1NEBOSH IGC Past Questions and Suggested AnswersPaper IGC2Controlling Workplace Hazards2Identify the four possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body and, in each case, describe a circumstance in which an employee might be at risk of such exposure (8)3The routes of entry are: through the lungs by inhalation; through the digestive system by ingestion, absorption through the skin and by injectionEntry by inhalation might occur due to the build up of fumes or gas either as part of a process or by accident, for example, escape of a toxic gas into the workplace.Ingestion may occur by eating with contaminated hands, or swallowing dust breathed in through the mouth.Absorption might be by entry through a wound in the skin or by even by contamination with a chemical that is easily absorbed through intact skin.Injection may occur by handling contaminated sharps in a hospital or by exposure to a high pressure jet of air or fluid.4Identify FOUR different types of hazard that may necessitate the use of special footwear, explaining in EACH case how the footwear affords protection (8)

5Among the types of hazard would be the following four:Falling objects - which may crush or bruise the foot. Steel toecaps are incorporated into footwear to protect against this type of injury.Treading on sharp objects such as nails projecting from wooden planks. Steel insoles will protect the wearer from penetration into the sole of the foot.Burns from hot materials heat resistant boots with gaiters are available to protect the wearers feet, ankles and shins from this hazard.Wet environments, where employees may suffer from wet feet or slip on wet floors. The use of rubberised boots or shoes with non-slip soles will reduce the risk of this sort of accident.6Define the term target organ within the context of occupational health. (2)Outline the personal hygiene practices that should be followed to reduce the risk of ingestion of a hazardous substance (6)7Target organ is the organ in the body upon which a toxic material has its effects. For example, many solvents absorbed into the body will damage the liver.Ingestion is the swallowing of harmful substances, so hygiene practices to reduce this risk should include the washing the hands before eating. Eating and drinking and smoking in the workplace should be prohibited. Employees should be able to use facilities provided for removing and cleaning contaminated clothing. Respiratory protective equipment should be kept clean, so that contamination cannot get on the face and hence into the mouth. There should be appropriate use of gloves and hair covering. Hand-to-mouth contact should be avoided where there is a risk that hands are contaminated.8Explain the term respirable dust (2)Outline the ways in which the levels of dust in a workplace can be assessed (6)ACT Pg 1609Pg. 160Respirable dust is the fraction of inhaled dust of a small enough size to enter the lungs without being trapped in the nose or the lungs dust defences.There are several qualitative and quantitative ways of measuring the levels of dust: qualitative methods include visual inspection for the presence of dust in the workplace or using a dust lamp to highlight and define dust clouds around a process. Quantitative sampling may be carried out on the individual or for the working area where dust is being generated. A basic method of dust measurement entails collecting a sample of dust over a known period in a known quantity of air and obtaining the weight of the dust. The concentration of airborne dust can then be determined. Direct reading instruments are also available for making spot measurements of dust levels over short periods.10A large item of process machinery is to be cleaned manually with a flammable solvent before being partially dismantled for repairIdentify FOUR possible health effects from exposure to the solvent. (4)Outline the safety precautions that should be taken when using such flammable solvents. (8)Outline further precautions that might be needed in order to ensure the health and safety of those carrying out the maintenance work (8)11Most organic solvents can cause or aggravate dermatitis, and narcotic effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness or even death. There may be an inability to focus the eyes properly. The eyes and mucous membranes in the respiratory tract may be irritated by solvent vapours. Absorption into the body may lead to damage of target organs such as the kidneys or central nervous system.12Safety precautions that should be taken include the following: Potential sources of ignition should be excluded from the site of the work and adequate ventilation (natural or forced) should be provided. The quantity of solvent in the area and in use should be limited. Solvents should be transferred and stored in suitable properly marked containersSuitable fire fighting equipment should be available, capable of dealing with fires involving solvents. Suitable personal protective equipment should be provided, such as gloves, goggles and masks. The employer should ensure adequate information, training, instruction and supervision in the procedures for the safe use of solvents and safe disposal of waste materials.13Further precautions would depend on other hazards involved in the maintenance work. Precautions should be taken against machinery hazards; mechanical such as entanglement or crushing; non-mechanical such as very hot or cold surfaces. Safe access to and egress from the work site should be ensured, along with need to issue a permit-to-work (ptw) for the job. Items to be included in the ptw could be; isolation of the machinery from sources of energy and other services; releasing stored energy; segregation of the area to prevent access by unauthorized persons.Good levels of lighting and ventilation should be provided. Other items of ppe such as hard hats, and safety boots may also be required. Personnel should be competent and trained to deal with emergencies.14Occupational health hazards can be classed as chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic.