APPENDIX 5

UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND

SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number: 00247428

Location: Festival Supplies & Training Solutions _
Date of review: 20/08/14

Introduction including overview of area inspected and activities taking place

NEBOSH Practical Health and Safety Inspection.
Inspection Location: Festival Supplies & Training Solutions, Chester.
Date of inspection: 20/08/14
The purpose of the inspection was to identify strengths and weakness within the organisations health
and safety management system and to suggest suitable recommendations for improvement.
The Health and Safety workplace inspection was conducted at a small company employing 8 full time
workers and 6 part time staff. The company is located on the edge of a large industrial estate just on
the outskirts of Chester. The company is housed in 3 adjoining buildings, 1 building comprises of
offices, training classrooms and several storerooms. The other 2 buildings are warehouses storing
various festival items. The company comprises of three businesses. A sales business that sells
festival and garden party supplies, a busy lease and hire business providing festival and garden party
supplies. The final part of the company is a training solution, that provides training for outdoor
caterers.
The company is located on the edge of bustling industrial estate. The out-door technical working
areas comprises of two separate car parks linked by the industrial estate trunk and link roads and
single lane one-way systems. The warehouse area has a sizeable vehicle manoeuvre area. The main
building is a 1970s build, accommodating the majority of the company staff, this building is
predominately a single storey bricked built structure comprising of 3 offices, 2 classrooms, 2
storerooms and a double storey height conference / lecture theatre. This building is the focal point for
the day-to-day operations of the business, housing the managing director, clerical staff and sales
personnel / instructors. This is a multi purpose building and is used as a training / conference centre,
having a purpose built 50 seat theatre and a 40m x 30m outdoor area.
The two remaining building are identical in construction and size. Both are double storey in height,
constructed of pressed metal sheeting, having roller door access enabling the use of folk lift trucks.
These buildings contain double storey height racking and shelving. These two buildings have a
mixture of sales and leasing products. The products range from marquees, garden and outdoor
structure heating systems, cooking sets, flooring, lightings sets, tables and chairs, and numerous
other items for use in the festival and outdoor entertaining sector.
A schematic of the company location is at Annex A.
Executive Summary
On the completion of the health and safety inspection and subsequence comprehensive reporting
process it is evident there are many significant health and safety issues. These issues can be
rectified with relatively little cost in terms of time, effort, resources and money. Without doubt the cost
of resolving these will produce benefits to the company but ensuring compliance with current legal

requirements, increased productivity and most importantly, the protection of visitors, clients and the
workforce. With strong managerial commitment to the resolution of these recommendations and
observations this will undoubtedly influence the health and safety culture of this business.
The key issues revolve around the development of current practices and implementation of
management and supervision controls.
The conclusion is based on six area:
1. The development of the current fire safety system, the simple repair of damaged
resources and managerial control and recording of actions.
2. The repair and maintenance of the internal fabric of the building, including the
development of the reporting responsibilities.
3. The improvement of movement within the warehouse areas as well as the use of PPE.
4. The management of leased vehicles and the control measures to ensure the safety of
employees whilst using this vehicles.
5. The awareness of the entire staff on the importance of good house keeping.
6. Managerial controls, the recording of training, the adherence to legislation and change in
the health and safety culture.
Main findings of the inspection
Over the past few years with economic down turn Festival Supplies & Training Solutions has reduced
in terms of workforce, sales and leasing. This without doubt has had an impact on the levels of health
and safety within the company however it would appear that in many areas a disregard for the law is
common place. There are numerous areas for concern with health and safety some of these hazards
present the potential of death and serious injury.
1. Fire protection and fire precautions
Throughout the workplace there has been provided numerous facilities and items of safety equipment
for the control and response to fire. This includes in-date and the appropriate number and type of fire
extinguishers located in identifiable areas near to associated hazards. The majority of containment
precautions are maintained this includes the safe condition signage and available fire exits.
Although this is commendable, fire provisions have been severely compromised by inadequate
inspections, reporting, neglect and unawareness of management and the workforce.
There is evidence of repair to fire control measures and fire response equipment. This maintenance
has potential caused greater risks. A fire partitions door observation panel has been obscured with
the use of gaffer tape, this has impeded the view along a busy corridor. A fire call point has been
repaired with self adhesive tape this has potentially compromised the functionality of this device,
making its condition unpredictable.
All of the fire extinguishers and fire blankets are located in the correct positions however a powder fire
extinguisher located near to a high risk fire source (electricity cupboard) has been compromised as
the extinguisher safety pin is missing.
There is a significant failing in the Heath and Safety At Work At 1974 (HASWA 1974) as the main
building has an obstructed fire escape. A marquee has been erected next to the building and has
completely rendered the fire escape door useless. This in the event of a major fire could lead to
serious injury or death. These issues would also then breach subsequent supporting Regulations
including The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and The Management of
Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
All of these issues can have been easily rectified with minimal cost and effort; collectively they present
a huge fire prevention and control risk. The impact to the business could be devastating in terms of
stopped production, loss of revenue and building damage.

