(a) In relation to regulation 11 of the COSHHR 2002, identify the circumstances when health surveillance would be considered appropriate (3)
(b) Outline how a small engineering company using metal-working fluids could detect health problems amongst employees & thereby fulfil its responsibilities under regulation 11 of the COSHHR (7)
Question
Identify the factors that should be considered in relation to the job, the individual & the work environment when carrying out an assessment of ergonomic risks in a workplace (10)
Answer
Job factors relating to ergonomics include consideration of the demands of the job such as the strain put upon the body, the duration &/or repetition of tasks & the opportunity to take breaks
The equipment that a person uses as part of the job can effect the ergonomic risk in a number of ways
Typical factors that would need to be included in an assessment would relate to the amount of force or effort required to operate the equipment as well as to the design & layout of controls & displays
The postures that are adopted when carrying out a task, whether or not equipment is involved, can increase the risks, especially if these postures are awkward or involve frequent twisting, stretching or prolonged stooping
The minimum safe working distance between mechanical shaft excavation equipment and live overhead power lines will vary according to:
To establish and maintain safe vertical working distances between mechanical equipment and overhead power lines the following practice shall always apply: 1. Establish and record the maximum vertical reach of all machines on site. 2. Identify the routes of all overhead lines on or near the land to be excavated and clearly mark these routes on site plans. 3. For each overhead power line, identify the line owner. 4. From the line owner find out: a. If the line can be conveniently made DEAD b. The line type (for example, insulated or uninsulated) c. The voltage carried d. Minimum safe working clearance for mechanical machinery operating near the power line. 5. If the line cannot conveniently be made DEAD then the established minimum safe operating clearance shall be adhered to at all time with the erection of height restriction barriers.
Risks associated with working close to overhead power lines can be reduced by:
any raised parts that are in contact or drive the machines out of the lines if you can.
Question : As the H&S Adviser to a large organisation, you have decided to introduce an in-house auditing programme to assess the effectiveness of the organisation’s H&S management arrangements Outline the issues to be addressed in the development of the audit system (20) Comment : Some of the initial strategic issues that would need to be addressed when developing an in house audit system would be the logistics & available resources, & obtaining support from senior managers & other key stakeholders On a more practical level, the nature, scale & frequency of auditing (relative to risk) & identifying the key elements of an audit process (such as planning, interviews, verification, feedback routes, etc), together with a recognition of the need to develop audit protocols & to consider issues such as scoring & the use of proprietary software, were all important considerations The types of auditing (system elements, performance standards, scope, etc) & the personnel implications (e.g. the use of audit teams, training for auditors & briefing for those affected) were also issues that gained marks when properly outlined
Under EC legislation, data sheets available in the UK now contain codes for certain "safety phrases", shown as S1, S17 etc. These phrases are also extensively used elsewhere in the world. Safety phrase codes have the following meanings:
S1 Keep locked up.
S2 Keep out of the reach of children.
S3 Keep in a cool place.
S4 Keep away from living quarters.
S5 Keep contents under … (there follows the name of a liquid).
S6 Keep under … (there follows the name of an inert gas).
S7 Keep container tightly closed.
S8 Keep container dry.
S9 Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
S12 Do not keep the container sealed.
S13 Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs.
S14 Keep away from … (a list of incompatible materials will follow).
S15 Keep away from heat. S16 Keep away from sources of ignition.
S17 Keep away from combustible material.
S18 Handle and open container with care.
S20 When using, do not eat or drink.
S21 When using do not smoke.
S22 Do not breathe dust.
S23 Do not breathe vapour.
S24 Avoid contact with skin.
S25 Avoid contact with eyes.
S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S27 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
S28 After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap-suds.
S29 Do not empty into drains.
S30 Never add water to this product.
S33 Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
S35 This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.
S36 Wear suitable protective clothing.
S37 Wear suitable gloves.
S38 In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.
S39 Wear eye / face protection.
S40 To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use …. (there follows suitable cleaning material).
S41 In case of fire and / or explosion do not breathe fumes.
S42 During fumigation / spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment.
S43 In case of fire use … (there follows the type of fire-fighting equipment to be used.)
S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.)
S46 If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.
S47 Keep at temperature not exceeding…
S48 To be kept wet with (there follows a material name).
S49 Keep only in the original container.
S50 Do not mix with …
S51 Use only in well ventilated areas.
S52 Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas.
S53 Avoid exposure – obtain special instructions before use.
S56 Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.
S57 Use appropriate container to avoid environmental contamination.
S59 Refer to manufacturer / supplier for information on recovery / recycling.
S60 This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
S61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets.
S62 If swallowed, do not induce vomitting; seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.
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