Workplace Safety and Occupational Health
The core idea
Occupational safety protects workers from work-related harm. Candidates should understand the duty of care owed by employers and the responsibilities of workers, plus the core tools: risk assessment, safe systems of work, PPE, toolbox talks, and incident and near-miss reporting. Learn the main hazard families: slips and trips, manual handling, hazardous substances, electrical, working at height, and psychosocial hazards such as stress and fatigue.
Concepts to master
- Manual handling: assess the load, use mechanical aids, keep the load close, avoid twisting.
- COSHH-type principles: substitution, enclosure, ventilation, PPE; read safety data sheets.
- Work at height: avoid, prevent falls, minimize consequences; use the right equipment.
- Electrical safety: isolation, lockout/tagout, inspection of portable equipment.
- Psychosocial risks: workload, shift patterns, bullying, and fatigue management.
- Consultation: workers must be involved in safety decisions.
Traps in exam questions
Questions often reward "just be careful" answers over engineering controls, or treat PPE as sufficient for hazardous substances. Another trap is assuming a signed risk assessment removes responsibility, or that near misses need not be reported. Watch for answers that ignore consultation or that treat stress as a personal rather than organizational issue.
Worked rule of thumb
For manual handling, apply LITE: Load (assess weight and grip), Individual (capability, training, health), Task (twisting, bending, repetition), Environment (space, floor, lighting). If the load is too heavy or awkward, use a trolley or get help; do not attempt it alone.
Key points
- Employers owe a duty of care; workers must follow safe systems.
- Engineering controls outrank PPE for hazardous substances.
- Assess manual handling with LITE and use aids.
- Report incidents and near misses; consult workers on safety.
- Treat stress and fatigue as real occupational hazards.