This is a managerial failing, as there is a lack of evidence supporting managerial checks, inspections
and safety supervision. This is a breach by management of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005 which requires employers to assess the risk from fire and then take reasonable action to
reduce the risk of fire starting and put into place procedures to ensure the safety of employees should
a fire start.
2. Risk of fall from height- conference room / lecture theatre
The general condition of the building is to an adequate standard and there is evidence of on going
maintenance with contractors currently replacing the main building facia boards. Although these
currents spend will enhance the exterior presentation of the building and will undoubtedly improve it
weather protection. It is unfortunately that it cannot be said for the internal fabric of the build as a lack
of expenditure has resulted in significant risks to employees and clients safety.
The conference /lecture theatre has a mezzanine elevation with an unsafe safety rail; this is a result of
poor maintenance and inspection. The rail has become extremely unstable and posses a significant
fall from height hazard.
Again this is failing in managerial procedures and indicates a lack commitment towards health and
safety, a review of the management inspection regime and the implementation of a comprehensive
reporting process should minimise any future risks.
The lack of maintenance is dereliction of employer duty under the HASWA 1974 and posses a risk to
the company, potentially prosecution as a fall could result of serious injury or death to workers and
clients. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, the management of Health
and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and The Working at Height Regulations 2005 have also been
breached.
With minimal cost this mezzanine can be easily be repaired enabling the full use of the lecture theatre.
3. Pedestrian folk lift truck separation
The business utilises just one Folk Lift Truck (FLT) this predominately works in both of the warehouse
buildings and the vehicle manoeuvre park, occasionally it will transit on to the visitors car park to
dispose of warehouse waste.
The workers that use the FLT have attended the appropriate driver operator courses and are aware of
the immediate hazards that are associated with working in and around the warehouse location.
It would appear the workforce that work in the warehouse have been briefed on the dangers of
pedestrian and FLT collision. Near misses in the warehouse have occurred in the past, the majority of
the near misses have happened in similar locations in both warehouse. The roller shutter doors in
both warehouses are used for both pedestrian and vehicle access this appears to be vulnerable
position and the area of most near misses.
Even though management have identified this risk and control measures have been put in place, a
staff briefing no risk assessment would reflect this risk, nor have any physical safety measures have
been put into place.
The lack of risk assessment and physical protection measures are a breach of the employers duties,
under the HASAWA 1974, as an employer should ensure a safe place of work using safe equipment
for all employees. The identification of this hazard is not sufficient to protect the workforce from the
risk of serious injury from collision with the FLT. A simple and cost effective control measure should be
with the use of PPE, by ensuring all warehouse workers wear high visibility vests this will immediately
increase situational awareness, if these items are not supplied it will be a breach of The Personal
Protective Equipment Regulations 1992. Separation by clear floor markings and improved lighting in
the less vulnerable areas will reduce the risks associated with the moving FLT, the high risk area next
to the roller shutter doors will require physical barriers to ensure both pedestrian and FLT remain
separated.

