Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Summary of the main legal requirements
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fi rst aid arrangements
➤
notifi cation and consultation with emergency services
➤
training of rescuers and simulations of emergencies
➤
size of access openings to permit rescue with full 
breathing apparatus, harnesses, fall arrest gear and 
lifelines, which is the normal suitable respiratory pro-
tection and rescue equipment for confi ned spaces.
17.7.8 Training
Specifi c, detailed and frequent training is necessary for 
all people concerned with confi ned spaces, whether they 
are acting as rescuers, watchers or those carrying out 
the actual work inside the confi ned space. The training 
will need to cover all procedures and the use of equip-
ment under realistic simulated conditions.
17.7.9 References
Safe work in confi ned spaces. Confi ned Spaces Regula-
tions 1997 Approved Code of Practice, Regulations and 
Guidance. L101 1997 HSE Books
ISBN 0 7176 1405 0
Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the 
petroleum, chemical and allied industries. HSG250 HSE 
Books 2005
ISBN 0 7176 2943 0
The Selection Use and Maintenance of Respiratory 
Protective Equipment: A Practical Guide. HSG53 1998 
second edition (reprinted 2001 with minor amendments, 
due to be updated) HSE Books
ISBN 0 7176 61537 5
Respiratory Protective Equipment, Legislative require-
ments and lists of HSE approved standards and type 
approved equipment. Fourth edition 1995 HSE Books 
ISBN 0 7176 1036 5
17.8 
Construction (Design and 
Management) (CDM) Regulations 
2007
17.8.1 Background and Introduction
The following is extracted from the new Approved Code 
of Practice.
The revised Construction (Design and Management) 
Regulations 2007 (CDM2007) came into force on 6 
April 2007. They replace the Construction (Design 
and Management) Regulations 1994 (CDM94) and the 
Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 
1996 (CHSW). The new Approved Code of Practice 
replaces the AcOP under CDM94.
The key aim of the CDM2007 is to integrate health 
and safety into the management of the project and to 
encourage everyone involved to work together to:
➤
improve the planning and management of projects 
from the very start
➤
identify risks early on so they can be eliminated or 
reduced at the design or planning stage and the 
remaining risks can be properly managed
➤
target effort where it can be the most good in terms 
of health and safety
➤
discourage unnecessary bureaucracy.
The regulations are intended to focus attention on plan-
ning and management throughout construction projects, 
from design concepts onwards. The aim is for health 
and safety considerations to be treated as an essential, 
but normal part of a projects development – not an after 
thought or bolt on extra.
The effort devoted to planning and managing 
health and safety should be in proportion to the risks 
and complexity associated with the project. The focus 
should always be on action necessary to reduce and 
manage risks. Any paperwork produced should help 
with communication and risk management. Paperwork 
which adds little to the management of risk is a waste of 
effort, and can be a dangerous distraction from the real 
business of risk reduction and management.
Time and thought invested at the start of the project 
will pay dividends not only in improved health and safety, 
but also in:
➤
reductions in the overall cost of ownership, because 
the structure is designed for safe and easy mainten-
ance and cleaning work, and because key informa-
tion is available in the health and safety fi le
➤
reduced 
delays
➤
more reliable costings and completion dates
➤
improved communication and co-operation between 
key parties, and
➤
improved quality of the fi nished product.
Note:
Typical operating and owning cost of a build-
ing are in the ratio:
➤
1 for construction costs
➤
5 for maintenance and building operating 
costs
➤
200 for business operating costs
Source: Royal Academy of Engineering report on – 
‘Long Term costs of Owning and Using Buildings’