Specimen answers to NEBOSH examinations
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result in serious harm to people. Trivial hazards
should be ignored. This will involve touring the work-
place concerned looking for the hazards in consulta-
tion with workers themselves and also reviewing any
accidents, ill health or incidents that have occurred.
Stage 2 is to identify the person who could be
harmed – this may be employees, visitors, contract-
ors, neighbours or even the general public. Special
groups at risk, like young persons, nursing or
expectant mothers and people with a disability,
should also be identifi ed.
Stage 3 is the evaluation of the risks and decid-
ing if existing precautions or control measures are
adequate. The purpose is to reduce all residual
risks after controls have been put in to as low as is
reasonably practicable. It is usual to have a qualita-
tive approach and rank risks as high, medium or low
after looking at the severity of likely harm and the
likelihood of it happening. A simple risk matrix can
be used to get a level of risk.
The team should then consider whether the
existing controls are adequate and meet any
guidance or legal standards using the hierarchy of
controls and the General Principles of Prevention
set out in the Management Regulations.
Stage 4 of the risk assessment is to record the
signifi cant fi ndings which must be done if there are
fi ve or more people employed. The fi ndings should
include any action that is necessary to reduce
risks and improve existing controls – preferably set
against a time scale. The information contained in
the risk assessment must be disseminated to em-
ployees and discussed at the next health and safety
committee meeting.
Stage 5 is a time scale set to review and possibly
revise the assessment which must also be done if
there are signifi cant changes in the workplace or the
equipment and materials being used.
(c) The various stages of the usual hierarchy of risk
controls are underlined in this answer.
Elimination or substitution is the best and most
effective way of avoiding a severe hazard and its
associated risks. Elimination occurs when a process
or activity is totally abandoned because the
associated risk is too high. Substitution describes
the use of a less hazardous form of the substance.
There are many examples of substitution, such as
the use of water-based rather than oil-based paints
and the use of asbestos substitutes.
In some cases it is possible to change the method
of working so that exposures are reduced, such
as, the use of rods to clear drains instead of strong
chemicals. It may be possible to use the substance
in a safer form; for example, in liquid or pellets to
prevent dust from powders. Sometimes the
pattern of work can be changed so that people can
do things in a more natural way; for example, by
encouraging people in offi ces to take breaks from
computer screens by getting up to photocopy or
fetch documents.
Reduced or limited time exposure involves
reducing the time that the employee is exposed to
the hazardous substance either by giving the
employee other work or rest periods.
If the above measures cannot be applied, then
the next stage in the hierarchy is the introduction
of engineering controls, such as isolation (using an
enclosure, a barrier or guard), insulation (used on
any electrical or temperature hazard) or ventilation
(exhausting any hazardous fumes or gases either
naturally or by the use of extractor fans and hoods).
If ventilation is to be used, it must reduce the
exposure level for employees to below the work-
place exposure limit.
Housekeeping is a very cheap and effective
means of controlling risks. It involves keeping the
workplace clean and tidy at all times and maintaining
good storage systems for hazardous substances.
A safe system of work is a requirement of the
HSW Act and describes the safe method of
performing the job.
Training and information are important but should
not be used in isolation. Information includes such
items as signs, posters, systems of work and
general health and safety arrangements.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should only
be used as a last resort. There are many reasons for
this. It relies on people wearing the equipment at all
times and must be used properly.
Welfare facilities, which include general workplace
ventilation, lighting and heating and the provision of
drinking water, sanitation and washing facilities, are
the next stage in the hierarchy.
All risk control measures, including training, and
supervision must be monitored by competent people
to check on their continuing effectiveness. Period-
ically the risk control measures should be reviewed.
Monitoring and other reports are crucial for the
review to be useful. Reviews often take place at
safety committee and/or at management meetings.
A serious accident or incident should lead to an im-
mediate review of the risk control measures in place.
Finally, special control requirements are needed
for carcinogens.
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