Everything You Need to Know to Pass the NEBOSH A1 Management Paper

Everything You Need to Know to Pass the NEBOSH A1 Management Paper

Everything You Need to Know to Pass the A1 Management Paper

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974

Part 1 relates to HW&W at the workplace
Part 2 relates to EMAS
Part 3 relates to Building Regs
Part 4 contains misc. & general provisions

PRACTICABLE – capable of being carried out or feasible (given current knowledge, finance, information etc.)

REASONABLY PRACTICABLE – must be technically possible, and the risk assessed against the cost. Where cost is disproportionately high, can be deemed not to be reasonably practical.

H&S Inspectorate powers include: Investigation, Advisory, Enforcement (Imp. Not, Pro. Not, Seize/destroy substances/articles, Prosecute)

PART 1 HSWA

DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS
Section 2(1)
Employer must protect the HS&W at work of all their employees
Section 2(2)a
Provide & maintain plant & systems of work that are safe & without risk to health
Section 2(2)b
Ensure safety and absence of risks in the use, handling, storage and transportation of articles and substances
Section 2(2)c
Provide information, supervision & training to ensure the H&S of employees
Section 2(2)d
Provide safe place of work, safe access/egress, safe working environment
Section 2(2)e
Provide adequate welfare facilities and arrangements
Section 2(3)
Produce written H&S policy where 5 or more persons employed
Section 3(1) & 3(2)
Ensure that activities do not endanger persons NOT in their employment who may be affected by their operations
Section 2(4), (6) & (7)
Consult union safety reps & establish safety committee when requested by 2 reps
Section 9 Do not levy charge for anything provided in pursuance of the statutory provisions

DUTIES OF SELF-EMPLOYED
Section 3(2) & (3)
Same general duties as Employers through a general duty to ensure as far as reasonably practical that they and other persons are not exposed to risks to H&S

DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES
Section 7(a)
Exercise reasonable care for the H&S of themselves and others who their actions may affect
Section 7(b)
Co-operate with the employer
Section 8
Not to interfere with anything provided in the interests of HS&W

DUTIES OF MANUFACTURERS, DESIGNERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS
Section 6(1)
Articles to be safe and without risk to H&S
Section 6(2)
Carry out tests, research etc. to provide adequate info on conditions to ensure its safety when in use
Section 6(3)
Similar as above but for installers and erectors
Section 6 (General)
Info on noise levels

SECTION 2 – Duties of employers to employees
SECTION 3 – Duties of employers to others
SECTION 4 – Duties of persons concerned with premises to others
SECTION 5 – Duties to control harmful emissions into the atmosphere
SECTION 6 – Duties of those producing articles for use at work
SECTIONS 7-9 – Duties that affect employees

Breaches of HSWA can lead to:
Max. £20K fine and/or 6 months imprisonment (Summary Conviction – Magistrates Court)
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment (Indictable Offence –Crown Court)

Civil Law – Prosecution on Balance of Probabilities (Civil Law established by case precedence)

Criminal Law – Prosecution beyond all reasonable doubt (Statute & legislation)

THE SIX PACK REGULATIONS
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 (MHSWR)
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs 1992 (WHSWR)
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE Regs)
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE Regs)
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGS 1999
Regulation 3 Risk assessment (significant risks to be recorded)
Regulation 4 Implementation of protective or preventive measures:
1. Avoid risk
2. Evaluate risk
3. Combat risk at source
4. Adapt the work of an individual
5. Adapt to technical advances
6. Replace dangerous with non/less dangerous
7. Develop policy which influences the factors relating to working environment
8. Give collective measures priority
9. Give appropriate instructions to employees

Regulation 5 Make proper arrangements for all aspects of H&S
Regulation 6 Health surveillance (where appropriate)
Regulation 7 Appointment of competent persons
Regulation 8 Procedures to be developed for particular dangers which may arise (ie: fire)
Regulation 9 Information for employees
Regulation 10 Information to be provided to employees for:·
Identified risks·
Preventive/protective measures·
Procedures and name of nominated responsible person as required under Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regs 1997
Regulation 11 Where more than one employer, they must co-operate over H&S matters
Regulation 12 Working on other peoples premises – must provide them with info and details of risks etc.
Regulation 13 Employers to take into account employees capabilities
Regulation 14 Employees responsibilities to use tools and equipment etc safely
Regulation 16-18 New & expectant mothers
Regulation 19 Young persons

MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS REGULATIONS 1992
Injury
Includes muscoskeletal, cuts, bruises, broken toes etc.
Load
Anything to be moved (except tool when in use)
Manual Handling
Transporting, lifting, supporting, pushing, pulling, carrying, loading by hand or bodily force

Regulation 4 Requires employers to avoid manual handling and to undertake risk assessment
Regulation 5 Duty on employees to make full and proper use of all equipment provided

PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998
Regulation 4 Equip to be suitable
Regulation 5 Properly and effectively maintained
Regulation 6 Inspections and recording of inspections
Regulation 7 Identified specific risks
Regulation 8 Information & instruction
Regulation 9 Training
Regulation 11-20 Deal with machine guarding – basically requires all dangerous parts of any machine or piece of equipment to be effectively and properly guarded at all times
Regulation 21 Suitable and sufficient lighting
Regulation 22 Must be Safe to maintain
Regulation 23 & 24 Markings an warnings
Regulation 25 to 30 Deal with plant and plant safety

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK REGULATIONS 1992
Regulation 4 Provision of PPE (Employers to ensure it is available and is suitable)
Regulation 5 Compatibility
Regulation 6 Assessment/Suitability – with regards to the nature of the task
Regulation 7 Properly maintained, cleaned or replaced; and that
Regulation 8 Suitable accommodation is provided
Regulation 9 Employees are provided with all necessary information, instruction and training
Regulation 10 Employees to use in accordance with training provided
Regulation 11 To report any loss or defects

THE HEALTH & SAFETY (DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT) REGS 1992
Regulation 1 Definitions (user – someone who habitually uses DSE)
Regulation 2 Risk Assessment of workstations
Regulation 3 Specific workstation requirements (ie: adjustable chairs, screens etc)
Regulation 4 Rest breaks
Regulation 5 Eyes and eye tests
Regulation 6 Training
Regulation 7 Provision of information

THE WORKPLACE (HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE) REGS 1992
Regulation 5 Maintenance of the workplace
Regulation 6 Ventilation
Regulation 7 Temperature
Regulation 8 Lighting
Regulation 9 Cleanliness
Regulation 10 Room dimensions and space (11m3 per person excluding area above 3m)
Regulation 11 Workstations and seating
Regulation 12 Condition of floors and traffic routes
Regulation 13 Falls or falling objects
Regulation 14 Windows and translucent surfaces
Regulation 15 Windows, skylights and ventilators
Regulation 16 Ability to clean windows etc safely
Regulation 17 Organisation of traffic routes
Regulation 18 Doors and gates
Regulation 19 Escalators and moving walkways
Regulation 20 Sanitary conveniences
Regulation 21 Washing facilities
Regulation 22 Drinking water
Regulation 23 Accommodation for clothing
Regulation 24 Facilities for changing clothes
Regulation 25 Facilities to rest and eat meals


AFR = No of lost time accidents x 100,000/No of man hours worked

AIR = No of work related injuries x 1000/Average No of persons employed


Severity Rate = No of Days lost x 1,000/Total No. of man hours worked

Mean Duration Rate = Total No of Days Lost/Total No of Accidents

Duration Rate = No of Man hours worked/Total No of accidents


4 C’s
Competence
Control
Co-operation
Communication

5 Steps to Successful Safety Management: (HSG65)
1. Policy
2. Organisation
3. Planning and implementation
4. Measure performance
5. Audit and Review

Risk Assessment (5 Steps)
1. Identify Hazards
2. Identify Persons Exposed (particular attention to high risk groups – young persons, pregnant workers, disabled)
3. Evaluate Risks (Consider likelihood and severity) & Controls
4. Record the findings
5. Review and Revise

TYPES OF HAZARDS: CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, ERGONOMIC, PSYCHO-SOCIAL

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) SREDIM

Process of identifying hazards in each component part of a job in order to assess the risk and decide on control measures for a SSW.

