Element 1: Workplace Hazards and Risk Control

Welfare and Work Environment

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers have access to:

• Supply drinking water.
• Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities with hot and cold water; showers or baths.
• Secure lockers for clothing. Separate changing rooms for men and women.
• Clean eating facilities and rest areas, away from normal work locations, particularly for pregnant and nursing mothers.
• Seating, with adequate backrests, should be stable and adjustable, to meet the needs of individual workers.
• Suitable ventilation .
• A comfortable temperature.
• Suitable and sufficient light to work.

Exposure to Extremes of Temperature

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat or cold, can lead to :

• Burns from contact with hot or cold surfaces
• Fatigue
• a general slowing of reactions
• a loss of dexterity
• affecting both work efficiency
• the possibility of making mistakes which can lead to accidents

• High winds causing a wind chill factor
• Snow
• Sleet
• Hailstones
• heavy driving rain,
• outside work during very warm weather

Violence at Work

Risk Factors

• those handling high value goods and cash
• those who are in contact with customers/clients
• coworkers under stress
• Lone-workers

• Employers should assess the risk to workers:
• by eliminating, substituting or minimising high risk situations
• by improving public relations with clients (i.e. providing information) or refusing access to potentially violent people.
• Engineering controls:
• Secure doors, surveillance and alarm systems (i.e. CCTV) and lighting for more secluded areas
• Procedural measures include reviewing systems of work to avoid lone working
• Individual measures: training and information

Drugs and Alcohol

Effects of Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol and drug abuse at work can lead to a number of physical (i.e.

• Sensory impairment; 
• Liver damage

and psychological problems (i.e.

• lack of awareness of danger near high risk machinery, 
• irritability and 
• mood swings

• Rules restricting access to alcohol in the workplace or during working hours.
• Statutory legal requirements prohibiting workers from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol and non-statutory requirements set by the employer.
• Arrangements for any random drugs and alcohol testing that workers will be subject to.
• Rehabilitation and treatment programmes for workers if they admit to having a problem.
• Disciplinary procedures for those who refuse assistance, to be tested or who fail a test.
• Provision of information, instruction and training to workers, supervisors and managers.

Movement of People

Hazards to Pedestrians

• Slips, trips and falls on the same level:
• Falls from height
• Collisions with moving vehicles
• Striking by moving, flying, fixed or falling objects

• A risk assessment identifies hazards faced by pedestrians and consider
• natural movement patterns.
• the impact of weather conditions
• maintenance processes
• the needs of particular groups of people
• Floor surfaces and walkways. well built and maintained. 
• adequate drainage and spillages should be immediately cleaned. 
• Walkways and stairs should be kept as clear
• sufficient well defined traffic routes and designated walkways
• Fencing and guarding should be provided on open walkways
• Clearly visible and understood signs
• Personal protective equipment
• Information, instruction, training and supervision

• Cleaning and housekeeping to remove waste
• Keeping passageways and corridors clear
• Maintaining adequate work environment conditions 
  • comfortable heating level; 
  • adequate lighting; 
  • low noise levels
• Inspection and repair of guard rails and fencing

Machinery and vehicles

Hazards

People coming into contact with the moving parts of

machinery or equipment.

Controls

Signs should advise on risks and precautions to be taken. Moving parts should be fitted with guards.

Machinery and vehicles

Hazards

Large vehicles overturning due to overloading or poor road conditions, or colliding with other vehicles or pedestrians.

Controls

Sites to be well organised with sufficient traffic routes and vehicles and pedestrians kept separate. Moveable plant and machinery to be secured and brakes applied when at rest.

Electricity

Hazards

Cables trailing on the ground or damaged by excess traffic. Use of unsafe equipment or contact with overhead power lines or buried cables.

Controls

Good site and project management will locate buried cables. Areas with unprotected cables should be cordoned off. Use of circuit breakers, low voltage

circuits or non-electrical equipment where appropriate.

Slips, trips and falls

Hazards

Uneven surfaces and trailing cables can cause slips and trips. Falls when working at height or near excavations.

