Examiners report nebosh igc2 sep 2009

September 2009

Examiners’ Report NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety - IGC2

Examiners’ Report NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT IGC2: CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL WORKPLACE HAZARDS SEPTEMBER 2009

CONTENTS

Introduction

2

General comments

3

Comments on individual questions

4

© 2009 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW tel: 0116 263 4700

fax: 0116 282 4000

email: info@nebosh.org.uk

website: www.nebosh.org.uk

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health is a registered charity, number 1010444 T(s):exrpts/I/IGC20909

EXTERNAL

DW/DA/REW

Introduction

NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as an independent examining board and awarding body with charitable status. We offer a comprehensive range of globally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety, environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the private and public sectors.

Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract over 25,000 candidates annually and are offered by over 400 course providers in 65 countries around the world. Our qualifications are recognised by the relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

NEBOSH is an awarding body recognised and regulated by the UK regulatory authorities: • • • •

The Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Scotland

NEBOSH follows the “GCSE, GCE, VCE, GNVQ and AEA Code of Practice 2007/8” published by the regulatory authorities in relation to examination setting and marking (available at the Ofqual website www.ofqual.gov.uk). While not obliged to adhere to this code, NEBOSH regards it as best practice to do so.

Candidates’ scripts are marked by a team of Examiners appointed by NEBOSH on the basis of their qualifications and experience. The standard of the qualification is determined by NEBOSH, which is overseen by the NEBOSH Council comprising nominees from, amongst others, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Representatives of course providers, from both the public and private sectors, are elected to the NEBOSH Council.

This report on the Examination provides information on the performance of candidates which it is hoped will be useful to candidates and tutors in preparation for future examinations. It is intended to be constructive and informative and to promote better understanding of the syllabus content and the application of assessment criteria. © NEBOSH 2009

Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to: NEBOSH Dominus Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE10 1QW Tel: 0116 263 4700 Fax: 0116 282 4000 Email: info@nebosh.org.uk

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EXTERNAL

General comments

Many candidates are well prepared for this unit assessment and provide comprehensive and relevant answers in response to the demands of the question paper. This includes the ability to demonstrate understanding of knowledge by applying it to workplace situations.

There are always some candidates, however, who appear to be unprepared for the unit assessment and who show both a lack of knowledge of the syllabus content and a lack of understanding of how key concepts should be applied to workplace situations.

In order to meet the pass standard for this assessment, acquisition of knowledge and understanding across the syllabus are prerequisites. However, candidates need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in answering the questions set. Referral of candidates in this unit is invariably because they are unable to write a full, well-informed answer to one or more of the questions asked.

Some candidates find it difficult to relate their learning to the questions and as a result offer responses reliant on recalled knowledge and conjecture and fail to demonstrate a sufficient degree of understanding. Candidates should prepare themselves for this vocational examination by ensuring their understanding, not rote-learning pre-prepared answers.

Common pitfalls It is recognised that many candidates are well prepared for their assessments. However, recurrent issues, as outlined below, continue to prevent some candidates reaching their full potential in the assessment. −

Many candidates fail to apply the basic principles of examination technique and for some candidates this means the difference between a pass and a referral.

−

In some instances, candidates are failing because they do not attempt all the required questions or are failing to provide complete answers. Candidates are advised to always attempt an answer to a compulsory question, even when the mind goes blank. Applying basic health and safety management principles can generate credit worthy points.

−

Some candidates fail to answer the question set and instead provide information that may be relevant to the topic but is irrelevant to the question and cannot therefore be awarded marks.

−

Many candidates fail to apply the command words (also known as action verbs, eg describe, outline, etc). Command words are the instructions that guide the candidate on the depth of answer required. If, for instance, a question asks the candidate to ‘describe’ something, then few marks will be awarded to an answer that is an outline.

−

Some candidates fail to separate their answers into the different sub-sections of the questions. These candidates could gain marks for the different sections if they clearly indicated which part of the question they were answering (by using the numbering from the question in their answer, for example). Structuring their answers to address the different parts of the question can also help in logically drawing out the points to be made in response.

−

Candidates need to plan their time effectively. Some candidates fail to make good use of their time and give excessive detail in some answers leaving insufficient time to address all of the questions.

−

Candidates should also be aware that Examiners cannot award marks if handwriting is illegible.

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EXTERNAL

Paper IGC2 Control of international workplace hazards Question 1

(a) (b)

(c)

Identify FOUR hazards associated with maintenance operations on machinery in the workplace.

(4)

Give FOUR examples of how a worker could be injured when carrying out maintenance operations on an item of machinery in the workplace.

(4)

Outline measures to be taken to minimise the risk of injury during the maintenance of machinery.

(12)

In answering part (a) of the question, candidates could have identified hazards such as contact with dangerous moving parts of the machinery; electricity; stored energy such as heat or pressure; contact with gases, fumes and vapours and exposure to radiation and biological agents; manual handling of heavy machine parts or tools; noise and vibration and working at height or in confined spaces.

For part (b), a worker might be injured whilst carrying out maintenance work on an item of machinery by contact with moving parts of the machine; contact with live electrical components; contact with hot surfaces causing burns; being overcome by emissions of gas or vapours; contact with high pressure fluid and falling from a height or on the same level. Some candidates found difficulty in providing the four examples required.

For the last part of the question candidates were expected to outline measures such as designing the machine where possible to reduce the need to remove guards for routine maintenance and lubrication; to operate a permit to work system which would help to ensure that electrical power to the machine was isolated and locked off, and all pipelines leading to the machine were similarly isolated; to release stored energy and to allow sufficient time for the machinery to cool down before maintenance starts.

Where necessary, means of access such as a scaffold may have to be erected and barriers and warning signs placed round the machinery to advise workers that maintenance work was in progress. Finally it would be necessary to use only skilled and competent personnel in possession of specialised tools where required, to carry out the work; to provide them with personal protective equipment such as head protection, eye protection and harnesses; to ensure adequate standards of lighting and ventilation in the work area and to arrange for the work to be properly supervised.

Answers to this part of the question were to a reasonable standard though there were few candidates who referred to the need to plan and schedule the work and to release stored energy before commencing. Some identified the use of personal protective equipment but gave no examples of the type of equipment that would be needed.

Question 2

Outline factors to be considered when carrying out a manual handling assessment of the work undertaken by baggage handlers at a large, busy airport.

(8)

In answering this question, candidates were expected to provide an outline of the factors to be considered when undertaking a manual handling assessment of the work activity described. They could have structured their answers under the headings of task, individual, load and environment and those who did so produced the better answers. Factors associated with the task would include postural issues such as the need to stoop and twist, the frequency and duration of the physical effort required, the need to move the loads quickly to meet scheduled departures, the distance that loads might have to be carried and the height to be lifted to place bags on to the conveyor.

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EXTERNAL

With respect to the load, reference could have been made to the variable weights of items of baggage which would not carry weight markings, bulky and unwieldy baggage such as golf clubs or skis, the possibility of movement of a bag’s contents because of unsatisfactory packing, and the slippery nature of some of the packaging material used which would prevent the handlers from obtaining a good grip on the load. Factors associated with the individual would be their stature, fitness levels and training and experience. Environmental factors would relate to possible space constraints, the condition of floors and the temperatures where the handlers might have to work, together with the standard of lighting provided and the weather conditions.

Answers to the question varied in quality. Some candidates found difficulty in suggesting factors specifically related to the scenario and produced generic manual handling answers while others suggested that the solution was to use mechanical equipment such as trolleys.

Question 3

Identify factors that may indicate a need for health surveillance of workers in a workplace.

