UNIT IGC1: MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Element 1: Foundations in Health and Safety

1. Replacement or repair of damaged plant and equipment is a cost that an organization may
face following a workplace accident.

List EIGHT possible costs to the organization following a workplace accident (or) (8)
Identify the possible cost to an organization following an accident in the workplace. (or) (8)
Identify possible costs to an organization resulting from inadequate health and safety
standards. (8)

(In Test book go to page 1-5)

Direct Costs:
 Fines in the criminal courts.
 First- aid or medical cost.
 Workers sick pay.
 Overtime to make up for the lost time.
 Lost production time whilst dealing with the injury.
 Compensation payable to the victim.
 Increase in insurance premium and indemnity payment.

Indirect Costs:
 Loss of staff morale in the organization.
 Damage to public image and business reputation.
 Cost of recruiting and training temporary or replacement of labour.
 Cost of remedial action following an investigation.
 General difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.
 Compliance with any enforcement notice served.

2. Explain the three good reasons for preventing accident in the workplace (or) (8)
Explain the reasons for maintaining and promoting good standards of health and safety in the
workplace. (8)

The reason for maintaining the work place from preventing the accidents should be structured around the
moral, social and economic reasons within the organization.

Moral:

The moral reason is to provide a reasonable standard of care and reduce the injuries, pain to workers
suffering from workplace accidents and ill-health.

Legal:
The legal reason is that to avoid any enforcement action and civil claims.

Economical:
The economic benefits include but not limited to, more motivated workforce, increase in production rates,
and reduce in premium rates and to avoid any costs associated with work place accidents.

Also by maintaining the work place by preventing accidents shall increase the company reputation and
maintaining the image and reputation of the company with its various stakeholders, Improve the good
safety culture in the organization.

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3. Give the meaning of the following term: (10)

(a) Health:

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.

(b) Safety:

The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.

(c) Welfare:
Statutory procedure or social effort designed to promote the basic physical and material well-being of
workers in need.
Ex: Provision of portable drinking water, Restroom etc.

(d) Environmental Protection:

Environmental protection refers to any activity to maintain or restore the quality of environmental
media through preventing the emission of pollutants or reducing the presence of polluting substances
in environmental media.
Ex: changes in production techniques.

(e) Near Misses:

A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage – but had the
potential to do so.
Example: A stone falls from height and close to your body but there is no accident or damage to the
property.

(f) Commuting Accidents

Every accident is referred to as commuting accident, which an insured person suffers on the way to or
from the place of the insured activity. These are mainly road accidents, which represent more than half
of the commuting accidents.

Or
A commuting accident is an accident an employee suffers while travelling to or from his place of work.

(g) Hazard
Something that has the potential to cause harm including ill health, injury, loss of product and/or
damage to plant and property e.g. substances, machines, methods of work etc.

For example:
Loud noise is a hazard because it can cause hearing loss.

(h) Risk
The likelihood of harm occurring and its severity. (Severity x likelihood)

For example:
Cement there is a risk that it may cause harm but the level of risk depend on the circumstances

4. Outline:
1. Workers responsibility
2. Outline the health and safety responsibilities of workers. (4)

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 (In Test book go to page 1-8)

- Take responsible care of their own safety and that of other people who might be affected by
the things that they do and the things that they fail to do.
- Comply with Organization safety instruction and procedures.
- Report any situation which they believe could be a hazard and which they cannot themselves
correct.
- Report any work-related accident or ill health.
- Use all safety equipment properly and not tamper with it.

3. Employers responsibility
4. Outline the health and safety responsibilities of employers towards workers at work. (4)

(In Test book go to page 1-8)

- To Provide and maintain workplaces, machinery and equipment and use working methods
that are safe.
- Give necessary instruction, training and supervision in application and use of health and safety
measures.
- Introduce organisational arrangements relevant to activities and size of undertaking
- Provide PPE and clothing without charge to workers.
- Ensure that work organisation, particularly working hours and rest breaks, does not adversely
affect occupational safety and health.
- Take reasonably practical measures with a view to eliminating excessive physical and mental
fatigue.
- Keep up-to-date of scientific and technical knowledge to comply with the above.

5. Outline why it is important that all the persons in an organization are aware of their roles and
responsibilities for health and safety. (8)

- By knowing their responsibilities is the right education and will preserve the employee free
from ill health.
- The awareness shall protect themselves and those around them from harm.
- The employees shall cooperate with employer including reporting any situation that present
imminent risk.
- The employee shall actively participate and exercise all health and safety related matters and
committees.
- The employee shall work towards and achieve the health and safety standards set by the
employer.
- The employee to be familiar with occupational health and safety legislation compliance while
at work.
- It will ensure them to keep the work place and the equipments are well maintained without
risk.
- To avoid any misuse of workplace welfare facilities provided.

6. Outline the insured and uninsured cost by the employer. (8)

Insured costs are,
- Employers liability
- Public / Third party liability
- Contractors all risk
- Plant and building damage
- Tool and equipment
Uninsured costs
- Product and material damage

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 - Emergency supplies
- Production delays
- Overtime and temporary labour
- Investigation time
- Supervisors time diverted

7. Explain Employers Liability Insurance. (3)

- Employers’ liability insurance is designed to protect workers who have suffered a personal loss.
- The purpose of employers’ liability insurance is to satisfy requirements for employers to carry
appropriate insurance so that a worker, who is harmed due to the fault of their employer, is assured
of receiving compensation even though the employer might have insufficient resources to pay
compensation directly.
- This form of insurance also enables to pay any legal fees and court fines.

