occupational health and safety management

This section sets out the key components of effective health and safety management. It describes health and safety management systems, the essentials of risk assessment, and legislation which has a bearing on managing contractors.

This section covers:

• competence - the regulations and the elements, qualities and requirements that help to define competence.

• Construction, Design and Management Regulations (CDM) - the main duties under the regulations; the client’s responsibilities; appointing a planning supervisor and providing them with information; appointing a principal contractor; the health and safety plan; the health and safety file; and maintenance operations.

• employee involvement - what it means for both types of safety representatives, union appointed or otherwise elected.

• health and safety management systems- describes two well established management systems for health and safety, namely HSE’s HSG65 and BS OHSAS 18001 and explains the relationship with employee involvement and benchmarking.

• investigation by enforcing authorities - examines the way that enforcing authorities conduct investigations of accidents, incidents and major offences.

• managing contractors - considers the issue of competence when managing contractors and provides assessment checklists.

• risk assessments - what risk assessment is, the different hazards which it can address and the main legal requirements for general risk assessments, young persons, new and expectant mothers and display screen equipment, together with practical checklists.