PROFEN20 Maintain health and safety within the fenestration installation work area

Overview            

This standard covers the requirements of health and safety within the fenestration installation industry covering domestic, commercial and public installation environments. It deals with the responsibility of operatives to comply with statutory Health and Safety legislation and regulations, industry guidance and organisation Health and Safety policies and procedures throughout all stages of installation. It also includes the promotion of a culture of compliance and vigilance in the fenestration installation environment.

You will be required to carry out and interpret risk assessments relevant to fenestration activities, ensuring hazards such as manual handling, working at height, glass handling, and use of power tools are effectively controlled. The standard emphasises safeguarding yourself, colleagues, site visitors, and the general public by applying safe systems of work and maintaining a secure, organised work area.

You must also be fully conversant with company protocols for reporting and recording accidents, near misses, and emergencies, and demonstrate proactive behaviour in preventing incidents. This includes understanding personal responsibilities for health, safety, and welfare, and promoting a culture of compliance and vigilance within the fenestration installation environment.

This standard is for you if you work in the Fenestration and Glazing Industry.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. comply with all health, safety and welfare legislation and organisational requirements within the fenestration installation work area
  2. carry out and interpret risk assessments of fenestration installation work areas in line with organisational procedures
  3. establish and mark work areas in line with organisational procedures
  4. select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment relative to tasks and as defined in organisational procedures
  5. select and use safety equipment and access equipment appropriate for tasks as defined in organisational and manufacturers’ instructions and requirements
  6. use safe methods to load, unload, move and store fenestration products and components as defined in organisational procedures
  7. carry out safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery as defined in manufacturers' instructions
  8. use and operate hand tools and power tools in line with manufacturers' instructions and site-specific risk controls
  9. follow organisational procedures when you encounter unforeseen hazards
  10. maintain health and safety records for work area complying with organisational procedures
  11. comply with all security arrangements for the fenestration installation work area in line with organisational procedures and requirements

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. how health, safety and welfare legislation, regulations and guidelines apply to your fenestration installation work area
  2. your responsibilities to take care of your own health and safety, and others affected by your work activities
  3. meaning and purpose of statutory notices, warning signs and safety symbols relevant to fenestration installation activities and associated equipment
  4. how to access your organisation's procedures relating to health and safety
  5. how to comply with control measures identified by risk assessments and safe systems of work
  6. unforeseen hazards you may encounter including asbestos
  7. company procedures for selecting and obtaining PPE and other safety equipment
  8. steps to follow when carrying out risk assessments
  9. the difference between risks and hazards and how they might occur in fenestration installation environments
  10. the actions and reporting requirements when unsafe working conditions are discovered
  11. how to access manufacturer's instructions for the use and storage of tools and equipment
  12. the uses of different safety equipment relevant to your work including working at height equipment and electrical isolators
  13. how to select and obtain the correct PPE for each task
  14. what to do if the required PPE or tools and equipment are not fit for purpose
  15. how to use barriers and signage to establish and mark a work area
  16. how to maintain access control of that work area
  17. how to establish if people are authorised to enter work areas and ensure they are kept safe
  18. procedures and reporting requirements for accidents, emergencies and evacuation
  19. fire risks and safe exit procedures, including knowledge of fire extinguishers (water, CO₂, foam, powder, vaporising liquid) and their uses
  20. personal responsibilities for health and safety compliance
  21. how to dispose of waste and consumable items in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements

Relevant Occupations

Glass and ceramic maker decorator finisher; Glaziers, Window Fabricators and Fitters

Keywords           

health; safety; fenestration; installation