NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #1

Outline reason for maintaining good standards of health and safety within an organization. (8)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – March 2007 # 2

Reason for maintaining good standards of health and safety within an organization

Moral

The need to provide a reasonable standard of care and to reduce the injuries, pain and suffering caused
to employees be accidents and by –health.

Legal

Compliance with the law and the desire enforcement action and civil claims

Economic

(a) A more highly motivated workforce resulting in an improvement in the rate of production and
product quality.

(b) The avoidance of costs associated with accident investigations.

(c) The avoidance of costs associated with accidents such as the hiring or training of replacement
staff The possible repair of plant and equipment.

(d) Securing more favaourable terms for insurance.

(e) Maintaining the image and reputation of the organization with its various stakeholders.

1
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #3

An enforcement inspector has carried outa work-place inspection and has found a number of activities
which have not had general risk assessments completed as required by the management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations.

(a) Describe the enforcement actions that the inspector could take as a result of the visit. (4)

(b) Outline the main stages of a genera risk assessment, identifying the issues that would need to
be considered at each stage. (10)

(c) Explain the criteria that could be used to prioritize any action required as a result of the
completed risk assessment. (6)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE –September 2009 #3

(a) Enforcement actions that the inspector could take as a result of the visit.

 An improvement notice could be issued either where the inspector believes that a
statutory requirement is being breached or that there has ben a breach that is likely to be
repeated or continued, and would require remedial action to be taken within a given
period of time.

 A prohibition notice would be appropriate where in the inspector’s opinion, there is a

risk of serious personal injury and would prohibit the use of an equipment or a process
until the action taken to reduce the risk has been taken.

 The inspector would additionally have the option to prosecute for a breach of health
and safety legislation.

 Where the contravention is consider less serious, the inspector could choose simply to
give a verbal or written advice on the actions required.

2
(b) The main stages of a genera risk assessment. Five step approach

1. Define the activity or operation being assessed

2. Identify the hazards involved and the number and types of people l likely to be
exposed including operators, maintenance staff, cleaners, visitors and particularly
vulnerable people and those with disabilities.

3. To evaluate the likelihood and probable severity of the harm that might be caused.

4. To assess the adequacy of the existing control measures in preventing such harm
and to decide whether additional measures were required.

5. To record the significant findings of the assessment and to carry out a review either
in the event of significant changes being made or following the passage of time and
revise the findings when necessary.

(c) Criteria that could be used to prioritize any action required as a result of the
completed risk assessment.

 Compliance with legal requirements with the treat of enforcement if action is not taken.

 The question of reasonable practicability with the degree of risk being measured against
the cost of its elimination or reduction.

 The likelihood and severity of the risk with the higher risk being afforded the greater
priority.

 The number of people affected, particularly the more vulnerable and members of the
genera public, and the frequency of their exposure.

 A history of previous accidents and near misses.

 The ease of implementation of the required actions.

 The requirements of clients and/or customers and the reputation of the organization.

3
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #9

Outline the content of a training course for staff who are required to assist in carrying out risk
assessments.

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – December 2003 #7b

A training course for staff who are required to assist in carrying out risk assessments
should contain:

 The legal requirements with respect to risk assessments;

 The process of identifying hazards and evaluating risks;

 The identification and selection of appropriate control measures;

 The awareness of the individuals own limitations, and the occasions when specialist assistance
might be required;

 Accessing sources of information such as ACOP’s and in-house information, including

accident records;

 Report writing skills;

 The interpretation of regulations and standards; and

 The means available for disseminating the outcomes of the assessment.

4
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #11

(a) Identify four ‘personal’ factors that may place a young persons at a greater risk from workplace
hazards. (4)

(b) Outline four measures that could be taken to minimize the young persons in the workplace. (4)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – June 2009 # 3

(a) Personal factors that may place a young persons at a greater risk from workplace hazards.

(i) Lack of knowledge, experience or training.

(ii) The individual’s maturity and stage of physical development and their lack of confidence.

(iii) Lack of perception of risk.