Element 2: Health and Safety Management systems 1- Policy

1. Outline the purpose of an organizations health and safety policy.
- The purpose of the health and safety policy of an organization is to create a structure and its
approach to health and safety.
- Protecting the safety and health of all members of the organization by preventing work related
injuries, ill health.
- Complying with relevant occupational safety and health national and international laws.
- The policy providing frame work for setting and reviewing OSH objectives.
- Ensuring that workers and their representatives are consulted and encouraged to participate.
- Allows the organization to improve the health and safety standards continuously.
- It demonstrates management commitment to the policy objective.
- To ensure clear definition of the organizations goals, set our responsibilities for health and safety
matters.
2. Outline the issues that are typically included in the health and safety arrangements section
of a policy

(In Test book go to page 2-7)

- Carrying out risk assessment (Planning and organizing for health and safety).
- Identifying and supplying health and safety information, instruction and training.
- Accident and near miss reporting as per the internal reporting procedure, recording and
investigation.
- Consultation with workers on occupational health and safety matters.
- Developing safe system of work and permit to work system to control hazards in the workplace.
- Details of specific hazards to the organisation, e.g. hazardous substances or lone working.
- Carrying out specialist risk assessment such as those on hazardous substances.
- Control of contractors and visitors.
- Provision of personal protective equipment and safety related training.
- Identify and take appropriate control measures against specific type of hazards (e.g. Machinery,
Hazardous Substance, Manual Handling, Fire etc.,)
- Compliance monitoring, including auditing of system but also the measuring of workplace
parameters, e.g. noise, to assess the effectiveness of the arrangements.
- Communication of health and safety matters including hazards and control measures.
3. Explain the purpose of the following sections of health and safety policy Or Identify the
three main sections of an organization’s health and safety policy AND Outline the purpose of
EACH
(In Test book go to page 2-4)

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 - Statement of Intent: Demonstrates management commitment towards health and safety and sets
goals and objectives of the organization.

- Organization: The purpose to which is to allocate the health and safety responsibilities within the
company and reporting lines.

- Arrangements: Set out in detail the systems and procedures to show how the policy is being
implemented. (General arrangements are Planning, Organizing, 4C’s, Accident and reporting and
Specific arrangements are fire, electricity, manual handling, work at height)

4. Outline the main components of a health & Safety management system. (or) (8)
Outline the key elements of a health and safety management system. (8)
(In Test book go to page 2-1)

- Policy: The Company should have health and safety policies which contributes the company business
performance. This would allow the companies to satisfy the expectation of shareholders, workers
and customers. The policy must be cost effective and aimed to achieve the health and safety
standards. The health and safety policies influence all the work activities and decisions of the
company.
- Organizing: Organization those are successful in achieving high standards of health and safety are
structured and operated so as to put their health and safety policies into effective practice. It must be
organized by putting effective communication and promotes the competency of workers which
would enable the workers to contribute their effort.
- Planning and Implementation: The successful organizations adopt a planned and systematic
approach to implement the policy as per their planned action. Health and safety performance
standards are established in each level and measured periodically to ensure the implementation and
the standards are achieved as per the company policy and the action plan.
- Evaluation (Monitoring, Review, Measurement, Investigation): Proper recording and monitoring
system / mechanism to be established to measure and record health and safety performance on a
regular basis. Responsibility, accountability and authority for monitoring at different levels in the
management structure should be allocated. Health and safety performance in organizations that
manage health and safety successful is measured against pre-determined standards. Best health and
safety practices to be applied in all the levels of management system. Continuous review of health
and safety management system is essential and this will provide to achieve better health and safety
standards.
- Audit: The formal process is specifically designed to determine the extent to which the health and
safety management system, or elements of it, are compliant with standards (in place, adequate and
effective)
- Action for improvement: Health and safety management system audits and management reviews
should be established to ensure the management system continues to be effective. Arrangements
should be established to aid the continual improvement of health and safety management system.

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5. Outline the circumstances that may require a health and safety policy to be reviewed. (8)
(In Test book go to page 2-7)
 Technological changes, e.g. introduction of new plant or processes.
 Organisational changes, e.g. changes to key personnel, such as a new CEO or MD, or changes to the
management structure of the organisation.
 Legal changes, such as the introduction of new legislation applicable to the organisation.
 Changes to the type of work that the organisation does.
 Where an audit, investigation or risk assessment suggests the policy is no longer effective.
 When requested by a third party, such as an insurance company or client.
 Following enforcement action.
 Following consultation with the workforce.
 After the passage of time (e.g. an annual review is a common practice).

Element 3: Health and Safety Management systems 2- Organising

1. Outline the health and safety roles and responsibilities of: (In Test book go to page 3-2)

(a) Directors and senior managers; (6)

- To make sure that the company is complying with the moral and legal requirements for health
and safety.
- Ensure effective implementation of health and safety policy within the company.
- To make employees understand that the management is not only responsible but also
accountable for health and safety matters.
- To ensure that the effective OSH training plans are in place for all employees.
- To ensure that the company is giving health and safety as one of the top priority.
- To ensure that the workers may feel at ease in raising the health and safety issues to them and an
effective method of employees consultation is in place.

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 - Leads by example by showing commitment by getting involved in all OSH campaigns / events.
- Carry out regular H & S meetings so that the issues can be addressed timely manner.
- Involve and to be a part of health and safety committee to provide the platform to resolve health
and safety issues.
- To carry out safety tours to meet workers and compare the theory with the reality.
- To ensure that organization’s motivation activities are there in place.

