Explain the legal requirements and regulations for ensuring the health, safety and security of those employed in business

The prime objective of the present work is to understand the health and safety legislation and regulations that induces impact on the business and working environment of the organization. The analysis enables to identify the requirement of regulation and legalization in the health and safety management of workplace (Apps. who. int, 2010). In case of working business the implementation of regulations compliance with the procedure of organization and legal requirements of the organizations. Consequently, non-compliance business strategies can induce impact on the employer working capability (small business. Chron. com, 2018). The analysis includes legal issues having effects on safe working practices. The implementation of regulations and legislation in a workplace provides strength to the policies, strategies, procedures, and personal responsibility for safety and health measurements (Apps. who. int, 2010). The harmful work practices are hazardous for the improvement of the organization. The regulations and legislation are based on the environment of a working business. The implementation of health and safety measures secure the life of the person at the workplace (small business. Chron. com, 2018). The rules and regulations for the health and safety measures include,

Statutory duties of employers and employees relating to health, safety, and welfare

Manual Handling Operations Regulations

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1994

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations 1995

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 deal with the premises, machinery, implants used in the workplace. Regulations are designed to ensure the health welfare and safety of the workers at the workplace and to protect the people from hazardous activities (small business. Chron. com, 2018). The controlling factors of the regulations consider the use of flammable substances and dangerous substances. The rules prevent the acquisition of substances and danger for the health of workers at the workplace. The controlling factors are the emission of toxic elements into the atmosphere and offensive substances (small business. Chron. com, 2018). The rule dealing with such type of offensive and toxic substances are the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

There are different types of explicit duties letter towards employees by the employers. The employees should be provided with the maintenance of a safe system (Apps. who. int, 2010). The arrangement of the system should be secured with different aspects of handling, transportation, and storage. In a business purpose, the employees require a safe place to work and security of health. The prime objective of the legislation is to decrease the incidents of harm to the complete risk assessment (Boon-YuenNg, Kankanhalli, & Xu, 2009). The action parents are required for the emergence of legislation in the workplace.

The safety standards in the workplace are based on the risk assessment of the system safety programs with the working practices of equipment (Armada, Muntaner, & Navarro, 2001). A complete risk assessment includes identification of hazards in the workplace and workers that my face injuries during the work. The risk assessment evaluates the seriousness and potential impact of the injuries on the health of the workers. The complete and significant findings are required by the management for the storage and record of all the data (small business. Chron. com, 2018).

P 2) Describe the requirements for a healthy and safe workplace, as applied to the physical environment and equipment used, in a selected business.

