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NEBOSH International General Certificate

Paper 1 Management of Health and Safety

Question and Answers

1. (a) Outline the importance of monitoring as part of a health and safety management

system (Sept 2008) (6)

(b) Identify the

(i) active (proactive), and (5)

(ii) reactive measures (5)

by which an organization can monitor its health and safety performance.

(c) Explain why monitoring reports should be submitted to the chief executive or

managing director of the organization. (4)

Answer:

a) The importance of monitoring as part of a health and safety management system

is it reinforces management's commitment to health and safety objectives;

helps in developing a positive health and safety culture by rewarding good

work; assures the compliance with the performance standards; identifies the

areas for improvement; enables in making decisions for remedial measures for

any identified deficiencies; assists in setting the targets for the future

improvement of performance; it motivates managers and employees for better

performance and continual improvement.

b) (i) Active measures include safety inspections, surveys, safety tours, audits,

sampling, health surveillance, behavioural observations, environmental

monitoring, benchmarking with other organizations. Routine procedures to

monitor specific objectives, regular review of performance; and recording of

training needs; and delivery of suitable training.

(ii) Reactive measures include the accident and ill health statistics, reporting

of near misses and dangerous occurrences, reporting of property damage,

actions taken by the enforcement authorities, number of civil claims, analysis

of absences and lost time, analysis of costs involved in the incidents .

c) There are number of reasons why monitoring reports should be submitted to

the CEO or Managing Director. These include CEO is the ultimate

responsibility to review the process, he has authority to take appropriate

actions, he authorizes the resources necessary for implementation health and

safety system, takes the disciplinary actions against employees where

necessary and motivate staff with rewards.

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2. (a) Outline the key features of (March 2009)

(i) a health and safety inspection (4)

(ii) a health and safety audit (4)

(b) Explain how the findings of an audit may be used to improve health and safety

performance. (12)

Answer:

3 (a) (i) A workplace inspection involves physical inspection of a workplace, and

the activities or equipment within it. It is generally carried out by

supervisors and safety representatives at regular intervals and checklists

are often used. The inspection looks for the unsafe acts and conditions and

results in short report of its findings with suggestions for remedial actions

to be taken.

3 (a) (ii) Safety audit is a systematic and independent examination of an

organizations health and safety system, involving the use of series of

questions and document examination to collect objective evidence. Audits

aim for assessing the effectiveness and reliability of the system. Audits

suggest the corrective action to be taken. It is carried out by trained

auditors.

(b) The findings of a safety audit may be used in a number of ways to

improve health and safety performance, which include identifying

strengths and weaknesses in the management system, identifying the

compliance and non-compliance with the standards, identifying the

remedial actions, enables the benchmarking with other organizations,

assist in the continual improvement of the organization by regular audit

intervals, assists in allocation and prioritize the resources, communicate

these findings to the staff and the management, improve the health and

safety performance etc.

3. Outline four proactive monitoring methods that can be used in assessing the health

and safety performance of an organization. (8)

Answer:

Proactive methods that could have been outlined include, the audits which involve

comprehensive and independently executed examinations of all aspects of the

organizations health and safety performance against stated objectives. Safety

surveys, focusing on a particular activity such as manual handling, training

programmes etc. Safety sampling, where specific areas of health and safety are

targeted; safety tours involving unscheduled workplace inspections to check on

issues such as wearing PPE and housekeeping.

4. An organization has been found to have inadequate standards of workplace health

and safety. Identify the costs that the organization may incur as a result. (8)

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Answer

The costs incur for inadequate standard of workplace Health and safety include

lost production, time dealing with the subsequent investigations; plant damage

and replacement and clean up activities; paying those involved during absences as

a result of accident or ill-health, having to recruit and train replacement labour

and redeployment and/or rehabilitation costs on return to work; costs by fines

from the enforcement authorities or by a civil claim from the injured, rise in

insurance premiums, poor staff morale which could lead to industrial unrest and

high staff turnover, the damage to the organization’s reputation which could lead

to a loss of orders and a subsequent decrease in its profitability.

5. Identify possible influences on an organization’s health and safety management

standards. (8)

Answer

The possible influences on an organization’s health and safety management

standards include regulatory and enforcement authorities, and individual

governments, industry based standards of good/safe practice; shareholder

demands and expectations; that exerted by trade unions in seeking acceptable

standards for their members; those exerted by insurance companies by placing

requirements on employers as a condition of insurance; those from production

demands and the pressure to cut costs in times of economic down turn; the need to

maintain the organization’s reputation to meet the expectations of society in

general and its customers in particular; the competence and experience of the

workforce and its involvement and cooperation in setting and complying with the

standards and finally the commitment of members of senior management

themselves in setting and enforcing high standards for their company.

6. An organization is introducing a new work activity that requires a safe system of

work.