Controls

Head protection will guard against falling objects or materials. Also guard rails around excavations and proper shoring of sides.

• Buildings or structures being demolished collapsing unexpectedly due to build up of debris, load bearing sections or members being weakened.
• Fires, explosions, electrocution, etc. due to services not being isolated.
• Debris falling from heights.
• Plant collapsing or falling into basements, etc.
• Health hazards from chemicals, asbestos, lead based coatings, biological contamination.
• Ionising radiation from fire detectors, lightning conductors, etc.
• Personnel falling due to unsafe place of work and access.
• Debris, timber with protruding nails, etc.

Management of Construction Projects

Assessment, Selection and Control of Contractors

What are the responsibility of client?

Client:

• Requiring a construction job to be done
• Select contractors according
• To the work required
• their competence
• expertise.
• Give information on all hazards likely to be found on site

What are the responsibility of designer?

responsible for designing or planning the

construction project.

What are the responsibility of co-ordinator?

What are the responsibility of Principal contractors?

Ensure co-operation between contractors and ensure

method statements are provided particularly where major risks are concerned (i.e. asbestos; demolition work)

• Roof construction/demolition and maintenance.
• Erecting and dismantling scaffolding.
• Window construction and cleaning.
• Any inspection or maintenance work (welding, pipework) which may also be done above ground level.

• The worker falling from height.
• An object falling onto people below.
• Working at height causes a higher proportion of fatalities than all other types of construction work.

• Unprotected edges on access platforms/scaffolds.
• Unstable access equipment, such as ladders, lifts and hoists.
• Fragile roofs, roof-lights and voids.
• Deteriorating or unsound materials may collapse under a person’s weight.
• Weather and air flow may cause materials and people to be blown off a roof or scaffold.

1. avoid the need for work at height
2. adequate planning and supervision
3. Avoid adverse weather conditions
4. Provide physical safeguards
5. sound and stable, access and working platforms
6. Use suspension equipment
7. Use fall arrest harnesses
8. Full training
9. Ensure arrangements in place
10. Ensure that head protection

− Standards or uprights – vertical tubes used as a support for transferring a load to the ground or to a base plate.

− Ledgers – horizontal tubes tying the scaffold structure lengthways; they may also act as guardrails.

− Transoms – tubes spanning across ledgers to tie a scaffold across at right angles to the face of the building. They may also be used to support a working platform.

Inspected/tested by a competent person

• Before being taken into use for the first time.
• After any substantial alteration.
• After an event likely to affect their strength or stability.
• Periodically (typically weekly).

Excavations

Hazards of Excavations

• Falls of persons/equipment/material into excavations
• Contact with buried services
• Vibration
• Loose or unstable earth around an excavation or at the bottom may collapse
• Water ingress or flooding
• Contaminated ground at the site of excavation
• Digging may uncover buried materials or contaminated toxic and asphyxiating
• Mechanical hazards can be due to vehicles

Excavations

Precautions

To prevent injury when working in and around excavations, work must be managed under the supervision of a competent person to ensure:

• Use of excavation supports to prevent the collapse of the side walls of an excavated area using:

Shoring which uses artificial support for the side walls of an excavation where the angle of repose in the excavation is greater than the natural angle for the

type of material.

Ladders provide the main means of access to and egress from an excavation. 

They must be suitably secured to prevent undue movement and extend 5 rungs above the excavation to give a secure stepping off point

• Identification and marking of buried services and all cables by checking with local service providers, and safe digging methods, particularly when exposing cables and pipes, using spades and shovels instead of excavators.

• Positioning and routeing of vehicles, plant and equipment should be carefully considered to prevent objects falling into excavations.

Common Construction Health Hazards

Hazard: 

Noise and vibration

Source: 

Compressors, pneumatic drills, heavy plant   and machines.

Health hazards:

Noise induced hearing loss; handarm vibration

syndrome (HAVS).

Controls:

PPE (hearing protection); dampening of equipment

vibration; job rotation and rest breaks.