(a) Give an example of a specific workplace hazard for each class (4)(b) State the primary health effect of exposure for each of the examples given (4)15Chemical hazard asbestos, organic solvents, lead compoundsPhysical hazard noise, vibration, non-ionising radiation, ionising radiation, heat, coldBiological hazard bacteria such as legionella, virus such as hepatitis, fungus such as that which causes Farmers LungErgonomic hazard stresses on the human body from poorly designed workplaces, lifting, repetitive tasks16Chemical hazard asbestos. The lung diseases asbestosis and mesotheliomaPhysical hazard noise. Noise induced hearing loss and tinnitusBiological hazard legionella. Pneumonia like disease of the lungs.Ergonomic hazard lifting. Back injuries, muscle sprains and strains17Explain the following terms in relation to noise exposure at work:noise-induced hearing loss (2)Tinnitus (2)Identify four limitations of personal hearing protection as a means of protecting against the effects of noise (4)18Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is normally caused by prolonged exposure to high noise levels causing damage to the hair cells of the inner ear and leading to a permanent threshold shift at particular frequencies, which gets worse with continued exposure. Tinnitus is typified by ringing, crashing, or rushing sounds heard by the sufferer, caused by over-stimulation of the hair cells. It can be acute or chronic, intermittent or continuous.The main limitations of hearing protection include poor fit, unwillingness of the user to wear it, incompatibility with other items of ppe such as safety spectacles, interference with speech communication, hygiene problems, choice of hearing protection of which does not protect against the most intense and damaging frequency bands of noise; noise conduction through the skull.19In relation to the ill-health effects from the use of vibrating hand-held tools:Identify typical symptoms that might be shown by affected individuals (4)Outline the control measures that may be used to minimise the risk of such effects (4)20Typical symptoms are: numbness and blanching of the fingers and swollen painful joints in the hands, leading to a reduction in manual dexterity and tactile sensation.To minimise these effects, it may be possible to: alter the work process to eliminate or reduce the use of vibrating tools, or perhaps reduce the pressure exerted by the user on the tool; select suitable machinery designed to reduce the degree and characteristics of vibration transmitted to the user; ensure the regular maintenance of tools. Risk can also be reduced by: limiting the time that operators are exposed; ensuring users have the opportunity to warm themselves when working conditions are cold; introducing a health surveillance and health promotion programme (e.g. warning workers of the susceptibility of smokers to vibration-induced syndromes); use of appropriate ppe such as warm clothing and gloves.21Mobile tower scaffolds should be used on safe, level ground.List EIGHT additional points that should be considered to ensure safe use of a mobile tower scaffold (8)22Ensure the correct ratio between the height and the base dimensions of the towerThe use of diagonal braces, stabilisers and locking wheels to ensure the stability of the platformThe provision of toe-boards and handrailsEnsure that the platform is fully boardedPrevent overloadingTake account of overhead obstructions and power linesProvide suitable means of access to the platformEnsure that the tower is not moved when loaded with materials or with people23Outline the issues that should be addressed by an organisation when developing a system for the safe collection and disposal of its waste (8)24The organisation would have to address the following issues: The waste should be identified by its properties, for example classifying it as general waste, or hazardous waste, and also by its form, e.g. liquid, dust, solid. The quantity of waste would need to be known. Different wastes may need to be segregated if they were incompatible. Waste should be kept in suitable containers such as steel drums or in a covered skip, in a secure place resistant to sabotage and trespassers. Waste should be properly marked and labelled before for transport. A suitable licensed waste carrier should be identified who is authorised to removes the waste from site. Other issues would include measures to prevent spills and fires and prevent pollution. Staff should be trained to competence in handling waste safely, and records should be kept of the transfer of waste off the site.25Fluorescent tubes in the roof space of a busy warehouse are to be replaced by maintenance workers using a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP).Identify the potential hazards associated with the task (8)Outline the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the maintenance workers and others who may be affected by the work(12)26Hazards would include working at height with the possibility of falling. The MEWP or workers may come into contact with live electrical fittings. The MEWP may be unstable because of incorrect siting on uneven