September 2011

Examiners’ Report
NEBOSH International
General Certificate in
Occupational Health
and Safety - IGC1
Examiners’ Report

NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL

CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY

UNIT IGC1: MANAGEMENT OF

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY

SEPTEMBER 2011

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

General comments 3

Comments on individual questions 4

 2011 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/IGC11109 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 Education and Skills (DfES) in Wales
 The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland
 The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in Scotland

Where appropriate, NEBOSH follows the latest version of the “GCSE, GCE, Principal Learning and
Project Code of Practice” 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 2011

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

2 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 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. Similarly the command word
‘identify’ requires more information than a ‘list’.

 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.

 Candidates should note that it is not necessary to start a new page in their answer booklet for
each section of a question.

3 EXTERNAL
 Paper IGC1
Management of international safety and health

Question 1 (a) An organisation is required to introduce arrangements for health

and safety inspections.

(i) Give the meaning of the term ‘health and safety

inspection’. (2)
(ii) Identify factors to consider when making these
arrangements. (10)

(b) Outline how the findings in an inspection report might be

communicated in a way that is effective and persuades senior
management to take action. (8)

The meaning of the term ’health and safety inspection’ would include the identification
of workplace hazards; the observation of unsafe conditions or the confirmation of
existing safe conditions; the identification of good practice and compliance with
agreed procedures, and conversely the identification of bad practice; and ultimately
an impression of the existing situation at the time the inspection was carried out.
Whilst the identification of hazards was generally mentioned, most candidates did not
add anything further to this.

Factors which should be considered in making arrangements for health and safety
inspections include the size and complexity of the organisation, the type of work
carried out and its associated hazards; the history of accidents and incidents that may
have occurred; the requirements for particular inspections contained in applicable
legislation; international guidance and best practice; the selection and required
competency of those chosen to carry out the inspections, the nomination of a member
of management to receive and action a report on the inspections and the frequency
with which they should be carried out; the protocol for the immediate remedy of an
unsafe situation which may necessitate the granting of authority to stop an activity;
consideration of the use of a check list for the inspections; and the resources needed
to introduce the arrangements and their costs. A number of candidates chose to
identify what should be inspected rather than the factors to be considered in making
arrangements for the inspections.

For part (b), a good answer would have referred to the required style, structure and
emphasis of the report. As far as the style was concerned, the report should be clear
and concise, should not include ambiguous phrases and should explain specific
technical terms where required. As for its structure, it should have an introduction, an
executive summary and main body recommendations. Clear headings should be used
with a general layout which will facilitate a clear understanding by the reader. As for
emphasis, the report should acknowledge strengths where these have been noted
such as where a good standard of compliance has been found; should prioritise areas
where action is necessary, making clear recommendations in each case and
proposing a timescale for the required action; and finally comparing the results of the
inspection with those carried out previously to indicate whether there has been an
improvement or a deterioration in standards.

There appeared to be a lack of understanding of what was required by this part of the
question and many candidates seemed ill equipped to construct a suitable answer. A
few did refer to recommendations, legal duties and costs while a number
concentrated only on ways of delivering the inspection report such as by a power
point presentation or in face to face meetings.

4 EXTERNAL
Question 2 (a) Identify TWO examples of confined spaces. (2)

(b) Describe the main factors to consider when preparing a safe

system of work for entry into a confined space. (6)

In identifying the two required examples of confined spaces, most candidates were
able to identify two examples from a list including manholes, chambers, tanks, vats,
silos, pits, sewers, wells and deep excavations.

For part (b), factors to be considered when preparing a safe system of work for entry
into a confined space include a reconsideration of whether there is a real need to
enter the space; the nature of the confined space, the risk associated with it such as
asphyxiation, and the possible requirement for isolation such as by locking off valves;
the means of entry and exit into the space; the requirement to test the atmosphere
and check for hazards before work starts and the need to continue monitoring the
atmosphere while work continues; the necessity for the issue of a formal permit of
work; the tools and equipment to be used and the personal protective equipment that
would be required; the provision of means of communication with workers inside the
space; the need to use competent and trained workers; and the procedures to be put
in place to deal with any emergency that might occur. This part of the question
produced reasonable answers from those candidates who did attempt it though some
did not pick up the importance of the need to issue a permit to work.

