December 2013

Examiners’ Report
NEBOSH National
General Certificate in
Occupational Health
and Safety (NGC1)
Examiners’ Report

NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

UNIT NGC1:
MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

DECEMBER 2013

For: NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management
NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

General comments 3

Comments on individual questions 4

2014 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

EXTERNAL
 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 around 35,000 candidates annually and are offered
by over 500 course providers, with exams taken in over 100 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 to be recognised and regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA).

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. 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 2014

Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to:

NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 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.

Candidates should therefore note that Examiners’ Reports are not written to provide ‘sample answers’
but to give examples of what Examiners were expecting and more specifically to highlight areas of
under performance.

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.

3 EXTERNAL
− 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.

4 EXTERNAL
 −
Unit NGC1
Management of health and safety

Question 1 As the newly appointed health and safety adviser, you have been tasked
with improving the monitoring of health and safety within the organisation.

(a) Explain THREE differences between a health and safety audit

and a workplace inspection. (8)

(b) Outline factors that will need to be considered when planning a

new health and safety audit system. (8)

(c) Explain how senior managers can assist in the auditing process. (4)

This question related to Element 5 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 5.1, the role of safety inspections and its role within a
monitoring regime and 5.2, the scope and purpose of auditing health and safety
management systems and the distinction between audits and inspections.

Both audits and inspections are a means of monitoring health and safety and both
have their respective uses. The question asked for an explanation of the differences
between these two processes and these concepts were not well explained in the main.
Some marks were lost where candidates gave descriptions of audits and then
inspections but without actually explaining what the differences were. Overall the
knowledge of this area of the syllabus was lacking and course tutors need to ensure
that these concepts are covered in sufficient depth and detail. There were a number of
lists used rather than the full explanation required which did not gain all the marks
available.

The second part of the question involved the planning needed prior to an audit being
completed. Audits must be planned and this involves more than just stating a list of
different documents to be reviewed. Any monitoring task needs to be considered and
designed before it is undertaken.

The third part of the question asked about the role of senior managers in the auditing
process but answers generally explained the role of a senior manager in health and
safety rather than the audit. Senior managers can assist in the audit itself and provide
resources for the audit actions. It is important that candidates read the question and
ensure their answer focuses on the question asked rather than a previously learnt
response.

Question 2 (a) Outline the purpose AND general content of the three main
sections of a health and safety policy. (6)

(b) Explain why the health and safety policy should be signed by the
most senior person in an organisation, such as a Managing
Director or Chief Executive. (2)

This question related to Element 2 and 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’
knowledge of learning outcomes 2.2: Explain the purpose and importance of setting
policy for health and safety, 2.3 Describe the key features and appropriate content for
an effective health and safety policy and 3.1 Outline the organisational health and
safety roles and responsibilities of employers, directors and managers.

5 EXTERNAL
 Part (a) of the question was well answered with the majority of candidates able to
correctly state the name of the three parts of the health and safety policy and give the
purpose and content of each. Part (b) of this question needed a detailed explanation
on why the health and safety policy statement should be signed by the senior person in
an organisation but the majority of candidates did not demonstrate knowledge on why
this was the case.

Question 3 (a) Outline the main functions of first aid. (3)

(b) Outline the main factors that should be taken into account when
deciding the number of first-aid boxes that are needed in the
workplace. (5)

This question related to Element 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 3.6: Outline the requirements for, and effective
provision of, first aid in the workplace.

Part (a) was quite well answered although the candidates often listed the three main
points without gaining full marks by outlining the answer. Part (b) was less well answered;
candidates often misunderstood the question and concentrated on first aid box contents
and numbers of first aiders rather than the factors to be considered on determining how
many first aid boxes may be needed. Issues such as the proximity of hospitals and
number of first aiders would be relevant for other first aid related questions but they were
not relevant here and as such did not attract any marks.

Question 4 (a) Outline possible defences to a civil law claim of negligence. (6)

(b) Explain the circumstances in which an employer may be subject

to vicarious liability. (2)

This question related to Element 1 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 1.3: Explain the legal framework for the regulation of
health and safety including sources and types of law, in this case the defences to a
claim for negligence.

There are a range of possible defences in a claim of negligence, those who did know
the range of possible defences often failed to gain maximum marks because they
listed them rather than outlined the detail as requested by the question. There was
also a range of candidates who detailed statute law issues giving confused answers
showing a lack of understanding of the UK legal framework. Vicarious liability is a civil
law concept but again too many answers referred to the Health and Safety at Work Act
and Statute law instead of the duty the employer has for the actions of their employees
when they are at work.

6 EXTERNAL
Question 5 (a) Describe how a general hierarchy of control is arranged to
control risks. (2)

(b) Explain why personal protective equipment (PPE) is the final

stage in the general hierarchy of control. (6)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 4.2 Explain the principles and practice of risk
assessment and 4.3 Explain the general principles of control and a basic hierarchy of
risk reduction measures.