or sloping floors, or because the workers have not fully extended the outriggers. The workers may be struck by roof members if the MEWP is being moved in an elevated position. Materials may fall from the platform, and used fluorescent tubes would pose the hazards of tripping and of broken glass if discarded on the floor of the platform.There may be a excessive heat near the ceiling of the building, and if the lighting is electrically isolated, inadequate lighting for the job.27The following control measures could be taken. The work should if possible be carried out when the warehouse is empty of other persons. The MEWP should be positioned on level, even floors, and should be moved with due regard to stability, avoiding the risk of the maintenance workers being struck by roof members. Outriggers if fitted should be extended and locked when the MEWP is in position. Guard rails on the platform should be in good repair, and workers should wear restraint belts to prevent them from overstretching from the cage.Arrangements for rescue should be made in the event of emergencies, such as failure of the MEWP while the platform is elevated, and what to do if a worker falls from the platform and is suspended by the restrain harness. There should be safe storage on the platform for new and used tubes. Barriers and warning signs should be erected to prevent other persons from entering the area of danger beneath the MEWP. The maintenance workers should receive suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training to ensure their competence. 28Employees who work for a computer manufacturer are required to solder components, some of which are less than 2mm in size, onto printed circuit boards for up to eight hours a day.Giving reasons in each case, identify the risks to the health and safety of persons undertaking the work. (4)Outline the measures to take to minimise the risks identified in (i)(4)29Risks would include the possibility of upper limb disorders caused by prolonged and repetitive work with the small components. Back injury may be caused by adopting a poor working position at a badly designed workstation, and headaches and eye-strain may be caused by prolonged concentration and close working, especially if the lighting is inadequate.Respiratory illnesses may result from the inhalation of fumes from the soldering process, and burns and scalds from contact with the hot solder and soldering iron. Workers may be at risk from splashes of molten solder in the eyes.30The best control measure would be to automate the process and thus eliminate human contact. If this was not possible, then other measures could be taken.Provide correctly designed workstations and chairs, with suitable lighting. Introduce job rotation to reduce the physical and psychological stresses of long periods spent on one task. Provide local exhaust ventilation to remove harmful fumes. Provide gloves and eye protection to employees.Arrange for health surveillance with periodic eye tests to detect early signs of work related injuries or illness.Provide employees with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training on the hazards, risks and control measures involved in the work.31Outline the precautions necessary for the safe storage and handling of small containers of flammable solvents. (8)32Precautions that should be considered include the following.Suitable containers should be selected. They should be labelled clearly with information about their contents. The amounts stored and used should be restricted to only those necessary for uninterrupted work.The storage area should be separate from work areas, secure against unauthorised entry or vandalism, if possible constructed of fire resisting materials and marked to warn of the presence of flammable substances.Empty containers should be tightly closed and stored securely but separate from full containers.Measures should be taken by forced or natural ventilation to prevent build up of vapours. Spills should be contained by trays or bunds. Spill kits should be available to deal safely with spilt solvents. Fire prevention measures should be in place, such as the exclusion of ignition sources and hot work, and fire detection and fire fighting measures should be provided.Workers should have suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training to enable them to understand the hazards and risks, and use appropriate safety measures.33Outline a range of checks that should be made to ensure electrical safety in an office environment.(8)34Checks would include the following.Cables, plugs and sockets should be visually checked regularly by employees for such things as damage to insulation or evidence of overheating.Sockets should not be overloaded, and equipment should be sited so as to be as close as possible to the power source. Suitably competent persons should check that equipment is suitable for the task and conforms with recognised standards (e.g. EC marking). Additionally, competent persons should check periodically that fuses are of correct rating, and carry out suitable test procedures for portable appliances.There should also be a procedure in place for reporting defects and damage and for putting defective equipment out of use until repaired.35With respect to the health effects on the body from a hazardous substance, explain the meaning of:An acute effect(2)A chronic effect(2)Give two acute and two chronic effects on the body from exposure to lead.