidents
• To report hazards and risksTo report hazards and risks
6. Who can I ask about health andWho can I ask about health and
safety?safety?
Your supervisor will usually be yourYour supervisor will usually be your
first contact if you have a health andfirst contact if you have a health and
safety issuesafety issue
Your safety representative – mayYour safety representative – may
come from the union if the workplacecome from the union if the workplace
is unionisedis unionised
If you have a serious complaint thatIf you have a serious complaint that
cannot be settled in the workplace,cannot be settled in the workplace,
your Inspector (see next slide)your Inspector (see next slide)
7. EnforcementEnforcement
Inspectors from the Health and SafetyInspectors from the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE)Executive (HSE)
• Manufacturers; schools and colleges; repairers;Manufacturers; schools and colleges; repairers;
specialist places like hospitals and powerspecialist places like hospitals and power
stationsstations
Environmental Health OfficersEnvironmental Health Officers
• Places where the public go like shops, offices,Places where the public go like shops, offices,
leisure facilitiesleisure facilities
Fire OfficersFire Officers
–– just enforce the bits relating to fire safetyjust enforce the bits relating to fire safety
8. PenaltiesPenalties
Magistrate’s courtMagistrate’s court
• £20,000 per offence£20,000 per offence
• Up to 6 months in prisonUp to 6 months in prison
Employers, managers or employees canEmployers, managers or employees can
be prosecutedbe prosecuted
Crown court ( for more serious offencesCrown court ( for more serious offences
and where there is a Judge and jury)and where there is a Judge and jury)
• Unlimited finesUnlimited fines
• Imprisonment for up to 2 yearsImprisonment for up to 2 years
9. Accidents at workAccidents at work
All accidents, however minor, should be reportedAll accidents, however minor, should be reported
to your supervisorto your supervisor
Similarly, all incidents of ill-health (caused fromSimilarly, all incidents of ill-health (caused from
work) should also be reportedwork) should also be reported
Accidents include those that resulted in injury orAccidents include those that resulted in injury or
damage and “near misses” – those which COULDdamage and “near misses” – those which COULD
have resulted in injury or damagehave resulted in injury or damage
Your supervisor will decide if the incidents needsYour supervisor will decide if the incidents needs
to be recorded in the accident recordsto be recorded in the accident records
Violent incidents are included (this includes verbalViolent incidents are included (this includes verbal
threats)threats)
10. Reporting of Incidents, DiseasesReporting of Incidents, Diseases
ands Dangerous Occurrencesands Dangerous Occurrences
Some accidents, incidents and illnesses have toSome accidents, incidents and illnesses have to
be reported to the governmentbe reported to the government
These include accidents that cause an employeeThese include accidents that cause an employee
to be off sick for three days or more, if (followingto be off sick for three days or more, if (following
a work accident) he is admitted to hospital for 24a work accident) he is admitted to hospital for 24
hours or more; serious injuries; certain workhours or more; serious injuries; certain work
related illnesses (such as repetitive strainrelated illnesses (such as repetitive strain
injuries;) accidents to non-employees if they areinjuries;) accidents to non-employees if they are
taken to hospital from the scene of the accidenttaken to hospital from the scene of the accident
(even if they are discharged straight away.(even if they are discharged straight away.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer aIf you are unfortunate enough to suffer a
reportable accident, a special form will be filled inreportable accident, a special form will be filled in
and there may be a formal investigationand there may be a formal investigation
11. SummarySummary
EmployersEmployers
• must protect you whilst at work and providemust protect you whilst at work and provide
suitable supervision and trainingsuitable supervision and training
• Provide written risk assessments and safetyProvide written risk assessments and safety
policypolicy
Employees (i.e.Employees (i.e. youyou) must work safely) must work safely
without risking yourself or otherswithout risking yourself or others
The law applies to everyone at work andThe law applies to everyone at work and
anyone can be prosecuted if they do notanyone can be prosecuted if they do not
act safelyact safely
Your manager or your safetyYour manager or your safety
representative are there to answer yourrepresentative are there to answer your
safety queriessafety queries
You must report accidentsYou must report accidents
12. Prevention of FallsPrevention of Falls
Employers must ensure that any workingEmployers must ensure that any working
areas above the ground or below (e.g.areas above the ground or below (e.g.
