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Question 1
Due to an increase in knife related accidents amongst hotel kitchen staf
who use the sharp tools in the preparation of food for the restaurant, a
safe system of work is to be developed fo minimise the risk of injury to
this group of employees.
(Identify the legal requirement under which the employer must
provide a safe system of work. i)
(i) Describe the issues to be addressed when developing the safe
system of work for the hotel kitchen staff who use the knives as
part of their work. (10)
(ii) Outline the ways in which the employer could motivate the hotel
kitchen staff 0 follow the safe system of work.
In answering part (i) of the question, most candidates were able to identify the
requirement for a safe system of work under the Health and Safety at Work ete Act.
1974, Not many, however, referred to the relevant section of the Act ie Section 2 and
fewer still considered the employer's common law duty to provide a safe system of
work.
Part (i) of the question required an understanding of the issues that would need to be
considered in the development of a safe system of work for the hotel kitchen staff who
used knives in the preparation of food for the restaurant. These include environmental
issues such as noise, light, humidity and the condition of the floors; the suitability of the
type of knife used; ergonomic issues such as space constraints and the design of
working areas and surfaces; the provision of suitable personal protective equipment
including gloves and non slip footwear, working pattems to avoid the possibility of
fatigue and the competence, knowledge and experience of the staff involved. Some
candidates described the general risk assessment process ,which was not the answer
that the question required (although some were able to gain a few marks where this
overlapped with the development of a safe system of work) while others tended to
focus on issues such as training and communication only and therefore gained few
marks here
‘Answers to part (i) of the question were generally to a good standard and included
issues such as senior management commitment, consultation and involvement during
the development stage; provision of training and information; improving environmental
conditions; provision of incentives; monitoring and supervision. However, some
Candidates did not provide the detail required for an “outline” answer and consequently
could not be awarded the full marks available.
Question 2
(2) Identify THREE types of emergency in the workplace for which
‘employees may need to be evacuated. a
(&) Explain why itis important to develop workplace procedures to
enable the safe evacuation of employees during an emergency. @
Most candidates were able to identify three types of emergency in the workplace that
could lead to the need to evacuate the employees in part (a) of the question, which
included fire or explosion, the accidental release of toxic chemicals or gases; transport
incidents and bomb alerts.Part (b) required an explanation of the importance of developing procedures for the
safe evacuation of employees in the event of an emergency. Answers should have
referred to the need to comply with statutory requirements, such as the Management
of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; to be prepared for foreseeable
emergencies and provide information on the action to be taken, not only by employees
but also by neighbours and others who might be affected by such emergencies: to
ensure the safety and protection of the employees (this was rarely mentioned) and to
allocate specific responsibilities to employees in the event of an evacuation being
necessary.
Some candidates described a fire evacuation procedure and did not relate their
answers to why it was important to develop an evacuation procedure. While this may
have been the subject of a question on a past examination paper, it was not required
(on this oceasion.
Question 3
With respect to section 6 of the Health and Safely at Work etc Act 1974,
outline the general duties of designers, manufacturers and suppliers of
articles and substances for use at work to ensure that they are safe and
without risk to health. 8)
Overall, answers to this question revealed a poor understanding of the requirements of
Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This section places an
‘obligation on designers, manufacturers and suppliers of articles and substances for
Use at work to ensure So far as is reasonably practicable, that articles are designed
and constructed to be safe and without risk to health at all times when they are being
set, cleaned, used and maintained and that substances are likewise safe and without
risk to health when being used, handled, stored or transported. Testing and
examination must be carried out to ensure the required level of safety and freedom
from risk, and additionally employers, should be provided with information on the safe
use, dismanting and disposal of the articles and substances and given revised
information, should a subsequent serious risk become known,
Many candidates were unable to outline any of the above duties. Some did mention
the CE marking of machinery and the labelling of chemicals. However, since these are
matters which do not fall directly within the ambit of Section 6, they could not be given
credit
Question 4
Outline the duties placed on employees by:
() the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 “@
(i) the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. “
Some candidates did not separate their answers into two parts and consequently
became muddled and confused with the requirements of the statute and the
regulations, Other candidates, instead, discussed the duties of employers for which
they were not able to gain any marks which stresses, again, the need to read a
question with great care before answering.
