NEBOSH

 IOG  –  Element  1:  Health,  Safety  and  Environmental  

Management  –  Revision  Questions  
 

Q1)  What  is  the  prime  purpose  of  an  accident  investigation?  

Answer:  

• To   identify   the   immediate   and   root   causes   of   the   incident   –   indents   are   usually  
caused  acts  and  unsafe.  
• To   identify   corrective   actions   that   will   prevent   a   recurrence   –   the   main   reason   for  
investigating.  
 

Q2)  What  are  the  four  elements  of  the  investigation  process?  

Answer:  

• Step  1:  Gather  factual  information  about  the  event.  

• Step  2:  Analyse  that  information  and  draw  conclusion  about  the  immediate  and  root  
causes.  
• Step  3:  Identify  suitable  correction  measures.  
• Step  4:  Plan  the  remedial  actions.  
 

Q3)  Identify  the  categories  of  staff  who  might  be  considered  useful  member  of  an  internal  
accident  investigation  team.  

Answer:  

A  simple  investigation  might  be  carried  out  by  the  line  manager  of  the  area;  a  more  detailed  
investigation  often  involves  a  team  of  investigators  that  might  include:  

• A  safety  specialist.  
• Senior  managers.  
• A  technical  specialist.  
• A  worker  representative.  

Offshore  investigating  teams  may  also  include  installation  specialists  from  services  such  as  
drilling,   well   services,   maintenance,   process,   and   deck   crews.   In   the   most   serious   or  
inspector   from   the   Health   and   Safety   Executive   (in   the   UK)   or   national   safety   enforcing  
agency  may  become  involved  and  conduct  or  lead  an  investigation.  

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Q4)   List   the   type   of   documentation   which   might   be   consulted   during   an   accident  
investigation.  

Answer:  

Various  documents  may  be  examined  during  an  accident  investigation,  such  as:  

• Company  Policy.  
• Risk  Assessments.  
• Training  Records.  
• Safe  Systems  of  Work.  
• Permits  –  To  –  Work.  
• Maintenance  records.  
• Disciplinary  records.  
• Internal  accident  reports  forms.  
• Log  book  entries.  
• Computer  printouts  relevant  to  the  situation.  
 

Q5)  What  are  the  two  categories  of  immediate  cause  of  accidents  /  incidents?  

Answer:  

Immediate  causes  are  the  unsafe  acts  and  unsafe  conditions  that  give  rise  to  the  event  itself.  
These  will  be  the  things  that  occurred  at  the  time  and  place  of  the  accidents,  For  example,  a  
worker   slip   on   a   patch   of   oil   spilt   on   the   floor   –   immediate   cause   the   slip   hazard   (unsafe  
condition),  the  worker  walking  through  it  (unsafe  act).  

Q6)   An   employee   has   been   hit   by   a   reversing   vehicle   in   a   loading   bay.   List   possible  
immediate  causes  and  root  causes?  

Answer:  

Immediate  causes  for  such  an  accident  might  be:  

• Failure  to  secure  the  load  on  the  pallet.  

• Poor  road  positioning  of  the  truck  close  to  a  pedestrian  exit.  
• Aggressive  breaking  by  the  truck  driver.  
• An  inattentive  pedestrian  stepping  out  in  front  of  the  truck.  
• On  investigation  each  of  these  immediate  causes  might  have  their  own  separate  root  
causes,   such   as:   No   training   of   the   driver,   who   is   new   to   the   workplace,   has   not  
worked  with  this  type  of  load  before  and  is  unaware  of  the  load  securing  technique  
required.  

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 • Lack  of  segregation  of  pedestrian  and  traffic  routes;  no  barriers  and  no  marking  to  
separate  the  two.  
• Lack   of   proper   driver   induction   into   their   new   workplace   so   they   are   unaware   of   the  
layout  and  position  of  pedestrian  exits,  etc.  
• Poor  maintenance  of  the  truck.  
• No   refresher   training   for   existing   staff   meaning   that   experienced   staff   become  
complacent.  
 

 Q7)  Explain  Lower  and  Upper  Flammability  Limits.  

Answer:  

• The   Lower   Flammable   Limit   (LFL)   is   the   point   where   there   is   insufficient   fuel   to  
sustain  combustion  because  it  has  become  over-­‐diluted  with  oxygen/air.  
• The  Upper  Flammable  Limit  (UFL)  is  where  there  is  too  much  fuel  for  combustion  to  
occur  (not  enough  oxygen/air  dilution).  
 

Q8)  Explain  the  meaning  of  the  classification  ‘carcinogenic’.  

Answer:  

Carcinogenic  –  substance  and  preparations  which,  if  they  are  inhaled  or  ingested  or  if  they  
penetrate  the  skin,  may  induce  cancer  or  increase  its  incidence.    