(8)

Factors that might indicate the need for health surveillance of workers include: the requirements of legislation, codes of practice and guidance; the work activity involving contact with, for example, lead or asbestos; changes in the work activity; as a result of a risk assessment; ill-health records including those of first aid treatments and absence records; the results of monitoring or workplace inspections; job fitness standards and evidence of pre-existing conditions; complaints from workers and as a result of consultation with the workforce.

Candidates found difficulty with this question with many giving the impression that they did not understand what was required. In the answers that were provided, factors such as legislation, codes of practice and guidance, and pre-existing conditions were frequently omitted.

Question 4

A large office is open to the public for enquiries and the risk assessment has shown a significant risk of violence to workers from visitors.

Outline measures that the employer could take to reduce the risk.

(8)

Answers to this question were to a reasonable standard with candidates outlining a wide range of measures such as, for example, the design of the workplace and public areas to restrict access; the use of security equipment such as CCTV, alarm systems and personal alarms and panic buttons; secure areas with coded locks and physical barriers and the use of check-in and check-out procedures for visitors; the use of trained security staff; keeping the area free of anything that could be used as a potential weapon; introducing procedures for the reporting of incidents; posting signs warning of the action that would be taken in cases of violence and providing workers with training in confrontation management and stress reduction techniques.

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EXTERNAL

Question 5

A portable electric drill for use on a construction site needs periodic inspection and testing to ensure it is safe to operate.

Identify the factors that would determine the frequency of the inspection and testing.

(8)

The factors that might affect the frequency of inspection and testing of the portable drill include the extent and conditions of use; the age and robustness of the equipment; the intrinsic safety features of the equipment such as double insulation and low voltage; user checks and the number of problems reported; the number and competency of the users; manufacturers recommendations and best practice guidance; foreseeable misuse or abuse and the results of previous tests and inspections.

Some candidates, instead of identifying the factors that would determine the frequency of inspection and testing, detailed what was involved in the inspection of the appliance, listing the items to be checked whilst others discussed the safety features of a portable electric drill. This emphasises the need for candidates to read the question with care and understand what is required before composing their answers.

Question 6

The manager of an industrial unit containing a number of offices and workshops has just completed a risk assessment and is to develop a fire plan.

Identify the factors that should be addressed in the fire plan.

(8)

Factors that should be addressed in the fire plan include: the action workers should take if they discover a fire; the system for raising the alarm and notifying the fire service; the escape routes and travel distances and the provision of fire exit route signs; the provision of emergency lighting; the provision and siting of fire fighting equipment; the identification of an assembly point and the procedures for taking a roll call; the appointment of and delegation of specific responsibilities to marshals and door wardens; the arrangements for workers with disabilities and for non-workers; the location of service shut down switches and valves and the arrangements for stopping and isolating machinery and plant in the event of a fire; the training required for all workers and that for those with special responsibilities and coordination and cooperation with other employers who might be affected if a fire occurred.

There were some disappointing answers to this question which was concerned with a fundamental risk in any workplace. Generally, a limited number of factors only were identified such as alarms, escape routes and emergency lighting.

Question 7

Identify possible causes of a mobile crane overturning on a construction site.

(8)

This question probed candidates’ knowledge of causes that might cause a mobile crane on a construction site to overturn. The question was well answered with candidates identifying causes such as the failure to set the crane on a level footing, siting it on poor and unconsolidated ground and failing to distribute the weight of the crane by providing adequate timber beneath outriggers. Additional factors affecting stability would be the condition of the tyres, mechanical or hydraulic failure,

6

EXTERNAL

overloading, incorrect slinging resulting in an unstable load, operating when winds were too strong and driver error such as slewing too quickly, causing an abrupt movement of the jib, travelling with a load over poor terrain and colliding with structures, overhead cables or another vehicle.

Question 8

(a)

(b)

Identify activities on a construction site that may expose workers to cement or material containing cement.

(3)

Identify the harmful effects to workers which could result from contact with cement.