Explain:

(a) Why it is important to involve workers in the development of a safe system of

work; (4)

(b) Why it is important for safe systems of work to have written procedures. (4)

Answer

(a) It is important to involve workers in the development of a safe system of work

because of their knowledge of the particular working environment involved and

what will work in practice. Additionally, their involvement will establish their

ownership of the system and will encourage them to use and follow it once it has

been finalized and introduced. Finally their involvement will emphasize

management's commitment to health and safety and help to raise its profile within

the organization. Once a safe system of work is developed, it is imperative that a

clear method of communicating its procedures to the workforce is used and this

would be better achieved in writing rather than orally.

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(b) The procedures may contain complex information that will need to be

consulted on more than one occasion to ensure the correct sequence of operations

is followed. Additionally, different people will need to be aware of the procedures

and it is preferable to have them written down rather than pass them on by word

of mouth, a method that may not always guarantee consistency in their

presentation. A written document will also be needed for audit purposes and could

be used as evidence in defending an enforcement action or a civil claim. Finally,

the use of written procedures may well be a requirement of the organization’s

quality assurance procedures.

7. An organization has had an increase in the number of manual handling accidents

and associated ill-health. Identify sources of information that may be available to

help reduce the risks to the workers. (8)

Answer

Sources of information that may be available to an organization to reduce the

number of manual handling accidents include international agencies such as the

ILO; national enforcement agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive in

the United Kingdom; employers organizations and Trade Unions; national

and international standards such as ISO; information from manufacturers

and also from other organizations carrying out work of a similar nature;

professional health and safety bodies such as IOSH in the United Kingdom;

and consultation with the workers themselves who from their experience could

be in a position to offer information on procedures that could be followed to

reduce the risks.

8. (a) Outline why it is important for an organization to set health and safety

targets.(2)

(b) Identify health and safety targets that an organization could set. (6)

Answer

(a) To give evidence of management commitment, to motivating staff by

providing them with something tangible to aim for; the important part they can

play in facilitating the measurement and review of performance and for

benchmarking against other like organizations.

(b) Identified targets such as reductions in the number of accidents and defined

incidents; an improvement in the reporting of near miss incidents or minor

accidents and an improvement in inspection and audit scores; a reduction in

actions taken by the enforcement authorities and in the number of civil

claims; a reduction in sickness absence and absenteeism; an improvement in

the outcome of benchmarking of performance against like organizations; reduced

insurance costs; an increase in the degree of worker involvement and

additionally in the number of workers trained in health and safety.

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9. Outline the factors that should be considered when assessing the health and safety

competence of contractors. (8)

Answer

The factors when assessing the health and safety competence of contractors

include: the contractor's previous experience with the type of work to be carried

out; the reputation of the contractor amongst previous or current clients; the

quality and content of the health and safety policy and the systems in place for its

implementation including the preparation of risk assessments, monitoring and

consultation with the workforce; the arrangements in place for the management of

sub-contractors; the level of training and qualifications of staff (including those

with health and safety responsibilities); the contractor's accident and enforcement

history; membership of professional bodies; equipment maintenance and statutory

examination records; and the detailed proposals, for example method statements,

for the proposed work.

10. (a) Identify the key stages of a workplace risk assessment. (5)

(b) Outline THREE reasons for reviewing a risk assessment.(3)

Answer

(a) The key stages involved in carrying out a risk assessment are identifying the

hazards associated with the activities and tasks performed at the workplace;

identifying who might be harmed including operators, maintenance staff, cleaners,

visitors etc; evaluating the likelihood and probable severity of the harm that might

be caused; assessing the adequacy of existing control measures and deciding

whether additional measures were required; recording the significant findings of

the assessment and carrying out a review at a later date and revising the findings

when necessary.

(b) The reasons for reviewing the risk assessment include changes in the

processes, work methods or materials used; the introduction of new or the

modification of existing plant; the availability of new information on hazards and

risks; the availability of new or improved control measures or techniques; a

change in legislation; changes in personnel, for example the employment of

young or disabled persons; when the results of monitoring of accidents, ill-health

and the workplace environment are not as expected and finally after the passage

of time.

11. Outline the benefits to an employer of conducting accident investigations. (9)

Answer

The benefits of conducting accident investigation such as the prevention of

similar accidents occurring in the future; facilitating compliance with legal

requirements and obligations; an improvement in the health and safety

performance of the organization; an improvement in the morale of the workforce

and its attitude towards health and safety; the prevention of business loss and the

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provision of evidence to support a defense in the event of enforcement action or a

civil claim being brought against the employer.

12. With respect to undertaking general risk assessments on activities within a

workplace:

(a) Outline the key stages of the risk assessment process, identifying the issues

that would need to be considered at EACH stage; (10)

(b) Explain the criteria which must be met for the assessment to be 'suitable and

sufficient'; (4)

(c) Outline the factors that the employer should take into account when selecting

individuals to assist in carrying out the required risk assessment. (6)

Answer

(a) The first stage is to consider the activities that are being undertaken at the

workplace and to identify the significant hazards involved. This would be

followed by the identification of those exposed to the hazards such as

operators, maintenance staff, cleaners and visitors and noting in particular

groups who might be especially at risk such as young or disabled workers.

The next stage would involve an evaluation of the risks arising from the

identified hazards, taking into account the likelihood and severity of the harm

that could be caused, the frequency and duration of the exposure of the

employees, the measures in existence to control the risks and the need and

scope for a further reduction in risk by the introduction of additional controls.

