NEBOSH International General

BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd Certificate in Occupational Health
and Safety

Day 3

Presented by
Dr Geoff Lloyd.

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC1 Element 4

Promoting a Positive Health

and Safety Culture
Continued...

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Management commitment and

leadership
Being seen and involved
Promoting change
Providing sufficient resources
Ensuring competence
Enforcing rules
Use of competent personnel
Effective communication
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Communication – the process whereby an
individual or group conveys, consciously or
unconsciously, information to another individual
or group and where necessary triggers a
response . The information may be facts,
feelings or ideas.

 Communication
 Sender - transmission – receiver
 Feedback
 Environment
 Culture
 Interference

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Barriers to Communication
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Sender Receiver Environment

 Technical  Sensory  Noise
jargon impairment  PPE
 Ambiguity  Learning interference
difficulties
 Complexity  Distractions
 Inexperience
or length  Culture
 Lack of  Lack of
feedback motivation

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Give reasons why a verbal

instruction may not be clearly
understood by an employee. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Sample Question Answer
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 The working environment, e.g. high levels of
noise, interference from personal protective
equipment and other distractions
 Too much technical jargon
 Language or dialect issues
 Ambiguity of the message
 Sensory impairment or learning difficulties
 Inexperience of the recipient, i.e. unable to relate
properly to what is being said, lack of motivation
 The instruction is too complex or lengthy to be
given verbally
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)  Lack of feedback
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Forms of Communication
Formal / informal
Written
Oral
Non-verbal
Symbols
Body language
Visual

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Communication effectiveness
Worker handbooks
Procedure manuals
Safety briefings
Toolbox talks
Memos
Posters
Films
Signs
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Consultation procedures
Training
“A planned process to modify attitude,
knowledge or skill behaviour through
learning experience to achieve effective
performance in an activity or range of
activities.”
Targeted at developing the necessary
understanding and skills in individuals
and groups
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Improving H&S Culture
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Training
Benefits
When is training needed?
Recruitment - induction
Exposure to new or increased risk due
to job or process change:
Transfer
New responsibilities
New technology
New systems of work
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
Changes in legislation
 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the main health & safety

issues to be included in an induction
training programme for new
employees. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Induction Training
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd  The organisation’s H&S policy emphasising the
management’s commitment and worker involvement
 Emergency procedures for fire / spillages including escape
routes and assembly points
 Hazards specific to the workplace and the need to comply
with H&S requirements
 Risk assessment process and general and job specific
precautions, e.g. PPE, permits, etc.
 Health & safety responsibilities and lines of communication
within the organisation
 Accident and first-aid arrangements including and accident
procedure, who to report to, names of first-aiders and
location of first-aid facilities
 Welfare provision including location of canteen facilities,
© BMS Ltd.
toilets, wash and changing rooms
2008 (V1)
 Health surveillance and consultation procedures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC1 Element 5

Risk Assessment

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Hazard
BMS
(Health and

 Something with the potential to cause harm

Safety) Ltd

 Article (plant / machine, equipment)

 Substance
 Situation

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Hazard
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Physical, e.g. working at heights, fire,

noise, electricity, machinery, poor lighting

 Chemical, e.g. toxic, corrosive, irritant,

harmful, etc.

 Biological, e.g. bacteria, virus, fungi

 Ergonomic, e.g. posture, manual handling

 Psychological, e.g. excessive demands,

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
violence, bullying
 Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Likelihood of harm occurring
 Degree of risk is the likelihood and
severity of harm

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Likelihood  Severity
 Where is the  Death
hazard?  Injury
 Number of people
exposed?  Ill-health (disease)
 How knowledgeable  Dangerous
are they? occurrence
 Frequency of  Damage only
exposure?  Loss of business
 Quantity of opportunity
exposure (time,
dose, concentration,  Loss of reputation
etc.)?  Any other loss
 Near miss

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Risk Assessment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Risk assessment is a careful examination of
what could cause harm so that you can
determine whether you have done enough or
should do more to prevent harm.
 Aim - To ensure that no one suffers harm

 3 reasons:
Moral – Human harm
Legal / social effects
Economic effects
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Analysing Incidents
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Accidents
 Dangerous occurrences
 Near miss
 Damage only
Ill-health
Poisonings
Skin diseases
Lung diseases
Infections
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
Cancer
 Incident and Accident Ratios
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Probability
Frequency rate
Number of defined accidents in a period
x 100,000
Total person hours worked in a period