Common Construction Health Hazards

Hazard: 

Dust (i.e. brick,cement)

Source: 

Brick and concrete dust; toxic waste materials (zinc,

cadmium, lead).

Health hazards:

Eye and respiratory discomfort; bacterial infections.

Controls:

Damping dust down with water.

Common Construction Health Hazards

Hazard: 

Asbestos

Source: 

Insulation and fire retardant materials; plastics;

cladding materials.

Health hazards:

Carcinogenic.

Controls:

Respirators and breathing equipment to be worn; avoiding dispersion of asbestos dust into the environment.

Common Construction Health Hazards

Hazard: 

Cement

Source: 

Used in concrete and mortar.

Health hazards:

Causes skin burns, dermatitis or irritation or inflammation of the eyes, nose and lungs.

Controls:

Chemically resistant gloves, dust masks.

Common Construction Health Hazards

Hazard: 

Solvents, acids and alkalis

Source: 

Paints, varnishes, resins, lacquers; cleaners.

Health hazards:

Solvents are flammable and can ignite. Exposure to

vapours or fumes can cause dizziness and damage the respiratory tract and lungs; contact with skin or eyes causes irritation and inflammation.

Controls:

Gloves, goggles and masks. 

When is Health Surveillance Required for employees?

May be required if employees at risk from:

• Noise, hand-arm or whole-body vibration.
• Solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and hazardous substances.
• Asbestos, lead or work in compressed air.
• Ionising radiation.

Element 2: Transport Hazards and Risk Control

Movement of Vehicles

Hazards in Vehicle Operations

• Loss of control
• Overturning
• Collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or fixed objects

Control Strategies:

Grouped in three main categories:

1. The workplace environment.
2. The vehicle.
3. The driver

The Workplace Environment

• Vehicle free zones and/or pedestrian free zones – eliminating the hazard.
• Good vehicle traffic route layout 
• walkways and other vehicles; use of one-way systems.
• Segregation of vehicles and pedestrians 
• safe havens for pedestrians. Use of barriers or markings for walkways.
• Separate site and building entrances for vehicles and pedestrians.
• Enforced speed limits and traffic calming measures (e.g. speed bumps) where
• necessary.
• Ensure good visibility; eliminate any blind spots; provide vision aids such as
• mirrors.
• Use appropriate signage to warn drivers of hazards.
• Traffic route surface to be suitable for the vehicles using it and gradients avoided where possible

The Vehicle:

-Suitable for their intended use.

-Suitable for the environment and conditions in which they are used.

-Maintained in safe working order.

-Only driven by suitably trained, qualified staff.

-Inspected routinely before use.

Where necessary, vehicles should be fitted with a:

-Seat for the driver (and any passengers).

-Seat belt.

-Roll bar or roll cage to protect the driver in the -event of overturn.

-Guard to protect the driver in the event of falling objects.

-Horn.

-Audible reversing alarm.

-Beacon or flashing light

The Driver

-Competent to drive the vehicle: proof of qualification may be required.

-Medically fit to drive.

-Provided with specific information, instruction and training appropriate to the workplace and site where they will be driving.

-Supervised: to ensure that they follow safe systems of work, obey site rules and do not lapse into bad practices.

The Driver

Competency

Training

Fitness and health

The Vehicle

• Suitability (suitable for its intended purpose)
• Condition - roadworthy condition
• Safety equipment 
• Safety critical information
• Ergonomic- posture to achieve comfort.

• Routes – route planning allows for hazards to be avoided and risks minimised.
• Scheduling – scheduling journeys at the right time of day.
• Time – allowing sufficient time for the journey.
• Distance – travel distances must be reasonable.

Element 3: Musculoskeletal Hazards and Risk

Control

Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders

What are Typical forms of ill-health associated with poor ergonomic design?

• Back injuries and back pain .
• Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) – conditions that affect the arms and hands, e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome (inflammation of a nerve in the wrist that causes tingling sensations, pins and needles, numbness in the fingers and arm pain) and tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendons in the forearm that makes finger movement difficult and painful).
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) – from a significant dose of vibration into the hands and arms.

