The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) requires inspection of equipment used in control measures and certain protective clothing/equipment. Those items used by the company requiring inspection under COSHH are listed below. Function Managers are responsible for ensuring servicing and inspections are carried out.

Equipment	Use	Daily	Operational Check	Six Months	Twelve Months
CABA Breathing Apparatus	tbc	check daily prior to use	Yes	Service	Service
Full Face Cannister Mask	tbc	check daily prior to use	Yes	Service	Service
Exhaust Fans	tbc	No	Yes	No	Service
Gas Leak Detector	tbc	Prior to Use	Yes	Service	Service
Fume Extractor	tbc	Prior to Use	Yes	Service	Service
Fume Cabinets	tbc	Clean as per maintenance instructions	Clean and inspect as per BS7258	Service	Service

Note: All inspections and servicing/repairs are to be entered in the equipment log book. 

1.1 The Control Of Legionellosis 

HSE 70, on the control of legionellosis including legionnaires disease, requires employers to: 

a) Identify and assess sources of risk 

b) Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk 

c) Implement and manage precautions 

d) Keep records of the precautions implemented 

Managers are required to ensure that water storage and distribution within the premises under their control is subject to routine inspections and that any disinfection or remedial work is carried out. These inspections are to be carried out once a year and the necessary records kept. 

The main problem areas within company premises will involve storage tanks and shower units, including emergency showers. 

1.2 Fire Prevention and Action on Serious Imminent Danger 

All subsidiary companies will comply with The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 which direct owners/occupiers of works premises to assess the risks and put into place adequate fire safety precautions at premises not already regulated by existing fire legislation. For premises covered by the Fire Precautions Act 1971, where a Fire Certificate will be in existence for the premises, the company also requires fire risk assessments but changes to control measures must not be made without the approval of the local fire authority. 

Those employees delegated responsibility for managing premises shall ensure that fire precautions as listed below are implemented taking into account the size, layout and use of the premises. 

· Undertake a fire safety assessment and identify the control measures necessary. 

· Identify and provide an adequate means of fire detection and of warning people in the premises. 

· Implement a visitor/contractor register and accompaniment procedure where required during their time in the premises. 

· Provide and maintain (by regular inspection and servicing) adequate fire fighting equipment. 

· Draw up and post fire emergency instructions and ensure those using the premises understand how to carry them out. 

· Clearly sign all escape routes, fire equipment and alarm points throughout the premises. 

Specific Duties 

These duties are common throughout the Group and are mandatory under this policy. Managers in control of premises are required to ensure that the precautions listed are below are implemented. 

· Fire drills are carried out twice yearly and records kept. 

· Fire alarms are tested weekly and records kept. 

· Emergency lighting is tested every 3 months and records kept. 

· Training of staff is carried out yearly and records kept. 

· Fire extinguishers are in position and safety pins/devices are in position. Extinguishers are inspected/serviced by contractors yearly. Department checks to be carried out quarterly. 

· Fire escape routes checked regularly for any obstructions. 

Fire Prevention 

Fire prevention is the responsibility of all staff and precautions taken by staff are as below. 

· Keep heat sources (such as electric fires) and combustible materials separate. 

· Do not overload electrical circuits, or use non approved fitments (multi-socket adapter plugs) or obvious defective electrical appliances. 

· Report all defects. 

· Switch off and isolate where possible all electrical appliances at the end of the working day. 

· Ensure good housekeeping and do not allow accumulation of combustible materials. 

· Strictly control the use of flammable substances and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. 

· Hot work carried out by craftsmen/contractors must be carried out under Permit to Work conditions. 

· Use and storage of highly flammable liquids and gases must comply with the relevant regulations. 

Fire Emergency Action 

Fire drills are a necessity to ensure that all employees are aware of what action is expected of them if there is a fire and evacuation of the premises is necessary. Employees are to ensure that all visitors to the premises are escorted to safety. Notices are posted at all company manned premises showing the relevant assembly point and fire officer for the premises. Briefly the fire instructions require action as below. 

· Raise the alarm. 

· Call the Fire Brigade. (Switchboard Operator.) 

· Fight the fire if possible. (Do not put yourself at risk.) 

· Prevent the spread of fire (close doors and windows.) 

· Evacuate the building and move to the designated assembly point. 