Q9)  What  are  the  main  dangers  associated  with  LPG?  

Answer:  

The  danger  of  LPG  lie  with  its  flammability  and  explosive  properties,  and  the  fact  it  is  stored  
under   great   pressure,   and   hence   very   low   temperatures,   to   retain   its   liquid   state.   On  
release,   LPG   reverts   to   its   gaseous   stage,   the   gas   becoming   around   250   times   the   volume  
than  when  stored  in  liquefied  form.  

Q10)  What  is  the  purpose  of  anti-­‐foaming  agents?  

Answer:  

An   anti-­‐forming   agent   or   “defoamer”   is   a   chemical   additive   that   reduces   and   hinders   the  
formation  of  foam  in  industrial  process  liquids.  

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Q11)  What  term  is  applied  to  drilling  wastes  that  contain  naturally  occurring  radioactive  
materials  (NORMs)?  

Answer:  

Low  Specific  Activity  Sludge  (LSA  Sludges).  

Q12)  The  UK  HSG65  Safety  Management  Systems  employ  POPMAR  –  What  does  this  stand  
for?  

Answer:  

The  UK  HSG65  model  is  traditionally  referred  to  as  POPMAR  –  Using  the  initials  of  the  stages  
involved  to  describe  the  key  elements  of  successful  health  and  safety  management;  simply:  

• P:  Policy.  
• O:  Organising.  
• P:  Planning.  
• M:  Measuring.  
• A:  Auditing.  
• R:  Review.  
 

Q13)  What  are  the  four  main  areas  of  risk  to  be  dealt  with  in  oil  and  gas  processing  risk  
control  systems?  

Answer:  

The  four  main  areas  of  risk  are:  

• Production   workplace   –   the   field   or   rig   and   its   associated   facilities   and   support  
systems;   safe   access   and   egress;   work   environment;   welfare   facilities   and  
accommodation;   pipelines   and   structures;   and   electrical   and   communications  
installations.  
• Plant  and  substances  –  the  drilling  and  pumping  and  transportation  systems  of  the  
oil  and  gas;  how  the  oil  and  gas  are  stored  and  handled;  and  all  materials  is  use  at  
the  process  area.  
• Procedures  –  organizational  procedures  such  as  work  and  shift  patterns,  job  design  
and  the  way  work  is  done  (and  managed).  
• People   –   management   and   leadership;   competence   and   placement   of   workers;  
training  and  health  surveillance  necessary.  
 

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Q14)   In   risk   control   barrier   models   (e.g.   bow-­‐tie)   between   what   criteria   are   barriers  
placed,  and  what  are  the  barriers  called?  

Answer:  

In   a   bow-­‐tie   diagram   barrier   are   normally   placed   between   the   initiating   event   and   the  
release,  and  the  release  and  its  consequences.  

The   barriers   are   placed   to   prevent,   control   or   mitigate   the   outcome   of   the   event   and   are  
known  as  Lines  of  defense  (LOD)  or  Layers  of  Protection  (LOP).  

Q15)  What  main  areas  does  a  safety  case  /  safety  report  cover?  

Answer:  

• Identification  of  major  accident  hazards.  

• Evaluation   of   major   accident   risks   and   measures   taken   (or   to   be   taken)   to   control  
those  risks.  
• Arrangements  for  audit  and  audit  reports.  
• Confirmation  that  an  adequate  safety  management  system  is  in  place.  
• Major  accident  prevention  policies.  
• Identification   of   the   safety   critical   elements   in   place   to   manage   major   accident  
hazards.  
• Details  of  the  emergency  plan.  

Q16)    

a) Explain  the  meaning  of  the  term  “Flash  Point”       (2  marks)  

Answer:  “Flash  Point”,  is  the  lowest  temperature  at  which  sufficient  vapor  is  given  
off  to  “flash”  –  that  is  ignite  momentarily  (and  not  carry  on  burning)  when  a  source  
of  ignition  is  applied  to  the  vapor.  
     
b) Identify  the  three  classification  within  flammability.   (3  marks)  
Answer:    

  Flammability  falls  into  three  distinct  classifications:  

• Extremely  flammable  –  flash  point  below  00  Celsius.  

• Highly  flammable  –  flash  point  between  00  and  210.  
• Flammable  –  Flash  point  between  220  and  550.  
 

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 c) With   the   use   of   a   sketch,   outline   where   the   flammable   range   falls   within  
flammable  limits.               (3  marks)  

Answer:  

 
 

Q17.    

Many  major  oil  /  gas  incidents  have  occurred  in  recent  years,  e.g.  Piper  Alpha,  Texas  City,  
Mumbai  High.  