(b) Supervisors; (6)

- To implement the safe system of work e.g. works to be carried out as per approved system work.
- To provide escorts to the visitors coming to the site.
- To take reasonable care for all OSH matters of the employees working under his supervision.
- To make sure that the employees with special risks like young workers, disabled and pregnant
ladies.
- Conduct regular tool box talks and to communicate all the health and safety issues to the
workers.
- To take initiatives in carrying out the jobs safely in consultation with the workers.
- To be a part of team conducting risk assessments so that his knowledge and experience will be
helpful in foreseeing the risks associated with the activities.
- To take disciplinary actions for all the breach of health and safety issues by the workers.
- To assist in solving issues regarding the safety of equipment at workplace.
- Issue and ensure all personal protective equipment are used while at work and are maintained.

(c) Person(s) with primary health and safety functions, eg health and safety officer. (4)
- To advise on health and safety issues implementation to the site management, supervisors and
health and safety manager
- To play his role in implementing health and safety policy, procedures within the company
- To carry out induction trainings for the workers/visitors coming at the workplace
- To carry out daily inspection of plant and premises in order to highlight the issues that require
urgent attention and can lead to accidents at workplace
- To keep record of accident, incident and near miss and other health and safety records
- To prepare health and safety reports for the company on monthly, weekly basis according to the
requirement
- To monitor the welfare facilities provided to the employees and provide recommendations for
improvement
- To notify company and legal/regulatory authorities about the accidents/dangerous occurrences
in the workplace
- To carry out safety surveys and safety tours in coordination with health and safety manager and
top management
- To notify the supervisors about any changes in the applicable health and safety legislation so that
the supervisor can implement the same within his group of employees
- To carry out health and safety audits for effective implementation of health and safety
management system
- To carry out health and safety trainings

2. Identify precautions that could be taken to help to ensure the health and safety of visitors
to a work place. (8)
- Identify visitors by signing in and out.
- Provision of badges.
- Provide escorts to supervise visitors throughout the site.
- Restrict access to areas where higher risk activities take place.
- Provide training related fire emergency procedure.
- Provide suitable PPE to the visitors while they are inside the site visit.
- Provide different reflective jacket to identify visitors clearly on site.

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3. Identify a range of methods that an employer can use to provide health and safety
information directly to individual workers (8)
(In Test book go to page 3-16)
- Notice boards;
- Team Briefings;
- Training Sessions (including induction training);
- Tool box talks;
- News letter;
- Safety Campaign;
- Posters;
- Competition and signs;
- One to One briefing such as in appraisal session.

4. Outline why it is important that all persons are aware of their roles and responsibilities
for health and safety in an organization (8)

(In Test book go to page 3-16)

- By knowing their responsibilities is the right education and will preserve the employee free
from ill health.
- The awareness shall protect themselves and those around them from harm.
- The employees shall cooperate with employer including reporting any situation that present
imminent risk.
- The employee shall actively participate and exercise all health and safety related matters and
committees.
- The employee shall work towards and achieve the health and safety standards set by the
employer.
- The employee to be familiar with occupational health and safety legislation compliance while
at work.
- It will ensure them to keep the work place and the equipments are well maintained without
risk.
- To avoid any misuse of workplace welfare facilities provided.

5. Two Organizations share the same worksite.

Outline how the organizations could work together to help ensure the workplace is safe and healthy.

- The organization should take as far as reasonably practicable to ensure competency of its
employees and is satisfied with the works that are being carried out properly.
- Ensure there is full cooperation in order to discharge their duties under good practice or
where appropriate relevant statutory provisions.
- Proper risk assessment to be conducted and provision for serious and imminent danger.
- All the contractors should coordinate and cooperate where they have common workplace to
satisfy themselves that arrangements are adequate.
- Organization should ensure that all relevant workers and in particular, competent workers
appointed are aware and fully take part.
- To ensure the contractors must take reasonable steps to inform other employers concerned of
risks to their workers’ health or safety that may arise out of their scope of work.
- Organize and ensure that required first aid materials and first aider in place.
- All the workers are trained for emergency procedure and hazardous present at site.
- Ensure that quality of supervision is in place and the works which are carried out are as per
the allowed system of work.

6. Give the meaning of the term ‘Perception’ (2)

(In Test book go to page 3-13)
- The meaning of the term ‘Perception’ is the way that a person views a situation (or)

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 - The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.

7. Identify ways in which workers’ perceptions of hazards in the work place might be
improved. (6)
(In Test book go to page 3-15)

- Providing appropriate information to workers.

- By providing training
- Instruction
- By conducting Drills
- Disciplinary actions
- By providing Incentives

8. A serious accident has occurred. During the investigation it is found that an inspection of
the work site had taken place before the accident.
Outline possible reasons why the inspection did not lead to an unsafe situation being
corrected. (8 marks)

The possible reasons are

- Inspection was done by an incompetent person.
- Inspection did not identify the hazards which could have lead to the incident.
- Inspection must have done using an outdated checklist.
- The result of the inspection was not communicated to the management.
- Lack of management commitment to take necessary action to implement the control measures
identified in the inspection.
- Poor employees health and safety culture towards the identified control measures.
- The control measures recommended are not enough to eliminate the hazards
- Poor health and safety culture within the organization

9. Outline ways in which the health and safety culture of an organization might be improved. (8)
(In Test book go to page 3-15)

- Establishing and implementing a good 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;
- Providing effective supervision and training;
- Providing a pleasant working environment with good welfare facilities;
- Procedure and standards for all aspects of critical work and mechanisms for reviewing;
- Effective monitoring systems to check the implementation of the procedure and standards;
- Incident investigation and the effective use of information drawn from such investigations
- Adequate and effective supervision with the authority to remedy deficiencies when found

10. Outline ways in which an organization could encourage workers to be involved in setting
and maintaining high standards of health and safety. (8)

- Good levels of supervision, health and safety information’s and training which may affect the
health and safety awareness and therefore culture
- No blame culture for reporting incidents
- Good levels of communication, cooperation and control. Consultation and involvement of the
work force in health and safety matters.