(iv) Underdeveloped communication skill and the tendency of young persons to take risks and
to respond more readily to peer group pressures.

Measures that could be taken to minimize the young persons in the workplace,

(i) Carrying out a specific risk assessment for young person to identify for example risk from
hazardous machinery, and from exposure to extreme temperatures, noise and vibration.

(ii) Ensuring the young persons were given induction training in site rules and highlighting
restricted areas and precautions to be taken in case of fire,

(iii) Arranging for specific training and instruction in their allotted tasks.

(iv) Introducing a mentor system and ensuring close supervision particularly in the early weeks
of employment.

5
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #12

(a) Identify work activities that may present a particular risk to pregnant women at work giving an
example of each type of activity. (6)

(b) Outline the actions that an employer may take where a risk to new or expectant mother can not be
avoided. (2)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – September 20120 #10

(a) Work activities that may present a particular risk to pregnant women at work.

 Manual handling of load such as in packing goods.

 Task involving long periods of standing or sitting as experienced by shop assistants.

 Work involving exposure to biological agents or chemical substances that might affect
the unborn child or pregnant/nursing mother such as lead glazing.

 Working hyperbaric atmospheres for example underwater diving.

 Task involving exposure to incising radiation which would affect raidgraphers.

 Task involving exposure to shocks and low frequency vibration or excessive movement
such as driving.

 Unusually stressful work such as tasks involving exposure to heat or noise and contact
with the public where there might be a risk of violence or verbal abuse.

(b) Modifying the working conditions or hours of work of the employees offering them suitable
alternative work or suspending them from work for as long as necessary on full pay are actions
that can be taken by an employer where a risk to new or expectant mother can not be avoided.

6
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #13

An employee who works on a production line has notified her employer that she is pregnant.
Outline the factors that the employer should consider when undertaking a specific risk assessment in
relation to this employee. (8)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – September 2012 # 5

Factors than an employer should consider in undertaking a specific risk assessment in relation to
pregnant employees.

 Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, lead and those that cause intracellular changes
L(mutagens) or affect the embryo (teratogens).

 The risk of biological exposures for example to hepatitis, leptospirosis or HIV.

 Exposure to ionizing radiation such as x-rays or to a physical environment involving extreme

of temperature, humidity, noise or vibration.

 Ergonomic issues relating to prolonged standing or the involvement of awkward body

movements.

 The nature of the task to be performed including the intensity and variety of the work and the
involvement of manual handling.

 Psychological issues including stress.

 Issues associated with the use and wearing of personal protective equipment.

 The working of excessive hours including night work and shift work and the need for lone
working with possibility of exposure to violence.

 The arrangements for the provision of adequate rest breaks.

7
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #15

Outline the issues that should be considered to ensure the health and safety of cleaners employed in a
school out of normal working hours.

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – December 2003 #2

Relevant issues fall into three categories

1. Those relating to cleaning in general e.g. the use of chemicals and electrical
equipment, dealing with sharp objects such as broken glass, and manual handling.

2. Those relating to the school e.g. laboratory and workshop hazards;

3. Those relating to associated with out of hours work e.g. lone working,
communication, supervision , security and emergency arrangements

8
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #18

Outline the possible effects on health and safety of poor standards of house keeping in the workplace.

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – June 2003 #8

The possible effects on health and safety by poor standards of housekeeping in the workplace are:-

 Slips – from spillages, oil/grease and slippery materials such as plastic

 Trips and falls – from articles obstructing the walkways;

 Increased risk of fire – from buildup of combustible materials, e.g. old papers, cardboard boxes

 Falling materials – from poor stacking arrangements

 Increased chance of coming into contact with chemicals (poor storage arrangements)

 Possibility pf infestation, especially if food is involved

 Vehicle collision – if traffic routes are blocked

 Effects on emergency evacuation if fire exits are blocked/obstructed

 Demoralizing aspects on a workforce in general, leading to lack of interest in and adherence to

health and safety procedures

9
 NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #24

(a) Give two reasons why an employer should implement safe system of work. (2)

(b) Outline six sources of information that should be consulted when developing a
safe system of work. (6)

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – December 2008 #3

(a) Reasons why an employer should implement safe system of work.

