NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ELEMENT 2
Q1 Outline the specific hazards associated with the use of battery-powered forklift trucks
AND state the precautions necessary in EACH case (8)

OR

(a) Identify FOUR hazards associated with the use of battery-powered forklift trucks
(4)

Hazards associated with the use of battery-powered forklift trucks

(1) Fumes from vehicles.

(2) Fire/explosion while charging & handling batteries.
(3) Harmful Gas & Corrosive acids-Give off Hydrogen gas while charging & Sulphuric acid while
filling the batteries.
(4) Electrical hazards-when contact with overhead power lines.
(5) Collisions-Co-workers/pedestrians being hit by moving forklifts or moving parts of a forklift.
(6) Manual handling of batteries
(7) Falling objects / people- Collisions between forklifts and other vehicles or stationary objects; and
forklift operators and other being hit by falling objects. Operators falling while getting into or out
of forklifts.
(8) Noise / vibration- from vehicles and external atmosphere.
(9) Ergonomics-Operators suffering muscular stress due to a combination of inappropriate seating,
vibration and manual handling.

(10)Co-workers/Pedestrians being trapped or caught between a moving forklift/moving parts of a

forklift and stationary object;

(11)Overloading and overturning.

(b) Outline control measures for EACH of the hazards identified in (a). (4)

Control Measures:

 Designated battery charging area with good ventilation.

 Hydrogen gas: Ventilation, fire equipment, no smoking and signage.
 Sulphuric acid; Protective clothing, spillage procedure, clean water, first-aid and topping up
procedure.
 Electricity; Insulated tools, safe charging procedures and isolation.
 Use appropriate PPE
 Audible warnings
 Segregation of pedestrian and vehicles.
 Strict enforcement of speed limits.
 Securely bounded loads.

Nebosh International General Certificate

NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q2 Identify control measures to reduce the risk of accidents from reversing vehicles in
the workplace (8)

 Remove people from the reversing area, create a vehicle only area and keep the area free from
obstructions.
 Ensure that there is adequate space for reversing. Provide large reversing areas where
possible. If the work place is small, you may have to restrict the size of vehicles allowed to
access your site.

 Ensure that reversing areas are well laid out, clearly identified for both drivers and
pedestrians, have adequate marking, signage and aids to increase visibility such as mirrors.
 The provision of longitudinal guides, lateral white lines on the ground or fixed mirrors can all
be of assistance to the driver in positioning the vehicle correctly.
 Place fixed mirrors in reversing areas, if required.
 Where vehicles have to reverse up to structures, services or edges, provide physical stops
such as barriers, bollards, buffers or wheel stops to warm drivers that they need to stop and to
prevent vehicles from overrunning edges. All physical stops should be highly visible,
appropriately positioned and well maintained.
 Ensure that there is adequate lighting in the reversing area.
 Consider reversing aids or safety devices if appropriate, for example “Sensing” or “trip”
systems can assist in the detection of people or obstacles behind the reversing vehicle.
 Audible reversing alarms which warn people of the danger can be of assistance.
 Fix guard, where required, the rear wheels / hazardous vehicle access points to prevent people
from being dragged under the vehicle.
 Select conspicuous vehicle colours and markings to assist the vehicle in standing out.

Q3 Battery powered forklift trucks are used to move material in a warehouse.

(a) Identify precautions that may be needed to reduce the risk to pedestrians in
areas where the fork-lift trucks are operating. (8)

Refer Page No -111

 Segregated systems for vehicular and pedestrian traffic (barriers, separate doors).
 Maintaining food visibility (mirrors, transparent doors, provision of lighting, vehicle
reversing cameras)
 Signs indicating where vehicles operate in this area.
 Audible warnings on and sometimes flashing lights on vehicles.
 Establish and enforcement of site rules.
 The provision of refuges.
 The wearing of high-visibility clothing.
 A good standard of housekeeping.

Nebosh International General Certificate

NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Training for, and supervision of, all concerned, competency certificates, refresher training,
trained banks men to direct cranes.
 Provision of parking areas.
 Provision of suitable battery charging or refueling areas if necessary.
 Careful design of traffic routes.
 Traffic control e.g. identification of “no go” areas.

(b) Identify precautions that should be taken when leaving a fork - lift truck
unattended.

 Designated parking areas should be provided with sufficient space

 Restrict the access from authorized people and define the traffic routes
 Turn off the motor and apply brakes
 Set the controls in neutral position
 Removing key from the vehicle
 Mast tilted slightly forward
 Forks resting on floor
 Forklifts that are parked on an inclined or sloping floor must be blocked
 Parked should not obstruct the walkways
 Parking should not obstructing fire exits/ fire points
 Returning key to responsible person

Nebosh International General Certificate