Mark Scheme

Unit title Essentials of Health & Safety Management

Introduction to health and safety at work. The handbook for the NEBOSH national general certificate by Phil Hughes and
Textbook
Ed Ferrett. Fifth edition, 2011.
Series December 2018

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

1 You are working on a construction site where contractors are conducting work including a) Page 153-chapter 5 health and safety
roofing, scaffolding, plumbing and drainage. A scaffolder has fallen from height seriously management systems 4- measuring,
harming themselves. audit and review
b) Page 153/154-chapter 5 health and
a) Give reasons as to why investigation of this accident should be led by the
safety management systems 4-
supervisor or line manager [6]
b) Highlight the advantages of immediate investigation [6] measuring, audit and review
c) Identify the initial action the line manager must take in this situation [6] c) Page 154-chapter 5 health and safety
d) State two regulations the type of work on this construction site is management systems 4- measuring,
governed by to help reduce harm [2] audit and review
d) Page 452 Chapter 15 summary of the
main legal requirements
a) Answers should include: 1 mark for
 Knows about the situation each point
 Knows most about the employees max 6 marks
 Has a personal interest in preventing further incidents/ accidents
affecting “their” people, equipment, area and materials.
 Can take immediate action to prevent a similar incident
 Can communicate most effectively with the other employees
concerned
 Can demonstrate practical concern for employees and control over
the immediate work situation.
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
b) Answers should include: 1 mark for
 Factors are fresh in the minds of the witnesses each point
 Witnesses have had less time to talk (there is an automatic max 6 marks
tendency for people to adjust their story of the events to bring it
into line with a consensus view)
 Physical conditions have less time to change
 More people are likely to be available, for example delivery drivers,
contractors and visitors who will quickly disperse following an
incident making contact difficult
 There will probably be the opportunity to take immediate action to
prevent a recurrence and to demonstrate management
commitment to improvement
 Immediate information from the person suffering the accident
often proves to be most useful

c) Answers should include: 1 mark per

 Take control at the scene - line managers need to take charge, point max 6
directing and approving everything that is done marks
 Ensure first aid is provided and call for emergency services
 Control potential secondary events - those events such as
explosions and fire are usually more serious. Positive actions need
to be taken quickly after careful thought of the consequences
 Identify sources of evidence at the scene
 Preserve evidence from alteration or removal
 Notify appropriate site management
 Notify HSE

d) Answers should include:

 Work at height regulations 2005
1 mark for
 Confined space regulations 1997 each
 Health and safety (first aid) regulations 1981 regulation
 Health and safety (information for employees) regulations 1989 max 2 marks
 HSW Act 1974 awarded from
 Gas safety (installation and use) regulations 1998 any
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
 MHSW regs 1999 reasonable
answer

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

2 Health and safety management systems are an important part of a company’s a) Page 44-chapter 2 health and safety
commitment in keeping people safe. management systems- policy
b) Page 45-chapter 2 health and safety
a) Explain the elements of an effective health and safety management system management systems- policy
under HSG65[18]
b) Describe two of the key characteristics of a successful health and safety
management system [2]
a) Answers should include: Max 3 marks
 A clear health and safety policy for each
a well-considered policy contributes to business efficiency and element=
continual improvement throughout the organisation. total 18 marks
this minimises financial losses available
 A well-defined health and safety organisation
shared understanding of the organisation’s values contributes to
a positive health and safety culture
clear responsibilities must be defined
 A clear health and safety plan
based on risk assessments to decide on the priorities and set
objectives
setting and implementation of effective health and safety
management systems
 The measurement of health and safety performance
active and reactive monitoring
important to measure against long term goals

 Reviewing performance
setting objectives to see changes in health and safety
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
management.
comparisons should be made with internal and external
performance to set higher standards.
 Auditing
reinforces the review process
assesses compliance and health and safety performance in the
workplace. 1 mark for any
of the points
b) Answers should include: made.
 A positive health and safety culture Maximum 2
 The involvement of all stakeholders marks
 An effective audit awarded
 Continual improvement
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
3 Managers and supervisors should frequently observe their workers to eliminate unsafe a) Page 145 Chapter 5 health and safety
acts before they become a problem. management systems 4-measuring,
audit and review.
a) Describe the techniques used for an effective workplace observation [15] b) Page 146 Chapter 5 health and safety
b) Once an observation has taken place a report should be produced on the
management systems 4-measuring,
findings. Describe the essential elements of a report [5]
audit and review.

