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Main findings of the inspection

Detailed consideration has been given to the main hazards and unsafe practices in
the law firm, due to the fact that certain Health and Safety regulations are not being
adhered to, these are explained below under 7 headings. Other points that require
attention are the shortfall in following procedures in identifying defects by the
workforce. Administrator is also at fault by not carrying out workplace inspections or
ignoring clear breaches of health and safety legislation. Examples of this would be
the lack of training in Preventing Overuse Injuries Training Course (MHO regulations
1992 as amended in 2002), the periodical control of equipments for safe condition
and taken out of use if any damage found, providing step-stool or step ladders used
to access high shelves, providing sufficient number and position of fixed socket
outlets, implement a workplace violence prevention and management, and provide
drinkable water (Welfare Regulations).
The MF&NF Law firm's management system has some problems and is currently in
breach of the MHSW regulations 1999 by not providing certain training and health
and safety surveillance.
Risk of electrical shock or burning by using damaged electrical cable of a computer
(ob15) with electrical cables poorly positioned at the rear of computer desk. The
cables are all knotted together and kinked (ob14), risk of electrical shock, due to an
electric socket cracked (ob18). So I can say that the electricity at work regulations
1989 and MHSW regulations are not completely accomplished.
introduction
The aim of this unit is to assess a candidates ability to complete successfully two
activities:

To carry out, unaided, a safety inspection of a workplace, identifying the


morecommon hazards, deciding whether they are adequately controlled and,
wherenecessary, suggesting appropriate and cost effective control measures
To prepare a report that persuasively urges management to take appropriate
action,explaining why such action is needed (including reference to possible breaches
ofinternational standards and identifying, with due consideration of
reasonablepracticability, the control measures that should be implemented

This will require candidates to apply the knowledge and understanding gained from
their studiesof elements of Units IGC1 and IGC2 in a practical environment and to
carry out an evaluation ofinformation gathered during the inspection. The time allowed to
complete the assessment is notrestricted but candidates should aim to complete the
inspection and the report in two hours.The practical application may be submitted in
the candidates own handwriting or be wordprocessed

The submission must include;

completed observation sheets covering a number and range of hazards and


goodpractice, identifying suitable control measures and timescales;
an introduction and executive summary;
main findings of the completed inspection;
conclusions which summarise the main issues identified in the candidatesworkplace;
completed recommendations table.

The practical application must be carried out in the candidates own workplace. The
workplaceshould be large enough to provide a sufficient range of hazards in the
areas covered to providean adequate range for identification. If the workplace is
very large, in order that the practicalapplication is manageable the candidate should limit
the area considered.
Where the candidate does not have access to a workplace, the course provider
should beconsulted to help in making arrangements for the candidate to carry out
the practical applicationat suitable premises. Providers seeking to run the practical
in this way should contact NEBOSHfor advice and approval.
Management at the premises should be consulted to ensure the candidate can carry
out theinspection without endangering their own health and safety.
Where confidentiality requires, locations and company names may be omitted from
the report,or alternatively guidance should be sought from NEBOSH.
Introduction
c) Risk of Physical injury
I have concerns regarding to the likelihood of physical injuries in this office, because
of the presence of electrical cables, resulting in slips, trips or falls (ob7), risk of cuts,
physical injury, due to work with guillotine (ob9) due to no perform regular
inspections and checks to the equipment, not fulfilling thus the provision and use of
work equipment regulations 1998. Other risk is the risk of bumps, bruises,
concussion (ob11) due to falls when accessing high level shelves, overuse injuries
(ob12) for failing to comply manual handling operations regulations (MHO) 1992 as
amended in 2002, and injuries due to dropping of items being stored at shelves
(ob13).
d) Chemical Risks
Regarding to chemicals risks, in the office we have the likelihood of irritation to skin
and eyes, by working with multifunction printers and fax, due to exposure to toner

