End of Element Questions and Answers IGC1 Element 1 Foundations in health and safety

1. Define the meaning of the following terms: (a) Safety Freedom from unacceptable risk of harm

(b) Health A state of wellbeing. The term health, in relation to work, indicates not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; it also includes the physical and mental elements affecting health which are directly related to safety and hygiene at work. (Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155) ILO).

(c) Welfare The term `welfare related to the provision of workplace facilities that maintain the basic wellbeing and comfort of the worker.

(d) Environmental protection A measure used to prevent harm to the environment of the world.

2. Explain the main reasons for maintaining and promoting health and safety. Moral reasons need to provide a reasonable standard of care to reduce injuries, pain and suffering, ill-health and death to workers. Societal reasons - include the need to provide a safe place of work, safe systems of work, competent workers and safe systems of work. Economic reasons these include the need to avoid compensation claims and criminal penalties. Avoidance of costs of accident investigation, direct and indirect costs.

3. List the direct costs of accidents in the workplace. insurance claims,

sick pay, loss of production, repairs, product loss or damage, public liability, damage to equipment, buildings, etc.

4. List the indirect costs of accidents in the workplace. business interruption, product liability, loss of orders, cost of time spent on investigations, legal fees, loss of corporate image.

5. Outline the powers of enforcement agency inspectors. To enter premises at any time they deem to be reasonable. To take along a police constable if they believe they will be obstructed. To take along another person and any equipment (perhaps a specialist inspector). To examine and investigate. To direct that premises and anything within them be left undisturbed. To take measurements and photographs and make recordings. To take samples. To order the dismantling or testing of any article or substance which appears to have caused danger (only damaging or destroying it where necessary). To take possession of and detain an article or substance (for examination, to ensure it is not tampered with and to ensure it is available in evidence for any proceedings). To require any person to answer questions and to sign a declaration of the truth of the answers given. To require the production of books and documents for the purpose of inspection and copying. To require any necessary facilities and assistance. Any other powers which are necessary. 6. Outline the differences between International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and recommendations. The coming into force of a Convention results in a legal obligation to apply its provisions by the nations that have ratified it. Ratification of a Convention is voluntary. Conventions that have not been ratified by member states have the same legal force as Recommendations

Recommendations may be adopted at the same time as Conventions to supplement the latter with additional or more detailed provisions. The intent of these recommendations is often to more precisely detail the principles of related Conventions.

7. Outline employers responsibilities according to the ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention C155. Article 16 1. Employers shall be required to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their control are safe and without risk to health. 2. Employers shall be required to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the chemical, physical and biological substances and agents under their control are without risk to health when the appropriate measures of protection are taken. 3. Employers shall be required to provide, where necessary, adequate protective clothing and protective equipment to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, risk of accidents or of adverse effects on health. Article 17 Whenever two or more undertakings engage in activities simultaneously at one workplace, they shall collaborate in applying the requirements of this Convention.

8. Explain what is meant by the following terms: (a) Absolute (b) Practicable (c) Reasonably practicable (d) Reasonable

(a) Absolute Absolute requirements can be identified by the words `shall or `must. This duty does not allow a choice. (b) Practicable Where a legal requirement introduces the phrase 'so far as is practicable', then the duty that it qualifies needs to be complied with in the light of current knowledge and invention. In other words, we need to ask whether it is physically possible to do it at the time.

(c) Reasonably practicable

This qualification requires a balance to be made of the total cost of performing the duty, on the one hand, and the risks to be reduced by performing the duty, on the other hand. This calculation has to be made before an accident occurs. Where the risks are very high, then the duty must be performed irrespective of the cost. However, where the risks are significantly reduced and, due to the law of diminishing returns, the cost of reducing the risks still further are disproportionately high, then the duty is not deemed to be reasonably practicable to perform. (d) Reasonable A requirement normally expected by an average person taking care.

9. Outline the mission of the USAs Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America 's workers by setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, and education, establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. 10. Outline the mission of the UKs Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE's mission is to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled