THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN O CCUPATI O NAL

SAFET Y AND HEALTH

INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL

SAFETY AND HEALTH

PAPER 1: THE MANAGEMENT OF SAFETY AND HEALTH

2 hours allowed
SECTION 1

2.

(a)

Define the term permit-to-work system

(2)

(b)

Outline the key elements of a permit-to-work system

(12)

(c)

Outline THREE types of work situation that might require a permit-to-work

system, giving reasons in EACH case for the requirement.
(6)

(a) Outline

the purpose and general content of the THREE main sections of a health
and safety policy document.
(6)

(b) Explain why the health and safety policy should be signed by the most senior person
in an organisation, such as a Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer.
(2)

3. Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of:

(i) employers
(ii) workers

(4)
(4)

4.

(a)

Explain, using an example, the meaning of the term risk

(3)

(b)

Outline the key stages of a general risk assessment.

(5)

5.
(a) Explain how accident data can be used to improve health and safety
performance within an organisation.
(4)

(b) Outline TWO active monitoring methods that can be used when
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assessing an organisations health and safety performance.

(4)

6.
Outline the measures that an employer might consider to minimise the risk
of violence against workers.
(8)

7.

Outline the main features of:

(i) a health and safety inspection

(4)

(ii) a health and safety audit

(4)

8.
(a)
Explain the health and safety benefits of restricting smoking in the
workplace.
(4)

(b)
Outline the ways in which an organisation could implement an
effective no-smoking policy.

(4)

9.
(a)
Explain why an organisation should have a system for internal
reporting of accidents.

(4)

(b)

Identify the reasons why workers might not report accidents at work
(4)

10. Give reasons why a verbal instruction may not be clearly understood by an
employee
(8)

11.
Outline reasons for promoting and maintaining good standards of health
and safety in the workplace.
(8)

1. (a) A Permit-to-Work system is a formal, documented, planned procedure

designed to protect personnel working in hazardous areas. In other words
the permit to work system is a specialized type of safe system of work for
ensuring potentially dangerous work is done safely.

(b) The key elements of a Permit-to-Work system includes a description and

assessment of the task to be performed (including the plant involved and the possible
hazards). This will determine the need for, and nature of, other key elements namely,
the isolation of sources of energy and inlets, the additional precautions required (eg
atmospheric monitoring, personal protective equipment, emergency equipment) and the
duration of the permit. An essential element of a permit-to-work system is, of course,
the operation of the permit itself. By means of signatures, the permit should be issued
by an authorised person and accepted by the competent person responsible for the
work. On completion of the work, the competent person would need to indicate on the
permit that the area had been made safe in order for the permit to be cancelled by the
authorised person, after which isolations could be removed.

(c) A permit-to-work system may be required for entry into confined spaces,
working on electrical equipment and working at height. For entry into
confined spaces, the permit-to-work system would be essential to make sure
that the air quality is tested before entry and so protecting workers from
suffocation. For working on electrical equipment, a permit-to-work system is
required to make sure that the equipment has been made safe before
starting work and to prevent contact with live electrical components. For
working at height, a permit-to-work system is required for ensuring that
measures are in place to protect personnel from falls.

2.

(a) The purposes of sections of H&S policy

`statement of intent` - both demonstrates managements commitment to health and safety and
sets goals and objectives of the organisation
`organisation` - the purpose of which is to allocate health and safety responsibilities within the
company and reporting lines.
`arrangements` - sets out in detail the systems and procedures to show how the policy is
being implemented.
(b) The health and safety policy should be signed by the most senior person in an
organisation, such as a Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer in order to demonstrate
that the company is committed to the health and safety management programme and to set
goals and objectives for the organisation. This would include active measure to comply with
the law and to establish best practice. The signature of the most senior person is his / her
personal endorsement of the statement.

3 (i) The main health and safety responsibilities of the employers are to ensure the
health, safety and welfare of all employees; provision of safe plant and systems of
work; safe arrangements for handling, storage and transportation of articles and
substances; provision of information, instruction, training and supervision; provision of
safe access and egress; provision of safe working environment and adequate welfare
facilities.
(ii) The main responsibilities of the workers to act responsibly; take reasonable care of
themselves and of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions; cooperate with their employer in respect of their health and safety duties; not intentionally
or recklessly interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety and
welfare.
4. (a) The likelihood that an unwanted event will occur and the possible severity in terms of
injury or damage, should it occur.
An example would be the likelihood of being stuck in the eye if using a grinding wheel
without the use of eye protection and/or machine guards and the severity of the possible
penetrating eye injury suffered.
(b) The key stages of a general risk assessment are: identify the hazards involved in the
task; identify the persons who might be at risk; evaluate the risk (Severity x likelihood) and
decide on precautions; record findings and implement them finally review the assessment
and update if necessary.
5.
(a) Accident data can be used to identify trends and problem areas in order that
resources can be allocated and appropriate remedial actions taken. Accident data enable
comparisons to be made with others ('bench marking'), and how they can be used to provide
information to employees and to focus and stimulate discussion at safety committee meetings.
(b) The active monitoring methods that can be used when assessing an organisations
health and safety performance are:

(i) Workplace Inspection: A visual inspection normally carried out with the aid of a
checklist, looking at the control measures that are in place to control risk and ensuring that
these control measures are being maintained.
(ii) Safety Sampling: An in-depth look at a particular aspect of the safety management
system, for example, use of PPE.
(iii) Safety Tour: A tour of the organisation, with a senior manager showing
commitment to health and safety and with the focus on looking at safety standards generally
and their implementation.
(iv) Safety Survey: A detailed look at, for example, the effectiveness of new safe
systems of work or risk assessment. The purpose is to check that it works and is reliable.

6.
The measures that an employer might consider to minimise the risk of
violence against workers includes such as physical barriers; good standards of lighting in
vulnerable areas such as car parks; employment of security staff; use of security equipment
such as alarms, panic buttons and closed circuit television; adequate staffing levels; and
confrontation training. Fewer recognised the relevance of consultation with police, lone
working arrangements, procedures for home visits, staff selection, reporting of incidents and
procedures for handling money.

(i) The features of Safety inspection are: the straightforward observation of a work
place, and/or the activities or equipment 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) The features of a safety audits are: a thorough, critical examination of an
organisation's safety management systems and procedures. An audit is normally a
lengthy process carried out by a trained auditor, often someone from outside the
organisation. It is a structured way of assessing the health and safety performance of
an organisation by supplying answers to a series of preset questions, and often
involves a scoring system such that improvements can be measured.

8
(a) The health and safety benefits of restricting smoking at work as a reduction in the
risk of fire, an improvement in general cleanliness and a reduction in the exposure of
non-smoking staff to cigarette smoke, which can have an irritant effect as well as causing
possible long term health damage. Other reasons include the promotion of health generally
and the avoidance of conflict between smokers and non-smokers.

(b) An organisation could implement an effective no-smoking policy in a

different ways such as a no-smoking policy might be implemented effectively. The policy
should be clear in its intent and communicated to all staff. This might be achieved by the use
of notice boards, leaflets and other forms of propaganda, while there would also need to be
consultation with employees to encourage ownership. The provision of designated smoking
areas and the use of disciplinary procedures were correctly suggested as important to the
successful implementation of the policy.

9
(a) There are a number of reasons why an organisation should have a system for the
internal reporting of accidents. These include: the compilation of accident statistics and the
identification of trends; to meet the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and
Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995; so that an investigation may be carried out to
prevent a recurrence or to identify weaknesses in the safety management system; for use in
civil claims or to satisfy insurance requirements; to help in the identification and reduction of
loss; and to inform the review of risk assessments.
(b) Workers may not report accidents at work for such reasons as: ignorance of the
reporting procedures; peer pressure; possible retribution by management; to preserve the
company's or department's safety record (particularly when an incentive scheme is in
operation); to avoid receiving first-aid or medical treatment (for whatever reason); overcomplicated reporting procedures; and lack of obvious management response to earlier
reported accidents. The employee being unaware of the reporting procedure or no procedure
in place; an unwillingness to give up time or a lack of perception of the importance of accident
reporting (perhaps due to lack of training)
10.
A verbal instruction may not be clearly understood by an employee for the following
reasons:

The environment is unsuitable too much background noise, distractions etc.

Too much technical language is used

The information is complex and there is no opportunity to clarify it

The instruction is confusing

The conveyer and receiver have different dialects

Body language interferes with communication

The language is not understood

The receiver is not listening

The communication is poorly timed or too long

The conveyer or receiver is inexperienced.

11.
There are moral, social and economic reasons for the maintenance of good health and
safety standards within an organisation.
Both the employer and the worker have moral and social obligations concerning health and
safety within the organisation. The employer must provide a safe place of work with safe plant
and equipment, safe systems of work, training, supervision and competent staff. The worker
must comply with the training and instruction given by the employer and also with anything
provided for the purposes of health and safety, such as PPE and machine guards.
There are also economic reasons to maintain good health and safety in the workplace. The
costs of business failure can be very high for an organisation. Damage to materials, plant and
equipment can cost a large amount for an organisation. Ill-health, injury or death of staff can
also cost an organisation large amount of money.