Part (a) of the question only requested a description of the general hierarchy of control
for two marks, the hierarchy in its entirety was not required and did not answer the
question. A shorter more focused answer on what a hierarchy of control actually is was
all that was required. Time and effort giving long answers when only two marks are
available may mean time is lost to be able to answer all other questions on the paper.

Part (b) again did not ask for a description of a general hierarchy of control, yet again
many answers just give the hierarchy with personal protective equipment at the end.
This type of answer did not answer the question set. It is important that concepts once
learnt are not just quoted in answers without being applied to the question. Personal
protective equipment only protects the user and just repeating the question statement
that PPE is to be used as a last resort did not achieve any marks.

Question 6 Give reasons why a verbal instruction may not be clearly understood by
an employee. (8)

This question related to Element 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 3.4: Explain the ways in which health and safety
behaviour at work can be improved, with effective communication within the
organisation.

There were some good broad answers to the question focusing on why verbal
instructions may not be clearly understood, with issues on the receiver, communicator,
the message itself and the work environment. In some cases the answers were almost
too in-depth as the command word was “give”.

Question 7 Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 gives employers
responsibilities for those affected by their work activities.

(a) Identify categories of persons that Section 3 would cover. (5)

(b) Give the meaning of the term ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’
AND give a practical workplace example. (3)

This question related to Element 1 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 1.3; Explain the legal framework for the regulation of

7 EXTERNAL
 health and safety including the sources and types of law, and 1.4: Explain the scope,
duties and offences of employers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
and the general duties of employers and self employed to persons other than their
employees.

Section 3 of Health and Safety at Work Act covers “Others” which may include
contractors and visitors but it does not cover groups of employees who may be at
greater risk such as those with disabilities or young people. This question only required
an identification of five different categories of people covered by the legal requirement.
Just providing one or two answers was not enough to gain the full marks available.

There are three main levels of duties and one, so far as is reasonably practicable is a
concept incorporated into the Health and Safety at Work Act and other UK legal
requirements. Despite being part of our legal system since 1974 the answers given to
this part of the question were limited. This concept allows businesses and employers
to make decisions on how they manage the health and safety risks in their business.

Question 8 In relation to a risk assessment carried out to comply with the

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999:

(a) identify criteria that will determine whether it is ‘suitable and

sufficient’; (5)

(b) outline circumstances that may require a risk assessment to be

reviewed. (3)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 4.2: Explain the principles and practice of risk
assessment and the criteria for a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment.

The Management of Health and Safety Regulations require every employer to carry out
“suitable and sufficient” risk assessments. Answers outlining the HSE Five steps to
risk assessment did not meet the requirements of the question. The majority of
candidates were able to give the circumstances that would require a risk assessment
to be reviewed. The detail and depth of answers given was good in most cases.

Question 9 Outline factors that should be considered when setting health and safety
performance objectives. (8)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 4.1: Explain the importance of planning in the context
of health and safety management systems.

This was a challenging question for most candidates though there were a few very good
answers. The use of the acronym “SMART” proved a useful guide for many who went on
to expand on it but in some cases the acronym itself was the only point included in the
answer. In some cases a list of example targets was provided but not any of the factors
were considered when setting them. Organisations may set a variety of targets but they
need to be linked to the health and safety policy or its health and safety management
system.

8 EXTERNAL
Question 10 (a) Give reasons why workplace accidents should be recorded. (3)

(b) Outline issues that should be included in a typical workplace

accident reporting procedure. (5)

This question related to Element 5 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 5.4: Describe the legal and organisational
requirements for recording and reporting incidents including accidents.

Part (a) of the question was well answered with answers giving a range of different
reasons why the organisation should record workplace accidents including the legal
requirements. However candidates need to ensure they give specific answers and do
not just state the words legal, moral and financial and expect these alone to meet the
requirements of the question.

Part (b) of the question required candidates to outline issues to be included in a typical
workplace accident reporting procedure. Some candidates instead outlined issues for
workplace accident investigation procedure. The majority of organisations will have an
accident reporting procedure even if it is a basic one, this will include the reporting
form and practical issues about who actually completes the form. There were a
number of very in depth answers given but the marks awarded were minimal as the
answers given did not actually answer the question set.

Question 11 Outline the differences between:

(a) health and safety regulations; (4)

(b) HSE/HSC approved codes of practice (4)

AND give an example in EACH case.

This question related to Element 1 of the syllabus and assessed candidates’

knowledge of learning outcomes 1.3: Explain the legal framework for the regulation of
health and safety including sources and types of law.

The structure of the question being broken down into part (a) and (b) may have caused
some confusion and this issue was taken into account in the marking processes. The
question asked about the differences between health and safety regulations and
approved codes of practice. Regulations are legal requirements supporting the Health
and Safety at Work Act whereas approved codes of practice support legislation but in
their own right are not legally enforceable.

The question also asked for an example of each, only a limited number of health and
safety regulations have approved codes of practice but several of these form part of
the syllabus. Many answers failed to give any examples. Giving the Health and Safety
at Work etc Act 1974 as an example of a regulation shows a lack of understanding of
the legal health and safety concepts of the UK.

9 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