‘Answers to this question revealed that many candidates did not possess the basic
knowledge of the key requirements of health and safety law. In general the duties
under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 were addressed better than those
under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1997,For part (i), Section 7 requires employees to take reasonable care for themselves and
‘others who might be affected by their acts or omissions, and to co-operate with their
‘employer or other person so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with their
‘own statutory duties and requirements. Section 8 (which in fact applies to all persons
and not just employees) requires that no-one shall intentionally or recklessly interfere
with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.
For part (i), candidates should have outlined the duties placed on employees by the
‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as the need to use all
work items in accordance with the training and instruction that they have been given. It
also requires employees to inform their employer (or a specified employee with health
and safety responsibilities) of work situations that could present a serious and
immediate danger, as well as any shortcomings that they might reasonably recognise
in the existing arrangements for health and safety.
Question 5
(2) Explain the meaning of the term ‘perception’. 2
(2) Outline ways in which employees’ perceptions of hazards in the
workplace might be improved. @
For part (a), an explanation of ‘perception’ was required, such as the way that people
interpret and make sense of presented information, for instance in relation to their
surroundings. Some candidates appeared to struggle to put into words something that
Is perhaps almost intuitive, Circular definitions, such as "perception is the way that
people perceive things’, were considered inadequate in this respect.
In part (b), few candidates were able to outline more than one or two ways that
‘employees’ perceptions of hazards in the workplace might be improved. Most referred
in general terms to motivation or to the need to increase awareness in the individual by
safety campaigns or posters and to increase knowledge by means of training. While
these are highly relevant, candidates who considered the problem in slightly more
depth suggested firstly that there was a need to identify, perhaps by the use of
surveys, the reasons for employees’ misperceptions in order to increase awareness
and challenge currently held views. Other suggestions included making hazards more
obvious (for example, by the use of signs) and addressing environmental factors, such
as lighting and noise, which might cause distraction or otherwise hinder the perceptual
processes.
Question 6
Outline the immediate and longer term actions that should be taken
following a serious injury accident at work. (8)
In answering this question, the better approach was to clearly structure the actions
required into those that are required immediately after an accident — such as providing
first-aid and medical treatment, informing the next of kin and securing the scene of the
accident - and the subsequent actions that are required to satisfy statutory
requirements and to determine immediate and root causes. These actions should
therefore include reporting the accident to the enforcing authority, identifying witnesses
to the accident, undertaking an investigation and, on the basis of the findings, revising
work procedures.
‘Some candidates gave very lengthy descriptions of requirements under the Reporting
of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 which were not
required, and thus spent. considerable. time, for litle. ain... Again. some. candidates,Other issues which might need to be considered would be the activities undertaken at
the workplace and their associated level of risk; the make up of the workforce which
could include more vulnerable members such as the young and/or disabled where
high standards of health and safety would have to be maintained; the results from
previous inspections and audits and the company's record of compliance with
established standards; recommendations made following risk assessments; accident
history and the outcomes of accident investigations; enforcement action’ taken or
advice given by the enforcing authority; the introduction of new equipment or
processes, manufacturers’ recommendations and requirements from insurance
companies,
This was not @ popular question with some candidates making no attempt at providing
an answer. This is surprising since all candidates are expected to complete a practical
workplace inspection as part of the Cerificate examination and consequently should
have had some knowledge of what an inspection is and why itis required.
Question 10
(2) Identify the five’ steps involved in the assessment of risk from
workplace activities (as described in HSE's ‘Five steps to risk
assessment” (INDG 163). (3)
(&) Explain the criteria that should be applied to help develop an
action plan to priontise the contro! of health and safety risks in the
workplace. a
The majority of candidates showed 2 good understanding of the risk assessment
process and were able to describe the ‘five’ steps as identifying the hazards
associated with the activities and tasks performed at the workplace: identifying who
might be harmed (including operators, maintenance staff, cleaners, visitors, etc);
evaluating the likelihood and probable severity of the harm that might be caused and
assessing the adequacy of existing control measures; recording the significant findings
of the assessment and carrying out a review at a later date and revising the findings
when necessary.
