Health & Safety Law

Which act is the primary legislation covering health and safety in the workplace in the UK?

• AManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• BHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974✓
• CElectricity at Work Regulations 1989
• DControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

Answer: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) is the primary UK legislation establishing a framework for health and safety in the workplace. It places duties on employers, employees, and others to ensure health and safety.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, who has the primary duty to ensure the health and safety of employees?

• AThe health and safety executive
• BThe local authority
• CThe employee
• DThe employer✓

Answer: Employers have a primary duty under Section 2 of the HSWA to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

What does RIDDOR stand for?

• ARisk Identification and Determination of Dangerous Operational Records
• BReporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations✓
• CRegulatory Inspectorate for Dangerous Devices and Operational Review
• DRequirements for Incident Documentation, Diagnosis and Occurrence Records

Answer: RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers to report certain accidents and incidents to the HSE.

Which incident must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR?

• AExposure to construction dust with no resulting symptoms
• BA minor cut treated with a plaster from the first aid box
• CAn employee off work for more than 7 consecutive days after a work accident✓
• DAn employee off work for 2 days after a minor sprain

Answer: Under RIDDOR 2013, an injury that keeps a worker off work, or unable to do their normal duties, for more than 7 consecutive days must be reported within 15 days of the accident. The 7 days do not include the day of the accident but do include weekends and rest days. Absences of more than 3 days must be recorded, not reported.

Under RIDDOR, by when must the report of a specified injury to a worker reach the HSE?

• AWithin 7 days
• BWithin 10 days✓
• CWithin 15 days
• DWithin 24 hours

Answer: For a death or specified injury, the HSE must be notified without delay and the report must be received within 10 days. Over-seven-day injuries must be reported within 15 days, and occupational diseases as soon as a diagnosis is received (HSE RIDDOR guidance).

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, what must employers do?

• ACarry out risk assessments and implement control measures✓
• BRegister their premises with the HSE before starting work
• CIssue hard hats to workers before they are allowed on site
• DProvide a first aid kit and nothing further is required of them

Answer: The Management Regulations require employers to carry out risk assessments to identify hazards and implement appropriate control measures to protect health and safety.

What is the role of a competent person in health and safety terms?

• AThe most senior person on site, chosen by length of service
• BSomeone with sufficient training, experience and knowledge to carry out specific tasks✓
• CSomeone who has passed the ECS health and safety test, whatever their experience
• DAn inspector appointed by the HSE to visit and check the site

Answer: A competent person has sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to enable them to carry out health and safety duties properly. This doesn't necessarily require formal qualifications.

Which regulation covers the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace?

• APersonal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992✓
• BThe Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, as amended
• CThe Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and its approved code
• DThe Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, as amended

Answer: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE Regulations) require employers to provide appropriate PPE and ensure it is used correctly by employees.

Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, what duty do employees have?

• ATo cooperate with the employer and not to interfere with safety provisions✓
• BTo provide the safety equipment needed for the work being carried out
• CTo ensure that the whole workplace is safe for everyone working on the whole site
• DTo carry out the risk assessments for the site they work on

Answer: Section 7 requires employees to cooperate with their employer so far as is necessary to enable the employer to fulfil health and safety duties, and not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with safety measures.

What is a 'dangerous occurrence' under RIDDOR?

• AAn occupational disease such as dermatitis diagnosed by a doctor
• BAn event with the potential to cause harm, even if no injury occurs✓
• CAn event causing injury, where the person is off work for over seven days
• DAn event on site that results in someone needing first aid treatment

Answer: A dangerous occurrence is an event that has potential to cause serious harm, even if no actual injury results. Examples include electrical faults and structural failures.

How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?

• ARegularly and whenever circumstances change✓
• BOnce a year on the anniversary of the first assessment
• CAt five-yearly intervals, in line with the insurance renewal
• DWhen the HSE asks to see it during an inspection

Answer: Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and revisited whenever significant changes occur in the workplace, procedures, or work activities. This is typically annually or more frequently.

What does the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require?

• AThat fixed installations are inspected and tested at five-yearly intervals
• BThat portable equipment is PAT tested by a qualified electrician each month
• CThat electrical systems are constructed, maintained and used to prevent danger✓
• DThat domestic electrical work is certified, notified to building control and signed off

Answer: The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical systems are constructed, maintained and operated to prevent danger. This applies to any person responsible for electrical systems.

Which HSE body is responsible for enforcing health and safety law in most workplaces?

• AThe local authority environmental health team
• BHealth and Safety Executive (HSE)✓
• CThe Environment Agency, working with local councils
• DNICEIC, the electrical contractors' registration body

Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national independent regulator responsible for enforcing health and safety law in most workplaces in the UK.

What must be included in a workplace health and safety policy?

• AThe PPE requirements, the risk assessments and the training matrix
• BOnly the emergency procedures and the fire evacuation arrangements for the site
• CJust the accident reporting procedures and the name of the first aider on site
• DStatement of intent, organisation, and arrangements for managing H&S✓

Answer: A health and safety policy must include a statement of intent, outline the organisation of health and safety responsibilities, and describe the arrangements for implementing the policy.

How is 'reasonably practicable' interpreted in health and safety law?

• AWhatever is technically possible, regardless of what it costs the employer
• BOnly those measures that are set out as absolute duties in the regulations
• CWhatever the employer can afford in the current financial year
• DA balance between the level of risk and the cost/effort of reducing it✓

Answer: 'Reasonably practicable' means weighing the likelihood and severity of harm against the cost and effort of implementing control measures. Serious risks must be addressed even if costly.

What is the purpose of the HSE's Enforcement Officer visits?

• ATo carry out electrical repairs and testing on any installation found to be faulty
• BTo provide free safety training to the workforce on request
• CTo inspect workplaces and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation✓
• DTo issue fines to companies chosen at random from the register of local businesses

Answer: HSE Enforcement Officers carry out inspections to check compliance with health and safety law, investigate incidents, and ensure employers are meeting their legal duties.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, what must an employer ensure?

• AThat work is done outdoors wherever possible, reducing ventilation requirements
• BSafe means of access/egress, adequate space, temperature, lighting and ventilation✓
• CThat a designated smoking area is provided at each workplace
• DFree gym membership and health screening for staff who work on the site full time

Answer: These regulations require employers to ensure safe access/egress, adequate working space, appropriate temperature, suitable lighting and ventilation in the workplace.

What is a 'near miss' in health and safety?

• AAn injury that was treated with first aid on site
• BAn unreported accident
• CA situation with potential to cause injury but which didn't✓
• DAn injury to a temporary worker or an agency worker on the site

Answer: A near miss is an incident that could have resulted in injury or harm but didn't. Reporting near misses helps identify hazards and prevent future accidents.

What is the purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

• ATo provide information about chemical hazards and safe handling✓
• BTo record the maintenance schedule for each item of plant on the site
• CTo track accident statistics for the site over the course of the year
• DTo record employee timesheets and the hours worked on each contract

Answer: A Safety Data Sheet provides essential information about a chemical substance including hazards, composition, safe handling, storage, and emergency measures.

How should safety information be communicated to employees?

• AOnly in the employee handbook, which is handed out on the first day of work
• BThrough induction training, regular briefings, and accessible documentation✓
• CPosted on the site noticeboard once a year and left there for anyone to read it
• DBy email to each worker's personal address before the shift

Answer: Safety information must be communicated through initial induction training, regular safety briefings, toolbox talks, and accessible documentation that employees can reference.