Maintain the safety and security of hazardous goods during movement and handling

This standard is about maintaining the safety and security of hazardous goods during movement and handling. You will need to be able to recognise the different types of hazardous goods and the risks they pose. It involves monitoring risks and taking action when required.

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained and hold current certification, where required, in line with relevant legislation.

This standard is relevant to all operatives who move and handle hazardous goods as part of their job role.

1   maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2   assess the risks associated with the work before starting and throughout the activity, take action to minimise risks where possible or report in line with organisational procedures
3   confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out is worn at all times, in line with organisational procedures
4   confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required
5    obtain information on the hazardous goods dealt with by your organisation
6    implement precautions to maintain the safety and security of hazardous goods, in line with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures
7    monitor the condition of hazardous goods for signs that indicate problems with them
8    take action, in line with organisational procedures, if risks from hazardous goods are identified, and report these in line with organisational procedures
9    move and handle hazardous goods safely using suitable equipment, in line with organisational procedures
10    maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out the work
11    respond to emergencies involving hazardous goods in line with organisational procedures, inform colleagues and report to the relevant authority
12    use safety equipment according to the manufacturers’ instructions
13    follow evacuation procedures in line with organisational procedures
14    maintain and store the required records in line with relevant legal and organisational requirements

1    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2    how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the work being carried out, and the suitable control measures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) that can be put in place to reduce risks
3    the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when dealing with hazardous goods
4    the types of hazardous goods dealt with by your organisation, and the associated risks
5    the movement and handling requirements and precautions to be taken to maintain the safety and security of hazardous goods
6    the types of equipment used for moving and handling hazardous goods and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly
7    the requirements for training and certification to operate moving and handling equipment
8    the monitoring systems used for hazardous goods in the organisation
9    the hazard markings that are used to identify the different types of hazardous goods and what they mean
10    the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain communication and work effectively with colleagues when carrying out your work
11    the action to take when risks from hazardous goods are identified
12    the relevant organisational procedures for responding to emergencies, the action to take and the relevant authority to inform 
13  the most appropriate types of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment to use when dealing with hazardous goods, and how to use them effectively
14   the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Authority: Fire Service, line manager, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 

Equipment: e.g. tools, implements, machinery, lifts, conveyors, cranes, sack barrows, vehicle ramps, piano wheels, dollies, trucks, trolleys, skates, roller sets, stair climbers, shoulder straps and webbing, ladders 

Hazardous goods are substances or items that pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment, and are subject to strict regulations for safe handling and storage.

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear 

Safe System of Work (SSoW): is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Safety equipment: firefighting equipment, exhaust systems, breathing apparatus, containment sets, spill packs