March 2010

Examiners Report NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NGC2)

Examiners Report
NEBOSH LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PAPER NGC2: CONTROLLING WORKPLACE HAZARDS MARCH 2010

CONTENTS

Introduction

General comments

Comments on individual questions

2010 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW
tel: 0116 263 4700 fax: 0116 282 4000 email: info@nebosh.org.uk website: www.nebosh.org.uk

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health is a registered charity, number 1010444
T(s):exrpts/C/NGC11003 EXTERNAL DW/DA/REW

Introduction

NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as an independent examining board and awarding body with charitable status. We offer a comprehensive range of globally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety, environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the private and public sectors. Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract over 25,000 candidates annually and are offered by over 400 course providers in 65 countries around the world. Our qualifications are recognised by the relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM). NEBOSH is an awarding body recognised and regulated by the UK regulatory authorities: The Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Scotland

NEBOSH follows the GCSE, GCE, VCE, GNVQ and AEA Code of Practice 2007/8 published by the regulatory authorities in relation to examination setting and marking (available at the Ofqual website www.ofqual.gov.uk). While not obliged to adhere to this code, NEBOSH regards it as best practice to do so. Candidates scripts are marked by a team of Examiners appointed by NEBOSH on the basis of their qualifications and experience. The standard of the qualification is determined by NEBOSH, which is overseen by the NEBOSH Council comprising nominees from, amongst others, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Representatives of course providers, from both the public and private sectors, are elected to the NEBOSH Council. This report on the Examination provides information on the performance of candidates which it is hoped will be useful to candidates and tutors in preparation for future examinations. It is intended to be constructive and informative and to promote better understanding of the syllabus content and the application of assessment criteria. NEBOSH 2010

Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to: NEBOSH Dominus Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE10 1QW Tel: 0116 263 4700 Fax: 0116 282 4000 Email: info@nebosh.org.uk

EXTERNAL

General comments

Many candidates are well prepared for this unit assessment and provide comprehensive and relevant answers in response to the demands of the question paper. This includes the ability to demonstrate understanding of knowledge by applying it to workplace situations. There are always some candidates, however, who appear to be unprepared for the unit assessment and who show both a lack of knowledge of the syllabus content and a lack of understanding of how key concepts should be applied to workplace situations. In order to meet the pass standard for this assessment, acquisition of knowledge and understanding across the syllabus are prerequisites. However, candidates need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in answering the questions set. Referral of candidates in this unit is invariably because they are unable to write a full, well-informed answer to one or more of the questions asked. Some candidates find it difficult to relate their learning to the questions and as a result offer responses reliant on recalled knowledge and conjecture and fail to demonstrate a sufficient degree of understanding. Candidates should prepare themselves for this vocational examination by ensuring their understanding, not rote-learning pre-prepared answers. Common pitfalls It is recognised that many candidates are well prepared for their assessments. However, recurrent issues, as outlined below, continue to prevent some candidates reaching their full potential in the assessment. Many candidates fail to apply the basic principles of examination technique and for some candidates this means the difference between a pass and a referral. In some instances, candidates are failing because they do not attempt all the required questions or are failing to provide complete answers. Candidates are advised to always attempt an answer to a compulsory question, even when the mind goes blank. Applying basic health and safety management principles can generate credit worthy points. Some candidates fail to answer the question set and instead provide information that may be relevant to the topic but is irrelevant to the question and cannot therefore be awarded marks. Many candidates fail to apply the command words (also known as action verbs, eg describe, outline, etc). Command words are the instructions that guide the candidate on the depth of answer required. If, for instance, a question asks the candidate to describe something, then few marks will be awarded to an answer that is an outline. Some candidates fail to separate their answers into the different sub-sections of the questions. These candidates could gain marks for the different sections if they clearly indicated which part of the question they were answering (by using the numbering from the question in their answer, for example). Structuring their answers to address the different parts of the question can also help in logically drawing out the points to be made in response. Candidates need to plan their time effectively. Some candidates fail to make good use of their time and give excessive detail in some answers leaving insufficient time to address all of the questions. Candidates should also be aware that Examiners cannot award marks if handwriting is illegible.