The contractor shall submit an occupational health and safety organization plan detailing planning and management considerations for construction at an organizational level. The contractor shall maintain the site and all working areas in a sanitary condition and the matters of health and sanitation should comply with the requirements of public and health works authority. The contractor shall set up and maintain throughout the course of contract safety notice boards in prominent places of the site. The contractor shall develop and implement programs which shall act as incentives for their teams at all levels, to make a positive contribution to good health and safety performance. The contractor is required to provide a competent supervisor to monitor each and every area of activities like temporary and permanent electrical installation, crane and lifting appliance operations, scaffolding erection, alteration and dismantling, confined space entry, excavation and work at site. Training should be provided by the contractor which covers occupational hygiene, essential elements of local laws and regulations and policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights. It is necessary to set up buildings physical emergency evacuation systems. Sufficient suitable standby plant shall be available in cases where the safety of works or personnel depends on mechanical plant. Mobile plant and vehicles that are defective will be removed from use in work areas and taken to a repair facility on the worksite or removed from the worksite. Repair work is to be carried out by trained and authorized mobile plant and vehicle repair technicians. Whenever maintenance work is ongoing the machinery or equipment will be isolated and De-energized. No passengers will be carried on mobile plant and vehicles other than in seats that are specifically designed for carrying passengers. All construction lifts will have flat base plates without holes or openings, enclosed sides and roof that are designed to prevent from falling objects. All construction lifts will have overload protection devices that prevent movement of platform if it is overloaded. Prior to excavating in any area, the location of existing utilities shall be confirmed from as-built drawings, contact with utility authorities and trial holes. During planning stage all materials and equipment required for safe excavation work must be identified which includes shoring, solid barriers, vehicle stop blocks, access ladders or scaffolding, ventilation, lighting, signage, pumps, generators, air monitoring devices, movement monitoring equipment and rescue equipment. Temporary safety barriers should be used to protect workers and travelling public from excavations that are more in depth. All ladders used on the project should be manufactured using international standards. Excavations should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Warning signs and barriers are to be used for excavations, any edge, opening or platform from where a person may fall, electrical transformers, confined space entry points, areas of open water, areas where flammable goods are stored and areas above underground services. Warning signs will clearly state the nature of the hazard and instruct people for correct actions to take. Rigging of loads and supervision of cranes will be undertaken only by trained and competent person. Before a mobile crane is positioned for a lift, attention will be paid to the condition of the ground upon which the crane will stand, as this will be subjected to high point loadings. All lifting gears should be subjected to thorough examination.  All scaffolding erection areas and dismantling areas will be provided with barriers and warning signs to exclude all personnel that are not involved in scaffolding. Welding cables and equipment will be properly maintained and inspected before use. Contractors are required to reduce the risk of persons falling from height by providing a means of fall prevention or arrest for every person on the worksite that is exposed to a risk of falling a distance of 2 m or above. The practice of twisting and taping electrical components together to create a connection is prohibited. The contractor shall provide and maintain first aid boxes complete with all first aid kits and equipment necessary for initial care of any personnel who might be injured. The contractor shall take necessary precautions against fire. Quantities of flammable materials on site should be absolute minimum. Temporary fire protection equipment for the worksite will be provided by contractor which includes portable fire extinguishers, fire sand buckets and fire water storage.

P 3) Explain the roles and responsibilities of health and safety of key personnel in a selected workplace.

The Managing Director : Managing director is responsible for overall arrangements and for ensuring that company’s operations are executed at all times in such a manner as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees and others who might be affected by its operations. Managing director will ensure that there is effective company policy for health and safety and that all employees, contractors and temporary workers are made aware of their individual responsibility. The managing director also appoints a director for safety. It is his role to ensure that all directors and managers understand and fulfill their responsibilities with regard to health and safety. The managing director arranges funds and facilities to meet the requirements of company policy and legislation. Makes provision for adequate and appropriate training to be given to all employees and sets a personal example on all matters of health and safety.

Director responsible for health and safety: The director responsible for health and safety is accountable to managing director for all matters relating to health, safety and welfare of employees and those affected by company operations. It is their responsibility to bring company related health and safety matters to attention of the board of directors at regular intervals. To ensure that good communication exists between employer and employee. Safety manager has to take care of inspections, audits, report recommendations, changes in legislation and advice obtained from other sources. Ensures that adequate programs for training for health and safety are established and safety culture is encouraged among employees.

Safety Manager: He understands the application for health and safety at work and legislation related to company’s business. Keeps up to date about current legislation and changes in track of new legislation. He ensures that all assessments required by legislation are conducted at regular intervals, and maintain records of the same. Conducts health and safety inspections and prepares report about company’s operations. Carries out investigations into all accidents and near-miss incidents and records the findings on relevant form. Safety manager brings new techniques for improving health and safety to the attention of director responsible for health and safety.  Sets a personal example by wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and observing all safety procedures.