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 - Management commitment to health and safety, including formal aspects such as health and
safety policy, organizational structure and job descriptions
- Clarification of responsibilities.
- Adequate resources ( budget, people and facilities) made available for the effective
management of health and safety
- Compliance with relevant health and safety law and the safety rules and procedures of the
organization.
- Involving workers in health and safety decisions (by consultation, team meetings, for example)

11. An organization needs to review its provision of health and safety training for its workers.
a. Identify factors that should be considered when developing an extensive programme
of health and safety training. (In Test book go to page 3-20) (8)

 Type and function of the organisation.

 Hazard and risk profile of the organisation, e.g. if woodworking machinery is used, training in its safe
use should be provided.
 Accident history of the organisation, which may indicate areas where awareness is lacking or training
is needed.
 Any statutory training requirements, e.g. for first aiders.
 Level of training previously provided, together with the details of which employees have been
trained and when.
 The type of chemicals or any other kind of hazardous chemicals in use.
 Need for a third party training if required.
 Legal requirements as well as statutory obligations in place.

b. Identify measures that might be used to assess the effectiveness of health and safety
training. (In Test book go to page 3-20) (4)
 Reduction in accident and absence rates.
 Increased awareness of the topic covered, e.g. an increased number of worker comments/concerns
highlighted.
 Improved compliance to safe systems of work.
 Post-training evaluation by trainers, the trainees themselves and their supervisors;
 Levels of compliance with laid-down procedures (e.g. wearing PPE);
 The results of attitude surveys;
 Number of quality suggestion made, concerns raised by employees with respect to health and
safety.

c. Identify checks that could be made to help to assess whether a person is competent. (4)
(In Test book go to page 1-4 Jargon buster)

- Knowledge
- Ability
- Training
- Experience
- Fitness records;
- Legislation awareness;
- Knowledge about health and safety compliance that may required for work;
- Awareness about safe system of work;

d. Give reasons why it is important for an employer to keep a record of the training
provided to each worker. (4)
(In Test book go to page 3-20)
 It is important to keep records of any training given, not only to record who has been trained but also
to update and show progress against the training plan.

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  Training records should detail the level of competence achieved
 The date of the training and highlight when any refresher training is required.
 These records may be used to demonstrate to regulators that adequate training was provided
 To prove in a civil claim or an accident investigation that an employee had received training.
 To provide it to clients to conform competency of the staffs.

12. Identify factors that could have contributed to the deterioration of the health and safety
culture within the organization. (In Test book go to page 3-6) (6)
 Lack of leadership from management.
 Presence of a blame culture.
 Lack of management commitment to safety (e.g. saying one thing and doing another).
 Health and safety receiving lower priority than other business issues.
 Organizational changes (frequent or poorly communicated change can result in uncertainty).
 High staff turnover rates.
 Lack of resources, e.g. too few workers due to downsizing.
 Lack of worker consultation.
 Interpersonal issues, e.g. peer group pressure, bullying or harassment.
 Poor management systems and procedures.
 External influences, e.g. economic climate resulting in difficult operating conditions.

13. Identify how induction training programmes for new workers can help to reduce the
number of accidents in the work place. (8)
 Better understanding and involvement raises all workers job satisfaction resulting in reduced
accidents in work place.
 Training would benefit the new workers to understand the system of work and controls needed to
reduce risk.
 Training will help the new workers to understand the welfare arrangements aids health, safety and
hygiene.
 Induction training allows workers to reach experienced workers standard more quickly.
 Increases the flexibility of staff.
 Induction training will help them to understand and evacuate the premises in case of emergencies.
 Will help them to comply with health and safety requirements;
 Induction training helps the new workers to understand the legislation requirements and to avoid
any legal or court fines.
 Will help to increase the moral of the workforce.

14. Identify the barriers to effective verbal communication. (In Test book go to page 3-16) (6)
 Language barrier may exist.
 Jargon may not be understood.
 Strong accent or dialect may interfere.
 Background noise may interfere.
 Recipient may have poor hearing.
 Message may be ambiguous.
 Recipient may miss information.
 Recipient may forget information.
 No written record as proof.
 Poor transmission quality if by telephone or PA system.

15. (a) Identify FOUR types of health and safety information that could be displayed on a
board within a workplace. (page no:3-17) (4)

 Emergency procedures
 Employers liability insurance
 Health and safety policy
 Safety representatives

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  First aiders
 Minutes of safety committee meeting
 First aid information
 Accident statistics
 Specific site hazards and controls
(b) Identify how the effectiveness of notice boards as a method of communicating health
and safety information can be increased. (4)

 Notice board information must be up to date and maintained in legitimate condition;

 Notice board information should be written in appropriate language where the employees can read
and understand;
- Where possible provide pictures to describe the information which would make easy to
understand the issues correctly;
 Information should be bold, clear and concise and easy to read and understand;
 Provide work place incident / accident information with pictures;
 Training schedule (both internal and external).

16. (a) Identify two main purpose of first aid treatment. (In Test book go to page 3-23) (2)

 Preserve life.
 Prevent deterioration.
 Promote recovery.
(b) Outline factors to be considered when carrying out an assessment of first aid
requirements in work place. (In Test book go to page 3-24) (6)

 General risk level of the workplace.

 Hazards present in the workplace.
 Accident history.
 Specific procedures required, e.g. some toxic materials have specific antidotes or first-aid
protocols.
 Presence of vulnerable persons.
 Number of workers in the workplace.
 Work patterns and shift systems of workers.
 Geographic location of the workplace.
 Spread of the workplace.