Stages are:
1. Select the job/task to be reviewed
2. Record – Identify and record the sequence of steps and/or
components in the process
3. Examine each component part of the job to identify the hazards/risks
4. Develop control measures
5. Install SSW/Control measures
6. Maintain. Carry out regular reviews.


LEGAL ECONOMIC MORAL
Planned Preventative Maintenance:
Frequency of maintenance
Statutory requirements
Manufacturers Recommendations
Operating Environment
Age and Condition of Machinery
Breakdown history
Frequency of use/operation
Critical components (effects of component failure)
Effect of failure
Timing of the works (ie: during shutdown periods)
Disruption
Maintenance staff competence
Cost benefit


Negligence:
It is a common law tort
Summarised as Careless Conduct/Breach of Duty of Care

Tests to be satisfied:
That a duty of care was owed
That there was a breach of that duty
That the breach led directly to the harm

Mechanical Hazards: Crushing, Shearing, Cutting/Severing, Entanglement, Drawing In, Ejection of Material, Abrasion, Stabbing/Puncturing

Non Mechanical Hazards: Noise, Temperature, Vibration, Electricity, Radiation, Hazardous Substances, Ergonomic Factors (inc. Manual Handling), Psycho-Social (Bullying, assault)

Noise at Work Regulations 1989
Leq – Continuous Daily Equivalent Noise Level (8hrs)
Lep,d – Daily Personal Exposure
A Weighting Scale –
Most commonly used, recognises that the human ear is less sensitive to low frequencies
Gives greater importance to frequencies sensitive to the Human Ear

Regulation 4 Assess Noise
Regulation 5 Competent person to complete the assessment
Regulation 6 Employer to reduce risk of hearing damage to lowest reasonably practical level
Regulation 7 Take steps to reduce noise exposure as far as reasonably practicable
Regulation 8 Provide suitable protective equipment
Regulation 9 Identify hearing protection zones and erect appropriate signage
Regulation 10 PPE to be repaired and maintained & PPE provided to be used
Regulation 11 Information, Instruction and Training
Regulation 12 Specifies action levels

COSHH Assessments:
Type of substance (Toxic/Harmful/Sensitiser/Irritant)
Chronic (prolonged exposure, long term effects)
Acute (Short term exposure, immediate effect)
Routes of entry into body (Absorbtion/indegstion/inhalation)
Concentration in relation to exposure limits
No of persons exposed (identify vulnerable persons)
Duration of exposure
Adequacy of control measures
Compliance with control measures

Hierarchy of Control:
Elimination by design
Substitution with less hazardous substance
Automation of process
Reducing exposure by process change
Engineering controls (ie: LEV)
Minimising exposure
PPE
Monitoring/Health surveillance

Permit to Work:
Permit title
Reference No.
Job location
Plant/Task identification
Description of work and any limitations
Identified hazards
Necessary precautions
Protective equipment
Authorisation
Acceptance
Extension
Hand back/completion
Cancellation

Risk Assessment: PEME
People, Equipment, Material, Environment

Develop a system: ERIC PD
Eliminate, Reduce (by Monitoring Substitution), Isolate, Control, PPE, Discipline

Human Factors: SPAME
Skill Personality Attitude Motivation Experience

Machine Hazards: ENTICCE
Entanglement Nips Traps Impact Contact Cutting Ejection

Manual Handling: TILE
Task Individual Load Environment

Machine Guarding: FIAT
Fixed or fixed distance Interlocks (elect, air, mech, hydr) Automatic Trip

Training: IITS
Instruction Information Training Supervision

Accident Factors: relate to Domino Theory
Attitude Fault Unsafe Accident Injury

Safety Management Systems (SMS) – HSG65

1. Policy – written statement of policy, procedures and commitment to HSW. Assigns responsibilities and explains duties etc.

2. Organising – structures to assist in:
- Control
- Co-operation
- Communication
- Co-ordination
- Competence

3. Planning and Implementation – establish, operate and maintain systems that:
- Identify objectives and targets
- Set performance standards
- Consider and control risks
- Document performance
- React to change
- Sustain positive safety culture

4. Monitoring – Active and Reactive systems:
Active: Measuring achievements against specified standards before things go wrong. Ensures controls are working correctly.
Reactive: Collection of information about failures. Involves learning from mistakes.

5. Review and Audit – Ensures policy is being carried out and is having the desired effect.

HAZARD PREVENTION
1. Eliminate the hazard
2. Substitution
3. Use of barriers (Isolation/segregation)
4. Procedures (SSW/Dilution)
5. Warning systems (Instruction/Training/Signs/Markings)
6. PPE

5 STEPS IN DEVISING A SSW (AIDIM)
1. Assess the task
2. Identify the Hazards and assess the risks
3. Definition of the Safe Method
4. Implementation of the SSW
5. Monitoring the System

MAINTENANCE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY:
1. Poor Design
2. Poor perception of risk
3. No SSW
4. Poor communications
5. Failure to brief and supervise contractors

MAINTENANCE ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED BY:
1. Planning
2. Evaluation
3. Controls
4. Monitoring

Audit – looks at systems and the way they function in practice
Inspection – looks at physical conditions

6 PART STRATEGY TO CONTROLLING CONTRACTORS
1. Identify suitable contractors
2. Identification of hazards within specification
3. Contractor competence & selection
4. Contractor acceptance of H&S Rules
5. Control of contractors on site
6. Completion checks

SAFETY CULTURE (KEY ELEMENTS):
Good communications between and with employees and management
Ensuring a real and visible commitment to high standards by senior management
Maintaining good training standards to achieve competence
Achievement of good working conditions

WORKPLACE ISSUES
Ventilation: / 5l/s/person for mechanical systems
Temperature: 16-30oC (13oC for physical work)
Windows: Glass below shoulder height – safety glass
Cleanliness:
Working Space: 11m3
Seating: Ergonomic and adjustable
Slips/Trips/Falls:
Traffic Routes:
Welfare Facilities:
Toilets – Privacy/Ventilation/lighting/cleanliness/location/quantity
Washing facilities
Drinking water
Accommodation for clothing
Rest Facilities

WORK EQUIPMENT
1. Suitable for the purpose
2. Installed, located and used so as to reduce the risk to operators & others
3. Substances – safe supply and/or removal
4. Maintained
5. Inspected by competent persons
6. Information, instruction and training

TYPES OF GUARDS
Fixed
Interlocked
Control
Automatic
Distance guard
Adjustable
Self adjusting
Trip devices
Two handed devices

GUARD MATERIAL DEPENDS ON:
Strength/stiffness/durability
Effects on reliability (eg: closed guard causing M/C to overheat)
Visibility
Need to control secondary hazards (ie: Noise)

Hope this is of some use to all you NEBOSHers out there
Enjoy

Otto.

The Control of Noise at Work

The Control of Noise at Work

The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 come in to force in April 2006.

The forthcoming regulations require significant reductions in workers exposure to noise. Employers will be required to take action (risk assessment and risk control) to prevent employees suffering noise induced hearing loss.

Exposure to noise (unwanted sound) can lead to permanent hearing loss either by repetitive exposures e.g.: daily use of percussion drills, or by a single exposure to a loud noise e.g.: from a cartridge gun. On the 6 April 2006 the lower exposure action level will be reduced to 80dB(A) (previously 85dB(A)) and the upper exposure action level will drop to 85dB(A) (previously 90dB(A)). Currently it is estimated that over 2.2million workers are exposed to noise levels above 80dbA including over 1 million exposed to levels above 85dbA and 450,000 at levels above 90dbA. Many of these workers are employed in or associated with the construction and house building industries. You may have little knowledge of how noise is measured and a reduction of 5 from a figure of 85 may seem insignificant. However nothing could be further from the truth as this equates in real terms to a reduction of approx. 75% which may be the difference between hearing damage or not.

The regulations require all employers to assess the risks to their employees from noise at work. This does not necessarily mean carrying out noise surveys and measuring noise. Wherever possible employers are being encouraged to make use of pre-existing noise data available from manufacturers, industry bodies or from earlier noise surveys. Many employers carried out noise surveys in compliance with the 1989 Noise at Work Regulations. As long as they are considered relevant, they are appropriate for compliance with the new regulations. The HSE has prepared guidance for employers on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 that gives practical guide lines to employers on determining whether a noise problem exist at all. For example

• Do employees have to raise their voices to carryout a normal conversation at 2 metres apart?
• Do employees use noisy power tools or machinery for more that half an hour per day?
• Is the noise intrusive for most of the day e.g. continuously running compressors?
• Are there noises due to impact e.g. pile driving, cartridge tools, impact tools?

Have you answered yes to one or more of the above? Depending on the complexity of the operation e.g. where it’s performed, how many are exposed, frequency, when the operation is performed and by who control measures will need to be introduced.

The risk assessment process is more than just taking noise measurements or looking up noise data. The main purpose of the process is to help the employer decide what needs to be done to eliminate or reduce, to a reasonably practicable level, the exposure of the workforce to noise. Hence the risk assessment should:

• identify where exposure exists and who is affected
• have a reliable estimate of noise level to enable a comparison with the regulations exposure action and limit values
• identify the measures to be taken to comply with the legal requirements; controls at source and appropriate hearing protection or both
• identify those employees who will require health surveillance

The estimate of ‘employee exposure’ in the risk assessment must take into consideration the work presently done and due to be done that day. This may prove particularly difficult with general operatives due to the way the work is performed and how it may vary from one day to the next.

Whilst recording and reviewing this information is important, the key area for effort is in the selection of appropriate controls. The following list offers suggestions for reducing high level of noise on site:
Look for alternative construction processes, perhaps by manufacturing component off site – it is easier to control noise exposure in a factory setting therefore where possible make use of components that have been prefabricated off site where noisy operations such as cutting, drilling, welding can be carried out under controlled conditions.

Look to purchase/hire alternative quieter equipment in order to reduce noise at source. The manufacturers and hire companies are continually introducing new quieter low vibration models. Request information about noise levels when looking for new equipment. Remember noisy equipment is less efficient than quiet equipment and therefore cost more to run. When purchasing consumables and accessories for plant and equipment look for noise data a recent study carried out by Hewden Plant Hire demonstrated a 6dB(A) (200% difference) between the noise levels of different diamond blades being used on the same Stihl saw.

Look to see whether alternative methods of work may have a benefit in reducing noise exposure, whereby the workplace becomes quieter or workers have shorter exposure times. Halving the time spent in a noisy area reduces the exposure by 3dB(A). This may be achieved by reviewing and introducing engineering controls such as lining debris chutes or reducing drop heights. Increasing the frequency of basic maintenance of plant and equipment to reduce the amount of vibration. Isolate the location of noise sources by screens of sound absorbent/damping materials or locate at a distance from the remainder of the workforce. Consider noise within the design of the site traffic management plan.

Wherever possible increase the distance between noisy operations and other workers. Doubling the distance between the source of the noise and the ear reduces noise by 6dB(A). Reduce the amount of time that workers are exposed to noise; where possible manage exposure by moving workers between operations during the course of a day.

Selecting hearing protection is not, the first and only option in the hierarchy of appropriate noise control. Hearing protection should only be issued where extra protection is required above that achieved by engineering; or where its use is intended short term whilst other measures are being developed.

Hearing protection must be:

Available on request where the noise exposure is between the lower and upper action values (daily or weekly exposures of 80dB(A) – 85dB(A))

Compulsory where the noise exposure exceeds the upper action level of 85dB(A). Above 85dB(A) the wearing of appropriate hearing protection must be enforced and should be backed up, where possible, by identifying those areas (Signage) where hearing protection is compulsory.

