COSHH and Accident Reporting Flashcards

What is asbestos and why is it particularly dangerous on Irish construction sites involving older buildings?

Answer: A naturally occurring fibrous mineral used extensively in building materials before 2000 — inhalation of fibres causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer

Asbestos was widely used in Irish buildings before the 1990s in roof sheets, insulation, floor tiles, and pipe lagging. Disturbing it releases invisible fibres that cause fatal and incurable diseases decades after exposure.

What must happen if asbestos-containing materials are suspected during construction work on an older building in Ireland?

Answer: Stop all work immediately, do not disturb the material, inform the supervisor, and arrange for a licensed asbestos survey or removal

When asbestos is suspected, work must stop immediately. The material must not be disturbed. Licensed asbestos removal contractors must be engaged for any disturbance or removal. This is a legal requirement under Irish asbestos regulations.

What is the primary route of entry for hazardous substances into the body on a construction site?

Answer: Inhalation — breathing in dusts, fumes, vapours, or gases is the most common route

Inhalation is the primary and most common route by which hazardous substances enter the body on construction sites. Dusts (silica, wood, cement, asbestos), welding fumes, solvents, and gases can all be inhaled.

What is an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) in the context of hazardous substances?

Answer: The maximum concentration of a substance in workplace air that most workers can be exposed to without adverse health effects

An OEL specifies the airborne concentration of a substance, averaged over a time period (e.g. 8-hour TWA), above which health effects are likely. Employers must control exposure below this level.

What does a near miss incident on a construction site represent?

Answer: An unplanned event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so

A near miss is an event that could have caused harm but did not. Near misses are valuable warning signals that must be reported and investigated — they indicate that a serious accident is possible if conditions are not changed.

How should a first aid kit on an Irish construction site be maintained?

Answer: Inspected regularly, restocked after every use, contents kept in date, and managed by a named responsible person

First aid kits must be regularly inspected, restocked after use, and items checked for expiry. A named responsible person should manage the kit and ensure contents are always complete and in date.