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Element 4: Health and Safety Management systems 3- Planning

1. Outline the key stages of general risk assessment process, AND identify the issues
that would need to be considered at EACH stage. (In Test book go to page 4-10) (8)

 Identify the Hazards (Mechanical hazards, Electrical hazards, Thermal hazards, noise and
vibration, radiation,)
 Decide who may be harmed and how (operatives/ workers, maintenance staff, cleaners,
contractors, visitors/public)
 Evaluate the risks and decide whether precautions are adequate or whether more should be done
(Likelihood* consequence)
 Record the findings
 Review the assessment and revise it if necessary

2. Outline the factors to be considered when assessing the risk of long distance
transport vehicle driver. (8)
The factors to be considered when assessing the risk of long distance transport vehicle driver are,
 Duration of the journey
 The demands of the road (complexity, road conditions etc.)
 Means of communication and security issues
 Physical fitness & health condition
 Level of training provided
 Valid driving license
 Work Experience
 Location & route map awareness
 Vehicle physical fitness certificate
 Vehicle - No near due for maintenance
 Ergonomic factors (e.g. tail lifts)
 Sufficient fuel availability

3. (a) Explain, using the examples, the meaning of the term ‘risk'. (In Test book go to page 4-7) (2)
Risk is the likelihood of the hazard will cause harm in combination with severity of injury,
damage or loss that might foreseeably occur.
Eg; the chances of someone are being killed by coming in to contact with electricity.

(b) Outline the factors that should be considered when selecting individuals to assist
in carrying out risk assessment in the workplace. (6)
The factors to be considered are
 The level of training in health and safety generally, and in carrying out risk assessments in
particular.
 Experience of the process/ activity.
 The possession of technical knowledge of the plant or equipment involved
 The ability to interpret standards, regulations and guidance.
 Communication and reporting skills
 Commitment to the task and attention to detail.
 Awareness of the individual’s owns limitations and the occasions when specialist assistance
might be required.
 Accessing sources of information such as organizational or legislation, codes of practice and in-
house information, including accidents records.
 Interpretation of any local regulations and standards.

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4. Outline the criteria which must be met for the assessment to be ‘suitable and sufficient’.
(4) (In Test book go to page 4-9)
It should be good enough to fulfill legal requirements and prevent foreseeable injuries and ill health
from happening. In particular it should:
 State the name and competence of the assessor
 Identify the significant hazards and risks arising out of or connected with the work, i.e those
which are most likely to occur and result in harm being at an acceptable low level
 Identify all those persons who could be at risk, including workers and others such as visitors.
Vulnerable people such as young people should also be identified.
 Evaluate the effectiveness of current controls.
 Identify other protective measures that are required to control the risk to an acceptable level.
 Record the significant findings of the risk assessment.
 Be appropriate to the nature of the work and remain proportionate to the risks.
 State the period of time for which it is likely to remain valid.
5. (a) Identify work activities that may present a particular risk to pregnant women at
work AND give an example of EACH type of activity. (In the test book page no 4-16) (6)
 Certain hazardous chemical (eg. Lead)
 Certain biological agents (eg. The rubella virus)
 Manual handling (eg. Carrying heavy objects)
 Extreme of temperature (eg. Working under sunlight)
 Night shift work (eg. Call centres)
 Lone working (eg. Kitchen work)
 Violence
 stress
(b) Outline the actions that an employer may take when a risk to a new or expectant
mother cannot be avoided. (In the test book page no 4-16) (2)
 Change the type of work- regular job rotation should be done to avoid boredom in their work
 Change the hours of work-the shift hours should be reduced to avoid tiredness
 Suspend the pregnant women from the workplace-suspend them for maternity leave for some
period of time
 Rest time-provide enough rest / break times to reduce the stress due to their work.
6. Give the meaning of the term ‘safe system of work’. (In the test book page no 4-25) (2)
A safe system of work is a formal procedure based on a systematic examination of work in order to
identify the hazards. It defines safe methods of working which eliminate those hazards or minimize
the risks associated with them.
7. Outline sources of information that could be consulted when developing a safe system of work. (In
the test book page no- 4-24) (6)
Internal information sources include:
• Accident records.
• Medical records.
• Absence records.
• Risk assessments.
• Maintenance reports.
• Safety representative inspections.
• Audit reports.
• Safety committee meeting minutes.
External information sources include:
• National legislation (e.g. regulations).
• Material safety data sheets from manufacturers.
• National codes of practice and guidance notes.

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 • National and international regulatory bodies, e.g. HSE in the UK, OSHA in Europe
• Manufacturers’ operating instructions.
• Trade associations.
• Safety journals and magazines.

8. Outline information that should be given to employees in a training session on a safe system of work.
(In the test book page no : 4-27) (8)
Type of task being undertaken:
Analysis can be provided through job safety analysis (the SREDIM method
mentioned earlier). Select the task to be analyzed. Record the steps or stages of the
task. Evaluate the risks associated with each step. Develop the safe working method.
Implement the safe working method. Monitor to ensure it is effective.
What equipment and materials are required for the task:
The equipments which we are using for that process present some hazards
naturally, we want to identify those hazards and implement some control measures in
order to avoid those hazards.
Who will be carrying out the work:
Who will carry out this task and how many of them are involving in that task.
What is their experience/knowledge level. Are there vulnerable persons involved or not.
What are the hazards associated with the job:
The type of hazards associated with the work and whether the worker has
undergone any training in identifying those hazards.