(ob8), or by poor storage of cleaning products in the toilet where everyone can
badly use it (ob19), being in fault with the Chemicals Regulations 2009.
e) Fire Precautions
The RRFSO 2005 requires that the firefighting arrangements' must be provided in a
workplace. If any fire was to ignite in this office, the workforce and clients would be
in serious danger of burns and possible fumes from burning items. Some hazards
and risks observed in the office are electrical cables poorly positioned at the rear of
computer desk. Cables all knotted together and kinked, this could cause a build-up
of heat in the cables causing a risk of fire (ob14), risk of fire due to over loading of
electrical sockets (ob16), no fire extinguisher, which in case of fire, there are no
adequate manner to extinguish it (ob20). However I could see a good practice, the
reams of sheets aren't in contact with or in close proximity to heat sources, because
the sheets are well located and well protected.
f) First aid and emergency drills
There is a possible breach on Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations 1981 as
amended in 2002. If any worker or public required first aid box, this would not be
adequate to cover all eventualities (ob21), is sorely needed to nominate a
responsible person (could be the designated first aider) to set up and accomplish an
inspection regime on the first aid box, another issue is the lack of emergency drills,
and emergency training (ob25), and because there is no person responsible for
giving alarm, nor any means of giving alarm, neither a meeting point was
established (ob26).
g) Psychosocial Risks
The Staff are exposed to potentially confrontational situations and experiencing
aggressive or violent behaviour towards them, due to meetings/ face to face,
telephone and email (ob22); work related stress, due to prolonged periods of
excessive demands being place on and experienced by staff, or for staff having
conflicting roles or receiving little or no support to enable them to effectively carry
out their work (ob23), risk of being physically assaulted when walking to and from
your vehicle /transport alone or in the dark, due to working after business
hours(ob24). Lone working and working outside normal working hours, is also a
hazard because could lead staff to be unable of staff promptly summon emergency
assistance in the event of serious injury (ob27).
Conclusions
During my inspection it became clear that the general housekeeping is good, the
offices are well clean, and well lit. My main areas of concern are as follows,
supervisors and managers not carrying out regular inspections of the work areas.
Supervision and training is required to target Health and Safety issues that have

been highlighted in this report. Some issues must be addressed urgently, to avoid
possible legal action. These issues are listed in the recommendations table
Recommendations
Recommendation

a) Chair removal for a


suitable and adjustable
chair (observation 1);

a1) Re-Inform and Re-train


staff regarding the risks
from using unsuitable or
damage equipment;

b) Individual staff are


responsible for taking
breaks and doing stretches
(observation 2)

b1) All staff must


attend"Preventing Overuse
Injuries Training Course".
c) Immediate seal the cable
by an external contractor,
the cables require rerouting in a safe and
suitable order (observation
15)

Likely resource
implications

1 hour for
searching a
suitable chair;
Approximately 75
for buying new
chair;
3 Hours of
training, contract
an competent
person
(Approximately
75)
No cost, each
worker take 2
minutes per hour
to do stretches;
Taking break for 3
hours of work;
Contract a
competent person,
3 hours of training
(Approximately
75)
Contract a
competent person,
1hour
(Approximately
30)

Priority

Review date

High

Second week
of January
2014 plus 3
days

Immedia
te

Install within
one month
3 Months

March 2014

Medium
Long Term
Daily

March 2014
3 Months

High
Repair within 3
days

Medium
Long Term

14/12/2013
plus two
working days

c1) Regular workplace


inspections and, where
necessary, testing

Monthly
1-2 hours per
month

d) Temporarily seal off


socket to inform workers
and public;

Contract a
competent person,
1hour
(Approximately
30)

d1) Replace electrical


socket using a qualified
person; (observation 18)

Contract a
competent person,
1hour
(Approximately
30); Buy new
socket
(Approximately
8)

i) Consultation with staff


Workplace violence;
(observation 22)

Approximately 1
hour of labour for
the administrator;

i1) Prevention and


management system.
(observation 27)

Approximately 1
hour of labour for
each 3 months,
contract a
professional helper
if necessary (25)

f) Provide a specific local or


closet well ventilated to
store the cleaning products;
(observation

1 hour of labour to
install new
furniture (closet)
to storage this
products
(Approximately
85)

19) f1) Re-train cleaning


woman on the danger of
leaving chemicals unlocked
and in reach of all staff and
visitors.

2 hours training
(Approximately
50)

High

13/12/2014

Immediately

6 working days

Medium Low

17/12/2014

January 2014

1 month
Each
Trimester
(Continuous
reviewed)
High
14/ 12/ 2014
Immediate
(2days)

1 month

11 January
2014 plus 5
working days

g)Install fire extinguishers


in the office (CO2 and H2O
extinguishers) (observation
20)
g1) Make out a fire risk
assessments;
g2) Set up a plan to inspect
and monitoring the
extinguishers.
h)Replace first aid box with
new one with adequate and
sufficient contents;
(observation 21)

High
Approximately
400 to install 2
fire extinguishers
by an external
contractor

Within 2 weeks

February 2014

Each 6 months
1 hours for
semester
Approximately 80
to buy a new first
aid box

High
Within 3
days

15/12/2014

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