1. The physical requirements of the task – Problems may arise from bad posture or from the stress on fingers, hands and wrists from repetitive or strenuous actions 
2. The environmental context –Lighting levels and conditions/Cold or damp conditions
3. The equipment –the way in which the worker is affected by the physical characteristics of the work equipment itself, (i.e. shape, adjustability)

• Equipment should be adjustable to suit the needs of the user
• Workstations, including seating and access, should be suitable for any special needs of the individual worker.
• The worker should be at a suitable height in relation to the work surface.
• Work materials and frequently used equipment (i.e. telephone) or controls should be within easy reach, without undue bending or stretching.
• There should be sufficient clear and unobstructed space at each workstation to enable the work to be done safely, allowing for the manoeuvring and positioning of materials.

• These will mostly involve engineering controls
• Systems of work should limit the duration of repetitive activities/job rotation/regular rest
• Individual training and health checks

Manual Handling Hazards and Risks

Common Types of Hazard and Injury

• Back injuries – wear and tear to the intervertebral discs caused by twisting, liftingor pushing loads.
• Tendon and ligament injuries – painful tears.
• Muscular problems – muscle tissue tears.
• Hernias – rupture of the musculature of the body cavity wall.
• Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) – affect the soft tissues of the wrist, neck, shoulders and arms.
• Cuts, abrasions and bruising, burns and bone injuries.

• The task – the nature of the handling operation and identification of high risk activities.
• The load – the characteristics of the object(s) being handled.
• The working environment – the immediate physical surroundings within which the handling operation takes place. 
• Individual capabilities – the physical characteristics of the persons doing the handling operation and their ability in terms of knowledge and skills.

Minimising Manual Handling Risks

• Eliminate the manual handling
• Assess manual handling that cannot be eliminated
• Use handling aids
• Modify:
• The task - rest breaks or job rotation
• The load - break a heavy load down into smaller parts
• The environment - allow more space/level an uneven/floor; provide additional lighting
• Ensure individual capabilities are matched to the activity

• Before lifting – check the weight; plan the lift; establish a firm grip.
• The lift - bend the knees; keep the spine as straight as possible; hold the load close to the body; avoid twisting and jerking.
• Setting down – same principles as lifting; maintain a good balance; set load down.

There are two categories of mechanical handling devices:

• Manually propelled or powered devices – where the weight of the load is taken by the devices which are then pushed or pulled manually
• Mechanically powered devices – where the power to lift and/or move the load is provided by a motor or other mechanical means

A safe system of work for cranes includes:

• Thorough planning of the lift.
• Selection of the correct type of crane.
• Selection of the correct lifting tackle.
• Maintenance, testing and examination of all equipment involved.
• Selection and provision of competent, trained and certificated employees - operators, banksmen and signallers.
• Ensuring test certificates, etc. are available and in order.

General hazards 

associated with mechanical lifting devices include

• Mechanical failure.
• Overloading.
• Collision with pedestrians, other vehicles or structures.
• Falls of materials or persons.
• Noise.
• Contact with moving parts or crushing hazards.
• Smoke, dust, fumes from the exhaust gases.
• Fire and/or explosion when refuelling.

Device

Forklift trucks

Hazards

Overturn and striking of pedestrians.

Unstable loads or driving with raised loads.

Control Measures

Operator training. Daily checks and maintenance by a competent person. No overloading. Observing site rules

Device

Lifts and hoists

Hazards

Fall from height or collision with hoist or lift.

Falling objects and being struck by load.

Control Measures

Regular inspection and testing by competent person. Safe working loads. Use of barriers and cages to

prevent falls.

Device

Conveyors (belt, roller and screw)

Hazards

Trapping points at inrunning nips. 

Entanglement and contact with moving parts such as in screw conveyors. The falling of materials

from conveyors..

Control Measures

Use of guards and training of operators.

Device

Mobile and tower cranes

Hazards

Uneven ground and high winds causing crane to topple. Jib (arm) or load striking something whilst moving. Driving with a suspended load.