With the implementation of improved lighting floor markings will significantly reduce the likelihood of a
serious injury, it will increase the productivity of the warehouse as the movement of the FLT will be
able to move in a more efficiently.
4. Folk lift truck maintenance
The companies FLT is a hire vehicle and is an essential for the day-to-day operations within the
warehouse areas. Even though this is a hired vehicle the maintenance and reporting of damage is a
managerial responsibility.
The FLT is the workhorse of this organisation however is unsafe for use due to damage this is a failing
of the organisation. On inspection it is clear that damage has not been reported and rectified. The
operators seatbelt is frayed and the warning light is defective. Again this is a breach of the HASAWA
1974 as an employer should provide safe equipment. Workers are also in breach of legislation as
they have a legal responsibility to inform their employer of any defects in safety equipment.
It is a managerial responsibility that the company adheres to legislation and regulations. There is no
evidence of maintenance records more importantly there are no documents to indicate that operators
are conducting user checks. The failings identified are most certainly a breach of the Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) The only documentation held are the
driver / operators FLT qualifications and the leasing agreement.
The immediate risk to operators is considerable as the frayed seatbelt is a serious injury waiting to
happen. In this already high risk-working environment, the poorly functioning warning light posses an
increased hazard to those operating the FLT and pedestrian workers.
With the leased FLT being out of use this could pose a finical burden on the company, with the loss of
production and an increased likelihood risk of manual handling related injuries to the workforce. This
can be avoided with no cost to the company by adopting simple measures to ensure damages are
identified, reported and repaired.
5. General house keeping and awareness
The general house keeping with the company presents serious hazards, not just from slips, trips and
falls they also present an increase in the likelihood of fire. The majority of these hazards have
occurred from a lack of knowledge, understanding and training these risks are compounded by a lack
of supervision and management. Without doubt a breach of management responsibilities under
HASAWA 1974.
The presence of asbestos is not necessarily a serious concern in all situations, however for several
reasons, due to neglect the presence of asbestos has placed a significant risk to all who work or
visitors to this company. The loss of a previous asbestos survey report has made the hazards present
and is the condition of asbestos unknown. The evidence of damage to the identified asbestos places
doubt on the amount of exposure that workers have been potentially exposed to. This is clearly a
breach of The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.
The lack of available PPE is an issue within the warehouse, of great concern is the lack of training the
workforce has received. Workers repairing hazardous substances in poorly ventilated areas whilst not
wearing appropriate PPE is a series breach of regulations. This could have been avoided by the use
of adequate control measures with supervision and management, again a breach of legislation The
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992. A small investment in terms of training and cost will
enable the company to comply with the law.
The lack of reporting faults and hazards within the workplace is of concern, with the lack of electrical
testing, obvious hazards such as the sides of computers missing and overloading of sockets. These
are simple fixes with awareness training and very minimal cost, compliance will ensure there are no
further breaches of The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
Poor control of control of substances hazardous to health, this is evident with the lack of training for
the workforce, poor storage and no supporting documentation. Specific COSHH training including the
correct use of PPE is essential, the procurement of a new storage cabinet and the repair of existing