The fourth stage involves recording the significant findings of the assessment

in a written and retrievable form (such as, for example, the additional

preventative and protective measures needed to control the risks), while the

final stage would be concerned with a review and revision of the assessment

at regular intervals or more particularly if there are developments in the

processes or activities or changes in legislation which indicate that the original

assessment may no longer be valid.

(b) A risk assessment, to be deemed suitable and sufficient, should identify all

significant hazards and risks arising from or connected with the activity to be

carried out, identify all the persons at risk including employees, other workers

and members of the public, evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of

existing control measures and identify other protective measures that may be

required, enable priorities to be set, be appropriate to the nature of the work

and be valid over a reasonable period of time.

(c) relevant factors which should have been outlined included the individuals'

past experience and training in hazard identification and in carrying out risk

assessments, their experience of the process or activity carried out in the

workplace and their knowledge of the plant and equipment involved, their

ability to understand and interpret regulations, standards and guidance, their

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communication and reporting skills, an awareness of their own limitations and

their attitude and commitment to the task. Most candidates tended to

concentrate on knowledge of the working area and training in risk assessment

and did not provide answers of sufficient depth to obtain all the marks

available.

13. (a) Outline the general content of the THREE sections of a health and safety

policy.(6)

(b) Explain why the health and safety policy should be signed by the most senior

person in an organization, such as a Managing Director or Chief Executive·

Officer. (2)

Answer

(a)The three sections of a policy are the 'statement of intent', which both

demonstrates management's commitment to health and safety and sets goals and

objectives for the organization, then to the 'organization' section, the purpose of

which is to allocate health and safety responsibilities within the company, to

ensure effective delegation and to set up lines of communication, and finally, to

the 'arrangements' section which sets out in detail the systems and procedures to

implement the policy covering issues such as controlling hazards, monitoring

compliance and arrangements for consultation and communication with

employees.

(c) The signature of the most senior person in the organization would demonstrate

management commitment but did not go on then to add that this would give

authority to the policy or that the person concerned ultimately had

responsibility for health and safety in the organization.

14. Outline reasons for promoting and maintaining good standards of health and safety

in the workplace. (8)

Answer

The reasons for promoting and maintaining good standards of health and safety in

the workplace are the moral, social and economic arguments

The moral argument centred on the need to provide a reasonable standard of care

and to reduce the injuries, pain and suffering caused to workers by accidents and

ill-health while the social reasons were concerned with the need to provide a safe

place of work, safe plant and equipment, safe systems of work, competent

workers and a high standard of training and supervision.

The economic benefits would include a more highly motivated workforce

resulting in an improvement in the rate of production and product quality; the

avoidance of costs associated with accident investigations; the avoidance of costs

associated with accidents such as the hiring or training of replacement staff and

the possible repair of plant and equipment; securing more favorable terms for

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insurance and maintaining the image and reputation of the organization with its

various stakeholders.

15. (a) Explain the difference between consulting and informing workers in health and

safety issues. (2)

(b) Outline the health and safety issues on which employers should consult their

workers. (6)

Answer

(a) The difference between the consulting and informing could refer to

"informing" as a one way process, for example providing information to workers

on hazards, risks and control measures and to "consulting" as a two way process

in which the employer listens to, and takes account of, the views of workers

before a decision is taken.

(b) risk assessments and personal protective equipment and training issues. Other

issues which should have been outlined include: the introduction of any measure

at the workplace that may substantially affect workers health and safety such as a

change in the materials being used; changes in organizational structure; the

arrangements for appointing and/or nominating competent persons to assist in

complying with the health and safety requirements; the introduction of emergency

procedures; welfare issues; incentive schemes and the introduction of policies on

smoking, alcohol and substance misuse.

16. There has been deterioration in the health and safety culture of an organization.

(a) Define the term 'health and safety culture. (2)

(b) Identify the factors that could have contributed to the deterioration.(6)

Answer

(a) Safety culture is the reference to attitudes and shared perceptions and defined

as the product of individual and group values, and a pattern of behaviour based on

competencies and confidence and on communications founded on mutual trust.

(b) factors that could have been identified included: the lack of leadership and

commitment at senior level; the lack of effective communication with the

workers; an inadequate level of supervision; the suspicion of a blame culture; time

pressures with production over-riding health and safety; the lack of monitoring or

where this did take place, a failure to implement suggested remedial action; the

lack of consultation and workers involvement; a poor working environment; a

high staff turnover and a reduction in staffing levels; and external influences such

as a downturn in the economy leading to a lack of investment and resources and a

fear for job security.

17. Outline, with examples, the general hierarchy that should be applied in order to

control health and safety risks in the workplace. (8)

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Answer

The general hierarchy for controlling health and safety risks in the workplace

include the possibility of eliminating the risks either by designing them out,

changing the process or contracting the work out. The next step would be the

reduction of the risks by, for example, the substitution of hazardous substances

with others which were less hazardous and reducing exposure time for example

by job rotation. If this were not possible, then isolation would have to be

considered, using enclosures, barriers or worker segregation. The application of

engineering controls such as guarding, the provision of local exhaust ventilation

systems, the use of reduced voltage systems or residual current devices would

follow with the final control measure being the provision of personal protective

equipment such as ear defenders or respiratory protective equipment.

