To reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost or snow, you should assess the risks and implement strategies to manage them. Identify where pedestrians are most likely to slip on ice, for example: site entrances, car parks, and designated walkways. You need to take action whenever freezing temperatures are forecast. Keep up to date by visiting a weather service website. Put a procedure in place to prevent an icy surface forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface, Use grit on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy…
Manual Handling Manual handling is a term that covers activities such as lifting, carrying and moving. All of these activities can put you at risk of injury if you don’t handle them correctly. Manual handling injuries are one of the most common causes of work-related illness and injury in the UK. What is Manual handling? Manual handling is any activity that involves lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying a load. It can be carried out in many different ways and has been defined as ‘any operation which directly involves the use…
Checklist for Investigations Investigation of Accident, Incident or Near Miss Companies should investigate safety events using a checklist, an example of a standard list is detailed below. Note: In the table below, the term ‘event’ will be used to indicate ‘accident, incident or near miss’. Personal What level of job training had been provided? How was competency assessed? What did the risk assessment identify in regard to areas of special needs? What other factors may have impacted on work performance? Management Who was supervising the task? What steps…
Heat stress affects building and construction related works, steps should be taken to reduce the risks. What are the typical symptoms:-? Cramping Muscles, often these include side stitches and calf muscles. Dry skin that maybe hot to the touch, loss of concentration and confusion, rash, person is very thirsty, headaches, tiredness, dizziness and in extreme heat stroke the person may convulse and could lose consciousness. Reducing the risks of heat stress:- Firstly determine if the sources of heat can be stopped, if not then determine if the temperature can be…
Construction Site Risk Identification Checklist Factors to be taken into account:- Are there substances used in a particular task suitable for the task? Have substances been assessed (COSHH) for safe use? Is the plant used in a particular task suitable for the task? Are the plant and substances suitable to the environmental conditions and terrain in which they are used? Are there any foreseeable abnormal situations which may arise, such as potential misuse of any materials or equipment and fluctuating operating conditions (e.g., during times of peak programmed works)? Is…
Hazard Control Measures Hazards on building sites need to be controlled to reduce the risks of accidents and near misses. The Site Management should consider this to be a top priority, where large sites are concerned there should be a budget established during the tender stage to enable full time Health & Safety Staff to be employed not only to manage and establish control measures but to train ALL staff so that there is a full understanding of the site and the hazards as well as the measures in place…
Demolition or structural alterations and removals must be carefully planned and carried out in a manner that prevents danger. All persons involved from design to workers must be competent and aware of the risks and carry out the works after carefully assessing the risks and working to an agreed method statement. The main risks associated with demolition works are:- Falling materials Uncontrolled collapse Falls from height Noise and vibration Hazardous materials (Chemicals/asbestos) Existing connected services (failure to disconnect or adjacent services) Pedestrian or traffic management issues Fires Untrained workers. To…
This basic example method statement is suitable for building foundations for new house’s or other types of structures where mass fill concrete trench foundations are used. Reducing the Risk:- 1) Banksman Present during excavation and concrete pouring works. 2) No un-authorized persons allowed on site during concrete pours. 3) Warning signs. 4) PPE to be worn at all times. 5) Goggles and gloves MUST be worn during concreting operations. 6) Risk Assessments for Excavations and for Concrete Work to be carried out prior to the works commencing. The…
This example Method statement shows the basic requirements for a method statement for installing drainage:- Objective: Installation, and connection of new drainage pipes to existing surface and foul manholes. Location: A site somewhere. Timescale: (Add Programmed start and end for this phase of works) Welfare and First Aid: Add details, you should mention toilets and drinking water, First Aiders and First Aid Box Reducing Risk: List the steps you will take to reduce the risks: Banksman Present during works No un-authorized persons allowed on site during excavations Area Inspected before…
Construction Site Risk Identification Checklist Factors to be taken into account:- Have all substances on site been assessed (COSHH) for safe use? Is the plant and machinery being used for any particular task suitable for the task? Is the plant and machinery suitable to the environmental conditions and terrain in which they are used? Are there any foreseeable abnormal situations which may arise, such as potential misuse of any materials or equipment and fluctuating operating conditions (e.g., during times of peak programmed works)? Is there potential for injury…
In recent years falls from height accounted for 48% of fatal injuries to workers in the UK The main areas where falls occurred were:- Falling From Height (Scaffolding and Scaffold Towers) Falls from mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPS) Falls from Ladders Falls when working on roofs or other structures Falling through Fragile Roofs Tools/materials falling from MEWPS or scaffolding In many circumstances the work areas and scaffolding has not been inspected, handrails were loose, scaffold boards had been moved or removed and not reinstalled. When working in mobile elevating platforms…
Small Builders are those who carry out domestic projects for private home owners or those that carry out small business projects such as refurbishment works. With Domestic projects the builder is solely responsible for health and safety on site and with small business projects the responsibility is shared between the builder and the client. In the UK the law does require builders to:- Manage Risks, plan and monitor the works to ensure the work is carried out safely. Inform and train the workers, tool box talks, risk reduction and assessment…