Incidence rate
Number of defined accidents
x 1,000
Average number of employees
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Incident and Accident Ratios
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Probability
Severity (or gravity) rate

Number of days lost in a period

x 1,000
Total person hours worked in a period

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Incident and Accident Ratios
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk = Likelihood x Severity

 Accident statistics can be used to identify
importance of hazards in an organisation, e.g.:
 Low priority
 High frequency, but low severity and cost

 Lower financial expenditure and effort on preventive

measures, e.g. to prevent minor cut injuries

 CAUTION – especially for high severity, low

frequency hazards
 Potential outcome
© BMS Ltd.  Statistics are historic and may not predict future
2008 (V1)
performance
 Accident Triangles
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Accident data should be considered during

the risk assessment process

1 Major injury

29 Minor injuries

No injury
© BMS Ltd. 300
2008 (V1)
 The Risk Assessment Process
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 5 steps
1. Look for the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks and decide if existing
precautions are adequate or whether
more should be done
4. Record the significant findings
5. Review the assessment and revise it if
necessary
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 STEP 1 - Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Inspections
Inspection / testing of plant / equipment
Work environment

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 STEP 1 - Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Job / Task analysis

Hazards identified and risks assessed
MEEP
The Materials and Equipment used
The Environment in which the work is
undertaken
Account taken of the People involved
(number, skills, etc.)
The work methods
Existing control measures
© BMS Ltd.
Legal requirements, standards and
2008 (V1)
other information that may be relevant
 STEP 1 - Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Job / Task analysis

Study of documents
Observation of work
Special safety aspects
Interaction
Validation

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Legislation / best practice

requirements
Manufacturer’s information
Incident data

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 STEP 1 - Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Accidents
By cause of accident
By cause of injury
Health risks
Chemical
Biological
Physical
© BMS Ltd.
Psychological
2008 (V1)
 STEP 1 - Identifying Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Health Effects
Safety) Ltd

 Evaluation
 The nature (harmful characteristics) of the
substance or condition
 Dose (quantity and time)
 The concentration, intensity or level of exposure to
the harmful agent
 The time exposed
 Effects
 Acute
 Short-term response triggered by a single dose or
limited exposure to the agent causing the ill-health
 Chronic
© BMS Ltd.  Long-term response, usually after repeated
2008 (V1)
exposures to a sub-lethal concentration
 Step 2 - Decide Who Might be Harmed
BMS
(Health and
and How
Safety) Ltd
 Employees
 Staff, operators, maintenance staff, etc.
 Non-employees
 Cleaners
 Contractors
 Visitors
 Members of public

 Include anyone especially at risk

 Disabled, young persons, lone workers,
pregnant women

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Evaluate the Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Consider:
Adequacy and effectiveness of existing
controls
Risk estimation
Likelihood of harm and probable severity
Further action necessary
Eliminate or reduce

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Qualitative Risk Ranking
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 High?
 Medium?
 Low?

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Quantitative Risk Ranking
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Severity of harm

Minor (1) Medium (2) Major (3)

Low (1) 1 2 3
Likelihood of harm

Medium (2) 2 4 6

High (3) 3 6 9

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Evaluate the Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Residual risk
Risk that remains once controls have
been put in place
Acceptable / tolerable risk level
Risk reduced to the lowest level that is
reasonably practicable
 Control measures
Guidance/ legislation

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Evaluate the Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

General Control hierarchy

Elimination
Hardware – physical controls
Software – individual, behavioural and
procedural controls
Prioritisation based on risk

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 4 - Record Significant
BMS
(Health and
Findings
Safety) Ltd

Ignore trivial, everyday risks

Process / activity description
Significant hazards
Workers at risk
Extent of risk (e.g. high, medium, low)
Adequacy of existing controls
Further actions required
By whom, by when
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
Date
 Step 5 - Review and Revise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 If no longer valid
 After an accident, incident, ill-health
 Advice from Enforcing Agency
 When improved control measures become
available
 After significant change
 New equipment or hazards introduced
 Changes to plant, process, work routine,
legislation
 New hazard information available
 Change of workers, competency or
© BMS Ltd. vulnerability
2008 (V1)

