INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE Candidate report template

(2011 specification) UNIT IGC3 THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL

APPLICAITON

Student number 00208088

Location Rua Fresca 1 Tardoz 3080 Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Date of review 11 /12 /13

Introduction

On the 11 th December 2013, carried out a workplace inspection of MF&NF Law

firm, at Rua Fresca 1 Tardoz 3080 Figueira da Foz, Portugal. The main function of
this firm involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge
to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who
retain (i.e., hire) lawyers to perform legal services. The law firm is embedded in a
residential building. Within this firm, we can verify the existence of three offices,
(one administration office, and two lawyer office), a waiting room (with chairs and
magazines) and one toilet. The average of the workers is 47; there are 5 employees
(two secretaries and a cleaning woman, 1 lawyer and an administrator who is also a
lawyer in the firm. This assessment is concerned only with the offices and toilet.

Executive Summary

Firstly I am pleased to report that the level of general housekeeping meets a

satisfactory level. However I have identified some issues that require attention, the
main ones been lack of adjustable chair, electrical cables poorly positioned at the
rear of computer desk, used damaged electrical cable of a computer, cleaning
products stored in the toilet, no fire extinguishers, the first aid box is not sealed and
has inadequate and outdated contents, lone working and working outside normal
working hours, and overuse injuries from extended periods of filing and storage
hard copies of documents. Failure to act on these recommendations will result in ill
health and injury leaving you wide open to civil action claims from individuals which
if taken to the High Court can result in 50,000 to unlimited compensation been
awarded. Health and safety should be led from the top and cascaded down through
each level, promoting a good health and safety culture which improve staff morale,
reduce accident, and increase productivity. By acting on the recommendations in
this report the authority will be fulfilling its legal, moral and financial obligation.

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 equipments 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.

a) Ergonomic Risks Many of the observed hazards and risks to employees are
related to ergonomics. In particular the lack of adjustable chair

(ob1), excessive duration in a seated position

(ob2), poor desk layout and insufficient working space

(ob3), overuse injuries due to extended periods of filing and storage hard copies
of documents (ob12), therefore the health and safety responsible, must assess
the quality and contents of the induction course, and also asses the necessity of
develop new training programs because of the large number of hazards found.
Not fulfil these recommendations are breaches to the HSW act 1974 and MHSW
regulations, and workplace regulations 2002.

b) Electrical Risks 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.

c) Risk of Physical injury I have concerns regarding to the likelihood of physical

injuries in this office, because of the presence of electrical cables, resulting in
slips, trips or falls

(ob7), risk of cuts, physical injury, due to work with guillotine

(ob9) due to no perform regular inspections and checks to the equipment, not
fulfilling thus the provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998. Other
risk is the risk of bumps, bruises, concussion

(ob11) due to falls when accessing high level shelves, overuse injuries
(ob12) for failing to comply manual handling operations regulations (MHO) 1992
as amended in 2002, and injuries due to dropping of items being stored at
shelves

(ob13). d) Chemical Risks Regarding to chemicals risks, in the office we have the
likelihood of irritation to skin and eyes, by working with multifunction printers
and fax, due to exposure to toner (ob8), or by poor storage of cleaning products
in the toilet where everyone can badly use it

(ob19), being in fault with the Chemicals Regulations 2009.

d) 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
arent in contact with or in close proximity to heat sources, because the sheets
are well located and well protected.

e) 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).

f) Psychosocial Risks The Staff are exposed to potentially confrontational

situations and experiencing aggressive or violent behaviour towards them,
due to meetings/ face to face, telephone and email

(ob22); work related stress, due to prolonged periods of excessive demands

being place on and experienced by staff, or for staff having conflicting roles or
receiving little or no support to enable them to effectively carry out their work

(ob23), risk of being physically assaulted when walking to and from your
vehicle /transport alone or in the dark, due to working after business hours
(ob24). Lone working and working outside normal working hours, is also a hazard
because could lead staff to be unable of staff promptly summon emergency
assistance in the event of serious injury

(ob27). 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 Target 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; Contract a

competent person, 1hour (Approximately 30) High Immediately

13/12/2014