Managers with health and safety responsibilities at each manned company premises are to ensure that Fire Officers are appointed for that premises; that they are aware of their duties in the event of a fire; and that all other staff know the location of the assembly point. 

Employees/visitors/contractors will not be permitted back into the building until instructed to do so by the Fire Brigade or the senior manager/supervisor present on site, who will have first ensured the premises are safe to enter. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to be adhered to. 

Treatment Gas Installation Emergency 

Emergency instructions for guidance of employees and others are displayed at all sites where stored or generated gas may be accidentally released and create a risk. Persons not trained in dealing with such emergencies or having the necessary protective equipment (Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus) are to move to the designated assembly point and not return to the affected premises until told to do so by a manager/supervisor. 

Instructions on dealing with a gas escape are posted at all relevant sites as information for those who need to deal with an escape. These employees must be made conversant with the actions they must take and be exercised on implementing the actions. 

1.3 Risk Assessment 

The Group is committed to achieving and maintaining high standards of health and safety for all employees, visitors, the public and contractors. To do this, subsidiary companies are to identify hazards associated with their operations which threaten health and safety, evaluate the risks which arise from those hazards and put into place sensible, practical precautions which will protect against them. This process is termed risk assessment. 

Risk assessments will be carried out periodically as a check on our performance against statutory standards and relate to the buildings and sites we occupy, the equipment we use and the methods of work we employ. 

Assessments shall be conducted by use of questionnaires circulated to employees, task study and analysis, and reference to BS 8800 a guide to occupational health and safety management systems (risk assessment section) which is the standard to be adopted when assessing health and safety risks. The relevant pages of BS 8800 are issued to all managers and supervisors. Employees must be involved in the assessment procedure so that account is taken of how a task is performed rather than how the assessor thinks it is done. All hazards where the risk is considered moderate and above will need the implementation of further control measures. 

Subsidiary companies are to ensure that assessments are carried out by competent and trained persons and conducted to a plan which will achieve the minimum requirements below:-

Initial Review:	·       Classify all work activities and determine how much has already been done in risk identification, control and documentation.
Carry out Generic Assessments:	·       Identify whether all statutory requirements, approved codes of practice, guidance notes and best practice have been accounted for in the present method of work. ·       Record this information as minimum standard Generic Assessments for reference by employees and managers.
Site Specific Assessment:	·       Carry out an on-site assessment to determine how the work will be conducted and whether any significant hazards with associated risks are apparent.

Implement all control measures identified by existing generic assessments which relate to the tasks to be undertaken. 

Introduce measures to control all other hazards evident on site and relating to the existing conditions and tasks to be undertaken and which are not covered by existing generic assessments. 

All risk assessments are to be recorded and the employees affected informed of the assessment content and requirements. There will also be occasions where work undertaken on other employers' sites will necessitate the company providing risk information to the employer concerned. 

Basic steps in risk assessment:- 

· classify all activities: prepare a list of work activities covering premises, plant, people and procedures, and gather information about them; 

· identify hazards: identify all significant hazards relating to each work activity. 

Consider who might be harmed and how; 

· determine risk: make a subjective estimate of risk associated with each hazard assuming that planned or existing controls are in place. Assessors should also consider the effectiveness of controls and the consequences of their failure; 

· decide if the risk is tolerable: judge whether planned or existing OH&S precautions (if any) are sufficient to keep the hazard under control and meet statutory requirements. 

· prepare a risk control action plan (if necessary) to deal with any issues found by the assessment to require attention. Ensure that new and existing controls are implemented and are effective; 

· review the adequacy of the action plan, re-assess the risks on the basis of the updated controls and check that the risks are tolerable; 

· review assessments periodically and/or on significant change of circumstances affecting how the activity is done. 

Tolerable means that risk has been reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. 

Documentation 

A number of regulations direct that risk assessments be carried out, those relevant to Group operations are listed below:- 

· Management of Health and Safety Regulations (General Activity Risk 

· Assessments.) 

· Manual Handling Operations Regulations. 

· Noise at Work Regulations. 

· Working at height regulations 2005. 

· Display Screen Equipment at Work Regulations 

· Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 

· Protective Clothing and Equipment Regulations 

· Signing and Guarding for Street Works 

· Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 

· Construction Design and Management Regulations 

· Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 

· Control of Lead at Work Regulations 

The proforma for recording of assessments is shown later in this document and may be freely copied for use when carrying out assessments. 