‘Once a risk assessment has been completed, an action plan will need to be developed
to prioritise the suggested remedial measures. Criteria which may be applied to assist
with the prioritisation include legal requirements, the likelinood and severity of the risk,
the number of persons who might be affected, the speed of the action required
(whether long or short term), the possibilty of enforcement action and publicity
affecting the reputation of the company.
‘Answers to the second part of the question were of a lower standard as those for part
(@), with many candidates unable to offer anything other than the likelihood and
severity of the risk. Some did mention the hierarchy of control, which should be
considered as part of the risk assessment process but may not be as important as the
‘ther criteria mentioned above in prioritising the action required to be taken.
Question 11
List the documents that are likely to be examined during a health and
safety audi. @
In answering this question, candidates were expected to list documents likely to be
examined during an audit such as maintenance records, safety monitoring procedures,
accident and incident reports, emergency procedures, health surveillance records,
Consultation arrangements with staff as well as the company safety policy and risk
assessment documentation,
Most candidates made a good attempt at this question. A few, however, put too much
emphasis on safely policy and risk assessment documentation without realising the
importance of other documents that need to be seen during an audit.Pere vd
Controlling workplace hazards
Question 1
An increase in complaints of il health effects associated with work-related
upper limb disorder (WRULDs) has been reported amongst bricklayers
who have been involved in building work on a long term construction
project.
() Identify the typical symptoms the bricklayers would have shown. “a
(9 _ Givereasons why the work undertaken by the bricklayers may
increase the risk of them developing the condition (6)
(ii) Describe the measures that should be taken to minimise the risk
to these workers. (10)
In part (), candidates were required to identify symptoms of work related upper limb
disorders WRULDs, which should have included reference to pains in the fingers,
wrists elbows and shoulders, perhaps associated with inflammation of tendons or
tissue, resulting in loss of grip and sensation, in addition to neck and back pains.
However, many candidates gave a wide range of aches and pains of all parts of the
body with litle reference to upper limbs and some gave symptoms of other health
effects such as exposure to cement and non health issues such as cuts and bruises
The better answers were given by the candidate who carefully considered the
bricklayer’s job and related it to effects on the upper limbs.
Aaain,_jn.nart (i). by havina_a, mental. Image, of.a.nereqn. laying. bricks. chou hav,Other effects which could have been described included interference with
nervelmuscle action, leading to involuntary grip and cardiopulmonary effects, in
particular the risk of fatal injury due to disruption of heart rhythm. Some candidates
feferred vaguely to death and bums but this did not constitute sufficiently adequate
descriptions of the effects to gain full marks.
In answering part (b), candidates should have outlined factors such as the nature of
the current (AC/DC) in addition to the frequency and level of the current and the path
taken by the current. The length of time the current flows through the body is also a
factor in addition to the voltage involved. Candidates could also have outlined the
factors affecting individual body resistance such as sex, age, sweat and medical
conditions. In general, the standard of response to this part of the question was quite
disappointing. Many candidates lacked knowledge of basic electrical theory and in
particular, there was litle understanding of resistance based on things such as
dryness of the skin, natural body resistance, ground conditions and type of footweer.
Question 3
Outline factors to be considered when undertaking a manual handling
assessment of the work undertaken by baggage handlers at a large, busy
airport @)
In answering this question, candidates were expected to provide an outline of the
factors to be considered when undertaking a manual handling assessment of the work
activity described. Candidates could have structured their answers round the task,
individual, load and environment (TILE model). Factors associated with the task would
include postural issues such as the need to stoop and twist, the frequency and
duration of physical effort, the need to move loads quickly to meet scheduled
departures, the distance that loads might have to be carried and the height to be lifted
to place bags on to the conveyor. With respect to the load, reference could have been
made to the variable weights of items of baggage, bulky and unwieldy luggage such as
golf clubs or skis, the possibility of movement of a bag's contents because of
Unsatisfactory packing, and the slippery nature of some of the packaging material
used, which would prevent the handlers from obtaining a_good grip on the load.
Factors associated with the individual would be their stature, fines levels and training
and experience, Environmental factors would relate to possible space constraints, the
condition of floors and temperature within which the baggage handlers work, in
addition to the lighting and weather conditions.