(a)  Outline  reasons  why  such  incidents  should  be  investigated  by  employers.   (6  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Establish  causes  of  incident  

• Establish  process  failures  
• Establish  Lessons  learnt  to  prevent  similar  occurrences.  
 

(b)  Identify  TWO  parties,  other  than  the  employer,  who  may  want  to  investigate  these  
types  of  incident.                   (2  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Authorities  
• Insurance  Companies  

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Q18.  

(a)    Outline  the  term  Flash  Point.     (3  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Point  at  which  something  is  ready  explode  

• A  measure  of  fuels  flammability  
• The  temperature  where  by  enough  vapor  is  produced  to  create  a  flammable  mixture  
• The  temperature  at  which  a  combustible  liquid  gives  off  enough  vapor  to  produce  a  
vapor  /  air  mixture  that  will  ignite  when  a  flame  is  applied  

(b)    List  the  Hazards  associated  with  LNG   (4  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Pool  Fires  
• LGN  Spills  on  water  
• Terrorism  
• Explosion  in  confined  space  

Q19.  

An  employee  was  seriously  injured  in  an  accident  at  work  within  an  oil  and  gas  
installation.  

Identify  the  documented  information  that  might  be  used  by  the  investigating  team  to  
determine  the  causes  of  this  accident.           (8  Marks)  

Answer:  

• PTW  
• Photographs  
• CCTV  Footage  
• Previous  Health  and  Safety  Meeting  Minutes  
• Risk  Assessments  /  JSA's  
• Method  Statements  
• Individual  Capabilities  (Stress,  Mental  Health)  
• Control  Room  Data  

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Q20.    

Give  the  meaning  of  the  following  terms:  

(a)   upper  flammable  limit  (UFL);     (2  Marks)  

UFL  refers  lo  the  richest  mixture  at  which  the  substance  is  still  flammable  

(b)   lower  flammable  limit  (LFL);     (2  Marks)  

LFL  refers  to  the  leanest  mixture  at  which  the  substance  is  flammable  (i.e.  the  
smallest  fraction  of  combustible  gas)  

(c)   flashpoint;         (2  Marks)  

Flashpoint  is  the  lowest  temperature  at  which  the  vapour  of  a  combustible  liquid  can  
ignite  in  air  

 (d)   Highly  flammable  liquids.     (2  Marks)  

Substances  which,  when  hot,  catch  fire  in  contact  with  air  at  ambient  temperature  
without  any  energy  input.  

Q21.  

Identify   the   information   that   might   be   included   on   a   checklist   for   an   investigation  

following  an  accident.         (8  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Obtain   basic   facts   -­‐   names   of   injured,   witnesses,   place,   date   and   time,   persons   in  
area.  Ascertain  substances  /  chemicals  involved,  injuries,  damage  to  equipment  
• Establish   circumstances   —   What   happened?   Causes,   events   leading   to   incident  
Competence,  Supervision,  Behavior  
• Preventive  Measures  -­‐  Review  the  risk  assessment  for  the  activity.  What  precautions  
should  have  been  in  force?  What  training  should  those  carrying  out  the  activity  have  
received?   What   precautions   were   actually   taken?   Compare   them   with   those   which  
should  have  been  taken.  What  training  was  actually  given?  Compare  it  with  training  
which  should  have  been  given.  
• Was  the  initial  response  adequate?  -­‐  Firefighting,  first  aid,  containment  and  spillage  
• Identify   underlying   causes   -­‐   Management   or   supervision   failure?   Lack   of  
competence?  Inadequate  training?  Shortcomings  in  original  design  of  equipment  of  
facilities.  Absence  of  a  system  for  maintenance.  
• Determine   action   needed   to   prevent   a   recurrence   -­‐   improve   physical   safeguards,  
introduce   better   test   and   maintenance   arrangements,   improve   work   methods,  

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 provide   and   use   personal   protective   equipment,   make   changes   to   supervision   and  
training   arrangements,   review   procedures   involving   outside   contractors,   improve  
inspection  systems.    

Q22.  

Safety   cases   and   safety   reports   provide   documented   evidence   that   an   oil   and   gas  
installation  is  safe.  

Outline  the  typical  content  of  these  types  of  documents.   (8  Marks)  

Answers:  

• Evaluation  of  major  accident  hazards  

• Evaluation  of  associated  risks  
• Relevant  authorities  and  emergency  services  (onshore)  
• Emergency  Response  Plans  
• HSEMS  Information  
• Installation  layout  plan  
• Types  of  operation  and  activities  
• Detail  of  the  system  applied  
• Storage  of  Hazards  substances/materials.  
 

Q23.  