18. Contractors are carrying out a major building project for an organization. Outline

how this organization could reduce the risks to contractors before the start of and

during the building project. (8)

Answer

The issues reducing the risks to contractors include the initial selection of a

competent contractor ensuring they had sufficient resources and had allowed

sufficient time to enable the work to be completed safely. There would then be a

need to share information with the contractor on the particular risks in the

working area for instance the presence of vehicles including fork lift trucks and

the danger of falling materials; the presence of hazardous materials such as

asbestos and the location of services such as electricity, water and gas; general

site safety rules such as a smoking policy and reference to the host employer's

safety policy; requirements for permits to work for certain work activities;

accident reporting procedures; emergency procedures; the main point of contact

on the site; and the location of welfare facilities including first aid. Finally, whilst

the building work was in progress, there would have to be ongoing cooperation

and coordination with the contractor with regular monitoring of performance in

ensuring the health and safety of both their and the organization’s workers.

19. Outline the initial actions that should be taken following a major injury accident at

work. (8)

Answer

The initial that should be taken following a major injury accident include isolating

services and making the area safe; administering first aid treatment and contacting

the emergency services; informing the next of kin; notifying the regulatory

authority if appropriate; collecting initial evidence such as photographs and

sketches and the names of witnesses and setting up the accident investigation.

20. (a) Explain how accident data can be used to improve health and safety

performance within an organization. (4)

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(b) Explain TWO active (proactive) monitoring methods that can be used when

assessing an organization’s health and safety performance.(4)

Answer

(a) The accident data could be used to identify trends, prevent recurrence, identify

problem areas, give the opportunity for remedial actions, data could be used to

compare with others, to inform and stimulate discussion at joint consultation

meetings with the workforce and to identify the costs of accidents.

(b) Proactive methods that might have been explained included: audits involving

comprehensive and independently executed examinations of all aspects of an

organization’s health and safety performance against stated objectives;

inspections carried out on a regular basis which identify existing conditions and

compare them with agreed performance objectives; safety surveys focusing on a

particular activity such as manual handling, training programmes and workers

attitudes towards safety; Safety sampling where specific areas of occupational

health and safety are targeted; tours involving unscheduled workplace inspections

to check on issues such as wearing of personal protective equipment and

housekeeping;

(Candidates can write any two proactive measures among above)

21. (a) Identify FOUR types of emergency that would require an organization to have

an emergency procedure. (4)

(b) Explain why visitors to a workplace should be informed of its emergency

procedures. (4)

Answers

(a) Emergency procedures that companies might need to have in place include

evacuation in case of fire, for accidents, for dangerous occurrences such as a

chemical spillage, for a security or intruder alert and in the event of an explosive

device being discovered on site.

(b) Visitors should be informed of the emergency procedures so that they could

react appropriately in the event of an emergency, to prevent visitors obstructing

workers and putting them at risk, the moral responsibility of the organization for

the safety of visitors and the duty of care it might owe them under law.

22. Outline how induction training programmes for new workers can help to reduce the

number of accidents in the workplace. (8)

Answer:

An induction training programme for new workers may assist in reducing the

number of accidents in the workplace firstly by making the workers aware of the

hazards and risks in the workplace; by introducing them to the safe systems of

work and the various procedures including those for emergencies that must be

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followed; by making them aware of any restricted areas; by training them in the

correct use of tools and equipment and ensuring they are fully conversant with the

use, maintenance and arrangements for reporting deficiencies of any personal

protective equipment that has to be used. Additionally, the induction training

programme will alert the new workers to the procedures for reporting hazards and

incidents, of the sources of help, advice and mentoring that are available to them

and of their own responsibility for ensuring accidents and incidents are kept to a

minimum. Finally the training programme will assist in helping the workers to

adopt a positive attitude to health and safety and to counter the negative attitude

that can often be created by peer pressure.

23. (a) Define the term 'hazard'. (2)

(b) Define the term 'risk'. (2)

(c) Identify FOUR means of hazard identification that may be used in the

workplace. (4)

Answers (a) Hazard is defined as something with the potential to cause harm

(b) Risk is defined as the probability/likelihood that the potential would be

realized and its possible consequence and severity in terms of injury, damage or

harm.

(c) Means that may be used to identify hazards in the workplace include carrying

out inspections, observations and safety audits; completing task and/or job

analyses and risk assessments; the study of data on accidents and near miss

incidents including the investigation reports; reference to legislation and its

accompanying guidance and manufacturers' documents such as safety data sheets;

carrying out health surveillance and consulting with members of the workforce.

