This document is an example of how a company might record its arrangements to manage the risks of developing a respiratory disease. This is the detail that supports an overarching statement of policy and intent to manage occupational health risks effectively.
This document describes our arrangements for managing the risks of respiratory disease.
It supports the company's overall health and safety policy, which is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our employees while they are at work, and of others who may be affected by their work.
Ultimate responsibility for all matters relating to health and safety rests with the Board of Directors. To secure good standards of health and safety management, actions have been delegated to others. The policy requires all who have designated responsibility for managing health and safety to ensure that the arrangements described in this document are implemented effectively, and regularly reviewed and monitored.
Employees have a duty to co-operate with the company in controlling risks. All employees, and others who may be affected by risks of respiratory disease, should be made aware of the arrangements to protect them and what they need to do.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers and self-employed people to make, and effectively implement, arrangements to manage risks to health. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) contain specific requirements to identify, assess and control the risk from substances that may give rise to ill health, which as a last resort means providing personal protective equipment (PPE).
To increase the use of dust suppression from 40% to 100% when cutting kerbstones (by a specified date). Site supervisors will check that each operative has been issued with appropriate equipment (eg water suppression) and then monitor the level of use.
The company recognises the importance of implementing a range of control measures to reduce the risk of respiratory disease:
Elimination or substitution
The company will assess all tasks that give rise to a significant risk of respiratory disease and, where it is reasonably practicable, will eliminate the task or the use of hazardous substances. If this is not possible, the company will substitute less hazardous substances where they are available and suitable, or will adopt new or modified methods of work to reduce exposure. The company will ensure that nominated staff are competent to carry out proper risk assessments (by a specified date), which will allow informed decisions to be made on the use of alternative products and/or procedures.
Engineering controls
Where elimination is not possible, automation, containment or engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and/or water suppression will be considered.
All employees working with substances that may cause respiratory disease will be provided with information and training about the health risks and appropriate control measures.
The need for refresher training will be reviewed at least annually, and update training provided as necessary.
Welfare facilities will be provided with washbasins, hot and cold running water, skin cleansers and protection cream.
Personal protective equipment: Where identified in the risk assessment, suitable PPE will be provided together with proper storage. Use, supervision and maintenance will be part of the training programme.
Compliance with this policy will be monitored by line managers during routine inspections.
Health surveillance is needed for employees who are at risk of developing respiratory.
A specified manage] will review these arrangements every year unless there is a significant change in the interim, eg work practice.
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