Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
88
Consultation
Many people operating a piece of equipment or process 
are in the best position to help with the preparation of 
safe systems of work. Consultation with those employees 
who will be exposed to the risks, either directly or through 
their representatives, is also a legal requirement. The 
importance of discussing the proposed system with those 
who will have to work under it, and those who will have to 
supervise its operation, cannot be emphasized enough.
6.5.5 Preparation of safe systems
A checklist for use in the preparation of safe systems of 
work is set out as follows:
➤
what is the work to be done?
➤
what are the potential hazards?
➤
is the work covered by any existing instructions or 
procedures? If so, to what extent (if any) do these 
need to be modifi ed?
➤
who is to do the work?
➤
what are their skills and abilities – is any special 
training needed?
➤
under whose control and supervision will the work 
be done?
➤
will any special tools, protective clothing or equip-
ment (e.g. breathing apparatus) be needed? Are 
they ready and available for use?
➤
are the people who are to do the work adequately 
trained to use the above?
➤
what isolations and locking-off will be needed for 
the work to be done safely?
➤
is a permit to work required for any aspect of the 
work?
➤
will the work interfere with other activities? Will other 
activities create a hazard to the people doing the 
work?
➤
have other departments been informed about the 
work to be done, where appropriate?
➤
how will the people doing the work communicate 
with each other?
➤
have possible emergencies and the action to be 
taken been considered?
➤
should the emergency services be notifi ed?
➤
what are the arrangements for handover of the plant/ 
equipment at the end of the work? (For maintenance/ 
project work etc.)
➤
do the planned precautions take account of all fore-
seeable hazards?
➤
who needs to be informed about or receive copies 
of the safe system of work?
➤
what arrangements will there be to see that the 
agreed system is followed and that it works in 
practice?
➤
what mechanism is there to ensure that the safe 
system of work stays relevant and up-to-date?