inspection pits) are guarded or protectedinspection pits) are guarded or protected
If you have to work above ground levelIf you have to work above ground level
you must be kept safe e.g. by wearing ayou must be kept safe e.g. by wearing a
safety harness if it is an area such as a flatsafety harness if it is an area such as a flat
roof which is not guardedroof which is not guarded
Stepladders should only be used for jobsStepladders should only be used for jobs
that do not take long and they must bethat do not take long and they must be
safe and stable when in usesafe and stable when in use
13. Preventing fallsPreventing falls
DODO
• Use kick stools safely – they must be on anUse kick stools safely – they must be on an
even, level surfaceeven, level surface
• Follow training when using a stepladderFollow training when using a stepladder
• Carry out a visual check on any steps beforeCarry out a visual check on any steps before
useuse
Do not –Do not –
• Stand on the very top of a step ladderStand on the very top of a step ladder
• Stand on chairs or tablesStand on chairs or tables
• Climb on racking or shelvingClimb on racking or shelving
• Stand on the forks of a fork lift truckStand on the forks of a fork lift truck
15. FacilitiesFacilities
Employers must provide:-Employers must provide:-
• Toilets (can be shared by men and women inToilets (can be shared by men and women in
small workplaces)small workplaces)
• Sanitary disposal facilities for womenSanitary disposal facilities for women
• Washbasins for hands near the toilet with hotWashbasins for hands near the toilet with hot
and cold (or warm) water, soap and dryingand cold (or warm) water, soap and drying
facilitiesfacilities
• Cold drinking water (preferably not in the toiletCold drinking water (preferably not in the toilet
area)area)
• Seating (if the job can be done sitting down)Seating (if the job can be done sitting down)
• Somewhere clean to eat lunch (if it is a “dirty”Somewhere clean to eat lunch (if it is a “dirty”
jobjob
• Facilities for disabled people and pregnantFacilities for disabled people and pregnant
womenwomen
16. EnvironmentEnvironment
There must be sufficient space to workThere must be sufficient space to work
safely and enough lighting and ventilationsafely and enough lighting and ventilation
Workplaces must be kept generally cleanWorkplaces must be kept generally clean
and tidyand tidy
Chairs must be safe and comfortableChairs must be safe and comfortable
Temperature – must be “reasonable”Temperature – must be “reasonable”
• Reasonable means at least 16Reasonable means at least 16oo
C for office workC for office work
and 13and 13oo
C where there is physical workC where there is physical work
• In very hot weather, employers only need toIn very hot weather, employers only need to
provide local cooling e.g. fansprovide local cooling e.g. fans
17. SummarySummary
At work you are entitled to:-At work you are entitled to:-
A safe workplace – this includesA safe workplace – this includes
areas above or below the groundareas above or below the ground
levellevel
ToiletsToilets
Drinking waterDrinking water
A place to eat lunchA place to eat lunch
Safe seatingSafe seating
18. First AidFirst Aid
Employers have to provide first aidEmployers have to provide first aid
facilities at workfacilities at work
As a minimum, there should be a fullyAs a minimum, there should be a fully
stockedstocked green first aid boxgreen first aid box and a personand a person
appointed to take charge in an emergencyappointed to take charge in an emergency
Some workplaces have qualified firstSome workplaces have qualified first
aiders and first aid roomsaiders and first aid rooms
Green andGreen and whitewhite noticesnotices should inform youshould inform you
where the first aid box is kept and who thewhere the first aid box is kept and who the
first aider(s) or appointed person(s) is/arefirst aider(s) or appointed person(s) is/are
19. Fire safetyFire safety
Employers must have arrangements inEmployers must have arrangements in
placeplace
• to prevent firesto prevent fires
• To raise the alarmTo raise the alarm
• To fight fires (fire extinguishers)To fight fires (fire extinguishers)
• Emergency evacuation (including a pre-Emergency evacuation (including a pre-
arranged meeting place for staff to assemblearranged meeting place for staff to assemble
following evacuation)following evacuation)
NoticesNotices showingshowing thethe safesafe evacuationevacuation
routesroutes fromfrom buildingsbuildings should beshould be greengreen andand
whitewhite
20. Moving and HandlingMoving and Handling
You may be asked toYou may be asked to lift, carry push orlift, carry push or
pullpull a load at worka load at work
You should always follow safe practiceYou should always follow safe practice
when doing any moving and handlingwhen doing any moving and handling
You should never attempt to moveYou should never attempt to move
anything that is too heavy or difficult – askanything that is too heavy or difficult – ask
for helpfor help
Employers should provide equipment toEmployers should provide equipment to
help you to move heavy or difficult loadshelp you to move heavy or difficult loads
21. Lifting AdviceLifting Advice
Think
• Plan the lift.