EXTERNAL

Paper NGC 2 Controlling workplace hazards

Question 1 A mains electricity powered brushcutter (Strimmer) is to be used to clear undergrowth in the grounds of a workplace. (a) Identify safety features of the brushcutter that will reduce the risk of electric shock to the user. Other than electricity, identify additional hazards associated with the brushcutter that the user could be exposed to. Other than electricity safety features, outline the control measures to reduce the risks to the user when operating the brushcutter. Outline additional control measures to reduce risks to other employees who may be in the vicinity of this work.

(4)

(b)

(6)

(c)

(6)

(d)

(4)

____________________________________________________________________ _ For part (a), candidates were expected to identify safety features of the brushcutter such as its voltage, preferably 110 volts; it is Class II double insulated and has a waterproof casing; it is used in conjunction with a residual current device (RCD); it is properly earthed and provided with a mains cable of robust construction and is fitted with a fuse of the correct rating or connected to a circuit breaker. Features such as double insulation and the use of RCDs were missed by a number of candidates while one or two referred to a plastic rather than a waterproof casing. Part (b) of the question required candidates to identify the additional hazards faced by the user in clearing the undergrowth. These would include contact with the moving parts of the brushcutter such as the rotating blade; the possibility of being struck by flying stones or other material; slips, trips and falls for example caused by contact with the trailing cable; manual handling hazards; exposure to noise from the operation of the motor, vibration through the handles of the machine and dust and biological hazards for instance coming into contact with animal waste. Unfortunately, some candidates did not read the question with sufficient care and identified controls rather than hazards while others did not refer to the additional hazards associated with the brushcutter but rather to those emanating from the environment. For part (c), control measures to reduce the risks to the user of the brushcutter include the selection and maintenance of equipment to reduce to a minimum the levels of noise and vibration; restricting the time spent on the operation; ensuring the guards were correctly positioned before starting the work; the use of a hold to run switch; the provision and use of ear defenders, eye protection, dust mask, gloves, safety footwear, gaiters and high visibility clothing that also afforded protection against the weather; and the provision of information, instruction and training on the hazards associated with the equipment and the control measures to be observed. In answering this part of the question, some candidates concentrated only on the use of personal protective equipment without suitable examples and failing to refer to the other control measures that might be introduced.

EXTERNAL

Part (d) of the question required additional control measures necessary to reduce risks to other employees who might be in the vicinity include: advising them that the work is to be carried out; cordoning the area with barriers and/or tapes and erecting warning signs; providing alternative means of access around the work area; protecting the cable route; carrying out the clearing operation if possible outside normal working hours and using a stand by person to deter other employees from entering the work area. Answers to this part of the question were generally to a reasonable standard though for both parts (c) and (d), there was quite often insufficient detail provided to satisfy an outline question.

Question 2

Hazardous substances can be assigned a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL). (a) Outline control measures that could be considered to ensure that exposure to hazardous substances will not exceed the WEL. Identify TWO classifications of hazardous substances that require exposure to be reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

(6)

(b)

(2)

Control measures to ensure exposure to hazardous substances will not exceed the WEL include providing a total enclosure for the process where this is possible and limiting the need for persons to enter enclosed areas for example to carry out maintenance; minimising emissions and generation of the hazardous substance for example, by temperature control or by applying the substance with a brush rather than spraying; minimising the number of persons exposed and the length of their exposure by the use of job rotation and the provision of frequent breaks; providing adequate dilution or local exhaust ventilation; providing suitable respiratory protective equipment such as air fed or cartridge respirators and preventing skin contact during the use of substances that may be absorbed through the skin. Answers to this part of the question were generally poor with few candidates showing an understanding of WELs. Some did not even attempt to answer. For part (b), candidates could have identified carcinogenic substances or those causing cancer which carry the risk phrase R45 or R49; respiratory sensitisers or asthmagens (R42 or R42/43) and mutagenic substances (R46). Answers were again poor and of those that were submitted, many referred to specific hazardous substances rather than to the classifications as required.

Question 3

Identify possible hazards that could cause employees to be injured when walking through an external storage area of a workplace.