 After an elapse of time

 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

(a) Explain, using an example, the

meaning of the term Hazard
(2)

(b) Outline techniques for identifying

hazards in the workplace
(5)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Extent of Risk Assessment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Suitable and Sufficient
 Proportionate to level of risk
 Reviews all aspects of work activity
 Considers work organisation
 Identifies significant hazards and risks
 Evaluates the risks
 Identifies control measures
 Enables priorities to be set
 Considers non-routine operations
 Considers risks to the public
© BMS Ltd.  Undertaken by competent person(s)
2008 (V1)

 Valid for a reasonable time

 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

a) Outline the steps that should be used in

carrying out a risk assessment, identifying the
issues that would need to be considered at
each stage. (10)

b) Outline the factors that the employer should

take into account when selecting individuals to
carry out risk assessments. (6)

c) List FOUR criteria which need to be fulfilled to

ensure that a risk assessment is ‘suitable and
sufficient’. (4)
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 (a) Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk is the likelihood of harm occurring

and the severity of harm. For example, a
trailing cable is a hazard and the
associated risk is the chance of a trip or a
fall over the cable, accompanied by a
particular degree of injury.

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 (b) Competency of Risk Assessors
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Experience and training in hazard

identification and carrying out risk
assessments
 Knowledge of the process or activity
 Technical knowledge of the plant or
equipment
 Good communication and report writing
skills
 Ability to interpret legislation and
guidance
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Positive attitude
 Special Categories of Workers
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Those especially at risk

Young Persons
Under age of 18
New and expectant mothers
Disabled
Lone workers

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Young Persons
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 At greater risk due to:

Lack of perception of risk or of ability
to avoid risk (because of limited
knowledge, experience and / or lack of
training)
The individual’s stage of physical
development
Tendency of young persons to take
risks and to respond to peer group
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1) pressure
 Young Persons
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk assessment factors

Workplace
Physical, biological and chemical
agents
Work equipment
Restrictions, e.g. use of machinery
Work organisation and processes
Training
Specific agents
© BMS Ltd.
Carcinogens, radiation, noise, vibration,
2008 (V1)
etc.
 Expectant & Nursing Mothers
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 The risk assessment should include

risks to the unborn child, or the child
of a woman who is still
breastfeeding

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Expectant & Nursing Mothers
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk assessment factors

Physical risks
Chemical agents
Biological agents
Working conditions
Other aspects, e.g.:
Morning sickness, tiredness, comfort,
backache, hormonal change
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Disabled
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk assessment factors

Mobility
Emergency evacuation
Welfare facilities
Impaired senses
Fire alarm, evacuation
Communication
Manual handling
Ergonomics
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Lone Workers
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Risk assessment factors

The type of work, hazards and risks
MEEP
Materials and equipment used
Work environment
Competence and suitability of the people
involved
Existing control measures
Methods of communication
Emergency and first-aid procedures
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
Welfare facilities
 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the factors to consider when

assessing the risks to a long distance
delivery driver. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
  Materials (Load)
 The means of handling materials that may be hazardous
on the vehicle
BMS
(Health and  The emergency procedures in place for first-aid, fires,
Safety) Ltd
etc. and the provision of first-aid kits and fire
extinguishers
 Equipment (Vehicle)
 Maintenance and breakdown provision, including signs,
etc.
 The design and layout of the cab
 Environment (Job)
 The duration of the journey, including the need for rest
breaks & not exceeding daily travel hours allowed
 The demands of the route (complexity, road conditions,
traffic congestion, etc.)
 People (Individual)
 The capabilities of the driver to cope with the demands
of the job
© BMS Ltd.  The level of training provided, including first-aid
2008 (V1)
procedures, safe places to park
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC1 Element 6

Principles of Control

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Principles of Prevention
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Avoid risks
 Evaluate risks which cannot be avoided
 Combat risks at source
 Adapt work to the individual, reducing their effect
on health
 Adapt to technical progress
 Replace the dangerous by the non-dangerous or
less dangerous
 Develop a coherent prevention policy, relating to
the working environment
 Give collective protective measures priority over
© BMS Ltd.
individual protective measures
2008 (V1)
 Give appropriate instructions to employees
 General Principles of Prevention
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
Safe place
Collective measures

