Unit HSS8: Review health & safety procedures in workplaces This unit is for a person required to review health and safety conditions in workplaces other than their own. This unit is about: Preparing to carry out a review of Health and Safety procedures of a specified workplace to meet established procedures (laid down by the organisation for which the person conducting the review works). Carrying out a review to check if relevant mandatory health, safety and welfare requirements are being implemented. Reporting and recording the findings of such reviews in accordance with agreed procedures. Performance Criteria: You must: Prepare to undertake a review of health and safety in a workplace 1. plan a work schedule for a review of health and safety conditions in accordance with agreed procedures 2. select methods for the review that are suitable for the workplace to be reviewed 3. obtain authorisation for the review to take place from the person responsible for the workplace 4. prioritise your activities in the schedule of work to meet the required timescale 5. obtain the necessary resources in time for the review to take place 6. brief other people involved in the review to make sure they understand its purpose and the process to be undertaken 7. agree the documents and information to be used before conducting the review Carry out a review of workplace health and safety implementation 8. make sure you wear appropriate clothing, footwear and protective equipment for the workplace you are reviewing 9. make sure your review covers working practices in the workplace including any areas likely to need special checking 10. accurately record any differences between the content of previous records and the current situation 11. identify health and safety hazards, which could result in serious harm to people in the workplace, from: working practices, and the work area 12. in consultation with the responsible person, list in priority order any non-compliance with health and safety regulations and instructions April 2007, ENTO Final Version Approved May 2007 Page 1 of 5
13. make recommendations to control the hazards and agree an action plan for improving health and safety 14. fully record in accordance with established instructions: the outcomes of the review of health and safety, and the action plan 15. agree with the responsible people a follow-up plan for monitoring the implementation of recommendations and corrective action Knowledge and Understanding for this Unit: You must know and understand: a. the employers' and employees' main legal responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace b. your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role c. the structure of the organisation and people responsible for health and safety in the workplace under review d. effective procedures for carrying out a review of health and safety in workplaces e. how to select and use personal protective equipment f. the industry/occupational area in which you are carrying out the review g. the particular health and safety risks which may be present in people's job roles h. the importance of knowing the hazards and the risks which may arise in the work place under review i. the work areas and the job roles you are planning to review j. what notice needs to be given before a review takes place k. resources required to carry out a review l. effective communication techniques m. effective interviewing techniques n. presentational and communication skills o. recording and reporting procedures p. how to develop post-review follow-up plans and monitoring measures April 2007, ENTO Final Version Approved May 2007 Page 2 of 5
Glossary This section provides explanations and definitions of some of the terms used in this unit. Control(s) The means by which the risks identified are eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels. Employer Hazard* A person, firm, association, organisation, company or corporation employing one or more workers and has responsibility for the workplace/work activity. A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm (this can include articles, substances, plant or machines, methods of work, the working environment and other aspects of work management). * Definition taken from: HSE Management of health and safety at work Approved Code of Practice & Guidance. Reference L21 (ISBN 0-7176-2488-9) Learner Legislation Any person in a workplace environment and undertaking learning, including those following a vocational or academic course. There are many Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instructions, Regulations and orders relating to health and safety which affect people at work. For example; there are regulations for those who, for example, work with electricity, or work on construction projects, as well as regulations covering noise at work, manual handling, working with VDUs, or dealing with substances hazardous to health, etc. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main piece of legislation under which nearly all the other regulations are made. Manager Other people Personal presentation An individual charged with the responsibility for managing staff, and/or resources and processes. Refers to everyone covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act including: visitors, members of the public, colleagues, contractors, clients, customers, patients and students. this includes personal hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, clothing and accessories suitable to the particular workplace. Risk* A risk is the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised. The extent of the risk depends on: (i) the likelihood of that harm occurring; (ii) the potential severity of that harm, i.e. of any resultant injury or adverse health effect; and (iii) the population which might be affected by the hazard, i.e. the number of people who might be exposed. * Definition taken from: HSE Management of health and safety at work Approved Code of Practice & Guidance. Reference L21 (ISBN 0-7176-2488-9) April 2007, ENTO Final Version Approved May 2007 Page 3 of 5
Resources Responsible person/ people Supervisor Training Provider Worker Workplace Working practices This includes: information, documentation, time, control measures, staff/people, equipment and support (including specialist assistance). The person or people at work to whom any health, safety and welfare issues or hazards should be reported. This could be a supervisor, line manager, director or your employer. One who controls and or directs the work of others An organisation or individual (usually external) responsible for providing the training, work experience, and/or formal assessment for the learner. A person performing services for an employer under a contract of service or an apprenticeship. Workers include; outworkers, those employed on a casual basis, in training and volunteers. The single or multiple areas in which you carry out your work. All activities, procedures, use of materials, substances or equipment and working techniques used in carrying out a work or job related task. This includes procedures for reporting hazards and unsafe working practices. Workplace instructions An organisation s instructions, method statements, safe systems of work, guidelines and processes on how to behave and perform tasks in the workplace. Within these national occupational standards Workplace instructions has been used to include: POLICIES A statement which directs the present and future decisions of an organisation. It is intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters. Typically, a policy designates a required process or procedure within an organisation. They are often initiated because of some external requirement. PROCEDURES A series of steps following in a regular definite order that implements a policy A series of steps or instructions, describing a way of doing things. A series of steps to be performed in a regular definite order under specified conditions. Documented processes that are used when work affects more than one function or department of an organisation. A series of clearly defined steps (and decisions) that explains or describes how one goes about completing a task. This includes the documentation prepared by the employer about the procedures to be followed for health, safety and welfare matters. This may be the employer s safety policy, general health and safety statements and written safety procedures covering aspects of the workplace that should be drawn to the attention of employees and that of everyone covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (visitors, members of the public, colleagues, contractors, clients, customers, patients, students). April 2007, ENTO Final Version Approved May 2007 Page 4 of 5
Instructions covering, for example: a) the use of safe working methods and equipment b) the safe use of hazardous substances c) smoking, eating, drinking and drugs d) what to do in the event of an emergency e) personal presentation April 2007, ENTO Final Version Approved May 2007 Page 5 of 5