Purpose of the Task

This task allows learners to act as engineers, supervisors, or safety officers in realistic workplace situations requiring immediate decision-making. Through this exercise, learners will:

• Develop professional judgment in prioritizing actions and allocating responsibilities.
• Identify hazards and implement control measures in line with UK law.
• Evaluate global pressures affecting safety culture.
• Apply sustainability practices in workplace safety decisions.
• Measure safety performance and calculate Safety Return on Investment (SROI).
• Recognize and address psychological health and injury management.
• Lead a whole-organization approach to occupational health and safety.

Key UK legislation referenced in this task includes:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
• Environmental Protection Act 1990

Guidance to Learner

Learners are expected to:

1. Assume the role of engineer, supervisor, or safety officer for each scenario.
2. Identify hazards, immediate priorities, and responsibilities.
3. Recommend and document control measures.
4. Apply UK health, safety, and environmental regulations.
5. Consider sustainability and cost-effectiveness; calculate a hypothetical SROI where appropriate.
6. Address psychological risks and injury prevention measures.
7. Reflect on leadership responsibilities and whole-organization approaches.
8. Justify decisions using evidence and best practice.

Scenario 1: Chemical Spill in a Laboratory

Situation:

During an experiment in a UK laboratory, a worker accidentally spills hydrochloric acid. The chemical spreads across the floor, creating a slip hazard. Staff report stress and concern about exposure.

Learner Role:Safety Officer

Tasks:

1. Identify immediate hazards and prioritize actions (contain spill, evacuate staff, provide first aid).
2. Assign responsibilities:

o Containment and cleanup
o Evacuation and isolation
o Notifying management and environmental officer

• 3. Apply relevant UK legislation: COSHH 2002, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• 4. Document control measures, including PPE use, spill kits, and neutralization methods.
• 5. Suggest psychological support or injury management strategies for staff.
• 6. Implement sustainability-focused control measures (e.g., safe disposal and neutralization).
• 7. Estimate hypothetical SROI if preventive measures (spill kits, training) had been in place.

Reflection Questions:

• How might global pressures (e.g., research deadlines, funding) influence unsafe practices?
• How does leadership support compliance with chemical safety procedures?

Scenario 2: Unsafe Lifting on a Construction Site

Situation:

A construction team manually lifts heavy steel beams due to a shortage of lifting equipment. A near-miss occurs when a beam slips, narrowly avoiding injury. Tight project deadlines are influenced by global supply chain pressures.

Learner Role:Construction Supervisor

Tasks:

1. Identify immediate hazards and required actions.
2. Assign responsibilities:

o Provide lifting equipment
o Enforce compliance with manual handling procedures
o Record the near-miss in the incident log

• 3. Apply UK legislation: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
• 4. Implement control measures using the hierarchy of controls (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE).
• 5. Consider sustainability (e.g., energy-efficient lifting equipment).
• 6. Calculate a hypothetical SROI for preventing injuries through equipment investment.
• 7. Suggest strategies to reduce psychological stress and unsafe behaviors.

Reflection Questions:

• How do global economic pressures influence safety culture on site?
• How would a whole-organization approach prevent recurrence?

Scenario 3: Concrete Quality Failure on a Construction Project

Situation:

Cracks appear in freshly poured concrete due to using cheaper, non-certified materials. The site manager faces pressure to reduce costs while meeting deadlines.

Learner Role:Engineer

Tasks:

1. Identify risks to worker safety, structural integrity, and environmental impact.
2. Assign responsibilities:

o Immediate site inspection and segregation of defective areas
o Reporting and documenting non-compliance
o Decision-making on material replacement

• 3.Apply UK legislation: CDM 2015, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• 4. Propose control measures for structural safety, environmental protection, and staff safety.
• 5. Calculate hypothetical SROI for corrective actions.
• 6. Address psychological risks (stress, fear of reprimand) and propose mitigation strategies
• 7. Recommend leadership actions for a whole-organization approach to safety culture and compliance.

Reflection Questions:

• How do global construction pressures and sustainability requirements affect decisions?
• How would leadership ensure compliance and staff engagement in safety practices?

Instructions for Learners

1. Assume your role for each scenario and address all tasks in a structured report.
2. Include:

o Identified hazards and immediate priorities
o Responsibilities and assigned tasks
o Control measures and legislative references
o SROI calculation where applicable
o Psychological health considerations
o Leadership and whole-organization approach recommendations

• 3. Organize tables for responsibilities, actions, and documentation.
• 4. Reflect on how global, sustainability, and organizational factors influence decisions
• 5. Submit a report demonstrating professional judgment, compliance awareness, and strategic safety management.

This scenario-based decision-making task enables learners to develop critical thinking, professional judgment, and leadership skills, while linking real-world decisions to UK regulations, sustainability principles, and workplace safety culture.