(4)36In the case of acute health effects, the adverse effect on, or reaction by the body appear quickly after a single or short term exposure to the substance. Acute effects cease when the substance is removed.Chronic effects usually result from repeated or prolonged exposure. The response is normally gradual, often progressive and irreversible, and may go unrecognised for a long period of time. 37Acute EffectsExposure to lead will cause, headaches, constipation and stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, in the short term.Chronic EffectsExposure to lead over prolonged or a repeated periods will result in anaemia and weight loss, kidney damage, embrittlement of bones and brain damage.38Outline the precautions that should be taken to reduce the risk of injury during lift operations with a mobile jib crane(8)39The precautions would include the following.The crane and associated lifting gear should be suitable for the task and in satisfactory condition.The ground on which the crane is sited should be flat and firm, away from the sides of excavations and from underground voids.The outriggers, if present, should be fully extended and locked in position.The driver, slinger and banksman should be suitably experienced and competent for the work.Work should not take place near overhead lines, or where public thoroughfares are likely to be in the work area. Signs and barriers should be used to keep unauthorised persons out of the area.The lift should be carried out smoothly, avoiding swinging of the load, at an appropriate height, with due consideration for wind speed and direction, and to an arranged lift plan. Recovery plans should be in place for such things as partial loss of load.40Newspapers are printed, bundled and placed on roller conveyors at a publishers where they are transported to an area for despatch to the customer.Identify eight hazards to which employees involved with the transport of the newspapers from the printing room to the despatch room may be exposed.(8)41Hazards would include the following eight.Mechanical hazards trapping between the rollers and load, and entanglement with driven rollers. Workers might also be struck by bundles falling from the conveyor. Electrical hazards may exist from unsafe electrical conductors and motors. There may be excessive noise from the conveyor system and other equipment in the print room. Handling of the bundles of newspapers may cause manual handling injuries and hand injuries from the straps holding the bundles together.Boredom with the work may result in work-related depression.42Outline the main hazards that may be encountered during the demolition of a multi-storey building.(8)43The main hazards would include the following.Hazards associated with work at height would include falls from height and falling debris. There may be a danger of premature collapse of the building if the work does not follow a suitable safety plan.Explosives may be used, with the attendant risks of injury to people and damage to nearby buildings.Hazards would arise from noise, and vibration from from contact with heavy machinery and vibrating tools.Dusts would be a breathing hazard, and may contain hazardous substances such as asbestos.The building may contain harmful materials, infectious substances or waste from previous occupations. Pest infestation may bring with it diseases such as Weils Disease.Cellars may be bring the risk of unexpected collapse when heavy machinery is used on the site. Collapse may also be caused to adjacent buildings because of undermining of foundations.There may be services under or across the site, such as gas or electricity, with the attendant risk of fire, explosion or electrocution.44Identify the possible effects on health arising from exposure to ionising radiation(4)Outline possible means of ensuring that workers are not exposed to unacceptable levels of ionising radiation(4)45Effects on health would include reddening, blistering and ulceration of the skin, cataracts in the eyes, loss of hair, radiation sickness, sterility, mutation and other damage of body cells, and cancers affecting all parts of the body.Control measures should be applied to a hierarchy as follows. Isolation of the source; segregation of the source and persons liable to exposure, shielding of the source or of working areas, reduced time of exposure of workers to the source, personal protective equipment, good hygiene arrangements, health surveillance and monitoring.46Outline the measures to be taken to reduce the risk of accidents associated with the routine maintenance of machinery.(8)47Measures can be taken during the design of work equipment to reduce the risks associated with maintenance. For example, sealed bearing will reduce the need for repeated lubrication in difficult or dangerous parts of the equipment.A permit-to-work system can be used to reduce the risks associated with exposure to energy sources or hazardous substances.Access to the maintenance area can be restricted by the use of barriers and signs.The competence of maintenance workers should be ensured by suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training. Supervision should be considered in very hazardous maintenance, such as working on live electrical conductors.Suitable personal protective equipment, such as gloves, and eye protection should be provided as necessary.48List eight rules to follow when a fork-lift truck is left unattended during a drivers work break (8)49Fork-lift should be returned to a designated areaShould be parked on firm level groundMast should be tilted forward and forks resting on the floorPower should be isolatedIgnition key removedKey kept securelyTruck should be parked away from emergency exitsTruck should not obstruct vehicle routes or walkways.

