ZF Manual: Controlling Workplace Safety Issues in the UK (EN)

CONTROLLING WORKPLACE SAFETY ISSUES IN THE UK A course book for Unit DN3 of the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals Authors: Tyler Baker Heather Beaumont David England Tom Richmond Natalie Stanton Unit DN3

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CONTENTS Introduction x Contributors xi Guide to using this book xii Chapter 1: Safe working environment 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Legal requirement to manage workplaces 2 1.3 Practical considerations in providing and maintaining safe places of work and safe means of access and egress 7 1.4 Using safety signs 9 1.5 Managing risks from lighting in the workplace 12 1.6 Good practice for lighting in the workplace 15 Chapter 2:

Confined spaces 23 2.1 Introduction 23 2.2 The meaning of confined spaces 24 2.3 Examples of where confined space entry may occur in the workplace 25 2.4 The factors to consider when assessing risk in confined spaces 27 2.5 The factors to be considered in designing safe working practices 32 Chapter 3: Process fire and explosion safety 37 3.1 Introduction 37 3.2 Flammable and explosive materials:

the relevant properties of solids, liquids and gases with respect to their influence on combustion 38 3.3 Specific physical properties of importance to the initiation and propagation of fire and explosion 41 3.4 The causes and effects of vapour explosions 43 3.5 Mechanisms of explosion and fire spread 47 3.6 The effects of atomisation/particle size and oxygen content on the likelihood and severity of fire and explosion 50 3.7 How failure of control measures coupled with the physicochemical properties of flammable materials can bring about an explosion 51 3.8 The process of oxidisation and the effects of oxidising substances on fire and explosion mechanisms 53 3.9 Flammable atmospheres:

how they arise and where they are found 54 Controlling workplace safety issues in the UK iii

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Contents 3.10 Control measures for entering flammable atmospheres, including purging, to keep flammable atmospheres below Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) 55 3.11 The principles of selection of electrical equipment for use in flammable/explosive atmospheres 57 3.12 The prevention and mitigation of vapour phase explosions 58 3.13 Control of amount of material, prevention of release, control of ignition sources, sensing of vapour between Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) 61 3.14 Dust explosions 62 3.15 The behaviour of structural materials, buildings and building contents in a fire 68 3.16 Fire and explosion prevention and protection 73 Chapter 4: General fire safety 79 A.

Legal requirements 80 4.1 Introduction 79 4.2 The regulatory powers of a fire authority with respect to fire safety 80 4.3 Dual enforcement by the HSE and fire and rescue authorities 83 4.4 Fire safety regulatory requirements 83 4.5 The purpose of building control Approved Documents and standards 86 B. Fire risk assessment 88 4.6 Identifying fire hazards 88 4.7 Identifying people at risk 89 4.8 Evaluating and acting on the information 89 4.9 Recording, planning and training 90 4.10 Reviewing the fire risk assessment 90 C. Fire detection and alarm systems 90 4.11 Common fire detection and alarm systems and procedures 91 D.

Fixed and portable firefighting equipment 94 4.12 Factors in design and application of fixed firefighting systems and equipment 95 E. Means of escape 102 4.13 The factors to be considered in the provision and maintenance of a means of escape 102 F. Emergency evacuation procedures 105 4.14 Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) 106 Chapter 5: Industrial chemical processes and the storage and handling of dangerous substances 111 5.1 Introduction 111 A.

Industrial chemical processes 112 5.2 The effects of temperature, pressure and catalysts on rates of chemical reactions 112 5.3 Heat of reaction in terms of exothermic and runaway reactions 114 Controlling workplace safety issues in the UK iv

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Contents Chapter 10: Mobile work equipment and lifting equipment 245 10.1 Introduction 245 A. Mobile work equipment 245 10.2 Duties under Part 3 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 246 10.3 Applications and types of mobile work equipment 251 10.5 General control measures for mobile work equipment 258 10.4 Hazards (and related controls) associated with mobile work equipment 254 10.6 Using lift trucks to move people 259 10.7 The importance of protective measures 260 B. Lifting equipment:

hazards and control measures 261 10.8 The duty to manage lifting operations/equipment under regs 4 to 11 of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 263 10.9 Applications and types of lifting equipment 266 10.10 Hazards associated with cranes and lifting operations 269 10.11 The main hazards (and related controls) associated with using hoists and lifts 270 10.12 General control measures when using cranes, hoists and lifts 272 Chapter 11: Electricity 279 11.1 Introduction 279 A. Hazards of electricity and static electricity 280 11.2 Electric arcs:

molten metal splash and radiation 280 11.3 Circumstances giving rise to the generation of static electricity 281 11.4 Hazards and controls for static electricity 281 B.

Control measures for the use of electrical equipment and working on electrical systems 283 11.5 The selection and suitability of equipment 284 11.6 Reducing the risk of shock by using protective systems 285 11.7 Insulation, protection and placing of conductors 289 11.8 Working space, access and lighting 291 11.9 Inspection and maintenance strategy 291 11.10 Safe systems of work on installations made dead 296 11.11 When permits-to-work should be used 298 11.12 Safe systems of work and criteria of acceptability for live working 299 C.

High voltage systems 300 11.14 Safe systems of work, permit-to-work procedures 302 11.13 Common high voltage systems and the prevention of danger 300 11.15 Additional precautions needed for high voltage working 303 11.16 Precautions when working near overhead power lines 303 Controlling workplace safety issues in the UK vii

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