Housing Health & Safety Rating System
Introduction
The Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a new risk assessment tool used to assess potential risks to the health and safety of occupants in residential properties. The new assessment method focuses on the hazards that are present in residential properties. Tackling these hazards will make healthier and safer to live in.
This information has been provided to help you identify any potential hazards present in your property.
Damp and mould growth
Health threat from dust mites, mould or fungal growths caused by dampness and/or high humidities. It includes threats to mental health and social wellbeing from living with damp, damp staining and/or mould growth.
Excess cold
From sub-optimal indoor temperatures.
Excess heat
Caused by excessively high indoor air temperatures.
Asbestos (and MMF)
Caused by exposure to asbestos fibres and manufactured mineral fibres (MMF).
Biocides
Threats to health from those chemicals used to treat timber and mould growth in dwellings. Insecticides and rodenticides to control pest infestations (e.g. cockroaches or rats and mice), these are not considered for the purposes of the HHRS.
Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
Hazards due to excess levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and smoke in the dwelling's atmosphere.
Lead
Threats to health from the ingestion of lead.
Radiation
This category covers the threats to health from radon gas and its daughters, primarily airborne, but also radon dissolved in water. While rare, leakage from microwave ovens might also be considered. Evidence of health risks from low-level exposure to electro-magnetic fields from phone masts have not, to date, been proven.
Uncombusted fuel gas
The threat of asphyxiation due to fuel gas escaping into the atmosphere within a dwelling.
Volatile organic compounds
VOCs are a diverse group of organic chemicals which includes formaldehyde, that are gaseous at room temperature, and are found in a wide variety of materials in the home.
Crowding and space
Health hazards linked to a lack of living space for sleeping and normal family/household life.
Entry by intruders
Problems keeping a dwelling secure against unauthorised entry and the maintenance of defensible space.
Lighting
Threats to physical and mental health linked to inadequate natural and/or artificial light. It includes the psychological effect associated with the view from the dwelling through glazing.
Noise
Threats to physical and mental health caused by noise exposure inside the dwelling or within its curtilage.
Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
Health hazards due to poor design, layout and construction to the point where the dwelling cannot be readily kept clean and hygienic; access into, and harbourage within, the dwelling for pests; and inadequate and unhygienic provision for storing and disposal of household waste.
Food safety
Threats of infection due to inadequate facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food.
Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
Threats of infection and threats to mental health associated with personal hygiene, including personal washing and clothes washing facilities, sanitation and drainage.
Water supply for domestic purposes
The quality and adequacy of the water supply for drinking and for domestic purposes such as cooking, washing, cleaning and sanitation. Also, threats to health from contamination by bacteria, protozoa, parasites, viruses, and chemical pollutants.
Falls associated with baths etc.
Falls associated with a bath, shower or similar facility.
Falls on the level
Falls on any level surface such as floors, yards and paths. It also includes falls associated with trip steps, thresholds, or ramps, where the change in level is less than 300mm.
Falls associated with stairs and steps
Falls associated with stairs, steps and ramps where the change in level is greater than 300mm. It includes falls on internal stairs or ramps within the dwelling, external steps or ramps within the curtilage of the dwelling, internal common stairs or ramps within the building, access to the dwelling, and to shared facilities or means of escape in case of fire. It also includes falls over stair, step or ramp guarding (balustrading).
Falls between levels
Falls from one level to another, inside or outside a dwelling, where the difference in levels is more than 300mm. For example, falls out of windows, falls from balconies or landings, falls from accessible roofs, into basement wells, and over garden retaining walls.
Electrical hazards
Hazards from electric shock and electricity burns, including from lightning strikes.
Fire
Threats from uncontrolled fire and associated smoke. It includes injuries from clothing catching alight, which appears to be common when people attempt to put out a fire. It does not include clothing catching alight from a controlled fire by reaching across a gas flame or an open fire used for space heating.
Hot surfaces and materials
Burns or injuries caused by contact with a hot flame or fire, and contact with hot objects or hot non-water based liquids, and scalds-injuries caused by contact with hot liquids and vapours. It includes burns caused by clothing catching alight from a controlled fire or flame.
Collision and entrapment
This category includes risks of physical injury from:
- trapping body parts in architectural features, such as trapping limbs or fingers in doors or windows.
- striking (colliding with) objects such as architectural glazing, windows, doors, low ceilings and walls.
Explosions
Threat from the blast of an explosion, from debris generated by the blast, and from the partial or total collapse of a building as the result of an explosion.
Ergonomics
Threats of physical strain associated with functional space and other features at dwellings.
Structural collapse and falling elements
The threat of the dwelling collapsing, or of an element or a part of the fabric being displaced or falling because of inadequate fixing or disrepair, or as a result of adverse weather conditions. Structural failure may occur internally or externally.
For further information regarding the Health & Safety Rating System please contact an Environmental Health Officer on the contact details below.
Related Documents
Environmental Health Service Plan 2008/09
Related Websites
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
HSE - Gas Safety - FAQs for landlords
| email: | envhealth@northshropshiredc.gov.uk |
|---|---|
| telephone: | 01939 238460 |
| fax: | 01939 238468 |
