1.9 - Health and safety

P1 - Technical principles

employer responsibility

have a legal obligation to ensure strict health and safety is implemented

• required to follow all procedures to eliminate health hazards

• prevent accidents to themselves and others

safe environment

good working practices and systems create a safe environment

• lost time through injuries/investigating accidents

• costs money

• could affect business reputation

safe working practices - equipment

• all equipment must be safe to work, fitted with safety guard/emergency stoppers as appropriate

• regularly maintain and safety test machinery

• provide adequate training and supervision for equipment

• ergonomically designed workstations

safe working practices - welfare

• dangerous items/substances used and stored safely

• accident reporting systems in place (RIDDOR 2013)

• welfare faculties - e.g. first aid

• plan for adequate breaks

• observe and obey statutory safety legislation

RIDDOR - 2013

reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations

• accident reporting system

safe working practices - school workshop - equipment

• only use when supervised or trained

• adjust seats to personal height for machinery

• use correct tools for jobs

• use all safety guards and safety measures

• report damaged/broken equipment to teacher

• keep hands away from moving parts of machine

• turn ofd electrical equipment at socket after use

safe working practices - schools workshop - personal safety

• tie back long hair to avoid entrapment

• wear PPE for machinery or chemical handling

• all should be aware of emergency procedures - fire evacuation route

• report illness or injury to teacher immediately

safe working practices - school workshop - hot machinery

• take care when handling hot liquids - e.g batik wax

• use correcting operating temp for equipment - e.g. iron

• hot/heavy equipment must be used on a firm level surface

safe working practices - school workshop - rules

• follow all safety rules and signage

• no eating or drinking

• work areas kept neat

• keep walkways free of trip hazards

• report spillages

HASAWA 1974

health and safety at work act

• primary legislation for British health and safety law

• states that employers must protect health and safety, and welfare of all employees and visitors

reasonably practicable

the balance of level of risk, against the measures needed to control risk

• in terms of money, time or trouble

risk assessment

a statutory process that considers what might cause harm to people

• what reasonable steps might be taken to prevent that harm

HSE - health and safety executive

a national independent watchdog for work related health, safety and illness

• responsible for enforcing the HASWA

what does the HASWA 1974 do

• employers legally need to carry out risk assessments

• put sensible measures in place to control risk

• obligation of employers to cooperate and report inadequacies in health and safety

• not to interfere with or misuse anything provided to assure health, safety, or welfare at work

COSHH - control of substances hazardous to health regulations - 2002

legislation to prevent, reduce, or control peoples exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace

COSHH - compliance

• must carry out risk assessments

• prevent, reduce and cool workers exposure to potentially hazardous substances

• exposure causes - chronic lung disease, skin problems, eye irritation, asthma

COSHH - hazardous substances

• textile substances include - dyestuff, bleaches, chemicals used for finishes, adhesives, cleaning materials

• hazardous substances must have a clear warning that identifies the hazard

hazard

a danger or risk that can cause someone harm

risk management

• must have a health and safety policy that formally records risk assessments - in a business with 5+ employees

• must identify potential hazards of the manufacturing process that could harm people

• if hazard identified = assess, control and monitor the associated risk

risk management - risk elimination

• cant eliminate all risks

• risk easements ensure all reasonable measures have been taken to minimise risk and prevent harm

• only effective if employees follow them

• employers must review regularly

safety precautions

actions carried out in advance that protect against a possible danger or injury

safety precautions - handling heavy material rolls

risk

• back injury

• foot or head injury - if rolls fall from height

precautions

• lifting equipment

• instruction on correct way to lift

• wear PPE - hard hats, steel toe cap shoes

safety precautions - movement of heavy goods around factory

risk

• injury form impact with forklift or other vehicle

precaution

• have designated safe zones/walkways

• fit vehicles with flashing lights

• reverse signal alarms

safety precautions - spreading and cutting fabric

risk

• and injury form machines

• dust - inhalation or eye irritation

precautions

• use safety guards, only use if trained

• wear PPE - chainmail gloves, safety goggles, breathing mask

safety precautions - fusing press (e.g. for fusible interfacing)