Question 3 Identify reasons for maintaining good standards of health and safety in
an organisation. (8)

In answering this question, better answers were structured around the moral, social,
legal and economic arguments for maintaining good standards of health and safety
within an organisation.

The moral argument centred on the need to reduce both the number of accidents,
injuries and the incidence of ill-health to workers which cause them pain and suffering
while the social reasons are based on the duty to take reasonable care of the
workforce by providing a safe place of work, safe plant and equipment, safe systems
of work, competent workers and a high standard of training and supervision.

The legal reasons would include the avoidance of criminal penalty and compensation
claims by complying with the law while the economic reasons are based on the fact
that good standards of health and safety in an organisation can result in a more highly
motivated workforce, the improvement of the organisation’s health and safety culture
and the commitment of management which will lead to an improvement in the rate of
production and product quality; the avoidance of costs associated with accident
investigations; the avoidance of costs following accidents such as the hiring or
training of replacement staff and the possible repair or replacement of plant and
equipment together with the additional uninsured costs such as cleaning up after an
incident; securing more favourable terms for insurance; and maintaining the image
and reputation of the organisation with its various stakeholders.

Most candidates were able to mention many of the above reasons, though there were
some who identified the elements of a safety management system which was not
what was required by the question.

5 EXTERNAL
Question 4 Contractors are carrying out a major building project for an organisation.

Outline how this organisation could reduce the risks to contractors

before the project starts and during the project. (8)

One of the first steps the organisation should take is to select a competent designer to
ensure the intended project is ‘safe to build’ and a competent contractor taking into
account previous involvement in similar types of work, references provided by former
clients and the quality of the risk assessments and method statements that are
produced. The organisation should also ensure that he has adequate resources and
has allowed sufficient time to enable the work to be completed safely. Once the
contractor is selected, it would be necessary to share information they have on the
particular risks in the working area for instance the presence of vehicles including fork
lift trucks and the segregation systems for vehicles and pedestrians which were in
place; the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos and the location of
services such as electricity, water and gas; general site safety rules such as a
smoking policy and reference to the host employer’s safety policy; requirements for
permits to work for certain work activities; accident reporting procedures; emergency
procedures; and the location of welfare facilities including first aid. A period of
induction training for the contractor’s workers would be a useful method for alerting
them to these matters. Finally, whilst the building work is in progress, there would
have to be on-going cooperation and coordination with the contractor, with regular
monitoring of performance by, for example, inspections and audits in ensuring the
health and safety of both their and the organisation’s workers and this can best be
done by the appointment of a responsible contact person.

Answers to this question varied in quality. Those who did not do so well concentrated
solely on the matters to be considered in the selection of the contractor and assessing
competence rather than on the measures to be taken by the organisation to reduce
risks before and during the project.

Question 5 Identify merits (advantages) AND limitations (disadvantages) of the

following methods of communication of health and safety messages:

(a) written; (4)

(b) graphic. (4)

Using written methods of communication for health and safety matters enables
complex messages to be given though there is a disadvantage in that the message
cannot be questioned or clarified. Another advantage is that the message may be re-
read and act as a reminder though this is irrelevant if the recipient is illiterate, has a
visual impairment or the message is written in a language with which they are not
familiar. The written message is again useful in that it can be given to different groups
and retain its consistency though the effort of preparation may ultimately lead to a
failure to up-date it and while the message may be given in different languages, its
perceived meaning may not be consistent because of difficulties with jargon and the
translation of the terminology. Finally it could be argued that a written communication
provides evidence that the message has been given but not, however, that it has
been received because environmental conditions may make it difficult to read.