(8)

This question required candidates to identify factors that may increase the risk of injury to employees who need to walk through the external storage area of a workplace. Answers were generally to a good standard and included reference to the condition of the floors with the possible presence of pot holes, loose coverings, oil and water; the presence of obstructions in the walkways; changes in levels such as ramps, kerbs or steps; a failure to provide barriers or fences round pits, voids or trenches; the possibility of being struck by moving vehicles or by loads falling from them because of a failure to segregate vehicles from pedestrians by the provision of suitable walkways; objects projecting or falling from racking; a lack of housekeeping; a poor standard of lighting; and inclement weather conditions.

EXTERNAL

Question 4

(a)

Outline defective conditions of non-powered hand tools that could present risks to the user. Outline the requirements for the safe use of non-powered hand tools.

(4)

(b)

(4)

In answering the first part of the question, candidates could have outlined defective conditions such as split shafts on tools such as on a hammer or an axe; loose heads on tools, again with the hammer or axe in mind; handles missing from files; burred or mushroomed heads on chisels; blunt blades on chisels, saws or knives; split handles on tools; bent spanners or spanners with splayed jaws; worn sockets and screwdrivers; and corroded tools. Most candidates provided answers to a reasonable standard though a few tended to rely on generalisations such as broken parts or blunt tools. Despite the wording of the question, there were a few who included reference to powered tools. For part (b), requirements for the safe use of non-powered hand tools include selecting the appropriate or suitable tool for the task; ensuring that the users carry out regular inspection of the tools; introducing a programme of routine maintenance and replacing those tools that are found to be defective; arranging for storage facilities for the tools to be available; and training the users in the safe use and inspection of hand tools. Again most candidates coped well but they must bear in mind that a general reference to training will not be awarded a mark unless the subject matter of the training is included.

Question 5

Identify the main hazards that may be present during the demolition of a building.

(8)

This appeared to be a popular question with most candidates able to identify that the main hazards associated with the demolition of a building include falls from a height or on the same level; falling debris and premature collapse of the structure; use of explosives; contact with and noise from equipment and heavy plant; dust possibly including asbestos; manual handling; the presence of hazardous materials from previous uses of the building; the presence of cellars or vaults affecting the stability of structures and adjoining premises; the presence of storage tanks both above and below ground and their current or previous contents; the possible presence of services such as electricity, gas and water; hot work and biological hazards from the presence of stagnant water and vermin.

Question 6

(a)

Outline the requirements for an adequate means of escape from inside a place of work to a final exit door. Identify the issues to consider for the location of an assembly point for use in a workplace evacuation.

(4)

(b)

(4)

A good answer to part (a) of this question would have outlined requirements such as an unobstructed escape route with consideration given to the needs of the disabled and with alternative routes available; ensuring that travel distances were kept to a minimum; protected corridors and stairways of sufficient width with internal self closing smoke doors; the provision of adequate directional signage and emergency lighting; and exit doors fitted with simple catches and opening outwards. Some

EXTERNAL

candidates, however, referred to fire drills and the appointment of fire marshals rather than to the qualities of the escape routes themselves. For part (b), most candidates were able to refer to issues to be considered for the location of assembly points such as unenclosed positions in the open air at a safe distance from the building and large enough to accommodate all employees; direct access from final exits to assembly points which should be accessible to all occupants of the premises; and ensuring that the assembly points are marked and signposted, do not obstruct emergency services and do not put employees at risk from passing traffic.

Question 7

(a)

An organisation has identified it must measure noise levels in their workplace. Give the meaning of the following terms: (i) (ii) (iii) frequency; decibel (dB); A Weighting. (2) (2) (2) (2)

(b)

Identify TWO types of noise measurement techniques.

For part (a)(i) of the question, frequency is the pitch of the sound or the way it sounds, is measured in the number of cycles per second and expressed in Hertz (Hz). A decibel is a unit of measurement of the intensity of sound, measured on a logarithmic rather than a linear scale. For (a)(iii), the A weighting scale is a method of measurement used to match the characteristics of the human ear. The measured sound is filtered so that the sound level meter is less sensitive to very high and very low frequencies. For part (b), candidates could have identified noise measurement techniques such as the use of a hand held meter to carry out spot checks; the use of personal noise dosemeters to give a time weighted average; the use of an octave band or frequency analyser and the use of a pressure meter to measure static sound levels. Answers to this question as a whole were particularly disappointing. Candidates demonstrated a lack of technical knowledge on the subject of noise while noise measurement techniques were poorly understood.