Where employees are going to be regularly exposed to noise at or above the upper action level (85dB(A)) and where particular employees are vulnerable to the effects of noise, the employer must provide health surveillance i.e. regular hearing tests. Regular checks will provide the employer with early warning signs of damage to hearing gives the employer an opportunity to prevent any damage from getting worse and provides a regular check to ensure that noise control measures are effective.

Finally employers must ensure that they provide their employees and others who may be exposed, with information to explain the risks and the controls that are in place. In particular where employee will need to make use of hearing protection the employer must ensure that employees know how to use and fit the appropriate protection.

The involvement of the employees is critical in ensuring that compliance with the controls is achieved on site. They need to be informed of: -

• Their likely exposure to noise and the resulting risk to hearing
• What the employer is doing to reduce noise levels
• Where and how they can obtain hearing protection
• What constitutes a defect and how to have it replaced or rectified
• What their duties are under the Regulations, and where appropriate
• Information on the Health Surveillance regime.

In summary

Employers must:

• Assess and identify appropriate measures to either eliminate or reduce the risks of hearing loss to their employees. Where the risks are low, simple and inexpensive actions will meet the reasonably practicable standard. Where they are high a noise control action plan must be in place.
• Where required provide hearing protection and enforce its use together with enforcing the use of technical or engineering controls.
• Provide information, training and, if required, health surveillance.

Action Levels and Limit Values.

Lower exposure action values (measured without PPE)

Daily or Weekly exposure of 80dB(A)
Peak sound pressure level 135dB(C )

Upper exposure action values (measured without PPE)

Daily or weekly exposure of 85dB(A)
Peak sound pressure of 137dB(C )

Exposure limit values (measured WITH PPE)

Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB(A)
Peak sound pressure of 140dB(C )


NHBC provides a range of services designed to improve health and safety both on site and in the office. Our Services can be tailored to fit any size of business throughout the UK, from producing a basic policy statement through to a full audit of your health and safety management systems. For further information please call 0870 241 4319 or visit www.nhbcbuilder.co.uk

A Potted Guide to Taking NEBOSH Exams

A Potted Guide to Taking NEBOSH Exams

Created March 2006, published 5 March 2006

Introduction

It’s a well-known fact in health & safety that NEBOSH exams are tough, but that’s not to say they are impossible. The guidance that follows is intended to give you some final key pointers for the big day, and coupled with a comprehensive study and revision programme, should get you through just fine.

Action Verbs

Take note of the “action verb” at the start of each question. As a general rule, if a question asks you to “Identify”, “state” or “list” then a simple list will do. If however, the question asks for “outline”, “describe” or “explain”, then your answer should be in sentences, preferably with an example to illustrate.

Read the Question

The clue is in the question! However simple it may seem, make sure you read the question properly, maybe even underlining key points (you can write on your question papers). It is imperative that you answer the question that has been set, not the one you wish had been set.

Keep it Brief

We have already said that you must comply with the action verb, but do not be tempted to waffle on or give long introductions to your answer – this is not required. If a question asks for control measures for working at height, that is what will be on the marking scheme. There will be no marks available for introducing your answer with statistics on numbers injured falling from height.

There are no marks for “star quality” or knowing Lord Roben’s birthday – just answer the question.

Structure

Certain questions allow you to give your answers in a certain structure. Sometimes there will be marks available for just using the structure, but even if they are not, the structure will help you think a little more laterally.

As an example, if the question relates to risk assessment, it is helpful to go through the 5 steps of risk assessment. This applies whether the question relates to a specific situation or type of risk assessment e.g. manual handling, fire, COSHH etc.
If the question is about human factors, then split your answer into Organisation, Job and Individual factors.

For questions about management systems or strategies, split the answer into the elements of HSG65.

If the question relates to reasons for improving safety, structure the answer into moral, economic and legal factors.

Plan Ahead

For the longer questions (20 markers or case studies), then an answer plan should be prepared. This is a simple outline of what you will cover in your answer. It might be bullet points, or a mind-map – whatever suits you.

When you’re done, draw a line under it and start putting your plan into proper sentences.