(5)

Workers on a construction site may be exposed to cement or material containing cement whilst carrying out the following operations: opening dry cement bags or disposing of the old bags; shovelling dry and mixing wet cement; pouring wet cement into voids or foundations; levelling wet cement; and laying bricks, blocks or paving. In answering this part of the question, candidates were generally able to cite only wet cement activities.

They performed better for part (b), however, identifying harmful effects such as irritation or inflammation of the eyes, dermatitis whether contact or sensitising, irritation to the nose and throat, respiratory irritation and chest complaints, cement burns or ulcers from contact with wet cement, silicosis if exposed to silica in cement or cement products and the possibility of musculoskeletal injuries as a result of lifting and carrying bags of cement.

Question 9

(a)

Identify FOUR types of ionising radiation.

(4)

(b)

Outline the main control measures for ionising radiation.

(4)

In answering part (a), candidates were expected to identify types of ionising radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, gamma radiation, x-ray and Bremsstrahlung.

Few candidates mentioned Bremsstrahlung and there was a tendency to refer to the other types of radiation as “rays�. Some became confused and identified types of nonionising radiation.

In answering part (b), candidates should have outlined control measures such as shielding, for example with lead or perspex; segregation by increasing the distance between the source and the person; reducing the duration of exposure by worker rotation; reducing the strength of the source; the use of a glove box provided with local exhaust ventilation; the use of appropriate personal protective equipment such as an apron; and the introduction of procedures for monitoring and health surveillance. Most control measures were outlined in the answers given, though there was infrequent reference to reducing the source strength. Occasionally the confusion shown in part (a) was apparent in answers to part (b) with reference being made to the use of barrier creams and the need to avoid the rays of the sun.

Question 10

(a)

(b)

Identify possible routes of entry of biological organisms into the body.

(4)

Outline control measures that could be used to reduce the risk of infection from biological organisms.

(4)

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EXTERNAL

For part (a), candidates could have identified possible routes of entry of biological organisms into the body such as inhalation, injection, absorption through the skin for example through cuts and grazes, exchange of body fluids and ingestion.

In answering part (b), there are a number of control measures such as cleaning and disinfecting; the use of personal protective equipment such as respiratory protection and aprons and gloves; engineering controls such as containment for example in glove boxes provided with local exhaust ventilation and the use of microbiological safety cabinets; the introduction of procedures for the disposal of waste; the prohibition of eating or drinking in the work area; vermin control; procedures for site monitoring and health surveillance; immunisation and a good standard of personal hygiene.

Answers to this question were generally to an acceptable standard though some candidates lost marks by providing lists rather than an outline in answer to part (b).

Question 11

(a)

Identify FOUR hazards that can cause trips or slips.

(4)

(b)

Identify control measures that can be used to reduce the risk of slips and trips.

(4)

There are many reasons why people slip or trip, including the floor being poorly maintained with damage to carpets, linoleum and tiles; changes in level caused by ramps, slopes or kerbs; slippery surfaces caused by oil or water with the spillages being left in place and not cleaned up; ice and snow; highly polished surfaces such as marble or slate; dusty surfaces; the wearing of inappropriate footwear; and general obstructions in walkways such as trailing cables, pipes and uncollected rubbish.

Control measures that might be used to reduce the risk of slips and trips include maintaining the surface condition of the walkways; replacing damaged carpet, linoleum and tiles; using anti-slip flooring materials; highlighting changes in level with hazard warning strips; providing good lighting; introducing procedures for cleaning up liquid spillages and dust, debris and waste; introducing a regime of regular inspection and encouraging the wearing of appropriate footwear.

In answering this question, most candidates were able to identify both the required number of hazards and the control measures that should be adopted.

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EXTERNAL

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health Dominus Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE19 1QW telephone +44 (0)116 2634700 fax +44 (0)116 2824000 email info@nebosh.org.uk www.nebosh.org.uk