• Consider mechanical aids - even a sack
truck can make a big improvement
• Where is the load going to be placed?
• Will help be needed with the load?
• Remove obstructions such as discarded
wrapping materials.
• Walk the route – ensure someone will
be there to open any fire doors
22. Lifting adviceLifting advice
• Adopt a stable position
• Get a good hold
• Start in a good posture – bend the knees
and do not bend the back more than a
little
• Avoid twisting the back or leaning
sideways
• For a long lift, consider resting the load
midway on a table or bench to change
grip.
23. Correct lifting procedure
Planning and preparation
Plan the lift and route
Assess weight and size of
load
Obtain correct PPE/check
clothing
Lift
• correct, balanced
posture,
feet apart
• use legs, back
straight,
avoid twisting
• hold object close to
body
Move load
• hold close
• proceed carefully
• clear visibility
Lower load
• reverse lift close
• check positioning
24. Workplace transportWorkplace transport
Any vehicle or piece of mobile equipmentAny vehicle or piece of mobile equipment
used at work (does not include vehiclesused at work (does not include vehicles
travelling on a public road)travelling on a public road)
Employers protect pedestrians byEmployers protect pedestrians by
• marking traffic routesmarking traffic routes
• Signposts at junctionsSignposts at junctions
• One way systemsOne way systems
• Speed limitsSpeed limits
• Warning horns when vehicles reverseWarning horns when vehicles reverse
• Training of driversTraining of drivers
25. Stress at workStress at work
Causes:Causes:
• Poor communications – e.g. betweenPoor communications – e.g. between
management and staffmanagement and staff
• Too much work (overload)Too much work (overload)
• Too little work (boredom)Too little work (boredom)
• Poor relationships with colleaguesPoor relationships with colleagues
• Workplace bullyingWorkplace bullying
• Noisy workplaceNoisy workplace
• Work life and home life out of balanceWork life and home life out of balance
26. Signs of stressSigns of stress
Lack of concentrationLack of concentration
Changes in a person's normal behaviourChanges in a person's normal behaviour
Poor relations with other staffPoor relations with other staff
Being irritableBeing irritable
Being indecisiveBeing indecisive
Raised blood pressureRaised blood pressure
HeadachesHeadaches
Loss of appetite/ weight lossLoss of appetite/ weight loss
Weight gainWeight gain
BackacheBackache
Drinking or smoking more than normalDrinking or smoking more than normal
27. Stress – what you should doStress – what you should do
First – tell your manager that you think you areFirst – tell your manager that you think you are
suffering from stresssuffering from stress
Inform your manager of any work relatedInform your manager of any work related
stressors (such as impossible deadlines) that maystressors (such as impossible deadlines) that may
be contributing to your stress levelsbe contributing to your stress levels
If you do not wish to do this for any reason, youIf you do not wish to do this for any reason, you
could talk to your union representativecould talk to your union representative
Some workplaces provide a counselling serviceSome workplaces provide a counselling service
You may find help through your occupationalYou may find help through your occupational
health servicehealth service
If your health is being seriously affected, youIf your health is being seriously affected, you
could consult your doctor (GP)could consult your doctor (GP)
28. EquipmentEquipment
The term covers everything from a handThe term covers everything from a hand
tool to a large machine like a crane.tool to a large machine like a crane.
