IGC1 Element 4 End of Element Questions and Answers

Health and safety management systems 3 planning

1. Outline the importance of setting objectives in the planning process.

Objectives state what the organization is trying to achieve. This kind of clarity is
essential for planning and accountability. Clear objectives assist the organization
in determining what programs and services it needs to offer. OSH objectives
should be specific to the organization and appropriate to or according to its size
and nature of activity.
Having objectives set out provides:
a target for the company to aim for
the company and employees with direction on where they are going
motivation, as the company achieves the objectives together.

2. Explain what is meant by SMARTER objectives.

Objectives should be:
SMARTER
SPECIFIC - who will do what and when.
MEASURABLE - the corrective actions must be measurable.
ACCOUNTABLE - the persons responsible for implementing the corrective actions
should be clearly defined.
REASONABLE - the corrective action should be practical, i.e. will it work, can it be
implemented.
TIMELY - the due date of the corrective action(s) must be timely; there may be
interim actions that can be implemented sooner if required.
EFFECTIVE - the corrective actions must prevent or significantly reduce the risk
of this problem happening again.
REVIEWABLE - will this corrective action cause any problems? What might be the
negative impact if any?

3. Define the following terms:

i. Hazard

Hazard: "something with the potential to cause harm (this can include articles,
substances, plant or machines, methods of work, the working environment and
other aspects of work organisation).

ii. Risk
Risk: "the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised"

iii. Risk assessment

Risk Assessment: "identifying preventative and protective measures by
evaluating the risk(s) arising from a hazard(s), taking into account the adequacy
of any existing controls, and deciding whether or not the risk(s) is acceptable".
4. Outline the principles of Frank Birds accident ratio study.
In Bird's Accident Triangle, you can see the ratio of non-injury accidents in
relation to major injuries sustained as a result of an accident.
5. Outline the five steps to risk assessment.
Five Steps to Risk Assessment.
STEP 1
Look for the hazards.
STEP 2
Decide who might be harmed.
STEP 3
Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or
whether more should be done.
STEP 4
Record your findings and implement them.
STEP 5
Review your assessment and revise it if necessary.
6. Explain what is meant by the term `suitable and sufficient.
To be suitable and sufficient a risk assessment has to
- identify all the potential causes of harm in the workplace. It must cover not only
the risk of immediate injury but also the long-term risks to health.
- be systematic, comprehensive and address what actually happens in the
workplace, not what the employer says should happen. -

-cover non-routine activities such as spillages and cleaning, what happens during
breakdowns, loading and unloading and maintenance operations.
- cover everyone in the workplace, including groups like maintenance staff,
security staff, cleaners, and visitors, and it should take account of preventative
or precautionary measures that have already been introduced and check that
these are effective in reducing risk.
7. Outline what is meant by a `risk rating.
Numerical scores are given to the severity and likelihood of risks and these
scores are multiplied to get a rating for the risk. This means the risk rating is a
measure of the likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will occur, taking
into account the possible severity of such an occurrence.
8. Outline what is meant by residual risk.
Residual Risk is the probability of loss that remains after controls have been
implemented
9. Explain the circumstances under which a risk assessment should be reviewed.
Review assessments should be reviewed as required. It may be necessary to
review the assessments at regular intervals and if an incident takes place or
where changes occur in the work place.
10. Identify a general risk control hierarchy.
Eliminate total elimination or avoidance of the hazard at source.
Reduce/substitute reduce the exposure of the employee from risk
Isolation of the hazard from people
Control administrative controls such safe systems of work, and engineering
controls
PPE personal protective equipment
Discipline
11. Give the meaning of the term `hierarchy of control.
A hierarchy of control is a list of measures designed to control risk which are
considered in order of importance and prioritised. So the hierarchy begins with
the most extreme measure of control and end with Personal Protective
Equipment as a last resort.

12. Outline the characteristics of the four categories of safety sign.

Prohibition circular signs, red and white
Warning triangular signs, black and yellow
Safe condition oblong or square signs, green and white

Mandatory circular signs, blue and white

13. Personal Protective Equipment should only be considered after other control
measures have been found to be ineffective or not practicable.
PPE should only be considered when other possibilities have been exhausted,
this is in line with International Standards, the hierarchy of controls should be
applied. PPE is used as the last resort when other controls do not remove the
hazard. Furthermore, PPE may not provide adequate protection because of poor
fit and facial features such as beards, spectacles and incompatibility with other
types of PPE which may reduce its effectiveness. There are also issues with
training and supervision and costs of supply and maintenance of PPE.
14. Identify eight sources of information that might be usefully consulted when
developing a safe system of work.
Legislation
Standards International and national guidance ILO
Company policies
Manufacturers information
Trade associated guidance
Results of risk assessments and job safety analysis
Results of monitoring exercises, audits and inspections
Accident statistics and health and medical surveillance records
The results of consultation with the workforce

15. Give a definition of a safe system of work

The integration of:
People
Equipment and
Materials in the correct
Environment to ensure health and safety
16. Risk control measures can be technical, procedural or behavioural. Provide
TWO examples of each type of control measure.
Technical Controls
Equipment design, machine guarding, maintenance
Provision of wide aisles, access kept clear of storage items
Choice of packaging to make handling easier
Local exhaust ventilation to control environmental hazards, heat, dust, noise.
Procedural Controls
Policy and standards
Permits-to-work
Authorisation and co-ordination of actions
Purchasing controls
Accident investigation and analysis
Emergency preparedness

Procedures in the issue of PPE

Behavioural Controls
Awareness, knowledge, skill, competence
Attitude, perception, motivation, communication
Supervision
Health surveillance
Training in the issue of PPE

17. Define what is meant by the term `confined space.

A confined space is a place which is substantially enclosed (though not always
entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or
conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen. (HSE definition).
18. Give examples of confined spaces.
chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well.

19.Define the term `permit to work system.

A permit to work system is a formal written system used to control certain types
of jobs that have high hazard potential.

20. Outline the key elements in a permit to work.

The key elements in PTW are:
1. A clear statement of the aims of the PTW and what is to achieve.
2. The steps to be taken before PTW is issued and the arrangements of the PTW.
3. The steps to be taken while the PTW is in force.
4. The steps to be taken when the PTW is being withdrawn, either temporarily or
permanent.