a) Answers should include: 1 mark

awarded for
 Stop for 10-30 seconds before entering a new area to ascertain each point
where employees are working made up to
 Be alert for unsafe practices that are corrected as soon as you enter maximum 15
an area marks
 Observe activity - do not avoid the action
 Remember ABBI - look above, below, behind and inside
 Develop a questioning attitude to determine what injuries might
occur if the unexpected happened and how the job might be
accomplished more safely. Ask why and what could happen if...
 Use senses: sight, hearing, smell and touch
 Maintain a balanced approach, observe all phases of the job
 Be inquisitive
 Observe for ideas - not just to determine problems
 Recognise good performance
 Be selective
 Know what to look for
 Practice
 Keep an open mind
 Guard against habit and familiarity
 Do not be satisfied with general impressions
 Record observations systematically
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
b) Answers should include:
 Identification of the organisation, workplace, inspector and date of
inspection
 List of observations 1 mark for
 Priority or risk level each point
 Actions to be taken max 5 marks
 Timescales for completion of the actions

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

4 Substances can seriously harm the health of an employee and others not only in the a) Page 496-498-chapter 15 summary of
workplace but also the wider community. the main legal requirements
b) Page 115-chapter 4 health and safety
a) Explain the COSHH regulations and the eight general requirements to comply management systems 3- planning
with the regulations [16]
b) Explain what PPE stands for and when it should be used [4]

a) Answers should include: Maximum 2

 Assess the risks to health marks per
a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, including the steps requirement.
needed to meet COSHH must be made Maximum 16
 Decide what precautions are needed marks
from the risk assessment including health surveillance
 Prevent or adequately control exposure
preference must be given to substituting with a safer substance
 Ensure that control measures are used and maintained
every employer must take reasonable steps to ensure that control
measures or PPE are properly used or applied
 Monitor the exposure of employees to hazardous substances
ensure the maintenance of control measures or the protection of
health

 Carry out appropriate health surveillance where necessary

Question Answer Annotate Guidance
employees who are exposed or liable to be exposed need to be
under health surveillance. Especially when an identifiable disease
or adverse health effect may be related to the exposure.
 Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents
and emergencies
this includes first aid provision, information on emergency
arrangements, communications, suitable PPE and ensuring the
procedure is put into practice in an incident
 Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised
information of the risks to health and the precautions which should
be taken, information on workplace exposure limits and collective
results of health surveillance.
b) Answers should include:
 Personal protective equipment 3 marks for
 Should only be used as a last resort correct
identification
of PPE and 1
mark for
other point.

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

5 Describe health, welfare and work environment requirements to ensure a healthy and Page 178-181-chapter 6 workplace hazards
safe workplace [20] and risk control
Answers should include: 1 mark per
 First aid provision requirement
suitable provision in first aiders, first aid kits and information for with a 2nd
employees mark for an
 Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities expansion on
1 for every 25 people employed with special provision for disabled the
and separate men and women. WC and washing facilities next to requirement.
each other Maximum 20
 Drinking water marks
readily assessable and marked as “drinking water” available
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
 Accommodation for clothing and facilities for changing clothing
 Necessary when the work activity requires employees to change
into specialist clothing.
 Ventilation
 Effective and sufficient supply of ventilated or purified air
 Heating and temperature
 Reasonable temperature (at least 16’c unless work involves physical
effort 13’c)
 No upper temperature limit has been set
 Lighting
 Natural lighting as far as practicable
 Emergency lighting system in place
 Workstations
 Arranged so that work can be done safely and comfortably
 Seating
 Worker should be at a suitable height as so unnecessary bending or
stretching can be avoided and workers should not be expected to
stand for lengths of time not sit for too long.
 Other factors
 Walkways clear
 Translucent doors clearly marked
 Safe cleaning of windows
 Provisions for the needs of disabled workers.