Control Measures

Use of correct crane; trained and competent operators. Regular inspection and maintenance by a competent person. Use of fail-safe devices. 

Device

Manually operated load moving equipment (i.e. sack and pallet trucks)

Hazards

Overloading or incorrect loading causes trucks to

topple or load to spill or fall on operator’s foot.

Equipment can also run away on slopes. Careless

parking can obstruct and cause trips/falls.

Control Measures

Consider route to be used and provision of ramps. Load should be appropriate to type of truck used.

Regular inspection and maintenance.

Use of PPE for operators if appropriate.

When to examine lifting equipment?

• Before it is used for the first time
• examination from the manufacturer or previous owner).
• Before it is used for the first time where the way that it has been installed will make a difference to its strength and stability.
• Periodically.
• After an event that may have affected its strength and stability.
• The frequency of “periodic” thorough examination will typically be:
• Every 12 months where it is not used to carry people.
• Every six months where it is used to carry people.
• Every six months for lifting accessories.

Element 4: Work Equipment Hazards and Risk

Control

Give examples for Work Equipment?

• Simple hand tools.
• Hand-held power tools.
• Access equipment.
• Single machines.
• Machine assemblies, where several machines are linked together to form a more complex plant, such as a bottling plant.
• Mobile work equipment and vehicles.

Hand-held Tools

Hazards/Controls

Hazards

Injuries often 

due to misuse 

or operator 

incompetence.

Safe use/control 

measures

Use of tools suitable for task and environment.

Appropriate training of operatives and use of PPE.

Regular pre-use checks and maintenance.

Hazards

Operator error, misuse and improper maintenance.

Risk of fire due to fuel spillages, flammable

vapours.

Electricity, noise and vibration, dust 

emissions, trip.

Safe use/control measures

-Appropriate for the task and environment.

-Proper training in the correct use of tools and use of PPE.

-Use of guards, clamps and safety switches. Routine and thorough inspections and maintenance.

-Proper storage, particularly for chainsaws and cutting instruments, power leads and hoses.

-Operator training and competence.

Machinery Hazards and Protection - Principles

Mechanical Hazards

Crushing: 

the body or part of the body is trapped between two moving parts of a machine or between moving and static objects such that they meet together, e.g. collapse of a hydraulic lift crushing a person underneath.

Shearing:

a part of the body (usually fingers) is trapped between two parts of the machine, one moving past the other with some speed. The effect is like a guillotine, shearing off the trapped body part.

Cutting or severing:

a sharp-edged part of the machinery comes in

contact with the person, e.g. the blade of a Sandsaw.

Entanglement:

usually an item of clothing gets caught on the rotating part.
Drawing in or trapping:

a part of the body is caught between two

moving parts and drawn into the machine, e.g. at “in running nips” where two counter-rotating rollers meet.

Impact:

a powered part of a machine hits the person, e.g. the arm of a fast- moving industrial robot.

Stabbing or puncture:

a sharp part of the machine or part of the process (e.g. ejected swarf or broken tooling) penetrates the person, or from cartridge tools, e.g. a nail gun.

Friction or abrasion

coming into contact with a fast moving surface,

e.g. a belt sander

High pressure fluid injection

fluid at very high pressure is ejected

from the machine and penetrates the skin (e.g. hydraulic fluid escaping from a burst hydraulic hose).

Noise affects both users and those in the vicinity

Vibration can affect the functioning of various parts of the body.

Electricity hazards are common with machines powered by electricity and can give rise to electric shock or burns.

Temperature – people can be burnt by hot/cold surfaces or can be affected by working in hot/cold environments.

Radiation – ionising radiation is more serious because it penetrates the body and breaks down body cells and causes cancer and reproductive disorders.

Radiation – ionising radiation is more serious because it penetrates the body and breaks down body cells and causes cancer and reproductive disorders.

Hazardous materials and substances can be found in machines but also on the work site (i.e. oils, dust and woodchip).

