Health and Safety

Hawksworth and Smedley are committed to delivering services, which comply with all Health and Safety Regulations. Our policy outlines our commitment and defines the responsibility of duty holders. There are a number of regulations, which affect construction, maintenance and the surveying industry:

The basis of British Health and Safety law is the -

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.Other important pieces of Health and Safety legislation include:Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999:

Require employers to carry out risk assessments, make arrangements to implement necessary measures, appoint competent people and arrange for appropriate information and training.

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992:

Cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues such as ventilation, heating, lighting, workstations, seating and welfare facilities.

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992:

Set out requirements for work with Visual Display Units (VDUs).

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992:

Require employers to provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment for their employees.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998:

Require that equipment provided for use at work, including machinery, is safe.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992:

Cover the moving of objects by hand or bodily force.

Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981:

Cover requirements for first aid.

The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989: Require employers to display a poster telling employees what they need to know about health and safety.

Employers’Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969:

Require employers to take out insurance against accidents and ill health to their employees.

 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR):

Require employers to notify certain occupational injuries, diseases and dangerous events.

Noise at Work Regulations 1989:Require employers to take action to protect employees from hearing damage.

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989:

Require people in control of electrical systems to ensure they are safe to use

and maintained in a safe condition.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH): Require employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances and take appropriate precautions.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994:

Cover safe systems of work on construction sites.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994:

Cover safe installation, maintenance and use of gas systems and appliances in domestic and commercial premises.

Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999:

Require those who manufacture, store or transport dangerous chemicals or explosives in certain quantities to notify the relevant authority.

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations2002:

Require employers and the self-employed to carry out a risk assessment of work activities involving dangerous substances.

Source (Health and Safety executive)

The Health and Safety Executive offer free advice and guidance notes on a number of construction and maintenance related activities.

Visit their site at www.hse.gov.uk