What controls are recommended by the manufacturer:

For the above identified hazards what is the control measure taken in order to
minimize the hazards or some control measure that can be given by the manufacturer.
 What emergency provision is in place Are the control measures adequate or are additional
controls needed.
• How will the system of work be monitored.
9. An organization has had an increase in the number of manual handling accidents and associated ill
health.
Identify the sources of information that may be available to help to reduce the risks to the workers.
OR
The number of absences due to work-related upper limb disorders in an organization is increasing.
Identify possible sources of information that could be used when investigating the increase in
absences.

 Statutory instruments
 ACOPs and HSE guidelines
 Manufacturers information
 European and international official standards
 Industry or trade literature
 Result of risk assessments
 Accident statistics and health/medical surveillance records
 The employees involved
 Enforcement agencies and other experts.

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10. With respect to the management of risk within the workplace:
(a) Explain the meaning of the term ‘hierarchy of control’. (In the test book page no: 4-19) (2)

The “hierarchy of control” is a concept used a great deal in health and safety. It is a list of options
in order of importance, effectiveness or priority, written so that the most extreme and effective method of
control is at the top of the hierarchy, with the least effective at the bottom.
(b) Outline, with examples, the standard hierarchy that should be applied with respect to controlling
H & S risks in the workplace.

The general hierarchy of control:

• Elimination.
• Substitution.
• Engineering controls.
• Administrative controls.
• Personal protective equipment.

Elimination
If a hazard can be eliminated then the risk created by that hazard disappears. For example, an
assembly workshop could stop welding steel in order to avoid the risks inherent in welding operations,
and could buy in pre-fabricated metal components.
Substitution
Sometimes hazard elimination cannot be achieved, but it is possible to substitute one hazard with
another that creates less risk. For example, one hazardous substance classified as “toxic” (i.e. lethal in
small doses) is substituted with one that is “irritant”.
Engineering Controls
Engineering controls involve the use of an engineering solution to prevent exposure to the hazard.
This might be done by:
• Isolation or total enclosure - the aim here is to isolate the hazard physically so that nobody is exposed to
it. This might be done by total enclosure or containment of the hazard, e.g. total enclosure of a process
which generates dust to prevent its acoustic enclosure of a noisy machine to reduce the noise exposure of
those nearby
• Separation or segregation - simply placing the hazard in an inaccessible location. An example would be
overhead wires where an electrical conductor has been placed out of reach. In this case, precautions have
to be taken to ensure that safe distances are maintained at all times (e.g. the use of goalposts to warn plant
operators on a construction site of the safety distances for live electrical overheads).
• Partial enclosure – e.g. a hazardous substance might be handled in a fume hood or partial enclosure
which the worker can reach into for handling purposes. Air is extracted from the top or back of this partial
enclosure so that any airborne contaminants is extracted from the enclosure away from the worker.
Administrative Controls
Administrative controls are those that rely on procedures and behaviour, such as:
• Safe Systems of Work:
A safe system of work is a formal procedure which defines a method of working that eliminates hazards
or minimizes the risks associated with them. Safe systems of work are necessary whenever hazards cannot
be physically eliminated and some element of risk remains.
Reduce time of exposure - many health hazards in the workplace cause a degree of harm that is entirely
dependent on the dose that a worker receives, e.g. the harm caused by noise, vibration, radiation and
most hazardous chemicals (such as lead).
–– Time of exposure.
For example, the harm to hearing caused by exposure to loud noise is entirely determined by the noise
intensity (measured in decibels) and the duration of exposure:
Personal Protective Equipments:

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 There are instances where none of the above control measures can be used and there are times
when some of them can, but residual risk still remains. If this is the case then it may be necessary to use
personal protective equipment (PPE). Many different types of PPE are available, such as:
• Ear defenders for noise.
• Gloves to prevent contact with substances hazardous to the skin.
• Respiratory protection against substances hazardous by inhalation (breathing in).
• Eye protection against splashes of chemicals and molten metals, mists, sprays and dusts, projectiles and
radiation including bright lights.

14. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should only be considered after other control measures have
been found to be ineffective or not practicable.
Give reasons why PPE should be considered only after other control measures. (In the test book page
no: 4-22)
 It does not remove the hazard so should be used when other control measures have been
exhausted.
 It only protects one person – the wearer. Also its correct use relies on the wearer so training in
correct use is necessary.
 It may not protect adequately if it is not fitted correctly or the wrong PPE is selected.
 It may not be comfortable and may interfere with the wearer’s ability to do the job.
 It may increase overall risk by impairing the senses (e.g. goggles that mist up, hearing protection
that masks sounds like fire alarms).
 It may not be compatible with other items that have to be worn or used. Fit is also affected by
personal features such as beards and spectacles. If it fails it fails to danger. It may be
contaminated if not stored correctly.
 People often do not like wearing PPE so it may not be worn. PPE may be more expensive than
addressing the hazard at source.

15. (a) Give the meaning of the term ‘permit to work’. (In the test book page no: 4-31)
A permit-to-work (PTW) system is a formal, documented safety procedure, forming part of a safe
system of work, which ensures that all necessary actions are taken before, during and after
particularly high risk work.
(b) Identify THREE types of work that may require a permit to work AND Give/Outline the reasons
why in each case. (In the test book page no: 4-33)
Hot Work:
Permit systems are commonly used to control hot work where naked flames will be used
(e.g. propane, butane or oxy-acetylene torches) or where a significant ignition source will be
created (e.g. welding or grinding operations).
Typical precautions for control of hot work:
• Flammable materials are removed from the work area.
• Items that cannot be removed are covered with fire retardant blankets.
• Floor is swept clean.
• A suitable fire extinguisher is at hand.
• A “fire-watcher” is present in the area
• Wooden floor is damped down.
Work on Live Electrical Systems:
The high risk associated with working on or near live electrical systems means that this
type of work is usually subject to permit control. In particular, permits are usual for work on or
near high voltage systems.
A permit system is used to ensure that:
• Working live is justified (i.e. it is not possible to work with the power off).
• All precautions are in place.

