About this unit

It is the responsibility of all individuals, in all working contexts, to operate to certain
standards of health, safety and security. The unit covers three key activities that are required: the first to prevent (as far as possible) any accidents or emergencies from occurring, the second to promote good health and safety practice and the third, to respond to accidents within the workplace.

The first element is about monitoring and maintaining the safety and security of the
workplace. An important aspect of this element is risk assessment. You must be
able to conduct a risk assessment prior to work activities, and to take action to
minimise the potential risks to yourself and others within the workplace.

The second element covers the promotion of good standards of health and safety.
The word promotion is used to mean encouraging good standards as well as
implementing them personally. Work activities must adhere to health and safety
codes of practice and relevant legislation. You must also minimise any potential
environmental damage due to work activities.

The third element covers emergency aid to individuals who have had an accident in
the workplace. This covers the actions that must be taken by those who are first on
the scene. This will entail carrying out initial actions that are relevant to the condition and summoning help.

» Element CU3.1 Monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of the workplace
» Element CU3.2 Promote good standards of health and safety
» Element CU3.3 Respond to health emergencies within the work place

Element CU3.1 Monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of the workplace

What you must be able to do:

1. maintain the safety and security of the working environment in accordance with
   relevant legal and organisational requirements
2. review existing risk assessments for routine work activities
3. assess the risks involved prior to undertaking new or non-routine work activities,
   recommend control measures and ensure agreed measures are applied
4. select and apply the correct measures to control risk from routine work activities
5. communicate any health and safety precautions that are being applied in the
   workplace to others entering the area
6. use equipment and materials correctly according to relevant legislation and
   organisational requirements
7. manage waste correctly in accordance with relevant legal and organisational
   requirements
8. follow standard procedures for personal hygiene at all times
9. implement safety procedures safely, correctly and without delay in an emergency situation
10. keep health, safety and security records which are accurate, legible and complete
11. perform work activities in a manner which minimises environmental damage

This standard covers:

A. equipment:

1. manually operated equipment
2. powered equipment

B. waste:

1. hazardous waste
2. non-hazardous waste

What you must know and understand:

1. maintain the safety and security of the working environment in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements
2. review existing risk assessments for routine work activities
3. assess the risks involved prior to undertaking new or non-routine work activities, recommend control measures and ensure agreed measures are applied
4. select and apply the correct measures to control risk from routine work activities
5. communicate any health and safety precautions that are being applied in the workplace to others entering the area
6. use equipment and materials correctly according to relevant legislation and organisational requirements
7. manage waste correctly in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements
8. follow standard procedures for personal hygiene at all times
9. implement safety procedures safely, correctly and without delay in an emergency situation
10. keep health, safety and security records which are accurate, legible
    and complete
11. perform work activities in a manner which minimises environmental
    damage

Element CU3.2 Promote good standards of health and safety

What you must be able to do:

1. assess the risk to yourself and others when carrying out work and take the necessary actions to minimise any potential dangers
2. wear clothing which is consistent with recognised good health and safety practice
3. use approved safe methods and systems when carrying out work
4. encourage and support others with whom you are working to maintain their own health and safety during work
5. perform your work in a manner which minimises environmental damage
6. stop work immediately if there is a danger of accidents or injury and take the correct action
7. maintain accurate information regarding your whereabouts so that contact can be made should this be necessary
8. keep health and safety records which are accurate, legible and complete

This standard covers:

A. clothing:

1. dress for general work
2. personal protective equipment according to the work involved

What you must know and understand:

1. the contribution that good standards of health and safety make to the management and efficiency of the business or organisation
2. the effect that your actions have on the attitudes of other workers towards health and safety
3. the importance of discussing and agreeing how individuals are to work for safe co-ordination of their activities
4. safe lifting and handling techniques
5. safe methods of working with potentially hazardous equipment and the relevant legislation and guidelines related to this
6. safe methods and systems of working with hazardous materials and the relevant legislation related to this
7. methods for minimising environmental damage during work
8. effective methods of promoting good health and safety practice to others
9. the types of accidents or injury which may occur and the correct actions to take
10. the reasons for providing information on whereabouts
11. the records which it is necessary to keep under relevant legislation and your
    personal responsibility for maintaining these

Element CU3.3 Respond to health emergencies within the work place

What you must be able to do:

1. summon assistance immediately for any health emergency and initiate action
   appropriate to the condition and situation
2. give assistance with ongoing care as required
3. provide the individual with the health emergency with suitable verbal support
4. make the immediate vicinity as private and safe as possible once the intervention
   has been taken over by an appropriate person
5. offer support to any others involved in the incident once any initial danger is passed
6. keep records which are accurate, legible and complete

What you must know and understand:

1. the required action to take for the health emergency concerned
2. your own competence in dealing with the health emergency
3. the reasons for calling for assistance immediately
4. the importance of not carrying out actions beyond your own capabilities
5. the reasons why actions beyond your level of competence may further endanger life
6. effective ways of providing support to those suffering a health emergency and of keeping them in the best possible condition
7. the effects of shock on individuals with a health emergency and ways of dealing with this effectively
8. the type of verbal support which can be provided to the individual suffering the health emergency
9. potential health risks to others from an emergency
10. reasons for offering support and help to others involved in the incident and how this should be achieved
11. relevant legislative requirements for completing records of accidents and emergencies
12. location and use of accident book and first aid equipment

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