24. (a) Identify FOUR types of health and safety information that could be displayed on

a notice board in a workplace. (4)

(b) Identify how the effectiveness of notice boards as a method of communicating

health and safety information can be increased. (4)

Answer

(a) the types of information that could have been identified include: the health and

safety policy of the organisation; the "Information for Employees" poster;

information regarding health and safety representatives such as their names and

contact details; targets set for the reduction of accidents and ill health and

information showing the current level of performance against the targets;

forthcoming health and safety events including information on training courses

available; identification of first aid arrangements and procedures for evacuation in

the event of a fire; health and safety posters specific to current campaigns being

run; information on current issues affecting health and safety such as contract

work, no go areas and diversions; and a copy of the Employer's liability insurance

certificate.

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(b) The ways of increasing the effectiveness of notice boards include ensuring

they were located in a common and prominent area of the workplace such as the

staff room or canteen; dedicating the boards to health and safety matters; ensuring

the information displayed was relevant and current and kept up to date; giving

consideration to all ethnic groups and employees with special needs; displaying

the information in a neat and orderly fashion and making the notice board eye-

catching by the use of colour and graphics and, where possible, allocating

responsibility for the up-keep of the board to a named member of the workforce.

25. Explain why personal protective equipment (PPE) should be considered as a last

resort in the control of occupational health hazards. (8)

Answer

There are numerous reasons why personal protective equipment (PPE) should be

considered only after other possibilities or hierarchy of controls have been

exhausted or failed. At a basic level, it is a legal requirement that other means of

control are considered first. Other reasons include that PPE may not provide

adequate protection because of such factors as poor selection, poor fit,

incompatibility with other types of PPE, contamination, and misuse or non-use by

employees. In addition, PPE is likely to be uncomfortable and relies for its

effectiveness on a conscious action by the user. In certain circumstances, its use can

actually create additional risks for instance, warning sounds masked by hearing

protection.

26. Give reasons why a verbal instruction may not be clearly understood by an

employee. (8)

Answer:

The reasons include the nature of the working environment (eg high levels of noise,

interference from personal protective equipment and other distractions), the use of

too much technical jargon, language or dialect issues, ambiguity of the message,

sensory impairment or learning difficulties, the inexperience of the recipient (ie

being unable to relate properly to what is being said), and the fact that the

instruction may be too complex or lengthy to be given verbally.

27. (a) Define the term 'negligence '. (2)

(b) Outline the THREE standard conditions that must be met for an injured

employee to prove a case of negligence against his/her employer following an

accident at work. (6)

Answer:

(a) Negligence is defined as a civil wrong (tort) involving unreasonably careless

conduct (a breach of the common law duty of care), resulting in loss, damage or

injury.

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(b) The three standard conditions for an employee to prove a case of alleged

negligence against an employer include (1) a duty of care was owed by the

employer (ie that the employee was acting in the course of his/her employment);

(2) that the employer acted in breach of that duty by not doing everything that

was reasonable to prevent foreseeable harm; (3) thirdly, that the breach led

directly to the loss, damage or injury.

28. Outline ways in which the health and safety culture of an organization might be

improved. (8)

Answer:

The ways to be improved include establishing and implementing a sound health and

safety policy; securing the commitment of management and ensuring that managers

lead 'by example; involving and consulting with employees on matters affecting

their health and safety; and providing effective supervision and training, the

organization should give equal priority to health and safety as other business

objectives (such as production and quality), establishing effective means of

communication with the workforce, and providing a pleasant working environment

with good welfare facilities.

29. (a) State the circumstances under which an employer must establish a health and

safety committee. (2)

(b) Give SIX reasons why a health and safety committee may prove to be

ineffective in practice. (6)

Answer:

(a) An employer must establish a health and safety committee when one is

requested, in writing, by two or more trade union-appointed safety

representatives.

(b) Lack of management commitment; no terms of reference for the committee; no

agenda and/or minutes of the meetings being produced; an uneven balance

between management and employee representatives; poor chairmanship; no

access to the decision-making processes; infrequent meetings; inappropriate

topics for discussion; and no access to health and 'safety expertise.

30. Identify the factors to be considered to ensure the health and safety of persons who

are required to work on their own away from the workplace. (8)

Answer:

The factors that would determine the actual level of risk at the work location

include such issues as the type of work to be done and its attendant hazards and

risks', the, equipment to be used, the work environment and the control measures

in place. The particular factors in relation to those working alone at a distant

location could then have been identified. The' competence and suitability of the

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persons involved, the methods of communication with the home base, and

emergency and first aid procedures would all be relevant in this respect.

31. Outline the specific factors that should be considered when assessing the risks to

employees working on night shifts. (8)

Answers

The factors to be considered include lighting, heating, welfare and first-aid

provision, and emergency arrangements; the effects of fatigue and the increased

likelihood of human error; the number of hours worked and the period allowed for

recovery between shifts; genera well-being when normal routines are disrupted; the

level of supervision provided and access to specialist advice if required; and the

possible increased risk of violent assault on the way to and from work.

32. (a) Explain the meaning of the term 'competent person? (2)

(b) Outline the organizational factors that may cause a person to work unsafely even

though they are competent.(6)

Answer:

(a) The competent person is defined as a person would need to possess knowledge

based on appropriate qualifications and training, the skills, experience and

personal qualities to apply the knowledge in a given situation.

