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 equipment’s 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 candidate’s 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 candidate’s 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 candidate’sworkplace; completed recommendations table.

The practical application must be carried out in the candidate’s 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

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).

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 Likely resource implications

Priority Review date

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;

1 hour for searching a suitable chair;

Approximately £75 for buying new chair;

3 Hours of training, contract an competent person (Approximately

£75)

High

Immediate

Install within one month

3 Months

Second week of January 2014 plus

3 days

March 2014

b) Individual staff are responsible for taking breaks and doing stretches (observation 2)

b1) All staff must attend"Preventing Overuse Injuries Training Course".

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)

Medium

Long Term Daily

3 Months March 2014

c) Immediate seal the cable by an external contractor, the cables require re-routing in a safe and suitable order (observation 15)

c1) Regular workplace inspections and, where necessary, testing

Contract a competent person, 1hour

(Approximately £30)

1-2 hours per month

High

Repair within 3 days

Medium

Long Term Monthly

14/12/2013 plus two working days

d) Temporarily seal off socket to inform workers and public;

d1) Replace electrical socket using a qualified person; (observation 18)

Contract a competent person, 1hour

(Approximately £30)

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

High

Immediately

6 working days

13/12/2014

17/12/2014

i) Consultation with staff Workplace violence; (observation 22)

i1) Prevention and management system. (observation 27)

Approximately 1 hour of labour for the administrator;

Approximately 1 hour of labour for each 3 months, contract a

professional helper if necessary (£25)

Medium Low

1 month

Each Trimester (Continuous reviewed)

January 2014