PAPER 1: THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND

SAFETY – NEBOSH GUIDE APRIL 2007

Question 1
(a) (a)
(b) Human error can be reduced by good workplace design and the application of ergonomic
principles when designing jobs and tasks.
Human error can be reduced by matching the person to the task, and by making sure that they
have received sufficient information, instruction and training.
A good working environment, with good lighting, temperature control and sufficient space to
carry out a task.
Good supervision; appropriate time scales to carry out a task without peer pressure; making
sure work loads do not lead to fatigue.
(c) The hazard may not be seen, or a person may not have an awareness of the hazard.
A person may have the attitude that the hazard is less harmful than he or she thinks.
They may not have received information on the hazard.
They may lack the experience to be able to identify any risks associated with the hazard.
(d) Employees can be motivated by the following:
 Always keep people informed; ensure good, effective communication.
 Involve employees in the carrying out of inspections, in carrying out risk assessments and
designing safe systems of work.
 Offer praise and say ‘well done’.
 Reward with promotion, training or even money.
 Motivate by providing a good working environment, with good welfare facilities and a well-
designed workplace.

Question 2
An employer can eliminate tasks such as cash handling. Where risks of violence cannot be
eliminated, the risk should be reduced by such means as barriers, or training in how to deal with
violent situations.
By having a zero tolerance of all incidents of violence, and a clear policy and procedure for dealing
with any act of violence.
The installation of CCTV and increased security; the provision of access control doors and good
lighting in vulnerable areas, such as car parks.
Carry out risk assessments; avoid lone working; ensure means of communication.

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Question 3
(i) A Health and Safety inspection is normally visual. Carried out following a checklist, it can
look at a location, or task. It is designed to pick up any substandard performance or unsafe
condition; it can also identify hazards. It is active, and will allow corrective action to be taken.
(ii) An audit is a systematic look at the whole of the Health and Safety management system,
looking for any non-compliance. A report is then produced that can be used to continually
improve the Health and Safety management system. Best practice states that it should be
carried out by an independent body.

Question 4
(a) Risk is the likelihood of a hazard actually causing harm and, if it does cause harm, what the
severity will be.
(b) Look at all the hazards – physical, chemical, biological or ergomomic – that are associated with
the task.
Look at all the groups of people who are exposed to the hazard, such as young persons or
pregnant women.
Evaluate the risk by using either a qualitative or quantitative approach, looking at the existing
control measures.
Record your findings and monitor the implementation of any new or additional controls.
Review your risk assessment to ensure that it is suitable and sufficient.

Question 5
A detailed emergency plan will be included. This will include: fire procedures, bomb treatment
procedures, and dealing with any serious incident, such as a chemical spill.
Accident and incident reporting, recording and investigation procedures.
Arrangements for carrying out risk assessments, including chemicals and manual handling.
Arrangements for communication and consultation on matters relating to health and safety.
Induction training, and other health and safety training arrangements.
Arrangements for monitoring the health and safety system.

Question 6
(a) Will improve the working environment, as air quality will be better.
It will reduce the risk of fire.
It will protect non-smokers from passive smoking.
It will demonstrate that you are taking steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of
employees.
(b) By involving employees in the development of the policy, doing this over a period of time.
By effective communication and consultation on the policy.
By offering incentives to employees to give up smoking.
By offering support to smokers during its implementation.
By providing a suitable facility for smokers when the policy is implemented.

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Question 7
Having a ‘signing in’ procedure that can be used to identify the visitor in an emergency.
Explain the hazards on site and make sure that the emergency arrangements are made known to
them, including any restricted areas.
Ensuring that visitors are met and accompanied on site at all times (depending on site hazards).
Providing visitors with any necessary PPE, as well as information on when it should be used.
Provide designated walkways for visitors, and ask them to remain on these walkways.

Question 8
(a) There may be a legal obligation under local laws to report accidents.
It may be required by the insurers.
It will allow costs associated with accidents to be calculated.
It will allow you to identify accident trends and patterns.
It will allow you to carry out accident investigation to identify the causes and prevent a
recurrence.
(b) The procedure may not be known or may be too complicated.
They may fear any blame.
They may be on a bonus scheme based on accident rates.
They may not bother to report them because management do nothing about them anyway.

Question 9
 Fines.
 Compensation.
 Legal fees.
 Lost production.
 Investigation time.
 Increased insurance premiums.
 Lost of employee morale.
 Loss of business reputation.
 Lost orders.
 Cost of clean up and first-aid.

Question 10
(a) A competent person is someone with the skill, knowledge, aptitude, training and experience to
carry out the task to a given standard. He or she will also know their limitations.
(b) There may be poor levels of supervision, with no help or support.
There may not be any procedures, or badly designed procedures.
The following may be poor: working environment, lighting, temperature, layout.

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 There may be a poorly designed task, or poor housekeeping.
There may be no or very poor communication, leading to stress.
Tools and equipment may be defective, or there may be a lack of maintenance.

Question 11
 Conventions/local laws relating to health and safety.
 Recommendations from the ILO.
 International Standards, such as ISO.
 Professional bodies, such as IOSH.
 Manufacturers manuals and information.
 Existing risk assessments.
 Accident rates and statistics.
 Minutes of Meetings.
 Comments from employees doing the job, and their representatives.

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