Safe Working Practices

Mark Mallen

Health and Safety Manager

FenlockHansen Ltd

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Introduction
 Define a safe way of working
 Compiled after risk assessment
 Before the task starts
 Everybody knows what to do
 People work safely

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Objectives
 Name 3 types of communication
 Describe the benefits of the different
types of communication
 Describe the most effective way of
communicating information
 Describe why we write SWPs
 What do we do before we write a SWP

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Agenda
 Forms of communication
 Practical exercises

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Agenda
 The Hansen method
– Safe working practices
– Information, instruction and training
– Record keeping
– Pro forma
– Procedures

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Agenda
 Practical exercise
 Remember

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Forms of Communication
 Written

– Letters
– Instructions
– Signs

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Forms of Communication
 Verbal

– Person to person
– Telephone

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Forms of Communication
 Physical

– Body language
– Facial expression
– Gestures

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Practical Exercises
 Practical exercise 1
– Complete the following pro forma

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Practical Exercises
 Practical exercise 2
– Relay clear and concise instruction over a
telephone (non face to face), in order to
complete a task

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Practical Exercises
 Practical exercise 3
– Write a set of instructions to enable work
colleagues to complete a task
successfully
– Task: tying a shoelace

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The Hansen Method
 A developed safe working practice

 For every activity

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Safe Working Practices
 Validated by means of a risk
assessment

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Safe Working Practices
 Including complimentary assessments

– COSHH
– Manual Handling

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Safe Working Practices
 The control measures identified form
the basis of the written safe working
practice

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Safe Working Practices
 Follows a logical sequence
 What must be in place before the task
starts
 How the task is done

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Safe Working Practices
 Training required
 Competence or certification
 PPE required

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Safe Working Practices
 Developed by the persons conducting
the task
 Led by the manager

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Safe Working Practices
 Reviewed and agreed

– Before adoption in the workplace

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Safe Working Practices
 If in doubt

 Ask

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Information, Instruction and
Training
 Employers
 Must provide
– Sufficient instruction and training
 To ensure
– Competency
 Before starting the task

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Information, Instruction and
Training
 Explained
 Face-to-face
 To gain understanding

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Information, Instruction and
Training
 Employees
– Understand assessments
– Know the controls
– Use them

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Record Keeping
 Responsible managers shall
– Maintain a file
– Issue additions or amendments
– Outdated copies destroyed
– Keep records of issue
– Keep records of training

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Practical Exercise 4
 Compile a safe working practice for a
task you complete
– The task will use substances and involve
manual handling

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Practical Exercise 4
 The following will be issued
– Material safety data sheet
– Risk assessment record
– Manual handling assessment record
– COSHH assessment record
– Safe working practice pro forma
 Any questions

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Remember!
 Keep it simple!
 Make sure people know it and
understand it!
 Say what we do!
 Do what we say!
 If in doubt
 Ask

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Objectives
 Name 3 types of communication
 Describe the benefits of the different
types of communication
 Describe the most effective way of
communicating information
 Describe why we write SWPs
 What do we do before we write a SWP

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Safe Working Practices
 Thanks for listening
– Any questions?

 Don’t forget
– Be safe!

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