Safe place of work

The concept of safe place of work Is derived from the law, which has long recognised the duty of the employer to provide a safe place of work and a safe means of access to it and egress from It. But the concept Is not just a technicality. To ensure safety, hazards need to be identified and avoided - possibly by changing the design or work method. If this cannot be done, then control Is required, and this extends to others who may be affected by the work - other contractors, employees or third parties. 

If the safe place of work concept is used as the guiding principle, many of the decisions required on access topics, for example, can be simplified. It can be seen that a safe working platform is preferable to working from a ladder (for an extended period). The person has more space to work, guardrails or barriers to prevent falls, and does not need to carry materials. Third parties can be protected from falling materials. This does not mean that work from a ladder may never be done, but indicates some of the risk factors involved when making a choice about a safe place of work. 

Planning and control strategies should be aimed at making decisions about such issues by management, rather than leaving them to site workers who will not normally be aware of all the constraints. For example, a subcontractor may attempt to put up ladders or a temporary scaffold to gain access to the outside of a structure, unaware that the spot chosen is on a major access route that happens to be quiet at the time. Third parties should not have to make decisions about ensuring their own safety they should be excluded from work areas where they may be at risk. 

Another example is the separation of vehicles from people by planning traffic routes to provide a safe means of access 

It has been estimated that at least a quarter of all fatal injuries at work involve failures in systems of work — the way things get done. A safe system of work is a formal procedure that results from a systematic examination of a task in order to identify all the hazards and assess the risks, and which identifies safe methods of work to ensure that the hazards are eliminated or the remaining risks are minimised. Where elements of risk remain, a safe system of work will be required. Some examples where safe systems of work will be part of the controls are  

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This clause introduces the now familiar safe place of work and safe means of access of contemporary law, but this safety is different from that which has gone before. Here, safety has now become a standalone state, with no guidance provided for its attainment or... 

Having a safe place of work is more important than production... 

An essential part of the development of an appropriate culture is the involvement of employees through their representatives in the preparation of the safety case and the active participation of employees in the maintenance of a safe place of work. The safety case will need to clearly identify the methods used to involve employees in safety management of the facility. 

It is the duty of every employer to provide a safe place of work, maintain plant and equipment safely and ensure safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances. Furthermore under the same legislation, it is the employers responsibility to provide adequate instruction, training and information and to conduct his undertaking in such a manner that people who are not in his employ are not exposed to risks to then-health and safety. It is also the duty of employees not to endanger themselves or others by their acts or omissions and to cooperate with their employer as necessary to comply with current legislation and requirements. ... 

The employer is under a duty at common law to provide a reasonably safe place of work, relating to such matters as the provision of gangways clearly marked and free of obstruction, and the maintenance of floors and staircases. The duty is fulfilled through regular inspection of the workplace and keeping it in a safe state, free of hazard so far as reasonably practicable. It does not extend to protection from abnormal hazards which the employer could not reasonably have foreseen. For example, whilst in conditions of ice and snow, paths must as far as possible be sanded before the normal time for employees to arrive at the premises, if there is a sudden totally unexpected snowfall, the employer is not liable if paths are slippery or obstructed until he has had reasonable opportunity to remedy the situation. 

The general policy which states that the management policy is in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, and that all possible steps will be taken to maintain a healthy and safe place of work. 

P Pressure Vessels. Boilers, steam receivers, air receivers, compressors, compressed gas cylinders and bottles are all bombs waiting to explode. Selection, use, maintenance, storage, training, competent persons and adequate supervision are all essential to maintaining a safe place of work. 

Piecemeal demolition is done by hand, using hand-held tools, sometimes as a preliminary to other methods. Considerations include provision of a safe place of work and safe access/egress, and debris disposal. It can be completed or begun by machines such as balling machines, impact hammers or hydraulic pusher arms. Considerations... 

The general duties sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 require a safe place of work to be provided together with safe systems of work, and these may involve use of PPE. General requirements for provision, use, maintenance and storage of PPE are contained in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Specific Acts, Regulations and Orders also contain requirements for PPE, and should be consulted for particular applications. 

A particular area of risk is the laying of the first sheets, which should be covered specifically in method statements. Standing on stacks of decking sheets is not considered to be safe generally another safe place of work must be provided. 

The employer s duty of care is to take reasonable care to protect his employees from the risk of foreseeable injury, disease or death at work by the provision and maintenance of a safe place of work, a safe system of work, safe plant and equipment, adequate supervision and reasonably competent fellow employees. The formal basis of the employer s duty to employees derives from the existence of a contract of employment, but the duty to take reasonable care may also extend to matters which affect others but are within the employer s control. 

A safe place of work, with safe access and egress... 

Affect safe access for personnel and equipment, safe places of work and safe layout ... 

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