Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

This unit aims to introduce the student to the elements which should be incorporated into a successful management system and used to control risk involved in work activities and operations.

Main Topics of Study:

1. General Principles of Prevention – Avoiding, Evaluating and Controlling Risks / Collective and Individual Protective Measures / Roles, categories and features of safety signs
2. Hierarchy of Control – Elimination or Substitution / Exposure Reduction / Isolation and Segregation / Engineering Controls / Personal Protective Equipment
3. Safe Systems of Work – Employers Duty / Competent Persons / Employee Involvement / Written Procedures / Writing a method statement / Forms of Control / Development of Safe Systems of Work
4. Permits to Work – Operation of the Permit System / Typical Permit and Appropriate Circumstances – Hot Work, Work on Electrical Systems, Confined Spaces, Plant Maintenance.
5. Emergency Procedures – Objectives of developing Emergency Procedures / Requirements for First Aid Provision / Arrangements for contacting Emergency and Rescue Services / Emergency Cover for Shift Work and Remote Locations

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the hierarchy of control and explain its purpose in Health and Safety Management
2. Identify work activities and hazards which require a safe system of work. Define the elements that make up a safe system of work and describe methods which can be employed to successfully implement a safe system of work.
3. Identify works which would require a permit to work system. Develop a permit system for each identified element of work and explain how the system could be managed
4. Describe the implementation of an emergency procedure plan within an organisations Health and Safety Management System

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Learning takes place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis. Formal lectures provide a foundation of information on which the student builds through directed learning and self managed learning outside of the class. The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination : 3 Hours duration : 100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

Introduction to Health & Safety at Work : Hughes & Ferrett, Taylor & Francis

Alternative Texts and Further Reading:

http://www.simplesensiblesafety.co.uk
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg275.pdf

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

50 hours: Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops
Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.

50 hours: Directed learning
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc

100 hours: Self managed learning
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.