risk

• hand injury, burns

• inhalation of unhealthy vapours

precuation

• only use if trained

• wear PPE - protective gloves, breathing mask

• know first aid for burns

safety precautions - machine sewing

risk

• hand/back injury

• hair/clothing entrapments

• eye injury form breaking needles

precaution

• use needle guards, emergency stop buttons

• tie back long hair, wear overalls and glasses

• ergonomically designed workstations - avoid RSI

RSI

repetitive strain injury

safety precautions - pressing equipment

risk

• burns from hot equipment

• hand injury from presses

precautions

• use only if trained

• emergency stop buttons

• only turn on stream when ready to use

• hand irons - thermostat to stop overheating

safety precautions - dyeing/printing equipment

risk

• inhalation/eye contact with dyestuff or solvents

• skin damage or reaction to dyes

precautions

• follow COSHH labelling instructions

• correct ventilation

• PPE - dust mask, safety goggles, protective gloves, overalls

• know first aid for chemicals

safety precautions- general working area

risk

• tripping and falling

• electric shocks

• RSI

• cuts from sharp points

precautions

• keep work areas neat and tidy

• regularly test electrical safety of equipment

• allow regular breaks

• keep scissors in special holders and pins/needles in containers

safety precautions - materials handling

risk

• head injury from overhead conveyor system

• hand injury from conveyors

precautions

• floor areas where transporter rails pass - paint with black and yellow warning stripes

• designated safe zones/walkways

• fit safety guards

• training in conveyor handling

safety precautions - packaging machinery

risk

• hand/finger injury

precautions

• fit emergency stop buttons on machines

• use only if trained

safety in products

• responsibility to consider safety of users

• safety legislation protects consumers from poor-quality, unsafe products

• protects consumer rights - can claim refund if goods are faults or don’t meet performance claims

legislation to protect consumers

• trade descriptions act - 2011

• general product safety regulations - 2005

• furniture and furnishings (fire safety amendment) regulations - 1993

general product safety regulations - 2005

place responsibility on businesses to supply safe goods

furniture and furnishings (fire safety amendment) regulations - 1993

set levels of fire resistance for fabric coverings used in upholstered furniture/furnishings

trade descriptions act - 2011

makes it an office for businesses to make false or misleading statements about goods or services

code of practice

a voluntary set of rules agreed by a professional body that guide a company’s way of working

safety standard in childrens clothing

• BSI and CEN (European committees for standardisation)

• produced a code of practice for design and manufacture of childrens clothing

• to promote mechanical safety

safety standards in childrens clothing - examples

• no components that look or smell like food

• no hoods on sleepwear (for under 12 months) - prevents overheating

• consider that hoods may cause vision/hearing restriction in older children

• no trouser zips - boys under age of 5

• no loose threads - could wrap around fingers causing tourniquet

• no chord/ribbons accessible to mouth - fraying ends can cause choking (heat seal ends)

• no chords around hood/neck - 0-7 years

• max chord length 75mm - 7-14 years

BSI flammability labels - nightwear

• must be on a permanent label

• doesn’t meet requirements = KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE in red

• does meet requirements = KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE in red, or LOW FLAMMABILITY TO BS 5722 in black

Nightwear (safety) regulations - 1985

it is an offence to supply nightwear that does not meet flammability performance requirements set by the BSI

consumer rights act - 2015

an act that simplifies customer protection law and reflects the changing ways that customers buy goods and services

consumer rights act - 2015 - requirements

safeguards customers against faulty products

• goods must be of satisfactory quality - commensurate to price paid

• goods must be fit for purpose

• goods must be as described

consumer rights act - rights to consumers

• right to reject and return goods - can claim refund

• 30 days to reject goods, if they don’t meet terms - entitles customer to 100% refund

• after 30 days, within 6 months - if the product becomes defective, customer entitled to claim a repair/replacement

• if repair/replacement is unsuccessful - customer an claim price reduction, or right to reject goods - up to 100% of product value

• can dispute resolution through small claims court or citizens advice bureau

consumer rights act - exception

• doesn’t apply if customer change their mind about product

• if product is in good condition and customer has proof of purchase

• retailers will often refund or give credit note

BSI - British standards institute

a national organisation that devises agreed standard procedures for performing a wide range of tasks

BSI kite mark

a quality mark to show that a product conforms to agreed standards

BSI - what does it do

works with industry, the British gov and overseas standard authorities

• to produce a set of voluntary standards that state essential technical requirements or performance codes

• can test products and award certifications

BSI kite mark - what does it show

• assures consumers the product is well produced, safe and fit for purpose

• standards for textiles include - sizing, garment safety and fabric testing methods

toys must comply with

• toys (safety) regulations 2011

• and European standard BS EN 71

hazards of textile toys

• lose pile fabric - sheds easily = choking hazard

• small components - can detach = choking hazard

• loose ribbons on toys, long neck ties on childrens costumes

• flammable toys/dressing up clothes

• residual toxic chemical finished - could be ingested

• for children under 36 month - if they don’t meet hygiene requirements - inc. sickness or infection

the lion mark

a recognisable consumer symbol that represents safety and quality

the lion mark - what does it show

• verifies that members of the BTHA (British toy and hobby association) confirm to toys safety regulations BS EN 71

• and their own code of practice have made the toy

advice to consumers

• should try to buy from reputable retailers

• look for safety and quality symbols

• read and follow specific warnings/ product maintenance advice on labels