50A joiner has received an electric shock from a hand-held, 230v drill while fitting floorboards to an upstairs room of a new property. The drill is five years old and has not been tested during this time. The injury to the joiner was fortunately not serious.Identify the factors that may have limited the severity of injury on this occasion.(4)Outline the physical effects on the body that such contact with electricity could have caused under different circumstances (4)Describe the types of inspection and/or test to which the drill should have been subject, identifying the particular features that should be checked for each type, and the factors that might affect the frequencies required.(12)51Factors would include the following. There would have been a high resistance path through wood or composite flooring, which would have lessened the current flow through the joiners body.The shoes and clothing worn by the joiner would also have increased the resistance path.The length of time that current flowed through the body may have been shortened by the action of a fuse or circuit breaker.The health and age of the joiner would be factors affecting the seriousness of the effects. If the joiner had an existing heart condition, this would increase the likelihood of heart failure.The incidence of the shock in relation to the hearts pumping cycle would have altered the effect.52Physical effects on the body would include the following. Tissue burns may be present at the entrance and exit point of current flow, and internal organs may also be damaged. Nerve and muscle action would be disrupted, with muscle spasms. Interruption of heart and lung function may occur, with cardiac arrhythmia or arrest leading to death.53Three types of inspection will minimise the risk of electrical equipments becoming unsafe.The joiner could carry out a visual inspection of the drill every time it is used, checking the power cord, plug and socket, and the body of the drill for damage such as burn marks, cracks in the drill body indicating that it has been dropped or crushed, exposure of bare wires or bent plug pins. Any irregular function of the drill should be also noted at that stage, such as unpredictable variations in speed, sudden stops, or malfunction of the drill trigger.A more formal inspection should take place at intervals dependent on the extent or conditions of use. In the case of a drill used in construction, this should be weekly. In addition to the factors in (a) above, the plug should be opened (unless a moulded plug is fitted) check that the wires are firmly secured. In any case, a check that the plug has a correct fuse rating should be made. 54The third type is a combined inspection and test (PAT), carried out by a competent person at intervals of three or six months, a year, or even three years. In the case of the drill, three months would be suitable.In addition to the inspections carried out in (a) and (b), this inspection would detect hidden faults such as poor earthing, breakdown of internal insulation and possible tracking of electricity along dirt or degraded surfaces in the drill.The factors which might affect frequency of inspections, apart from the frequency and rigours of use, would include the age and robustness of the equipment, the type of cable fitted, the number of users and their competence, manufacturers recommendations, foreseeable misuse or abuse, and the results of previous inspections.55In relation to the use of electrical cables and plugs in the workplace:Identify FOUR examples of faults and bad practices that could contribute to electrical accidents(4)Outline the corresponding precautions that should be taken for EACH of the examples identified in (i)(4)56The Examples could include:Selecting the wrong equipment for the environment (e.g. armoured or heat resistant cable might be required in aggressive environments)Fuses may be incorrect e.g. Rated too high to force the equipment to draw more current and power.Poor earth connection, leading to the risk of live metal casingOverloading of socket outlets, leading to overheating or arcing.Precautions would include:Carry out a risk assessment on the task environment to determine the best optionsPrevent employees from changing fuses. Improve inspection regimeUse a Residual Current Device to detect earth fault and disconnect the equipment; improve inspection and maintenance regimeProvide more individual sockets; ensure mains circuit is rated to take the load required