Safety   cases   and   safety   reports   contain   very   similar   headings.   Outline   the   reasons   for  
using  these  documents.         (4  Marks)  

Answers:  

• A  safety  case  demonstrates  that  the  facility  is  as  safe  as  can  be  reasonably  expected  
• Those  who  create  risks  are  responsible  for  controlling  those  risks.  
• Safe   operations   are   achieved   by   setting   and   achieving   goals   rather   than   by   following  
prescriptive  rules.  
• All  risks  must  be  reduced  such  that  they  are  below  a  threshold  of  acceptability.  
• It  can  be  used  to  show  investors,  customers,  insurers  and  corporate  managers  that  
the  risk  associated  with  an  expensive  facility,  such  as  a  deepwater  offshore  platform,  
has  been  analyzed,  and  that  it  is  at  an  acceptable  level.  

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Q24.  

Following  preparation  of  a  vessel  for  maintenance  within  an  oil  and  gas  installation  a  low  
specific  activity  (LSA)  radioactive  sludge  was  encountered.  

(a)  Identify  hazards  associated  with  the  sludge.   (2  Marks)  

Answers:  

• Risk  of  fire,  explosion,  detonation  if  ignited,  

• Toxicity  to  Divers  

(b)  Outline  FOUR  control  measures  to  reduce  the  risk  to  workers  exposed  to  the  sludge.    

(4  Marks)  

Answers:  

• Wearing  of  correct  PPE  

• Monitoring  devices  and  personal  sensors  
• Explosion  proof  certified  equipment  
• Safety  procedures,  training  etc  
 

(c)   Identify   TWO   other   pieces   of   workplace   equipment   where   the   sludge   may   be   found.
              (2  Marks)  

Answers:  

• Shale  Shakers  
• Mud  Pits  

Q25.  

An  oil  and  gas  industry  employer  is  reviewing  tendering  contracts  for  an  offshore  platform  
modification.  

Identify   the   factors   that   should   be   considered   when   assessing   the   health   and   safety  
competence  of  a  contractor.  (8  Marks)  

Answer:  

• HSE  Policy's  
• Certifications  -­‐  Accreditations  

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 • Commitment  to  HSE  from  senior  management  and  how  this  is  demonstrated  
• Safety  Management  system  and  implementation-­‐  safety  tools  used  
• Project  records  —  track  record  of  similar  projects  
• Safety   Statistics   -­‐   KPI's   records   and   achieved,   Risk   Management   system   and  
procedure  
• Previous  incident  investigations  reports  
• Competency  of  employees  and  project  staff  
• Safety  Initiatives  used  with  in  the  business  and  projects  
 

Q26.  

Outline  the  term  Major  Accident.   (8  Marks)  

Answer:  

• Fire,   Explosion   or   release   of   dangerous   substances   involving   death   and   personal  

injury.  
• An   event   which   involves   major   damage   to   the   structure   of   the   installation   of   plant  
affixed  to  it  or  any  loss  in  stability  of  the  installation.  
• Helicopter  collision  with  the  installation.  
• Failure  of  life  support  systems  is  diving  operations.  
• Any   other   event   arising   from   a   work   activity   resulting   in   death   is   serious   personal  
injury  to  5  or  more  persons.  

Q27.  

Identify  the  hazards  with  crude/unrefined  oil  in  a  production  installation.  (8  Marks).  

Answer:  

• Fire:  there  are  chances  of  having  fire  incident,  when  the  vapor  generated  from  the  
crude  /  un-­‐refined  oil  is  in  contact  with  an  ignition.  
• Explosion:   potential   for   explosion   cannot   be   over   ruled/ignored   when   we   handle  
crude/unrefined  oil  in  production  installation.  
• Leaks/spills:   As   production   installation   are   having   so   many   pipelines/   vessels/valves,  
chances  of  leak  &  spill  incidents  are  more  due  to  damage  of  pipelines/valves/Vessels  
because  of  corrosion,  failure  f  gaskets,  poor  maintenance  activities.  

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 • Toxic:  If  the  crude  oil  content  is  having  hydrogen  sulphide  in  it  we  have  to  be  extra  
careful.   To   prevent   employees   who   are   working   in   such   facilities.   Specific   H2S  
detectors  and  alarms  systems  are  to  be  installed  in  the  facilities.    
Employees  should  use  personal  monitors  to  detect  H2S  gas,  while  they  are  working.  If  
there  is  H2S  atmosphere  present,  necessary  PPE  is  to  be  used.  
• Corrosion.  
• Over  Pressure:  Because  of  uncontrolled  inflow  of  crude  oil  from  the  reservoir.  
• Blowout:   while   drilling   a   new   oil   well   by   drilling   rig   blowout   may   occur.   This   is  
because   of   the   high   reservoir   pressure   &   failure   of   blowout   prevention   equipment  
during  drilling.  

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