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 • The workers are competent to do the work.
Machinery Maintenance:
Maintenance work often involves the removal or disabling of safeguards and control
systems. For large, complex industrial machinery more than one person may be involved in the
work and they may be required to work inside the machinery. This can generate high risk that
might be best controlled using a permit system.
A permit system is used to ensure that:
• Work is carefully planned, assessed and controlled.
• The nature of the work is communicated to those who need to know about it.
• Power sources are isolated and locked off.
• Stored energy is released or secured.
• The workers are competent to do the work
Confined Spaces:
Entry into confined spaces can be extremely hazardous, so should always be under the
control of a permit to work system. This will require a competent person to carry out a risk
assessment and then develop a safe system of work which identifies all the necessary precautions
for entry and the emergency arrangements that must be put in place.

16. Identify FOUR categories of workplace safety signs AND give an example of EACH. (In the test
book page no: 4-21)
Prohibition - directed at stopping dangerous behavior, e.g. “No Smoking”. The signs are circular
with a black pictogram on a white background with a red border and red diagonal cross bar.
Warning - tell people to be careful of a particular hazard, e.g. “Fork Lift Trucks Operating In
The Area”. The signs are triangular with a black pictogram on a yellow background with a black
border.
Mandatory - instruct people to take a specific action, often relating to wearing personal
protective
Equipment, e.g. “Eye Protection Must Be Worn”. They are circular with a solid blue background
with a white pictogram.
Safe condition - identify safe behavior or places of safety, e.g. “First Aid Station”. They are
rectangular or square with a white pictogram on a green background.
Fire-fighting equipment - identify particular items of equipment, e.g. “Hose Reels”. They are
rectangular or square with a white symbol or pictogram on a red background.

17. Describe why it is important to involve workers in the development of a safe system of work. (In the
test book page no: 4-25)
The competent person must work closely with the workers who will be doing the work. The workers
involved should take an active part in all stages of both the development and review of safe systems of
work. Their practical knowledge and skills provide a valuable source of information about the nature of
the risks, including unusual ones, and methods of working. They can also contribute by assessing plans
and written documentation, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the system in practice.
Involvement in this way enables workers to gain a deeper understanding of the hazards and risks, and
of the way in which the safe system of work will minimize those risks. This helps to give ownership and
commitment to the safe working methods to workers. As management have also involved and engaged
the workforce (rather than simply enforcing a procedure they have developed) this can help to develop a
positive safety culture.

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18. Identify the factors to be considered to help reduce the risk to workers required to work alone. (In the
test book page no 4-29)
Various control measures may have to be implemented in the safe system of work:
 No lone working for certain high risk activities (such as confined space entry).
 Arrangements for remote supervision.
 Procedures for logging workers’ locations when lone working.
 The use of mobile phones or radios to ensure good communications.
 The issue of lone worker alarm systems to raise the alarm and pin-point the worker.
 Procedures to be adopted by workers when lone working.
 Emergency procedures.
 Training for workers in those procedures.

Element 5: Health and Safety Management systems 4- Measuring, Audit and Review

1. (a) Outline the key features of:

i. A health and safety inspection; (In the test book page no: 5-2) (4)
The key features of health and safety inspections are; the straightforward
observation of a work place, and/or the activities or requirement within it. A general
safety inspection, usually carried out by a manager or employee representative and
often aided by the use of a checklist, may be carried out routinely and has the aim of
identifying hazards and assessing the use and effectiveness of control measures.

ii. A health and safety audit. (In the test book page no: 5-8) (4)
The features of safety audits are; a thorough, critical examination of an
organization’s safety management systems and procedures. An audit is normally a
lengthy process carried out by a trained auditor, often someone from outside the
organization, it is a structured way of assessing the health and safety performance of
any organization by supplying answers with the serious of preset questions, and often
involves a scoring system such that improvements can be measured.

(b) Explain how the findings of audit may used to improve health and safety performance. (In the
test book page no: 5-8) (12)

An audit is a tool that can be used to assess compliance in the workplace. An audit involves a survey to:

 Identify what regulations apply to a company or facility.

 Determine whether environmental and workplace safety requirements, and corporate policies and
procedures regarding compliance, are being followed.
 Assess management systems currently in place to ensure compliance. An audit may also look at
and evaluate the methods used to achieve compliance.

When properly conducted, an audit can help to identify and correct regulatory deficiencies, which, in turn,
can improve workplace safety and help reduce liability. Audits can serve to increase employee awareness
and understanding of environmental and safety regulations, and the audit process can also be an
opportunity to demonstrate your company's commitment to compliance.

Workplace audits may be viewed favorably by regulatory agencies. A thoroughly completed audit with
proper follow-up can signal that the company is making a good-faith effort to comply with applicable

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regulatory requirements. This also increases the moral of the workforce. By doing an audit lapses in the
exiting polices and procedures could be identified and make necessary changes to the existing system. It
will also help to decide whether a change is also required in the current risk assessments or not.

2. Identify the:
(a) Active (proactive); (In the test book page no: 5-2) (4)
 Safety inspection
 Safety sampling
 Safety tour
 Safety survey
 Safety audit

(b) Reactive measures (In the test book page no: 5-6) (4)
 Review of Accidents and incident Records
 Review of Ill-health records
 Review of legal actions against the company.
 Review of Dangerous occurrences and near-misses.
 Complaints from the workforce
 Review of statistics and trends of accidents.
 Analyzing patterns of certain types of events.