6 EXTERNAL
 For part (b), in considering the advantages and disadvantages of a graphic method of
communication, candidates should have identified that the method is simple and quick
to understand but soon, because of overfamiliarity, is no longer noticed. It is normally
used to give a simple instruction, warning or command but with the drawback that it
gives little or no explanation why they are considered to be necessary. While it may
overcome the language barrier and literacy difficulties, it may be ignored because of
observed practice, for example, continuing to smoke despite a notice to the contrary.
While a sign may be considered as a permanent reminder on site, experience
suggests that it is too easily damaged or removed and though it can build in feedback
such as ‘what is wrong with this picture’, little response could be expected from those
who suffer from visual impairment.

There were not too many candidates who gained marks for answering this question.
Some did identify a few limitations in using both methods but found it difficult to find
any merits. There was a tendency to concentrate on cost aspects which was not
particularly relevant. A number of candidates also misunderstood the word ‘graphic’
and thought it referred to the use of graphs.

Question 6 (a) Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of an

employer. (6)

(b) Identify actions an enforcement authority might take if it finds

that an employer is not fulfilling its responsibilities. (2)

The employer owes a general duty of care to their workers, and as far as health and
safety responsibilities are concerned, this includes the provision and maintenance of a
safe workplace including means of access and egress; the provision of safe plant and
equipment; ensuring the safe use, storage, handling and transport of articles and
substances; the provision of a safe working environment with adequate welfare
facilities including first aid; and ensuring that only suitably competent workers are
engaged who must be provided both with the necessary information, instruction and
training and an acceptable level of supervision. Additionally, reference should have
been made to the responsibility to prepare a health and safety policy and to revise it
when necessary; to carry out risk assessments and to introduce safe systems of work;
to cooperate with and consult with workers; to secure competent health and safety
advice and to cooperate with other employers at the workplace.

In answering part (b), candidates were expected to identify possible actions such as
giving advice or warning either verbally or in writing; requiring that a specified
improvement is made within a given period of time; requiring the cessation of work
until improvements in health and safety are made; and taking formal legal proceedings
such as prosecution.

This was one of the better answered questions on the paper though some candidates
failed to gain maximum marks for the first part by providing a list rather than an
outline. There were a few who referred to civil claims rather than to enforcement
actions.

7 EXTERNAL
Question 7 The number of absences due to work-related upper limb disorders in an
organisation is increasing.

Identify possible sources of information that could be used when

investigating this problem. (8)

Sources of information which could be used in investigating the situation described in

the question include risk assessments and the results of job safety analyses where
the need for repetitive action has been identified; accident and ill-health reports
together with an analysis of records of absenteeism and health surveillance
programmes; worker records which would provide information on age and any
reported disability; relevant information from safety committee meetings and from
supervisors particularly of the complaints they have received; training records
indicating the competencies of workers; the results of surveys, questionnaires and
interviews with workers; and published information such as guidance from an
enforcing authority and/or manufacturers and that available from trade bodies and
other employers.

This was not a popular question and there were some candidates who did not even
attempt to submit an answer. Of those who did, many did not seem to appreciate what
was required and listed possible causes for work related upper limb disorders. Those
candidates who had read and understood the question were then generally unable to
identify possible sources of information often referring in vague terms to the ‘internet’.

Question 8 A visitor to a worksite has been injured when they were struck by a
moving vehicle.

(a) Explain possible immediate causes of this accident. (4)

(b) Explain possible underlying / root causes of this accident. (4)

Possible immediate causes of the accident described include the lack of attention
paid by both the visitor and the driver of the vehicle; a breach of site rules such as
speeding, the driver using a mobile phone and a failure of the visitor to wear high
visibility clothing; a mechanical failure of the vehicle and environmental conditions
such as the absence of or a poor standard of lighting.