Ergonomics refers to the way in which, under normal conditions, the operator works in relation to the machinery and includes such factors as reach distances required, working position, extent to which the operator can control the pace of work, etc.

Fixed guards

Interlocking guards - link the primary guard system to a secondary safety device to complete stoppage or prevent machine operation.

Adjustable guards

are manually adjusted to give protection and should only be used if conditions make it impracticable to use another device and where conditions are suitable (i.e. good lighting). They can be easily overridden so operators need to be very careful.

Self-adjusting guards

Trip devices

Two-hand controls

Protective appliances

Personal protective equipment

information, instruction, training and supervision

What is the merits of fixed guards?

• No moving parts.
• Cannot be interfered with by operator.
• Virtually maintenance-free.

Can be bypassed so that machine can be operated

with the guard open.

Connectors may be bent out of place.

Spare magnets may be used.

Merit

Useful when approach by person required as part of

job.

Limitation

No physical barrier. Time delay in stopping

machine may be too long.

Mean of Overriding

Operators can avoid devices.

Merit

Keeps operator’s hands away from moving parts. Rapid manual movement of guard into place.

Limitation

Protects only operator’s hands, not other parts of

body or other people.

Mean of Overrriding

Two people can override the system by each holding

one handle.

Be compatible with the process.

Be of adequate strength.

Be maintained.

Not increase risk.

Not be easily bypassed or disabled.

What to use fixed guard?

Used in circumstances that do not change much over time, which allows an adequate fixed guard to be set in position and left. For example, a belt-drive mechanism has moving parts, but the assembly as a whole stays in one position making a fixed guard suitable.

Used in circumstances where frequent access to dangerous parts of machinery is required, e.g. interlocked gates to allow access to robot working areas for re-setting the machines. The frequency of access will make constant removal and replacement of a fixed guard impractical.

Used in circumstances where constant access is needed to load and remove the work piece. Often used in conjunction with fixed guards, to allow access to a small part of the hazardous area, e.g. where most of an abrasive wheel can be adequately enclosed by fixed guarding, but a small segment needs to be exposed for the machine to fulfil its purpose

Used in circumstances where the hazardous area itself moves as part of the operational process or where different-sized work pieces are used in a machine, e.g. woodcutting operations.

Used in circumstances where frequent access to dangerous parts of machinery is required, but an interlocking system is impractical or inappropriate, e.g. trip wires surrounding conveyor belts which stop the belt if touched.

Used in circumstances where other guards are impractical or inappropriate. Most common on equipment which needs to be manually lowered into place, such as power-operated, cross-cut saws.

IGC2 - Element 5: Electrical Safety

What is the electricity?

Electricity is energy created by the flow of charged particles along an unbroken path (the circuit) from one point to another through a conductor, generally a metal wire.

A switch can be used to complete or break the circuit.

Voltage = Current x Resistance (or volts = amps x ohms, or V = I x R).

Direct current (DC) is current flowing in one direction, e.g. a battery.

Alternating current (AC) flow alters at regular intervals. The rate at which AC current switches backwards and forwards is called the frequency - the number of cycles per second (unit: hertz).

Electric Shock

Electrical Burns

Fire and Explosion

• Misuse or using faulty or inappropriate equipment.
• Physical abuse of equipment.
• Lack of routine inspection, testing and maintenance

Protection of Conductors

Electrical conductors should be protected by insulation so that a person is not exposed to a live conductor. For example, cables should be insulated by an unbroken, undamaged sheath so that the live copper conductors are never exposed, and the

casing on a drill should be intact so that the user cannot make contact with the live components within. It is essential that equipment is inspected and maintained to ensure that the insulation and protective layers are not damaged, and that where

access may be possible, for example via an electrical panel or switchgear, the access doors are locked and controlled.

• Selecting equipment designed for the purpose and place it is to be used in.
• Using the equipment according to manufacturers’ recommendations and not exceeding the electrical strength and capability of the equipment.
• Using suitable protective devices.
• Assessing any likely mechanical damage and carrying out effective inspection and maintenance routines, operated by competent people.