Candidates who did not do so well were those who did not structure their answers
under the above headings and so produced responses that were muddled and in
‘some cases repetitive
Question 4
Identify EIGHT possible health hazards to which construction workers
‘may be exposed AND in EACH case give an example ofa likely source. @)
This question was designed to test candidates’ knowledge of the various health
hazards to which construction workers might be exposed and the likely source of
those hazards.
‘A.wide range of hazards were available such as noise (from the movement of heavy
plant or demolition activities); vibration (from the use of hand power tools); asbestos
(from lagging on pipe work or insulation boards); cemient (during the laying of concrete
or bricks); wood dust (from carpentry work); solvents (from the use of glue or paints);
fumes (from welding activities) biological hazards (from work in sewers or contact with
water infected with rat urine); and radiation (from arc welding or exposure to strong
sunlight),
"However, many candidates gave examples of safety hazards rather than health
hazards either because they did not read the question with sufficient care or perhaps
they found it difficult to differentiate between physical hazards and heath hazards.
Others did not identify the health hazard but rather the health effect and, as such, did
hot answer the question set and-could not be awarded the marks available.
Question §
An industrial washing machine has been installed onto the concrete floor
of a bakery in order to clean the flour off employees’ work clothes after
their shift. When in use, employees are exposed to excessive noise
Ievels that are emitted from the machine.
() Identity FOUR possible effects on the health of the bakery
‘employees from long-term exposure to the noise. )
(i) Outline practical measures that can be taken to reduce the
Jevels of noise fo which the employees are exposed. “4
In answering part (i) of the question, many candidates were able to identify possible
health effects from exposure to noise though it did appear to Examiners that, at mes,
some were merely regurgitating all they had learned about the subject in the hope that
at least some of their suggestions would hit the target. Effects that could have been
mentioned included permanent threshold shit, noise induced hearing loss, chronic
tinnitus, occupational deafness and secondary effects such as stress, headaches and
loss of concentration. Some candidates identified temporary threshold shift and acute
tinnitus but these responses were not awarded marks since the question specifically
asked for effects arising from long term exposure to noise.
‘Answers to the second part of the question were to a good standard with candidates
outing practical measures such as moving the washing machine to a separate
sound proofed room; placing the washing machine on rubber matting; ensuring regular
maintenance was carried out on the washing machine and providing hearing
protection such as ear plugs or muffs. Better answers also referred to the possiblity of
Using the machine outside of working hours, outsourcing the laundering or even
buying a quieter machine.
Question 6
With the current level of interest in the risk of fire at the workplace and the control
Give reasons that may delay the safe evacuation of employees from a
workplace during a fire. @)
measures to be adopted, it was pleasing to note that many answers to this question
were to a good standard. This may have been due both to the level of tuition that
candidates had received and to their experience of fire evacuation at their own
workplaces.
Most candidates referred to the lack of adequate evacuation procedures; poor alarm
systems; insufficient or inadequate escape routes which were poorly signed and some
of which might be blocked or locked; and a poor standard of emergency lighting.
Better answers also mentioned the failure to allocate clear roles and responsibilities 10
people such as fire marshals, the infrequency of fire drills, a failure to provide
employees with adequate information and instruction on the procedures to be followed
and the effects of smoke, all of which could cause some Involved in the evacuation to
panic and hinder safe evacuations.
12Question 7
Outline the precautions to ensure the health and safely of persons
‘engaged in paint spraying in a motor vehicle repair shop. (8)
This question presented candidates with a particular scenario and required them to
outline the precautions that should be taken to ensure the health and safety of those
involved in the activity described. Examiners were looking to candidates to suggest
precautions such as; segregation of the activity, typically by means of a spray booth
fitted with local exhaust ventilation and intrinsically safe electrical equipment and
fixtures; suitable storage and fire precautions for flammable paints and solvents; the
provision and use of personal protective equipment (clothing, respiratory protection,
etc); monitoring employees’ exposures to airborne substances; ensuring the
examination and maintenance of control measures; providing appropriate training to
employees and maintaining welfare and hygiene facilities.
