Health & Safety in Licensed Premises

What is a 'capacity limit' for licensed premises?

• ANumbers are unlimited, provided the fire exits are kept clear
• BThe minimum number of staff required on duty per customer
• CThe maximum number of people allowed in the premises at one time✓
• DA target set voluntarily by the licence holder with no legal force

Answer: Capacity limits are set based on fire safety and safety regulations to prevent overcrowding, which poses risks including fire dangers and crushing hazards.

What is 'public safety' under the licensing objectives?

• AA matter for the police alone, with no duty on the licence holder
• BMaking sure customers are polite to one another inside the premises
• CA consideration of no real importance
• DProtection of people from physical harm, fire, and overcrowding✓

Answer: Public safety covers protection from physical injury, fire hazards, overcrowding, and other risks on premises.

What is the 'Health and Safety at Work Act 1974'?

• ALaw requiring employers to provide a safe working environment✓
• BThe law that sets out how alcohol licences are granted and reviewed
• CThe law that sets the legal age for buying and drinking alcohol
• DThe law governing business taxation

Answer: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is UK legislation requiring employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees and visitors.

What is 'fire safety' in licensed premises?

• AThe sole responsibility of the management team, not of bar or door staff
• BSystems and procedures to prevent fire and enable safe evacuation✓
• COnly for kitchens
• DIrrelevant

Answer: Fire safety includes fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency exits, evacuation procedures, and regular training so all occupants can exit safely in a fire.

What must be displayed in every licensed premises?

• AA price list for alcohol, with no licensing notices required
• BDisplaying notices inside licensed premises is left to the owner's choice
• CA summary of the premises licence and the name of the DPS✓
• DThe personal licence certificates of the bar staff on duty

Answer: Section 57 of the Licensing Act 2003 requires a summary of the premises licence, and a notice naming the designated premises supervisor, to be displayed. Fire exit signage is required too, but by fire safety law rather than by the licensing regime this question is about.

What is a 'risk assessment'?

• AAn optional exercise that licensed premises may carry out if they wish
• BA systematic evaluation of hazards and risks in the workplace✓
• CA requirement that applies only to factories and building sites
• DA paperwork exercise of little value

Answer: A risk assessment identifies hazards (fire, slips, violence) and evaluates the risks they pose, leading to control measures to reduce harm.

What is 'slip and trip hazards' in licensed premises?

• AUnimportant
• BA trivial risk
• CA risk found only in the kitchen area, where food is prepared and washed up
• DWet floors, broken tiles, loose carpets - risks of falls causing injury✓

Answer: Slip and trip hazards are common in pubs/bars and require management including quick cleanup of spills, warning signs, and suitable flooring.

What is 'lifting and handling' safety?

• AJust lifting bottles
• BA minor matter
• CSomething staff work out for themselves, since every load is different
• DProper techniques to prevent injury when lifting/moving items like kegs, boxes, and bottles✓

Answer: Proper lifting and handling techniques prevent back injuries and muscle strains. Staff should be trained to lift with bent knees, keep loads close, and ask for help.

What is 'glass safety' in licensed premises?

• APolicies to prevent injury from broken glass and reduce use of glass where possible✓
• BIrrelevant
• CAccepting that breakages are normal, and sweeping them up promptly
• DHarmless

Answer: Glass safety includes policies against glass on outdoor areas (using plastic), swift cleanup of breakages, and training to prevent glass injuries to staff and customers.

What is 'first aid' provision?

• AOnly needed once someone has actually been injured on the premises
• BSomething the employer may choose to provide
• CFirst aid kits and trained first aiders must be available✓
• DUnnecessary in licensed premises, because a pub is not a workplace

Answer: Premises must have first aid kits and at least one trained first aider available to provide immediate care for injuries and illnesses.

What is the 'Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Act'?

• AA law with no relevance to licensing or to the sale of alcohol at all
• BFire safety law
• CLaw protecting children and vulnerable people from harm and abuse✓
• DLicensing law

Answer: This act requires awareness and reporting of child abuse or vulnerable adult abuse. Staff should be trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.

What is an 'evacuation procedure'?

• APlanned process to safely remove people from premises in an emergency✓
• BOnly for fires
• CA response decided at the time, since planning in advance is unnecessary
• DUnimportant

Answer: An evacuation procedure is a documented plan for safely and quickly exiting the premises in emergencies. Staff must be trained and drills conducted regularly.