3. Outline the meaning of the terms.

(a) ‘Active’ (Proactive) Monitoring. (In the test book page no: 5-1) (2)
Active monitoring is about checking to ensure that standards are met and that the
workplace is in fact safe and free of health risks before any untoward event takes
place.

(b) ‘Reactive’ Monitoring. (2)

Reactive monitoring is about measuring safety performance by reference to
accidents, incidents and ill-health that have already occurred. Reactive measures
therefore include measures of incident types and frequency rates, sickness absence rates,
number of reported near miss events and property damage incidents, etc.
4. Identify documents that could be examined when reviewing an organization’s health and safety
audit. (8) (In the test book page no: 5-9)
• Health and safety policy.
• Risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Training records.
• Minutes of safety committee meetings.
• Maintenance records and details of failures.
• Records of health and safety monitoring activities, e.g. tours, inspections, surveys, etc.
• Accident investigation reports and data including near miss information.
• Emergency arrangements.
• Inspection reports from insurance companies, etc.
• Output from regulator visits, e.g. visit reports, enforcement actions, etc.
• Records of worker complaints.

5. Identify the advantages AND disadvantages of carrying out a health and safety audit of an
organization’s activities by:

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 (i) An internal auditor. (4) (In the test book page no: 5-10)
Advantages:
 Less expensive.
 Auditors already familiar with the workplace and what is practicable for the
industry.
 Can see changes since last audit.
 Improves ownership of issues found.
 Builds competence internally
 Familiarity with the workforce and individuals.
Disadvantages:
 Auditors may not notice certain issues.
 Auditors may not have good knowledge of industry or legal standards.
 Auditors may not possess auditing skills so may need training.
 Auditors are not independent so may be subject to internal influence.

(ii) An external auditor. (4)

Advantages
 Independent of any internal influence.
 Fresh pair of eyes.
 Already has audit experience.
 May have wider experience of different types of workplace.
 Recommendations often carry more weight.
 May be more up-to-date with law and best practice.
Disadvantages
 External auditors are expensive.
 Time-consuming.
 May not understand the business so make impractical suggestions.
 May intimidate workers so get incomplete evidence.

6. Give two strengths of using a checklist when carrying out an inspection. (Test book page no: 5-4)
(2)

 It does not require particular expertise for the user since normally it contains the tick boxes
to fill
 It is ready to use recipe rather than wasting time in getting the site known where it can be
used
 It gives a generic view of the processes happening at the site

7. Give two weaknesses of using a checklist when carrying out an inspection.

(2)
 It needs to be updated especially after the introduction of new technology, process etc
 Irrelevant information sometimes in the checklist
 Sometimes not covering the grey areas which can lead to major accident

8. A Worker has been seriously injured after being struck by a reversing vehicle in a loading bay
a. Give four reasons why the accident should be investigated by the person’s employer. (4)
The main reasons for investigating the accidents are,
 Facilitating compliance with legal obligations.

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  In order to find the root cause and prevent it from happening again.
 Collecting evidence to defend a civil claim, where applicable.
 Determining economic loss.
 Demonstrating management commitment to occupational health and safety.

b. Outline information that should be included in the investigation report. (8)

 Date and type of the incident.
 Location of the incident.
 Details of the injured person (Name, role, work etc)
 Details of injury sustained.
 Description of the activity being carried out at the time.
 Drawings or photographs used to convey information on the scene.
 Immediate and root cause of the incident.
 Assessment of any breaches of legislation
 Details of witness and witness statement.
 Recommended corrective actions, with suggested costs, responsibilities and time scale.
 Estimation of the cost implications for the organization.
c. Outline:
i. Four possible immediate causes (In the test book page no: 5-14)
Possible immediate causes are;
 Human error or failure to comply with procedures.
 Mechanical failure.
 Poor visibility in the loading bay (e.g. absence of lighting)
 Restricted view for the driver.
 Environmental conditions such as high noise levels.

ii. Four possible underlying causes

Possible underlying causes are,
 Lack of driver and/or other employee training.
 Lack of supervision.
 Absence of site rules or procedures for the control of reversing vehicles.
 Failure to separate vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
 Lack of maintenance of vehicles and/or the workplace.

9. (a) Outline why an organization should have a system for internal reporting of accidents. (page no: 5-
12) (4)
 The compilation of accident statistics and identifying trends
 To meet the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 1995
 Investigations may be carried out to prevent future occurrences
 Use in civil claims or to satisfy insurance requirements
 Help in the identification and reduction of loss
 Inform the review of risk assessments

(b) Identify why workers might not report accidents at work. (page no : 5-17)
(4)
 Unclear organizational policy on reporting incidents.
 No reporting system in place.
 Culture of not reporting incidents (perhaps due to peer pressure).

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  Overly-complicated reporting procedures.
 Excessive paperwork.
 Takes too much time.
 Blame culture.
 Apathy due to management’s perceived response in the past.
 Concern over the impact on the company or departmental safety statistics (especially if this is
linked to an incentive scheme).
 Reluctance to receive first-aid treatment
10. Identify the immediate AND longer term actions that should be taken following an accident at
work that has caused serious injury to worker.
The actions that may required after an accident such as:
 Providing first-aid and medical treatment.
 Informing the next kin and preserving the scene of the accident.
 Action that may require satisfying statutory requirements.
 Determine immediate and root causes.
Longer term actions are,
 Reporting the accident to the enforcement authority.
 Identifying witnesses.
 Undertaking an investigation.
 The basis of the findings.
 Revising work procedures.

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