NEBOSH MANAGEMENT REPORT

INTRODUCTION

This report relates to an inspection of the BSS Office in Aston, Birmingham on 21

January 2012 by Fred Bloggs. The purpose of the inspection was to identify areas of
good practice and any health, safety and welfare issues, attached are my observation
sheets. The office employs a maximum of 5 staff at any moment in time, consisting
of the Office Manager and various Trainers all involved in administration.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A good health and safety culture was demonstrated by the good health and safety
notice board (observation 6) with its relevant and up-to-date information. However,
there were a number of matters of concern identified;

Fire - Observations 4, 5, 15 & 17.

Electricity - Observations 3, 13, &16.
Hazardous Substances - Observations 12.
Slip, Trip hazard - Observations 2 &19.
Welfare provisions - Observations 10 &11.

Some of these will be discussed under ‘Main Findings’ and will consider topics for
urgent management action, since they require immediate attention, due to the fact they
pose a considerable risk and are in breach of law.
Should a Government Inspector visit this workplace then they could issue
enforcement notices which could halt production in key areas. Should these hazards
cause an accident then there is the likelihood of fines and compensation payouts. For
a serious major injury or death, there is a real possibility of directors going to jail.
There could also be additional costs such as medical treatment, production delays,
investigation costs, legal fees, overtime payments, increased premiums, poor worker
morale and loss of reputation. Good workers could also leave the company, therefore
expertise would be lost.

MAIN FINDINGS

Urgent Management Action

Fire – Observation 4 – Locked fire door.

This places anyone in the workplace at high risk if we should have a fire and is in
breach of the Fire Prevention Law of China (2008). Fire doors should be readily and
easily openable when every people are in the building and instructions for its
operation displayed. A medium cost is involved with the fitting of ‘crash bars’ to all
external final exits and must also display appropriate safety condition directional
signage. Timescale 2 weeks. There will be a significant risk reduction as a result as
well as legal compliance.
Electricity - Observation 3 – Exposed electrical wires.
A section of the plastic cover is broken and live electrical connections accessible.
Accidental electrocution could easily occur, so the fan has temporarily been taken out
of service. This is a breach of Law of People’s Republic of China on Work Safety
(2002). Casing to be repaired by the maintenance department, but if this is not
possible then a new fan will be required since all electrical equipment provided must
be safe to use. Cost low, timescale 1 week.

Fire - Observation 17- Ground floor fire escape documents stored.

Documents are stored under the stairs. This is a fire hazard and if we have a fire it is
the only means of escape from the upper floor. This could lead to serious, possible
fatal injuries. This is a breach of the Fire Prevention Law of China (2008). This
situation can be easily corrected by relocating this paperwork. I would recommend
that this be done within one day and management procedures adopted to prevent a
repeat by provision of information on the notice board, staff training and increased
supervision. The cost is low.

Hazardous substances – observation 12

Several hazardous chemicals were found, all of which were stored in unsuitable
containers as well as incorrectly labelled, so posing a health risk. This is in breach of
China Occupational Diseases Prevention Law (2001), which requires all hazardous
substances to be stored in suitable and labelled storage containers, so correct storage
should be implemented immediately. Any unlabelled, unknown substances found
should be examined and disposed of safely and responsibly. Action required within 1
week, at a low to medium cost.

Medium To Long Term Management Action

Broken Light - Observation 1

To be replaced within 1 week, low cost. Lighting to be included as part of future
inspection regime checklist. Breach of Worksafe (Western Australia) Law and ILO
OHS Convention C155.

Poor workstation set-up - Observation 2

If this situation continues there will be a long term (chronic) problem resulting in
Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs) and the staff at these workstations.
All of the workstation (chair, desk, keyboard and mouse) is suitable and legally
compliant, they are just not set-up correctly. Supervisor to conduct a DSE assessment
with workers concerned. Breach of ILO Ergonomics Code of Practice. Time 1 month,
cost low.

Fire – Observations 4, 5, 17, and 15

Fire is always a significant risk in the workplace. A wedged open fire exit, unsuitable
fire extinguisher, missing fire exit sign and fire extinguisher sign can all be easily
corrected. Breach of Fire Prevention Law of China and ILO OHS Convention C155.
Cost low. Timescale within 1 week.

Trip Hazard- Observations 13, 18

Trips are a major cause of accidents in the workplace. All access routes must be
maintained in good condition, this is a legal requirement. Furthermore, trailing cables
need to be fitted with ‘cable ramps’ or taped down immediately as an action. Repair to
the carpet and solving the cable problem is initially low cost, but longer-term cables
need re-routing with extra sockets provided as well as a new carpet. Breach of
Chinese Labour Contract Law (2007). Cost high, time scale, 1 year.

Welfare – Observations 10, 11

Chinese Labour Contract Law (2007) recommends minimum standards for washing
and toilet facilities. We are not maintaining these standards. The toilet seat requires
fixing by maintenance and soap/paper towels to be replaced regularly. Cost is low,
time scale 1 week.

First Aid – observation 20

The contents of the first aid box are missing and must be replaced within 2 weeks, at a
low cost, since this is breaching China Occupational Disease Prevention Law (2001)
and puts workers at unnecessary risk. First aiders must be reminded of their
responsibility to check the first aid boxes weekly and order replacement materials as it
is used.

CONCLUSIONS
Occupational health, safety and welfare must be managed properly, it is a legal
requirement as well as a moral duty. Failure to do so risks criminal and civil legal
action plus the associated direct and indirect costs and bad publicity.

There are a number of low cost recommendations contained within my report which
can be carried out quickly and which will result in big improvements in standards, so
reducing health and safety risk and improving legal compliance.

Medium to long term actions have been indicated for further risk reductions. There
are cost implications but these are longer-term actions that can be included into future
budgets, according to priority. It is better to view these costs to the organisation as an
investment, since a UK study discovered health and safety cost a construction
company 8.5% of the tender value of one of its projects. So this should result in long-
term savings.

The observation sheets also include additional hazards which whilst lower risk, you
should note. They will need to be actioned in the future.

Accidents that result in injury cause pain and suffering to the victim. More serious
injuries can affect the wider group of their family and friends. Witnesses to serious
accidents may also suffer. Therefore, I believe that implementation of my
recommendations will result in a safer, and healthier workplace with happier, more
motivated staff.

Regards

Fred Bloggs
Safety Adviser