articles will ensure compliance with regulations. The lack of management and supervision is a clear
breach of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) and The Personal
Protective Equipment Regulations 1992
6. General risk management and development
There is no doubt that Festival Supplies & Training Solutions has been a well managed company from
a business point of view, however the vast number of the hazards present indicate that the
management of health and safety has been at best been neglected or potentially ignored.
Issues, such as those previously mentioned, indicate that management and supervision is a concern
this is further supported by other observations such as a lack of daily check and poor maintenance of
the fork lift truck which would be seen as a breach of the LOLER 1998, the failure to provide adequate
PPE for various activities such as battery maintenance, a breach of The Personal Protective
Equipment Regulations 1992 and the lack of action taken for the damage to asbestos containing
material which would be a breach of The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.
The biggest concern is the lack of documentation and the lack of any form of recording of safety
critical data. There is no information on the basics such as electrical inspections (PAT), fire logs,
COSHH safety data sheets, near misses etc. The health and safety file containing risk assessments
is several years out of date and in several cases no longer reflects the companies working practices,
clearly a breach of the HASAWA 1974.
More recently effort has been made by updating the companys health and safety policy and health
and safety noticeboard. Further work is required on documentation and the need to get outside health
and safety professional assistance will be necessary. Re-training will be needed for the entire
workforce, additional training will be needed with the management to prevent any future breaches of
health and safety legislation and the associated regulations.
Conclusions:
As already mentioned the company has been managed well in terms of a business. Unfortunately
heath and safety has taken a back seat with several serious breaches of legislation. With minimal
training, the purchase of health and safety resources and the full commitment from management,
Festival Supplies & Training Solutions will become compliant with the law and will become a safer and
more efficient organisation.
Recommendations include as a table in the following format:
Recommendation
Fire protection and fire
precautions needed to be
overhauled and
developed.
Clear obstructions.
Repair fire safety
equipment.
Produce a fire log.

Repair of the conference

room safety rail.
Managerial checks and
inspections.

Likely resource implications

Risk of prosecution as there is a
breach in fire regulations.
Therefore its imperative that
urgent action is taken to rectify
numerous fire safety issues.
Fire safety contractors will be
required to repair the damaged
fire safety equipment.
Cost 300 - 500.

Priority
High This should
be carried out first
out of all
recommendations.

Responsible:
Sales manager.
Fire contractors 1
month, from date
reported

Immediate action is required by

the workforce to make safe the
obstructed fire escape.
This will involve either
replacement parts or
professional repair.
Cost 50 - 80.

Target date
Clear the fire
obstruction 1-2
days from date
reported.

High this action is

to be carried out as
soon as possible.
The upper viewing
area is not be used

Responsible:
MD & Sales
manager.
Repair, 1 week
from date reported.
Responsible:
Sales manager.

The development of safe

working areas within both
warehouses.
Improve separation
purchase and install
barriers.
Purchase and improve
internal floor markings,
signage and lighting.
FLT driver and
warehouse worker safety
training.
Repair of the Folk Lift
Truck.
Operator revision training
on the FLT.
Managerial checks to be
implemented.

The management of the

health & safety systems
within the workplace is in
need of review and
developed.
The requirement for
workplace inspections,
safety tours and regular
H&S committee meetings.
An asbestos survey is
required to be conducted
by asbestos
professionals.
The production of a health
and safety file.

This will involve the use of

contractors to fit and install
pedestrian barriers; they will
also be required to paint on the
floor markings.
Cost of barriers 2000 - 3000.
Whilst waiting for contractors to
produce and install barriers,
internal action can be
implemented, this should
incorporate, replace signage,
updated risk assessments and
worker awareness training.
Cost of signs 50.
This is a leased FLT vehicle, a
leasing responsibility. No cost.
Cost to business of the FLT
being off the road.

until this repair is

completed.
High as there is a
significant risk of
major injury and
collision, on
discussion with the
workforce near
misses have
occurred in the
past.

High As this
possess a
significant risk to
the operators and
workforce.

It is evident the FLT operators

are not conducting operator
checks.
There is no evidence of
managerial checks on
operators.
This will involve the use of an
H&S professional. This should
incorporate managerial H&S
training, workers awareness
training. A review and
development of all of the H&S
documentation. This will have an
anticipated cost of 1000 2000.

This will involve the employment

of asbestos professionals to
conduct a site asbestos survey.
They should implement new
control measures on managing
the current asbestos risk.
Cost of the survey 500 1000.

Improvement of good
house keeping throughout
the organisation.

Many of the observations are

very quick fixes and will take
minimal time, effort and financial
cost. Cost <100.

House keeping in both

warehouses.