"Bankers"

This is important. There are certain answers which will be relevant time and time again, for example: risk assessment, training, supervision, PPE etc. Put reproducing this list without relating it to the specific question will not gain marks – let’s look at some examples to illustrate the point:

“Outline the precautions to be taken when a minor repair is to be carried out on a fragile roof” (NEBOSH Diploma Part One, June 1998).

Carry out a risk assessment – 0 marks
Carry out an initial risk assessment to identify the hazards from roof work and decide on the necessary precautions – 1 mark

Provide adequate information, instruction and training – 0 marks
Provide information, instruction and training on the hazards and associated precautions involved in roof work – 1 mark

Provide suitable PPE – 0 marks
Provide PPE for groups at risk, e.g. hard hats for people below – 1 mark

Provide adequate levels supervision – 0 marks
Provide adequate supervision to ensure that the method statement/safe system of work is followed – 1 mark

Timing

Question timing is vital to success. You cannot afford to spend too long on some questions, to the detriment of others. The approximate timings you should try to stick to are as follows:

Diploma 1 Paper 1

Action Timing
Read through exam paper 5 minutes
15 Short answer questions (10 marks) 9 minutes each
Check answers 10 minutes

Diploma 1 Paper 2

Action Timing
Read through exam paper 10 minutes
5 Long answer questions (20 marks) 25 minutes each
Check answers 15 minutes

Diploma 2 Paper 1

Action Timing
Read through exam paper 5 minutes
10 Short answer questions (10 marks) 8 minutes each
Case study (100 marks) 1 hr 20 minutes
Check answers 15 minutes




Diploma 2 Paper 2

Action Timing
Read through exam paper 10 minutes
5 Long answer questions (20 marks) 30 minutes each
Check answers 20 minutes

For Cert, on a 2 hour paper 120 minutes

100 marks (20 x 1, 8 x 10)

Approx 1 mark a minute

5 minutes, read paper,
20-25 minutes 20 pointer
10 x 8 minutes short questions
10 minutes, check paper

Of course these are not precise, but are useful as a general guide. Even if you are an expert on a particular subject, there is no benefit on writing reams and reams on the answer – use your allocated time and move on. Similarly, if you get a question where you have no idea, try not to leave it blank and move on – use your allocated time and try to get something down. Maybe a couple of “bankers” might be relevant? Those couple of points may just make the difference.

Legislation/Case Law

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a law expert or have a photographic memory to pass NEBOSH exams. What you do need though, is a grasp of fundamental principles of legislation and case law, and be able to relate them to different scenarios. It is not important to remember the precise years of legislation or case law (although if you forget the year of the Health & Safety at Work Act, do you expect to pass????). Neither is it a requirement to learn regulation numbers off by heart – if you could say, for example, that the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs require all employers to carry out risk assessments, or the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regs require all work equipment to be maintained, that will suffice.

Abbreviations are fine, but give their title in full to start with e.g. The Personal Protective Equipment Regs (PPE) require employers to provide PPE to employees where required.

Check your Answers

As with any exam, leave yourself some time at the end to go through your answers. Make sure you have answered the question that was asked and add any extra points that have occurred to you – it can’t hurt, and they may just make the difference!

At the end of the day it's a numbers game. You need 45% to pass, anything else is just icing on the cake. Answer half the twenty pointer well, along with three good answers from the 8 pointers (like lists or identify) and you're at 35 marks already. Only 10 marks to go from 7 other 8 pointers and you're there.....

The majority of the questions will be outline, a couple of explain/describe and 2-3 list identify. The list/identifys are the easy money. The outlines should be too.
I'll start a new post with a worked example to help you along.

You can read the worked example to help you along by clicking the following link, or by browsing the articles section:

NEBOSH Exam Worked Example

Above all don't panic.