Question 8

Outline how fires could be caused by electricity.

(8)

In their outline of how fires might be caused by electricity, candidates were expected to give relevant causes such as inadequate specification or poor design of electrical equipment and systems; defective wiring such as damaged cables or loose connections; system faults such as short circuits; ignition of flammable or combustible materials due to arcing, sparking from switches or motors and static electricity; incorrect fuse rating; coiled extension leads; overloaded electrical sockets generally with multiple adaptors; unsafe modifications to the system such as unauthorised wiring and fuse replacement; poor or blocked ventilation on equipment leading to overheating and lack of adequate maintenance both of fixed installations and portable appliances.

EXTERNAL

Most candidates provided reasonable answers for this question though there were a few who did not pay sufficient attention to its wording and discussed the causes of fires in general instead of those caused by electricity while others again provided a list rather than an outline.

Question 9

In relation to work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs): (a) identify the typical signs and symptoms that might be experienced by affected individuals; identify the factors that could increase the risk of WRULDs.

(4) (4)

(b)

For part (a), candidates were expected to identify typical symptoms such as pain to the back, neck and shoulders and/or arms, swollen joints, reduced mobility and stiffness, cramps and muscle fatigue and loss of strength in the hands and grip. Such conditions will typically affect sleep and normal functioning. Some incorrect symptoms were identified, a few candidates only identified pain and then listed various parts of the body where the pain might occur while others suggested symptoms associated with HAVS rather than WRULDs. Better answers to part (b) took a broad view and referred not only to factors such as workstation layout and the failure to provide sufficient breaks but also to issues such as space constraints resulting in poor working postures; excessive force or awkward hand movements needed to carry out an operation; poorly designed tools and equipment; the frequency with which tasks needed to be repeated; the use of vibrating tools and equipment; the involvement of vulnerable workers such as those with pre-existing medical conditions and pregnant women; environmental factors such as working in areas where the temperature is low; and a lack of training in the precautionary measures that should be taken to reduce the possibility of suffering from WRULDs. Some candidates based their answers round DSE workstations only and did not consider the wider factors that might influence and increase the risk.

Question 10

Outline the factors that may reduce the effectiveness of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system.

(8)

In answering this question, most candidates were able to outline a range of factors that might reduce the effectiveness of a local exhaust ventilation system including damage to the ducting; blocked, damaged, unsuitable or incorrectly installed filters; fan inefficiency perhaps through wear or corrosion of the blades; inappropriate initial design which may be exacerbated by process changes; unauthorised alterations such as increasing the number of outlets; incorrect use such as a failure to position the hood close enough to the source of emission; a build up of contaminant in the ducting and a blocked or obstructed outlet; incorrect settings for example of the dampers and a failure to provide a system of regular maintenance, inspection and testing. Some candidates provided a drawing of a LEV system and while this was not required by the question, it did give them the opportunity to consider all aspects of the system and identify where deficiencies could occur.

Question 11

Identify EIGHT ways in which a fork-lift truck may become unstable during operation.

(8)

EXTERNAL

Candidates, and there were many, who adopted a structured approach that considered the load, the environment and the vehicle itself tended to produce more complete answers.

Typical issues mentioned were; insecure, excessive or uneven loading and a failure to position the load correctly on the forks; incorrect elevation of the forks when travelling; uneven or unconsolidated ground; crossing or turning on slopes or ramps at an angle; obstructions both overhead and at low level or changes in level for example, edges of loading bays; cornering at excessive speeds; sudden braking; poor condition of tyres and mechanical failure and collision with other vehicles.

EXTERNAL

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health Dominus Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE19 1QW telephone +44 (0)116 2634700 fax +44 (0)116 2824000 email info@nebosh.org.uk www.nebosh.org.uk