The use of hazard prompt lists is encouraged and subsidiary companies are to draw up prompt lists taking into account the character of their work activities and locations where the work is carried out. 

Risk Assessment: New Works And Refurbishment Of Existing StructuresDesigners of structures have duties under The Management of Health and Safety Regulations and The Construction Design and Management Regulations to ensure wherever possible that hazards are avoided from constructing, operating and maintaining any structure they design. 

For example, a hazard/risk consideration on a main laying project would be:- 

The positioning of the main, any meters, covers, control valves, fire hydrants and washouts etc. to account for future repairs maintenance, operation, reading or repairs. The most significant hazard will be in most instances from traffic, therefore structures should be positioned as far as reasonably practicable to protect employees from the risk of contact with the traffic during any of the above operations. Positioning of the main will also have a bearing on the risks to which those carrying out the initial laying operation will be exposed. 

There are many other hazards which need consideration. Assistance can be obtained from documents drawn up to deal with such projects and which are available from the Group Safety Officer. 

1.4 Visual Safety Display Equipment 

To secure the health and safety of staff so far as is reasonably practicable, the company will, in consultation with staff and their representatives: 

· Carry out an assessment of each workstation, taking into account the display screen equipment, the furniture, the working environment and the employee. 

· Take all necessary measures to remedy any risks found as a result of the assessment. 

· Take steps to incorporate changes into the employee's work schedule throughout the working day to prevent intensive periods of on-screen activity. 

· Review software to ensure that it is suitable for the task. 

· Arrange for the free provision of eye tests where an employee reports a visual problem when using VDU equipment and the employee is a designated "User" under the Display Screen Regulations 1992. 

· Arrange for the supply of any corrective appliances where the appropriate optician confirms that they are required specifically for working with display screen equipment. 

· Advise employees, and agency staff required to use display screen equipment, of the risks to health and how these are avoided. 

Eyesight Tests And Provision Of Spectacles 

Where an employee experiences visual difficulties, and has good reason to believe that these may be caused by work with a display screen, the company will offer the opportunity for an eyesight test. 

Job Changes 

Where an employee transfers, or is promoted or otherwise moved, to a job involving the use of display screen equipment, he or she will be entitled to an eyesight test should the necessity arise. This entitlement also applies where display screen equipment becomes a significant part of the work for an employee not previously considered as a regular user. 

Regular Eyesight Tests 

Employees who are specifically users of display screen equipment will be invited to undergo an eyesight test at intervals of not more than five years. All such tests must be arranged through the company. 

Cost Of Testing 

All agreed costs of eyesight tests will be met by the company, provided that the testing has been arranged through the company. Where an employee obtains a test independently and without the knowledge of the company, even if the test is specifically related to display screen use, the company shall not be responsible for the costs incurred. 

Pre-Employment 

All new employees with eyesight difficulties must, when taken into employment by the Group, provide him/herself with suitable spectacles prior to taking up employment that involves VDU work. Thereafter, regular eyesight tests and provision of spectacles apply as in all other paragraphs of this policy. 

Provision Of Spectacles 

Spectacles, where an eyesight test indicates they are required, shall be provided at company expense and will be of a frame type and style set by the company. Alternatively, a payment equivalent to the cost of these spectacles may be made to the employee who will then provide his or her own spectacles in his or her own preferred style. 

Care And Replacement Of Spectacles 

Employees will be personally responsible for the safekeeping of spectacles. The spectacles are supplied in accordance with a statutory requirement, in the interest of health and safety. It is an offence to interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interest of health and safety. Employees are expected to show the same degree of care for spectacles as for any other item of safety equipment. 

Rest Breaks 

Users of display screen equipment are encouraged, and will be expected, to take the opportunity of breaks from work with the equipment so as to prevent the onset of fatigue. To achieve this objective the company will seek to encourage changes of activity into the working day. Department managers are expected to assist in achieving the objective through advising and assisting staff to plan their daily work activities. 

Radiation And Pregnancy 

Scientific research has concluded that no health risk exists from radiation to a pregnant person, or person seeking to become pregnant, when using VDU equipment. Consequently, there is no need for them to avoid working with VDUs. However, should an employee have a genuine concern the company may, after taking into account the effect of any resultant disruption, allow an employee to transfer duties temporarily.

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Ditulis oleh Unknown pada tanggal Kamis, 13 Juni 2013