Good luck

Nick Higginson MSc CMIOSH Dip2.OSH SpDipEM MIIRSM of Phoenix Health and Safety Consultancy

NEBOSH Exam Worked Example

NEBOSH Exam Worked Example

Created March 2006, published 5 March 2006

OK we’ve talked about all the theory – now let’s put it all together and try to give a perfect answer to a recent exam question:

“Volunteers are involved in collecting bags of books, clothes and other donated goods from householders. The bags are loaded into vans for delivery to a chain of charity shops. Explain how the charity should assess the risks to the charity workers, identifying the particular issues that would need to be considered at each stage of the assessment” (NEBOSH Diploma Part One, June 2003)

First things first – look at the action verbs. You are being asked to explain how the problem should be assessed and identify the particular issues at key stages.
Re-read the question now, and underline your key signposts:

“Volunteers (unskilled, no selection criteria?) are involved in collecting bags (manual handling – size, weight, shape etc.) of books, clothes and other donated goods from householders (violence, dogs etc.). The bags are loaded into vans (driven by who? Vehicle hazards) for delivery to a chain of charity shops. Explain how the charity should assess the risks (assess the risks, not control them) to the charity workers, identifying the particular issues that would need to be considered at each stage of the assessment” (NEBOSH Diploma Part One, June 2003).

As this question is essentially about how to carry out a risk assessment, the 5 steps approach would be a good structure to follow. This question was worth 20 marks, so a plan would be in order:

PLAN

1. Identify hazards
Manual Handling
Violence
Animals
Contents of bags
Vehicles

2. Decide who can be harmed
Volunteers – old, untrained, health problems, how many?

3. Evaluate risks
Probability/severity
Frequency/duration
Evaluate existing controls
Legal requirements

4. Record

5. Review

ANSWER

No need for a flowery intro about how many injuries are cause by manual handling or where risk assessment comes from – just get on with it!!

IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

The first stage of a risk assessment is concerned with identifying hazards, which in this case may be as follows:

Violent assault by members of the public or being attacked by dangerous dogs
Musculoskeletal disorders caused by lifting bags or constraints on posture when working inside the vans

Injuries caused by the contents of the bags e.g. sharps or chemicals

Slips, trips and falls due to uneven surfaces, kerbs, steps etc.

Traffic accidents involving the vans, especially if they were poorly maintained or the bags caused an obstruction inside

Vans being struck by other road vehicles

Poor lighting due to work in the evenings or in autumn/winter

Weather conditions could be a problem especially if particularly hot, wet, cold or windy

Lone working which may result in a lack of communication between volunteers and their supervisors

Manual handling would be the major hazard due to a variety of factors: The bags may have to be carried for long distances and there will be a large amount of repetitive handling. Lots of stooping and twisting may also be required inside the van. The bags themselves may be heavy or bulky, and as their contents are unknown, may be unstable or unpredictable.

PEOPLE AT RISK

The next stage is to consider how many people are affected by the risk, and who they are.

Volunteers may well be elderly and are likely to be retired. This means that they may have existing health problems and may not be as strong as they once were. Pregnant women or young people would also be at increased risk.

EVALUATE THE RISKS

To come up with a level of risk, there are several factors which need to be considered:

The likely severity of injury if an accident were to happen, for example a slipped disc might be an outcome of a manual handling injury

The probability that an accident was going to occur

The duration and frequency of exposure to the hazards

Existing control measures should be evaluated to assess their effectiveness. These may be things such as manual handling training, supervision, mechanical aids etc.
The law should be considered to see if more needs to be done. The relevant law here are the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regs (Risk Assessment) and the Manual Handling Regs

RECORD FINDINGS

The significant findings of the risk assessment should be recorded and information on these findings should be provided to employees

REVIEW

The risk assessment should be reviewed when there is reason to believe that it is no longer valid. This may be for a variety of reasons, e.g.:

Lapse of time

Enforcement action

An accident has occurred

There you go - 20 marks to start you off with! Too many students didn’t use the 5 steps approach so didn’t think widely enough to get good marks. Lots also gave long lists of how to control hazards, which was not asked for and so attracted no marks.

You can read the potted guide to taking NEBOSH exams to help you along by clicking the following link, or by browsing the articles section:

A Potted Guide to Taking NEBOSH Exams

Well that’s about all the help I can give you, so it just remains to say:

Good Luck!

Nick Higginson MSc CMIOSH Dip2.OSH SpDipEM MIIRSM of Phoenix Health and Safety Consultancy