A number of the observations will

require professional assistance,

High, without
development of the
H&S systems the
company could be
prosecuted for
breach of
legislation. Without
development it will
inevitably take
longer to develop
the current
standards.
Medium as there is
signs of historic
damage to a heat
shielding panel.
There is a risk from
airborne fibre
hazards from
exposed asbestos;
further investigation
will determine the
full risks presented
by this 1970s build.
High - Medium
This will have a
significant impact
on the safe working
environment.
Several of the
observations

Barriers and
markings 1 month
from date reported.
Responsible:
MD & Warehouse
supervisor.
Signs and training
1 week from date
reported.
Responsible:
MD & Warehouse
supervisor.
Repair: 1 week
from date reported.
Responsible:
Sales manager /
Warehouse
supervisor.

2 months from date

reported.
Responsible:
MD responsible.

1 month from date

reported.
Responsible:
MD & Sales
manager.

Immediate - 1-2
days for none
professional tasks.
Responsible:
MD & Warehouse
supervisor.

General maintenance in
the main building.

plumbers, electricians and

computer repairers.
Cost < 1000.

require immediate
attention due the
risk of injury.

Review managerial
procedures.
Review the companies
COSHH arrangements
and COSHH safety plan.
Purchase a new COSHH
locker.
Repair damaged fuel
store.
Conduct COSHH training.
Produce and update
COSHH safety data
sheets.

PPE and further training

to be given to workforce,
this is shown in the
observations.
Managerial checks and
inspections. To include
workplace inspections,
safety tours, behaviour
monitoring.

Review the procedures for

the management and
supervision of contractors.
It is evident that
contractors have
contributed to risks within
the working environment.

This will involve the purchase of

a new COSHH locker/ cabinet
as the current locker is beyond
economic repair.
Cost 300 - 500.

Medium as there
is a risk of injury
and contamination.
Immediate
measure can limit
the risk.

The fuel store houses butane

bottles a retaining bar has
snapped, this will require
welding, an temporary repair will
be the sufficient until
arrangement can be made.
Repair cost 50 - 80.
Safety data sheets stored in the
COSHH locker are weather
damaged and are unusable.
Several of the containers held
within the locker are
unidentifiable.
PPE will have a cost of
approximately 30 per worker.
PPE is needed for 10 of the
workforce. Cost 300.
Training can be conducted in a 1
day period and will cost 400.

1-2 weeks for

professional
assistance.
Responsible:
MD & Sales
manager.
Purchase of locker
and welding 1-2
weeks.
Training and
documentation.
Responsible:
Sales manager /
Warehouse
supervisor

Medium Other
actions fall into the
collective protection
bracket.

PPE purchase, 1
week from date
reported.
Responsible:
Sales manager /
Warehouse
supervisor.
Training, 1 month
from date reported.

Training of the management to

understand their responsibilities
when employing professional
contractors.
Currently there are 2 significant
risks present, a poorly sited
waste skip and badly designed
scaffolding.
This training should be
requested for as part of the H&S
professionals consultation and
training, cost of 1000 - 2000.

Medium it is
essential that the
contractors rectify
their hazards in a
timely manner. The
training and
instruction of
managers should
be conducted to
protect the
business from risks
taken by their
contractors.

Responsible:
MD responsible.
2 months from date
reported.
Responsible:
MD responsible.

Annex A to: NEBOSH Practical Health and Safety Inspection.

One Way System

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

Reception / Office
MD Office
Sale Staff Office
Classroom 1
Conference Room

(F) Ablutions
(G) Kitchen
(H) Classroom 2
(I) Storeroom 1
(J) Storeroom 2,
(K) Electrical

cupboard

Warehouse
2

Indu
stria
l
Esta
te
Trun
k
Roa
d

27

28

Vehicle
Manoeuvre
Area

Warehouse
1

30

11
5

(A)
(F)

10

(B)
Staff Car
Park
Out-door
Training
Area

12

(G)

13

(C)

15

(H)

16

17

(D)

23 &
24
4

18 &

(I)
(J)

20

(K

Double Storey
Conference
Room
(E)
22

One Way System

Visitor Car
Park

14

26
2
5

7
5

2
21

Indu
stria
l
Esta
te
Link
Roa
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