IB Past year Questions

Unit B question 25/04/17

Question 4 (a) Give the meaning of the term ‘biological monitoring’. (2)
(b) Outline the circumstances in which biological monitoring may be appropriate. (4)
(c) Outline the practical difficulties that an employer must take into account when
introducing a programme of biological monitoring. (4)

Answer:

Part a) Biological monitoring is the measurement or assessment of hazardous substances

or their metabolites in tissues, secretions, excreta or expired air.
Part b) biological monitoring is a done in addition to air monitoring or sampling and can be
used to determine if existing controls are adequate;
gives information the accumulated doses in a target organs;
comparison made against guidance such as in EH 40;
when there is significant absorption by non-respiratory routes;
in circumstances when there is significant reliance on personal protective equipment;
Legislative requirements e.g. Control of Lead at Work Regulations.
Part c) apart from monitoring required by legislation, biological monitoring would normally
be voluntary. The informed consent of those involved would have to be obtained and any
concerns addressed. Other difficulties include:
the availability of suitable facilities or a location to carry out the monitoring especially if
done at the end of a shift;
the availability of specialists to carry out the monitoring e.g. if blood samples are to be
taken;
maintaining the integrity of samples to avoid cross contamination and ensuring there was
no possibility of cross infection;
there are few guidance values available for comparison;
exposure may be non-occupational;
the costs involved in carrying out the exercise.
Unit B 27/04/18
A worker is to install thermal insulation into the roof space of a house. Entry is via a single
hatchway requiring ladder access. The worker works alone. The conditions are very
restricted, the ventilation is limited and the work is hot and strenuous.

(a) Explain what conditions would constitute a confined space. (2)

(b) Outline the factors that should be considered when assessing the risks of installing the
thermal insulation into the roof space. (8)

Answer:

Due to the volume of replies to the practice questions whilst I have been away, I have
included information below that you could all have included in your answer. Please note
that this is not an exhaustive list and that the command words were:

1. Explain - which requires a detailed answer for each point made.

2. Outline - which requires a sentence or two for each point made.
(a) Conditions that constitute a confined space:

o Substantially or totally enclosed (this does not preclude large rooms or tanks)
o Specified risk present:
o Injury due to fire/explosion
o Loss of consciousness due to rising body temperature
o Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation due to gas/fume/vapour/ lack of
oxygen
o Drowning due to rise in level of liquid
o Asphyxiation or being trapped by a free-flowing solid
These are very specific risks and as such would be required to gain the mark.

(b) Factors for risk assessing installation of insulation could include:

o Work at height
o Fall through fragile surfaces
o falls from ladder/scaffold
o slips and injuries on entering and exiting hatchway
o Restricted environment
o Poor lighting
o Cramped conditions
 o lack of ventilation, heat causing rising body temperature
o Snakes, rats, venomous insects, animals
o Emergency procedures
o Other workers and their proximity
o Emergency services contact
o Communications with other workers
o Availability of first aid
o Extraction arrangements
o The task
o Worker competence (training, experience, skill etc.)
o Duration of the work and limiting work in the space
o Assistance (at least 2 workers)
o Supervision requirements and availability
o Suitable PPE (overalls/footwear/dustmask/gloves)
o Composition of the insulation and the associated risks and controls