 To secure compliance with relevant statutory requirements such as Section 2 of the Health
and Safety at Work etc Act

 To comply with the common law duty of an employer to provide safe systems of work.

 As control measure to reduce accidents, probably as a direct result of a risk assessment.

 To communicate a standardized procedure to employees.

(b) Information that should be consulted when developing a safe system of work.

 Statutory instruments.

 ACOP’s and HSE guidance.

 Manufacturer’s information.

 European and other official standards.

 Industry or trade or literature

 Results of risk assessments

 Accident statistics and health/medical surveillance records

 The result of consultation with the employee involved

 Results of monitoring
10
  Maintenance records and enforcement agencies and other experts.

NEBOSH National General Certificate

CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #27

Due to an increase in knife related accidents amongst hotel kitchen staff who use the sharp tools in the
preparation of food for the restaurant, a safe system of work is to be developed to minimize the risk of
injury to this group of employees.

(i) Identify the legal requirements, under which the employer must provide a safe system of work.

(ii) Describe the issues to be addressed when developing the safe system of work for the hotel
kitchen staff who use knives as part of their work.

(iii) Outline ways in which the employer could motivate the hotel kitchen staff to follow the safe
system of work.

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – September 2006 #1

(i) The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 2 requires employers to provide safe plant
and systems of work. This information need to be in writing, also the employer has a common
law of duty to provide a safe system of work.

(ii) The issues which need to be addressed, when developing a safe system of work for the hotel
kitchen staff who use kitchen knives in the preparation of
food for the restaurant are as follows:

 Noise, light, humidity and the condition of the floors (if walking on wet/messy floor
with knife, the staff could slip and fall and thereby injure themselves

 Suitability of the type of knife used.

 Ergonomic issues like space constraints and the design of the working areas and
surfaces.

 Provision of suitable PPE, including gloves (metal, chain, mail –(such as butchers use),
and non-slip footwear.)

 Working patterns to avoid the possibility of fatigue, and

11
  The competence, knowledge and experience of the staff involved.

(iii) The ways in which the employer could motivate the hotel staff to follow the safe system of
work are:

 Senior management commitment, consultation and involvement during the

development stage.

 Provision of training and information.

 Improving environmental conditions.

 Provision of incentives.

 Monitoring and supervision.

12
 NEBOSH National General Certificate
CHAPTER 4 – PLANNING

Practice Question #29

(a) Identify TWO specific work activities for which permit-to-work system might be needed.

(b) Outline the key elements of a permit to work system

EXAMINER’S ANSWER GUIDE – June 2006 #5

(a) Two specific work activities for which a permit to work system is needed are:

 Work in confined spaces ( chambers, tanks, furnaces, ducts, sewers, manholes, pits, boilers,
etc.

 Work on high voltage apparatus (over 600 volts) which can lead to (shocks/burns,
explosions, electrical fires).

 Work in flammable atmospheres.

 Hot-work (cutting, welding, brazing, soldering and any process involving application of
naked flame)

 Maintenance work on dangerous process plants or production machinery.

(b) The key elements to a permit to work system are as follows:-

 A permit to work system is a specialised type of safe system of work under which certain
categories of high risk potential work may only be done with the specific permission of an
authorised manager.

 The permit will specify a description and assessment of the work to be done (including the
plant involved and the possible hazards)

 Other key elements would be the isolation of sources of energy and inlets, the additional
precautions required (atmospheric monitoring, PPE, emergency equipment) and the duration
of the permit.

 The permit should be issued by an authorised person and accepted by the competent person
responsible for the work ( proven with signatures)

 When work is completed, the competent person needs to indicate on the permit that the work
had been made safe in order for the permit to be cancelled by the authorised person after
which restrictions/bans could be lifted.

13
 No other work, than the specified is authorised – if planned work must be changed, then
existing permit must be cancelled and a new one issued.

14