Common Hazards in the Workplace Flashcards

What are the main health effects of prolonged noise exposure?

Answer: Permanent noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), difficulty communicating, and increased accident risk due to masked warning signals

Prolonged noise exposure can cause: permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL — irreversible), tinnitus (persistent ringing, buzzing or humming), difficulty following conversations, social isolation, and increased risk of accidents because warning signals or shouts are not heard.

What are the key requirements of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?

Answer: Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, assess unavoidable tasks, reduce risk of injury, and review assessments

The regulations require: avoiding hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable, assessing any hazardous operations that cannot be avoided, reducing the risk of injury so far as reasonably practicable (using TILE factors), and providing training. There is no specified weight limit.

What are the TILE factors in manual handling assessment?

Answer: Task, Individual, Load, Environment

TILE stands for: Task (does it involve twisting, stooping, excessive distance?), Individual (does it require unusual capability, is the person fit?), Load (is it heavy, bulky, unstable, hard to grip?), Environment (are there space constraints, uneven floors, temperature extremes?). All four factors must be considered.

What are the main hazards of using portable electrical equipment?

Answer: Electric shock from damaged cables/plugs, fire from overloaded circuits, burns from faulty equipment, and trip hazards from trailing leads

Portable electrical equipment hazards include: electric shock from damaged cables, plugs, or equipment, fire from overloaded circuits or faulty connections, burns from overheating equipment, and trip/fall hazards from trailing leads. Regular visual inspection and PAT testing are key controls.

What is PAT testing?

Answer: Portable Appliance Testing — the routine inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) involves the routine examination and testing of portable electrical equipment to check it is safe. It includes a user visual check, a formal visual inspection, and where necessary, combined inspection and testing using a PAT tester. Frequency depends on equipment type and use.

What control measures can reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls?

Answer: Good housekeeping, appropriate flooring, prompt spill clean-up, proper lighting, cable management, suitable footwear, and maintenance of walkways

Effective controls include: good housekeeping (keeping areas clear and tidy), appropriate slip-resistant flooring, prompt cleaning of spills, adequate lighting, cable management (trunking, overhead routing), appropriate footwear, maintaining walkways (fixing holes, repainting markings), and reporting/repair procedures.