‘Some candidates concentrated on the hazards involved either having misread the
{question or through confusion between the terms hazard and precaution. Others gave
only a brief list, as opposed to an outline, concentrating solely on protective clothing
and extraction systems, which did not demonstrate an adequate level of knowledge
{and for which minimum marks were gained,
Question 8
(a) Identify THREE mechanical hazards associated with the use of
a bench-top grinder. @
(2) Outline the precautions to be taken to minimise the risk of injury
to operators of bench-top grinders. )
For part (a) of the question, candidates were asked to identity three mechanical
hazards associated with the use of a bench-top grinder. Most candidates had no
difficulty in doing this, citing hazards such as entanglement on the rotating wheel or
spindle; trapping between the wheel and the tool rest; disintegration of the wheel,
‘coming into contact with the revolving wheel and being stuck by material or sparks
ejected from the wheel. Some candidates, however, seemed unable to differentiate
between mechanical and non-mechanical hazards and included dust and noise in their
answers,
In part (b), marks were available for outlining precautions such as the appointment of
‘competent persons to select and mount the wheels; the fiting of robust and adjustable
guards; the correct positioning of the tool rest; the operation of the wheel at its correct
speed; the provision and maintenance of correctly positioned stop, start and
emergency stop devices; the use of competent operators and the provision and
wearing of personal protective equipment for the eyes and face. Some candidates
referred to the use of push sticks, trip switches and interiocks which either showed a
lack of understanding of the precautions to be observed on an item of equipment
specifically referenced in the syllabus or a hope that by referring to the whole range of
control measures of which they had knowledge, they might perhaps be correct in one
or two cases,
Question 9
Outline the means by which the risk of accidents from reversing vehicles
within a workplace can be reduced, @)
This was one of the better answered questions on the paper with candidates able to
specify a variety of precautionary measures such as avoiding the need for vehicles to
reverse (one-way and drive through systems, turing circles, etc); the separation of
vehicles and pedestrians (barriers, signs, etc); aspects of workplace and vehicle
design (audible alarms, mirrors on vehicles and at blind comers, refuges, lighting, etc)
and procedural measures (use of banksmen, site rules, driver training, etc)
13However, there were some candidates who did not read the question with sufficient
care and answered it as a general transport question, completely ignoring the
reference to reversing vehicles. Although these candidates were able to gain a few
marks where answers overlapped with requirements to reduce accidents from
reversing vehicles, they were not able to gain the full marks available for this question,
Others candidates did not produce the detail necessary to satisfy an “outline” question
and were able fo gain only minimum marks for the “lists” provided.
Question 10 Absorbent mats and granules have been used to soak up a chemical
spillage. Outline the issues that will need fo be considered in relation to
the hanaling, temporary storage ‘and final disposal of the waste material. @
In answering this question, candidates were expected to consider not only the health
and safety implications in relation to the handling, temporary storage and disposal of
‘waste material but also those issues that would have an effect on the environment.
The question specifically asked for an outline of those issues to be considered and
better answers were structured under these three headings. However, most answers
‘were limited to the containment of the waste and the use of protective clothing with few
including reference to the protection of drains, appointment of licensed waste carriers
and record keeping,
Procedures would have to be drawn up for the handling of the waste material which
would include the use of competent employees who had received training in the risks
arising from the operation and the precautions to be observed: the provision and use
of personal protective equipment such as gloves, overalls and eye protection; the
protection of drains against pollution from spillage and the safe means of transport of
‘waste to a temporary storage site. The storage area should also provide ad
2 checklist for the routine inspection Question 11 List EIGHT items to be included on
a shift @) of a forklift truck at the beginning of
Most candidates had lite difficulty
should have included items such a
land proper functioning of lights, ho
and a seat that is securely fixed (w
fitted). The fork-lift truck should <
bodywork and lifting mechanism, ar
an LPG tank.
ith the last question on the paper. The checklist
the condition and pressure of tyres, the integrity
ns, brakes and mirrors, the absence of oil leaks
h properly functioning and intact restraints where
s0 be checked for obvious signs of damage to
d for the security of any equipment fitted such as
‘A few candidates thought the que
tion was concerned with the parking of trucks,
which had appeared on a previous &
camination paper.
14