For part (b), candidates were expected to explain possible root causes of the accident
such as the absence of procedures to control visitors; the lack of adequate
arrangements for separating pedestrians and vehicles; either the absence of site rules
for controlling vehicle direction such as a one way system, for warning pedestrians of
the approach of a vehicle or for restricting speed or the failure to enforce the rules
should they exist; a failure to carry out regular maintenance of the vehicle; the
existence of ‘blind spots’ on vehicle routes; a poor standard of driver training and a
failure to provide personal protective equipment such as high visibility clothing.

Answers to this question showed a general confusion between the terms ‘immediate’
and ‘root’ causes. Many candidates also demonstrated a lack of understanding of
what constitutes an ‘immediate’ cause with the result that they provided the same
explanation for both parts of the question.

8 EXTERNAL
Question 9 Identify key areas that should be addressed in the ‘arrangements’
section of a health and safety policy. (8)

Issues that should be addressed in the arrangements section of a health and safety
policy include risk assessments and safe systems of work including those operations
where a permit to work might be needed; specific hazards within the organisation
such as the presence of hazardous substances or working alone; safety monitoring
procedures and those associated with the environment such as noise and waste
disposal; arrangements for the provision of safety equipment and personal protective
equipment; arrangements for the control of contractors and visitors; the provision of
safety training to workers; procedures for the reporting and investigation of accidents
and incidents; procedures to be followed in the event of fire or other emergencies;
arrangements for the provision of welfare facilities including washing facilities; medical
arrangements, health surveillance and first aid facilities; and arrangements for
consulting and communicating with workers.

Good answers were provided by those candidates who appreciated the purpose of the
‘arrangements’ section of a policy. Those who did not, identified what should be
contained in the statement of intent section or that contained under the organisation
heading such as the roles and responsibilities of individuals. There does seem to be
confusion in some minds between a policy and a safety management system with a
few candidates identifying elements of the latter.

Question 10 (a) Give the meaning of the term ‘hierarchy of control’. (2)

(b) Outline, with examples, the general hierarchy that should be

applied with respect to controlling health and safety risks in the
workplace. (6)

For part (a) of the question, an acceptable meaning of the term “hierarchy of control”
would have been either a list of measures designed to control risks which are
considered in order of importance, effectiveness or priority or measures designed to
control risk that normally begin with an extreme measure of control and end with
personal protective equipment as a last resort. There were few candidates who
appeared to be familiar with the term with some associating ‘hierarchy’ with the
management structure.

In answering part (b) on the application of the general hierarchy, candidates should
have begun with the possibility of eliminating the risks either by designing them out or
changing the process. The next step would be the reduction of the risks by, for
example, the substitution of hazardous substances with others which were less
hazardous or covering cables with durable material to avoid damage. If this were not
possible, then isolation would have to be considered, using enclosures, barriers or
worker segregation. The application of engineering controls such as guarding, the
provision of local exhaust ventilation systems, the use of reduced voltage systems or
residual current devices would follow as would management controls such as safe
systems of work, training, job rotation and supervision with the final control measure
being the provision of personal protective equipment such as ear defenders or
respiratory protective equipment.

Many candidates were able to refer correctly to the elements of a hierarchy of control
but then found it difficult to provide relevant examples to obtain all the marks
available.

9 EXTERNAL
Question 11 Identify factors relating to the individual (person) which might increase
risk to a worker while at work. (8)

Factors relating to the individual which might increase the risk to a worker while at
work include attitude, motivation and degree of complacency; physical capability so far
as strength, stamina and sensory capacity is concerned and mental capacity in
relation to intelligence, reasoning skills and aptitude; perception of risk; age related
behavioural factors including maturity and attitude to conformity as opposed to the
tendency to take risks; medical conditions affecting both physical and mental health
particularly if they were suffering from stress; experience and the training received;
literacy and command of language and misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Good answers to this question were few with many misunderstanding its purpose and
identifying lone working and working at height. The more successful were able to offer
little more than training, experience and stress.

10 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