Before you use equipment at work youBefore you use equipment at work you
should be shown how to use it safelyshould be shown how to use it safely
You should never use equipment that youYou should never use equipment that you
are not trained or authorised to useare not trained or authorised to use
Electrical equipment should have a stickerElectrical equipment should have a sticker
on it indicating that it has been P.A.T.on it indicating that it has been P.A.T.
tested and giving a date when the nexttested and giving a date when the next
test is duetest is due
29. Dangers from work equipmentDangers from work equipment
Traps – of fingers or other partsTraps – of fingers or other parts
Entanglement – of clothing or hairEntanglement – of clothing or hair
Ejection – things being thrown out ofEjection – things being thrown out of
the machinethe machine
Contact – with hot or abrasiveContact – with hot or abrasive
Impact – being hit by moving partsImpact – being hit by moving parts
of the machineof the machine
Electrical dangersElectrical dangers
30. Safety of equipmentSafety of equipment
Only use equipment for which you haveOnly use equipment for which you have
been authorised and/or trainedbeen authorised and/or trained
Always wear any personal protectiveAlways wear any personal protective
equipment such as goggles or gloves ifequipment such as goggles or gloves if
you have been instructed to do soyou have been instructed to do so
Carry out a visual check of equipmentCarry out a visual check of equipment
before you use it and look for any obviousbefore you use it and look for any obvious
defectsdefects
If you notice something wrong or unusual,If you notice something wrong or unusual,
report it to your manager and put thereport it to your manager and put the
equipment out of useequipment out of use
31. Control measuresControl measures
Control measures are put in place byControl measures are put in place by
employers to protect staff from hazardsemployers to protect staff from hazards
and risks that have been identifiedand risks that have been identified
The hierarchy of controlsThe hierarchy of controls
Employers are allowed to take costs intoEmployers are allowed to take costs into
account and work their way down the listaccount and work their way down the list
until a suitable solution at reasonable costuntil a suitable solution at reasonable cost
has been identifiedhas been identified
• EliminationElimination
• SubstitutionSubstitution
• Controlling risks at sourceControlling risks at source
• Training, instruction and supervisionTraining, instruction and supervision
• Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment
32. Personal Protective equipmentPersonal Protective equipment
(p.p.e.)(p.p.e.)
Includes clothing and other itemsIncludes clothing and other items
worn by staff to protect themselvesworn by staff to protect themselves
from work hazardsfrom work hazards
Must only be used as a last resortMust only be used as a last resort
i.e. when no other protection can bei.e. when no other protection can be
provided at reasonable costprovided at reasonable cost
Examples ;Examples ;
• Gloves, goggles, hard hats, hearingGloves, goggles, hard hats, hearing
protectors, warm clothing (in coldprotectors, warm clothing (in cold
conditions), safety shoes or boots,conditions), safety shoes or boots,
respirators etcrespirators etc
33. What must your employer doWhat must your employer do
Provide the p.p.e. (free) if a riskProvide the p.p.e. (free) if a risk
assessment has shown it to be necessaryassessment has shown it to be necessary
It must be exclusively for you and fit youIt must be exclusively for you and fit you
comfortablycomfortably
Provide somewhere to store itProvide somewhere to store it
Provide facilities for it to be cleaned andProvide facilities for it to be cleaned and
maintainedmaintained
Replace it when necessaryReplace it when necessary
Provide training (if necessary) in how toProvide training (if necessary) in how to
wear/use it properlywear/use it properly
34. What you must doWhat you must do
YouYou mustmust wear the p.p.e. if it haswear the p.p.e. if it has
been provided for you. You could bebeen provided for you. You could be
held personally liable if you had anheld personally liable if you had an
accident which could have beenaccident which could have been
prevented by you wearing yourprevented by you wearing your
p.p.e.;p.p.e.;
You must care for it, store it andYou must care for it, store it and
clean it as necessary;clean it as necessary;
You must report any defects.You must report any defects.
35. Working with substancesWorking with substances
You may be exposed to hazardousYou may be exposed to hazardous
substances whilst at worksubstances whilst at work
Could be –Could be –
• FumesFumes
• DustsDusts
• ChemicalsChemicals
• SolidsSolids
• Bodily fluids or solidsBodily fluids or solids
• Micro organismsMicro organisms
36. Substances hazardous to healthSubstances hazardous to health
COSHH assessmentsCOSHH assessments
The use of hazardous substances must be assessedThe use of hazardous substances must be assessed
Prevention of exposurePrevention of exposure
Protection of employeesProtection of employees
Special risk assessments should be available thatSpecial risk assessments should be available that
describe how to use and store the chemical safelydescribe how to use and store the chemical safely
You may be provided with p.p.e. e.g. gloves, goggles,You may be provided with p.p.e. e.g. gloves, goggles,
apronapron –– this MUST be wornthis MUST be worn