Managers/Heads of Department: Each manager/ Department head is responsible for his personal safety and that of all personnel under his/her authority, including others who may be affected by construction activities. They will understand and implement the company safety policy. Appreciate the responsibilities of personnel under their authority and ensure that each employee knows his/her responsibility and are equipped to play their part. Conduct risk assessments within their department ensuring that the methods and systems of work are safe. Also that necessary procedures, rules and regulations designed to achieve this are formulated, published and applied. Provide written instructions of work method outlining potential hazards and precautions and ensure they are compiled with. Ensure accident and near-miss reporting procedures are understood and complied with, and assist with accident investigations where appropriate.  Ensure all employees and sub-contractors are suitably trained to carry out designated task and that necessary licenses/certificates of competence are in force and appropriate. Ensure that statutory notices, safety policy, insurance certificate and the names of appointed first aiders are displayed and maintained in prominent positions. Reprimand any employee for failing to discharge health and safety responsibility.

Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Manager:  Prepare and maintain a scheme which identifies work equipment requiring inspection by competent persons and ensuring that the equipment is easily identifiable and available for inspection on date required. Prepare and maintain suitable records of all inspections. Ensure that all engineering construction work under his control complies with all relevant construction statutory instruments. Ensure that the impeding start of any new employee is advised to the company secretary. Set a personal example with regard to health and safety matters.

Sub-contractors: Sub-contractors will at pre-contract meetings or other time as may be stipulated, submit assessments, test certificates and method statements to comply with statutory requirements. Operator’s certificates of competence and test certificates for the various types of plant and equipment to be used will be presented to site management before the operation commences. Every sub-contractor is responsible for providing his employees with all necessary personal protective clothing and equipment. All portable tooling and other plant and equipment will be maintained and in good working order and in case of lighting appliances and electrical equipment evidence must be produced as to correct testing and certification. Any materials or substances brought onto the site must be correctly labeled and in approved containers or packages. Sub-contractors will ensure that they maintain their work places in a safe condition and that their storage areas are kept clean, tidy and free from hazards.

All Employees: Carry out assigned tasks in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and to comply with safety rules, regulations and codes of practice. If unaware of any unsafe condition it is necessary to consult supervisor. Not to use any unsafe/damaged tools or equipment’s for work. Not to operate any plant/equipment unless authorized.  To avoid improvised arrangements and suggest safe ways of eliminating hazards.

M 1)  Assess the implications of health, safety and security legislation and regulations for a business role in a workplace environment

Under the Law, it is the duty of all the employees to work at the reasonable care and protection environment so the effect of hazardous action can be reduced. The risk assessment is considered for the safety and security hazards of the workplace, practice guidelines for the workers, and monitoring process for the staff development (small business. Chron. com, 2018). The requirements of legislative considerations are to record the actions and planning of the liable insurances. The safety and security of the workers is the practical component of our work that is required at Federal and state level (Apps. who. int, 2010).

The type of business is considered for the regional locations and security of workplace is required to reduce the injuries, incident, and accidents. The effective security programs are based on the statutory requirements of workers and Management. The key component of safety and health plan in the organization include reporting system, training programs, emergency planning’s, continuous improvement and instructions of the workplace (World Health Organization, 2004).

The implementation of the regulations in a workplace generates a particular environment for the improvement organization (Apps. who. int, 2010). The activities in the organization are designed to improve the Awareness of safety issues along with barriers of right and wrong. The implementation of health and security legislation affects the environment of business. The workplace policies are designed according to the type of jobs (World Health Organization, 2007). The procedures used in the workplace are required to be under the health and safety act. The harmful what practices result in injuries, health illness, and accidents (Hsa. ie, 2018). In the business workplace Work Regulations, 1999 legislation was implemented to address the risk and hazard (World Health Organization, 2000). The implementation considers facilities of employees in the workplace. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 legislation was implemented in the workplace for the protection of employees from the electrical injuries (World Health Organization, 2007).

The workers deal with the electrical equipment on the daily basis such as laptops, machines, and extensions. The regulation ensures the prevention of electric shock and the maintenance of the electrical system in the workplace ( World Health Organization, 2015). The main responsibility of the organization is to provide a safe and risk-free environment for instance from faulty equipment, hazardous chemicals, and electrical equipment. The quality of floorboards is checked to reduce the risk of fault. In case of fire emergency exit must be provided for the employees to save the life (Apps. who. int, 2010).