Safe person
Individual measures

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safety Signs
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Prohibition

 Fire-fighting equipment

 Warning

 Mandatory

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safe condition
 Safety Signals
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Acoustic
 Verbal
 Hand

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Elimination

 Hardware – engineering / physical controls

 Software – behavioural controls

 PPE

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Hierarchy of control
Eliminate Safe
Place
Reduce
Isolate
Control
PPE Safe
Person
Discipline

Remember ERICPD
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Eliminate (avoid)
 The risk
 e.g. use water based instead of solvent based paints
 The task
 e.g. use mechanical handling aids

 Reduce (substitute)
 Change work method
 e.g. brush paint instead of spray painting
 Change work pattern
© BMS Ltd.
 e.g. job rotation to reduce duration (time) exposed
2008 (V1)
and reduce frequency of exposure
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Isolate
 e.g. totally enclose, guard, fence
 Control
 Number of people exposed
 e.g. authorised entry
 Engineering control
 Design
 Ventilation
 Safe systems of work

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

PPE
Discipline
Fear of discipline
Self-discipline
Safe systems of work

 Combination of measures and other

controls…

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 General Risk Control Hierarchy
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Other controls
Organisational
ITIS
 Information, Training, Instruction and Supervision
Monitoring
Housekeeping
Cleaning the workplace
Laundering clothing
Welfare
Rest areas
No smoking, eating, drinking in contaminated
© BMS Ltd.
areas
2008 (V1)
 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline a hierarchy of control

measures for controlling risk (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safe Systems of Work
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 “A formal procedure following a

systematic examination of a task in
order to identify all the hazards. It
defines methods of working which
eliminate those hazards or minimise
the risks.”

 Written procedure following job / task

analysis, e.g. method statement
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safe Systems of Work
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Factors to consider
 Employers’ duties
 Competent persons
 Worker involvement
 Written procedures
 Technical controls
 Procedural controls
 Behavioural controls

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Developing a Safe System of Work
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Select task
 Record each step in task
 Evaluate risks
 Identify hazards, assess risks and identify
control measures
 MEEP
 Develop written procedure
 Implement through instruction & training
 Monitor the effectiveness of the system.

 Remember SREDIM
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Confined Space
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Any place, by virtue of its enclosed nature,

where there is a reasonably foreseeable
risk of:
 Fire or explosion
 Loss of consciousness from increase in body
temperature
 Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from
gas, fume, vapour, or lack of oxygen
 Drowning from an increase in level of liquid
 Asphyxiation arising from free flowing solid or
entrapment by a free flowing solid
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Confined Spaces
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Hazards may:
Be present in the confined space
e.g. flammable gases, lack of oxygen,
chemicals, moving machinery
Be introduced by the work
e.g. welding fume, heat, electricity, exhaust
fumes, oxygen - causing enrichment
Flow into the confined space
e.g. flood water, grain, powder, gas, vapour
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Confined Space Entry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Risk assessment factors
 Avoid entry
 Safe system of work
 Including a permit-to-work (PTW)
 Emergency
arrangements

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safe System of Work
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Supervision and  Limit working time
competency  Permit-to-work
 Removal of residues  Test / monitor
/ clean before entry atmosphere
 Isolation of services  Suitable tools and
 Gas Purging lighting
 Ventilation and  Safe use of gas
cooling cylinders
 Adequate size of  Safe use of internal
entry combustion engines
 Communication  Fire precautions
 PPE

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Confined Space Entry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Safe System of Work

 Control measures
 Technical
 Physical isolations, access equipment,
ventilation system, rescue equipment
 Procedural
 Atmospheric checks, rescue arrangements,
time limitations
 Behavioural
 Following safe system of work, use of PPE ,
etc.
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Sample Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the factors to be considered

when developing a safe system of
work. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Lone Working
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Safe System of Work

 Control measures
 Technical
 Communication equipment, first-aid
equipment, fire extinguishers, etc.
 Procedural
 Log movements, premises entry
requirements, etc.
 Behavioural
 Following safe system of work, use of
PPE, etc.
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Working and Travelling Abroad
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Safe System of Work

 Control measures
 Technical
 Communication equipment
 Procedural
 Insurance, health, financial, security,
accommodation and emergency
arrangements
 Behavioural
 Following safe system of work, use of
PPE, etc.
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)