Occupational health, hazardous substances and accident reporting
Occupational health
These are slow, invisible, often irreversible effects - expect questions where the "accident" is really a disease. Under COSHH 2002: assess before starting, prevent or substitute first, control by engineering then RPE, monitor exposure, and provide health surveillance where residual risk remains. Use the safety data sheet. Workplace exposure limits are 8-hour and 15-minute benchmarks; local exhaust ventilation needs thorough examination at least every 14 months. Respirable crystalline silica from cutting concrete, block and stone is the biggest single killer - suppress with water or on-tool extraction plus suitable RPE.
Noise: lower action value 80 dB(A) daily and 135 dB(C) peak; upper action value 85 dB(A) and 137 dB(C). Hand-arm vibration: exposure action value 2.5 m/s² A(8), exposure limit value 5 m/s² A(8). Biological hazards: leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from rat urine in wet ground, water and drains - flu-like symptoms; the worker must tell their GP about the work.
Accident and incident reporting
RIDDOR 2013 requires reporting of deaths, specified injuries (for example fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes, amputation, dislocation, loss of sight, crush, burn, scalping, unconsciousness), over-7-day incapacitation, reportable occupational diseases (HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome, dermatitis, occupational asthma, silicosis) and dangerous occurrences. Report without delay by the quickest means, then in writing within 10 days; keep records for three years.
Traps: over-3-day injuries are recorded, not reported; near misses are not RIDDOR unless listed as a dangerous occurrence; injuries to contractors, visitors and the public are still reportable.
Worked example: a worker breaks a wrist and is off for 12 days - reportable as a specified injury and as over-7-day; a cut hand back next shift goes in the accident book only.