M 2) Analyze the roles and responsibilities for health and safety of key personnel in a selected workplace

Managing Director: The director board needs to accept formally and publicly its collective role in providing health and safety leadership in organization. Managing director needs to ensure that all his/her decisions reflect company’s health and safety intentions, as articulated in health and safety policy statement. Managing director realizes his role in engaging active participation of workers in improving health and safety. He needs to ensure that it is kept informed of, and alert to, relevant health and safety risk management issues.  The Health and safety commission recommends the board of directors to appoint one of its members to be health and safety director to deal with all health and safety related issues. This helps to minimize the risk of accidents or injury at the work place. It also helps in complying with the legal policies so that progression of work at construction site will never be interrupted by the local authorities.

Director responsible for health and safety:  The director should understand the legal responsibilities when it comes to health and safety. For example, where safety critical plant is used and the consequences of loss of integrity could be severe for the undertaking, the role should be carried out by a person with the necessary competence to adequately understand their roles and responsibilities. He/she should receive necessary safety and health training so that they can be comfortable with the responsibilities. The safety and health director can look for evidence of the practical working of the board’s safety and health policy and ensure that discussions on this issue at board meetings are focused and effective. He/she should liaise closely with undertaking’s safety committee.

Safety Manager:  Developing and executing health and safety plans in the workplace according to legal guidelines. Preparing and enforcing policies to establish a culture of health and safety. He/she evaluates practices, procedures and facilities to assess risk and adherence to law.  His goal should be to ensure worksite meets all legal expectations and actively supports occupational health and safety. A safety manager for a construction company has a wide variety of duties that center on the safety of construction work sites. Training others is an essential duty. Safety managers use preventive education to ensure that construction managers and employees understand policies and regulations. They also travel to construction sites to conduct safety audits.

Managers/ Head of Departments: The line managers and department head should review the strength and weaknesses of company’s health and safety performance. They should also focus on the measures currently taken for a reliable and sustainable future. They should focus on risk profiling, leading and managing for health and safety, competence and worker consultation and involvement. Line managers provide a crucial link between an employee and health and safety practice at the workplace. The attitude of senior management influences to a great extent the approach and attitudes of workers in terms of how seriously they consider health and safety. If respective line managers compromise on health and safety of the employees who serve under his department, it can lead to accidents and injury which will be a major problem.

Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Manager:  Conduct risk assessment activities within their department ensuring that the methods and systems of work are safe. Ensures that all employees and sub-contractors are subjected to proper training to carry out their filed of work and have certificates/licenses where appropriate. Ensure the statutory notices, the safety policy, Insurance certificate and the names of appointed first-aiders are displayed and maintained in prominent locations. Any employee failing to discharge their health and safety responsibility may be subjected to punishment.

Sub-Contractors:  It is the sub-contractor who directly engages construction workers or manages construction work. Contractors include sub-contractors, any individual self-employed worker that carries out, manages or controls construction work. They must have skills, knowledge, experience and, where relevant, the organizational capability to carry out the work safely and without risk to health. Sub-contractors and the workers under their control are most at risk of injury and ill health from construction work.  Therefore they have an important role in planning, managing and monitoring their work to ensure any risks are controlled. They make sure that all workers under their control have site-specific induction. They do not start site work unless reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorized access. They also ensure suitable welfare facilities are provided from the start for workers under their control, and maintain them throughout the work.

All Employees: It is an employee’s duty to take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. They have to cooperate with the employer on health and safety matters. They should not misuse any equipment that is provided for safety purpose (example fire extinguishers or safety goggles).  Inform the employer if something happens that might affect the ability to work, like suffering an injury.

References of Understanding Health and Safety in a Business Workplace