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

6 A general understanding of health and safety is key within management. a) Page 4-chapter 1 health and safety
a) Define a near miss [1] foundations
b) Explain what is meant by residual risk [2] b) Page 105-chapter 4 health and safety
c) Describe what is addressed by a quantitative risk assessment [7] management systems 3- planning
d) Step 3 of conducting a risk assessment includes a hierarchy of risk control.
Define a risk [1] c) Page 105-chapter 4 health and safety
e) General principles of prevention are set out in the European council directive. management systems 3- planning
d) Page 4-chapter 1 health and safety
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
List these principles [9] foundations
e) Page 106-chapter 4 health and safety
management systems 3- planning

a) Answer should include: 1 mark

 Any incident that could have resulted in an accident.
b) Answers should include:
 The remaining risk for a risk assessment, 1 mark each
 the aim of the assessment is to reduce this risk point.
c) Answers should include: Maximum 2
 Judgement is made as to whether the risk level is high, medium or marks
low in terms of the risk of somebody being injured
 The level of risk will identify the actions required in terms of 1 mark for
timescales for correction. each point
 Training is required to conduct these types of assessment made
 The likelihood depends on control factors in place maximum 7
 Frequency of exposure to the hazard marks
 Category of person exposed to the hazard
 3 x 3 matrix is suggested by the HSE risk + severity x likelihood
d) Answers should include:
 The likelihood of a substance, activity or process to cause harm
1 mark
e) Answers should include:
 Avoiding risks
 Evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided
1 mark for
 Combating the risks at source
each point
 Adapting the work to the individual, especially with regards to the maximum
design of the workplace, the choice of work equipment marks 9
 Adapting technical progress
 Replacing the dangerous by the non or less dangerous
 Developing a coherent overall prevention policy covering
technology, working condition and social relationships
 Giving collective protective measures priority over individual
protective measures
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
 Giving appropriate instruction to employees

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

7 Evaluate the external influences on health and safety performance and culture [20] Page 80-chapter 3 health and safety
management systems 2- organising
Answers should include: 1 mark for
 Social expectations: each
 General society assumes that health and safety considerations influencer in
have been considered in all aspects of their lives and it becomes bold with
concerned when this does not seem to be the case additional
 Legislation and enforcement marks for
 Provides a level to which every employer must conform points made.
 Insists on minimum standards Maximum 20
 Provides a tough threat of being closed or a heavy fine marks
 Provides well presented and easily read guidelines for industries at awarded.
reasonable or no cost
 Insurance companies
 Discounting premiums to those in the safest sectors
 Insisting on risk reduction improvements to remain insured
 Providing guidance on standards at reasonable or no cost.
 Trade unions
 Provide training and education for members
 Influencing governments to regulate, enhance and enforce
activities
 Influencing employers to provide high standards for their
members
 Encouraging members to work for safer employers
 Helping members get proper compensation for injury or ill health
caused at work
 Economics
 If employers were aware if the actual cost of accidents and fires
they would be more concerned about prevention
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
 The cost to humans and finances needs to be visible within the
organisation to encourage safe working and preventative measures
 Commercial stakeholders
 Checking on suppliers to ensure their health and safety standards
are satisfactory
 Encourage ethical investments
 Providing low cost guidance

Question Answer Annotate Guidance

8 You are working on a busy site with tree surgeons using chain saws to cut down trees a) Page 104-106-chapter 4 health and
near to some over-head power lines. safety management systems 3-
planning
a) Identify and describe the steps you would take to write a risk assessment [14] b) Page 279-chapter 9 work equipment
b) Describe the competence assessment regarding the rules for chainsaw use [6]
hazards and risk control

a) Answers should include: 1 mark for

 Look for the hazards each point
 A hazard is the potential to cause harm identified.
 Only significant hazards, which could result in serious harm to Maximum
people should be identified. marks 14
 A review of the accident and incident report records will help to
identify common hazards
 Decide who might be harmed
 Employees and contractors need to be checked for competency to
perform their duties
 Members of the public need to be considered

 Those who are more vulnerable will be at greater risk such as the
young, disabled and inexperienced.
 Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are
adequate or more should be done
 Some of the risk in the activity will already be dealt with. The
Question Answer Annotate Guidance
purpose of a risk assessment is to reduce the remaining risk. The
risk assessment will look at the likelihood of occurrence against the
severity of harm.
 Record the significant findings
 Keep a written record of the risk assessment
 Review the assessment and revise it if necessary
 Review or re-assess the risk controls periodically or if there is a
change to the working practice, equipment or workforce.
b) Answers should include:
 Everyone working with chainsaws on or in trees should hold a
certificate or award 1 mark per
 Unless the work being done is part of agricultural operations point,
(pruning, clearing fallen branches to maintain clearance for maximum
machines) marks 6
 The work being done by the occupier or their employees
 The person using the chain saw has done so since before 5
December 1998
 It is recommended chainsaw operators have regular refresher
training
 The refresher recommendation is every 2-3 years for occasional
users and every 5 years for full time users