What is an 'assembly point'?

• AAn invented idea
• BThe bar area
• CThe area inside the premises where customers gather before leaving
• DA designated safe location outside the premises where people meet after evacuation✓

Answer: An assembly point is a designated safe area outside the premises where all occupants meet after evacuation so everyone can be accounted for.

What is 'electrical safety' in premises?

• AIrrelevant
• BRegular inspection of electrical equipment and wiring to prevent shocks and fires✓
• CChecking the plug sockets only, since these are what staff touch
• DUnimportant

Answer: Electrical safety requires regular PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), correct wiring, proper grounding, and maintenance to prevent shocks, fires, and equipment damage.

What is 'noise pollution' and why does it matter?

• AExcessive noise can be a public nuisance and breach licensing objective✓
• BUnimportant
• CTrivial
• DNoise matters only when it is made outside the premises by departing customers

Answer: Excessive noise is a public nuisance that can breach the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. Noise limits are often included in licence conditions.

What is 'ventilation' in licensed premises?

• AOptional
• BSimply opening the windows and the doors whenever the premises feels warm
• CProper air flow to prevent stuffiness, heat buildup, and smoke hazards✓
• DPurely comfort

Answer: Proper ventilation maintains air quality, removes smoke (especially in smoking areas), prevents excessive heat, and maintains comfortable conditions.

What is 'waste disposal' in premises?

• APlacing all waste into one general bin at the end of each shift
• BA matter for the council alone, with no duties on the premises
• CProper management of general, recycling, and hazardous waste✓
• DA minor issue of little consequence

Answer: Proper waste management prevents health hazards, complies with environmental law, and supports the public nuisance licensing objective.

What is 'COSHH' (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)?

• AA safety badge
• BIrrelevant to bar work
• CA brand of cleaning product used behind the bar and in the cellars
• DRegulations for safe handling of chemicals and hazardous substances in workplaces✓

Answer: COSHH regulations require safe storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances like cleaning products and maintenance chemicals.

What is 'manual handling' training?

• ATraining staff on safe techniques for lifting, carrying, and moving objects✓
• BA short written instruction sheet handed to new staff on their first day at work
• CUnimportant
• DDiscretionary

Answer: Manual handling training prevents injuries from improper lifting and carrying, covering techniques like bending knees, keeping loads close, and asking for help.

What is a 'health and safety induction'?

• ATraining new staff on premise hazards, procedures, and their responsibilities✓
• BOptional
• CA managers' fire safety course
• DSuch induction is dispensable, because health and safety training is voluntary

Answer: All new staff should receive induction covering fire safety, emergency procedures, hazards, and their health and safety responsibilities.

What is a 'permit to work'?

• AIrrelevant
• BA health certificate
• CA written employment contract between the premises and a member of staff
• DFormal authorisation for dangerous work like maintenance or repairs✓

Answer: A permit to work is formal authorisation for hazardous activities like working at heights, confined spaces, or hot work, ensuring proper precautions are taken.

What is 'Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)'?

• AOptional
• BEquipment needed only by staff working outside the premises, such as door staff
• CProtective clothing/equipment worn by staff (gloves, non-slip shoes, aprons)✓
• DDispensable

Answer: PPE includes items like non-slip shoes, gloves for handling chemicals, and aprons that protect staff from workplace hazards.

What is a 'near miss'?

• AAn incident that could have caused injury but didn't✓
• BA customer complaint about service that is resolved on the spot
• CA sale that was almost made but the customer changed their mind
• DA staff shift that finishes without any customers being served

Answer: A near miss is an incident that could have resulted in injury but didn't. These should be recorded and investigated to prevent future incidents.

What is 'occupational health'?

• AMonitoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of employees at work✓
• BUnimportant
• CChecking only the physical fitness of new staff before they start employment
• DImmaterial

Answer: Occupational health includes monitoring staff health, preventing work-related illness, managing stress, and supporting staff wellbeing.

What should a premises do after a serious incident or injury?

• APay any damages claimed, and settle the matter without a written record
• BReport to management, record in incident book, provide first aid, and report to authorities if required✓
• CKeep it quiet
• DIgnore it

Answer: After serious incidents, document everything, provide medical care, report to management, and inform the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) if legally required.