(b) The organizational factors include management or peer group pressure, a poor

safety culture in the organization, a lack of resources' or equipment, a lack of

clarity in roles and responsibilities, inadequate supervision and poor working

conditions.

33. (a) Explain the meaning of the term 'risk'. (2)

(b) Identify SIX hazards that might be considered when assessing the risk to the

health and safely of a mufti-storey car park attendant.

Answer:

(a) The risk is the product of the probability or likelihood of the occurrence and the

severity of the occurrence of an unwanted event;

(b) the hazards facing a person employed as an attendant in a multi-storey car park

include, fumes and/or dust; impact or crushing by moving vehicles; fire

(particularly in relation to fuel); extremes of ambient temperature; the possibility of

being subjected to violence; noise from, for instance, car alarms; slips, trips or falls

(exacerbated perhaps by oil and stairs); biological hazards from the presence of

vermin, human waste and hypodermic needles; and ergonomic hazards caused by

the need to stoop or twist in what might be a restricted workspace.

34. (a) Explain the purpose of the 'statement of intent section of a health and safety

policy (2).

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(b) Outline the circumstances that would require a health and safety policy to be

reviewed.(6)

Answer:

(a) The 'statement of intent' section of a health and safety policy is designed to

demonstrate management commitment to health and safety in terms of aims and

objectives, example, commitment to improve trainings.

(b) The circumstances to review the policy include significant changes in the

organization; after the introduction of new or changed processes or work

methods; following changes in key personnel; following changes in legislation;

where risk assessments, monitoring exercises or investigations show that the

policy is no longer effective or relevant; and after a sufficient period of time has

elapsed since the previous review to suggest that another one is due.

35. Identify EIGHT sources of information that might usefully be consulted when

developing a safe system of work. (8)

Answer:

The eight sources of information include statutory instruments, approved codes of

practice and HSE guidance, manufacturers' information, European and other official

standards, industry or trade literature, results of risk assessments, accident statistics

and health/medical surveillance records, the employees involved, and enforcement

agencies and other experts.

36. (a) Explain, giving an example in EACH case, the circumstances under which a

health and safety inspector may serve:

(i) an improvement notice (3)

(ii) a prohibition notice. (3)

(b) State the effect on EACH type of enforcement notice of appealing against it. (2)

Answer (a)

(i) To serve an improvement notice, an inspector must be of the opinion that

there is a breach of relevant statutory provisions, or that there has been a

breach that is likely to be continued or repeated. A relevant example

would be the absence of manual handling assessments.

(ii) For a prohibition notice to be served, an inspector must be of the opinion

that there is, or is likely to be, a risk of serious personal injury. (The risk

of injury does not have to be 'imminent', as many candidates suggested,

although in practice it often is.)· A relevant example would be a dangerous

machine that lacks the necessary safeguards.

(b) the effect of an appeal against an improvement notice is to suspend the notice

until the appeal is held, whereas a prohibition notice continues in force during this

time.

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37. An organization has introduced a new work process for which a risk assessment is

required under regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work

Regulations 1999.

(i) Outline the steps that should be used in carrying out the risk assessment.

Identifying the issues that would need to be considered at EACH stage.

(8)

(ii) Explain the criteria that must be met for the assessment to be deemed

'suitable and sufficient'.(4)

(iii) Identffy the various circumstances that might require a review of the risk

assessment.(8)

Answer:

(i) The steps used in carrying out the risk assessment include identifying the hazards

involved and determining the possible consequences; identifying the number

and types of person exposed; evaluating the associated risk by assessing the

likelihood and severity of harm that could be caused; evaluating the adequacy,

of existing controls and the need for additional measures to secure compliance

with legislation and other standards; and recording the results of the

assessment, and finally monitoring and review.

(ii) The criteria to be met to ensure the suitability and sufficiency of an

assessment include the comprehensive identification of significant hazards

and risks, the identification and prioritization of measures needed to reduce

the risk to an acceptable level, and ensuring that the assessment remains valid

and for a reasonable period of time.

(iii) Typical circumstances to review the risk assessment include: a change to the

process, work method or substances in use; the introduction of new or

modified plant; the availability of new information on hazards and risks;

accidents or incidents of ill-health; the results of monitoring and/or auditing; a

change in the requirements of legislation; action taken or advice given by an

enforcement authority or insurance company; and a change in personnel, in

particular the involvement of young persons, new or expectant mothers or

disabled persons.

38. (a) Outline the key features of:

(i) a health and safety inspection; (4)

(ii) a health and safety audit.(4)

(b) Explain how the findings of an audit may be used to improve health and safety

performance(12)

Answer:

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(a) (i) A workplace inspection involves the straightforward physical inspection of a

workplace, and/or the activities or equipment within it. It is carried out by

supervisors and/or safety representatives at regular intervals and checklists are

often used. The inspection looks for unsafe acts and conditions and results in a

short report of its findings suggesting remedial action that should be taken.

(ii) A safety audit, on the other hand, is a systematic critical examination of an

organization’s health and safety management system, involving a structured

process including the use of a series of questions and the examination of

documentation, to collect independent information with the aim of assessing the

effectiveness and reliability of the system and suggesting corrective action when

this is thought to be necessary. It is carried out by trained auditors, who may be

internal or external to the organization.

(b) The findings of a safety audit may be used in a number of ways to improve health

and safety performance such as: identifying strengths and weaknesses in the

management system; identifying compliance and non-compliance and the reasons

for the latter thus informing and enabling remedial actions; enabling comparison

and bench marking with other similar organisations; assisting with the allocation

and prioritisation of resources; communicating its findings to management and

staff and so giving an indication of the organisation's commitment to health and

safety and finally, by means of subsequent audits at regular intervals, assisting in

the continual improvement of the management system.

39. Outline the key elements of a health and safety management system. (8)

Answer:

The key elements of the health and safety management system are beginning with

policy which should be a clear statement of intent, setting the main health and

safety aims and objectives of the company and the commitment of management,

followed by organisation for health and safety which should ensure the allocation

of responsibility to appropriate members of staff, with the emphasis on achieving

competency, control, communication and consultation. The next stage would be

planning and implementing that should involve carrying out risk assessments,

the setting of standards and targets and the introduction of appropriate control

measures to achieve them. That done, proactive and reactive monitoring

systems would need to be introduced to provide data on the achievement or non

achievement of the objectives and targets set. Finally a review and audit should

be carried out to check whether what was planned was actually taking place, to

consider options for improvement and to set new targets where necessary.

40. Outline why it is important that all persons are aware of their roles and

responsibilities for health and safety in an organization. (8)

Answer:

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Making all persons in an organization aware of their roles for health and safety

will assist in defining their individual responsibilities and will indicate the

commitment and leadership of senior management. A clear delegation of duties

will assist in sharing out the health and safety workload, will ensure contributions

from different levels and jobs, will help to set up clear lines of reporting and

communication and will assist in defining individual competencies and training

needs particularly for specific roles such as first aid and fire. Finally, making

individuals aware of their own roles and responsibilities can increase their

motivation and help to improve morale throughout the organization.

41. Two organizations share the same workplace. Outline how they could co-operate to

achieve good health and safety standards. (8)

Answer:

In order to achieve good health and safety standards in the workplace, the two

organizations could: hold regular meetings, share information and risk

assessments and avoid carrying out incompatible processes; prepare and agree

joint site rules for the workplace for example for assembly points and smoking

areas; set up joint procedures for the management of visitors and contractors;

agree on procedures for the management of traffic and the movement of vehicles;

carry out joint inspections and monitoring of the workplace; draw up joint

emergency procedures; agree a policy for the management of waste and obtain

advice on health and safety matters from a shared consultant.

42. Give the reasons why hazards to the health of workers may not be identified during

a workplace inspection. (8)

Answer:

There are a number of reasons why hazards to the health of workers may not be

identified during a workplace inspection such as: the nature of the hazard may not

be well understood as for example with those arising from contact with biological

agents; a lack of measuring equipment such as for noise; the fact that effects may

be chronic rather than immediate; the hazard not being visible as with certain

gases or that arising from radiation; over familiarity as, for example, from

exposure to sunlight; the individual susceptibility of certain workers; a particular

task which was not in progress and the workers not available during the

inspection; the unwillingness of individuals to admit there are problems with their

health; the fact that health is given a low priority in the organization; the person

carrying out the inspection concentrating on the more immediate and often safety

hazards; and ultimately the lack of competency of the inspector.

43. (a) Give the meaning of the term 'permit-to-work'.(2)

(b) Identify THREE types of work that may require a permit-to-work, AND give

the reasons why in EACH case.(6)

Answer:

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(a) A permit-to-work is a formal documented planned procedure designed to

protect personnel working in hazardous areas or carrying out high risk activities.

(b) The types of work where a permit-to-work system might be required such as

work in confined spaces where there is a danger of being overcome by fumes or

gases or by a shortage of oxygen; work on live or high voltage electrical

equipment where there would be a danger of electrocution; hot work involving

welding or cutting operations, where the risk of sparks may ignite nearby

flammable materials; maintenance work on dangerous process plant or

production machinery where it may not be possible to keep the normal

standards of protection in place and work at heights.

44. (a) Identify TWO main purposes of first-aid treatment.(2)

(b) Outline the factors to be considered when carrying out a risk assessment of first-

aid requirements in a workplace.(6)

Answer:

(a) The two main functions of first-aid treatment are, firstly, the preservation of

life and/or the minimization of the consequences of injury until medical help

is obtained and secondly, the treatment of minor injuries that would not

receive or do not need medical attention.

(b) The factors to be considered include the number of trained first-aid personnel

and first-aid facilities in relation to, for example, the size of the organization;

the distribution and composition of the workforce including the special needs

of employees such as trainees, young workers and the disabled; the types of

hazard and level of risk present; the past history of accidents and their type,

location and consequences; the proximity of the workplace to emergency

medical services; the special needs of travelling, remote or lone workers; the

need to train the first aid personnel in special procedures; and the ability to

provide continued cover over different shifts and for sickness, leave and other

absence.

45. Outline the main health and safety responsibilities or

(a) employers;(4)

(b) workers. (4)

Answer

(a) The main health and safety responsibilities of an employer are to provide and

maintain safe plant and equipment, to carry out risk assessments and to

introduce safe systems of work; to ensure the safe use, storage, handling and

transport of articles and substances; to provide and maintain a safe workplace,

including access and egress; to provide a safe working environment with

adequate welfare facilities, and to provide information, instruction, training

and supervision for employees, the responsibility to prepare and revise a

health and safety policy; to cooperate with and consult with employees; to

secure competent health and safety advice and to cooperate with other

employers at the workplace.

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(b) As for workers, their responsibilities include taking reasonable care of

themselves and their fellow workers and to refrain from misusing equipment

provided for their health and safety; cooperating with their employer;

reporting accidents and dangerous situations to their employer or other

nominated member of management; to comply with site rules and to refrain

from taking alcohol or drugs during and immediately before working hours.

46. Identify EIGHT health and safety hazards relevant to the role of a long distance

delivery driver (8)

Answer:

Health and safety hazards relevant to the role of a long distance delivery driver

include: the duration of the journey and the hours of driving; issues connected

with the route to be followed and the different road conditions; the weather and

other environmental factors; inadequate vehicle maintenance and the possibility

of breakdown; the manual and/or mechanical handling of the goods being carried

and other hazards associated with them such as exposure to chemicals; physical

hazards such as exposure to noise and vibration; lone working with a possible

absence of communication and supervision; the lack of emergency procedures

including the provision of first aid; security hazards including the possibility of

violence and psychological hazards such as stress.

47. Identify reasons why workers may fail to comply with safety procedures at work.

(8)

Answer:

There are many reasons why employees may fail to comply with safety

procedures at work and better answers recognized most of them such as:

inadequate resources whether of tools, equipment or employees; unrealistic or ill-

considered procedures; a perceived lack of commitment to health and safety by

management and emphasis on other priorities such as production; the lack of

adequate information and training and a perceived lack of consultation; a poor

safety culture within the organization; fatigue, illness and stress; lack of

concentration because of boredom and repetitive work tasks; poor working

conditions; mental and/or physical capabilities not taken into account; inadequate

supervision and a failure to enforce compliance with the procedures; peer group

pressure; a failure to recognize risks and ultimately a willful disregard of the

safety procedures.

48. (a) Outline why an organization should have a system for the internal reporting of

accidents.(4)

(b) Identify the reasons why workers might not report accidents at work.(4)

Answer:

(a) There are a number of reasons why an organization should have a system for

the internal reporting of accidents. These include the compilation of accident

statistics and the identification of trends; to satisfy legal requirements; so that

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an investigation may be carried out to prevent a recurrence or to identify

weaknesses in the safety management system; for use in civil claims or to

satisfy insurance requirements; to help in the identification and reduction of

loss; and to inform the review of risk assessments

(b) The reasons for not reporting accidents at workplace include employee being

unaware of reporting procedures or the fact that no procedure was in place;

peer pressure and a reluctance to take time off from the job in hand; possible

retribution or blame by management; to preserve the company's or

department's safety record particularly when an incentive scheme is in

operation; to avoid receiving first-aid or medical treatment for whatever

reason; over-complicated reporting procedures, and lack of obvious

management response to earlier reported accidents.

49. Give reasons why it is important to use a variety of methods to communicate health

and safety information in the workplace. (8)

Answer:

The reasons to communicate variety of information in the workplace include,

people respond differently to different stimuli, and that variety prevents over-

familiarization with one method and helps to reinforce a message. Other reasons

that could have been given were: the need to overcome language barriers and the

inability of some workers to read; the need to motivate, stimulate interest and gain

involvement and feedback; the acceptance that different types of information

require different methods of communication for example emergency signs; that

the policy of the organization may require certain information to be in a specified

format; and that on occasions evidence that the message was given may need to

be kept.

50. Outline the immediate AND longer term actions that should be taken following an

accident at work that has caused serious injury to a worker. (8)

Answer:

The immediate actions such as: isolating services and making the area safe;

administering first aid treatment and contacting the emergency services;

informing the next of kin and offering counseling and support; notifying the

regulatory authority if appropriate; collecting initial evidence such as photographs

and sketches and the names of witnesses; setting up the accident investigation

team and investigating the accident; determining the root and underlying causes

of the accident; making and implementing recommendations to prevent a

recurrence of the accident and ensuring feedback is provided to the workforce;

collecting evidence to be used in any possible litigation following the accident

and managing the provision of information to the media.

51. Outline the immediate & long term actions that should be taken following a serious

accident at work?

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Answer:

The immediate action include treat person if safe to do so, ring for an ambulance

& send to hospital, inform dependants, make area safe & cordon off ensuring

scene is not disturbed, notify enforcement authority, speak to any eye witnesses

and take photographs, statements and measurements.

The long term actions include, investigate the accident, identify the immediate

and root causes, recommendations, report the causes to the management, draw the

action plan for implementation, verify the effectiveness of the implementation,

communicate the causes to all employees etc.