Past Exam Papers

December 2005 A2               December 2005 A1

December 2006 A1               December 2006 A2

NCC1 2007                           NCC1 Dec 2007                      NGC1 Dec 2007

Past Exam Paper INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN CONSTRUCTION

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY
UNIT ICC1: MANAGING AND CONTROLLING HAZARDS IN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

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NGC1 Test Paper 2

Management of Health and Safety

1)		A contractor has been engaged by a manufacturing company to undertake extensive maintenance work on the interior of the walls of a factory workshop.
	a)	State the legal duties that the manufacturing company owes the contractor's employees under the Health and Safety at Work act 1974	(4)
		The company has the obligation under section 3 of the HSWA'74 to ensure that none of the activities carried out by that employer affect the contractors employed to carry out the works, under section 4 of the Act the company also has the obligation to ensure that all and any equipment used by the contractor is safe and fit for purpose and its use and operation would not cause harm to anyone working with the building.
	b)	Outline the information relevant to health and safety that should be provided before work commences by:
	i)	The manufacturing company to the contactor, AND;	(4)
		The company should provide detailed plans for the required work, they should highlight any particular hazards that may be present during their operations and any controls that are used i.e. ear defenders if it's a noisy area, they should provide details of entry and exit to the place of work, emergency procedure, location of first aid any amenities that are available for use, most of this information should be included in the health and safety plan for the works.
	ii)	The contractor to the manufacturing company	(4)
		The contractor should provide detail methods statement on how they intend to do the work have carried out risk assessment and recorded the findings, prepared a health and safety plan for all the works, which should included the contractors information for first aid reporting of incidents emergency contacts and details of amenities.etc.
	c)	Describe additional procedural measures that the manufacturing company should take to help ensure the health and safety of their own and the contractor's employees	(8)
		The company should clearly notify its own employees of what and where the works that is taking place and take steps to ensure that they are kept away by usage of barriers signs etc. For the contractor they company should look at induction training, permit to work systems and keep regular contact with the contracting company and monitor the activities as they develop.
2)	a)	Giving a practical example , explain the meaning of the term 'human error	(2)
		Human error can be defined as a mistake by an operative rather than by a process or machinery i.e. failing to set the chuck guard on a centre lathe and this resulted in an accident it would be due to human error.
	b)	Outline individual factors that may contribute to human errors occurring at work	(6)
		Most human errors that occur can be attributed to things like over confidence and familiarity by operatives, Monotonous or routine of operation, also by lack of training in the process and or lack of supervision. Other factors could be outdated processes and machinery could contribute to the likelihood of human error, or even if workers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3)		Outline the factors to consider when making an assessment of first-aid provision in a workplace	(8)
		When providing first aid in a workplace factors that should be considered include How many staff are employed, how many trained first raiders are required, what are the main risks with the operation, are there any special risks that require specialist training for first aiders, what type of accident are most likely to occur, Where are the nearest emergency services located,
4)	a)	Explain, using a relevant example, the circumstance under which a health and safety inspector may serve am improvement notice	(2)
		An improvement notice can be issued if an inspector judges that there is a breach of regulations and this breach would continue unless some action was taken, i.e. a company had not completed a risk assessment for an operation or process under the management of Health and Safety regulations 1999
	b)	Identify the time period within which an appeal may be lodged against an improvement notice AND state the effect the appeal will have on the notice	(2)
		The time period in which an appeal can be lodged is 21 days and they operation can continue whilst the appeal is being decided.
	c)	State the penalties for contravening the requirements of an improvement notice when heard BOTH summarily AND on indictment	(4)
		If tried summarily the fine is £20 000 and or 6 months imprisonment When tries on indictment the maximum fine is unlimited with up to 2 years imprisonment.
5)		Outline the criteria that will determine whether a risk assessment undertaken to comply with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 'Suitable and sufficient	(8)
		A risk assessment can be deemed "suitable and sufficient" if it meets the following criteria. That all risks have been identified and they have been assessed all the people who could be at risk have been identified including other employees members of the public or any other groups and the current control measures assess against their effectiveness and any changes to these documented. These all must be relevant to the type of work being undertaken and be sufficient to last a reasonable amount of time.
6)		Sate the issues that should be included in a typical workplace accident reporting procedure.	(8)
		Accident reporting could be split into two areas Internal and external For internal reporting the procedure should detail when to fill in accident reports or near misses in to the register, it could detail the procedure to follow depending on the type of accident. Identify who might have to inform next of kin. For External reporting this would address the responsibilities required under Reporting of Incidents, Diseases or Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Details of who would make such a report and what kind of data should be included; it should also include confidentiality of the data under the data protection act.
7)		In order to meet a production deadline, a supervisor instructed an employee to operate a machine, which they both knew to be defected
		Giving reasons in EACH case, identify possible breaches of the Heath and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to this scenario	(8)
		Several breaches of the Act can be identified here mainly, the company's responsibility to provide and maintain adequate plant and machinery (section 2), also provide adequate supervision, senior management could be at fault here if they knew about the defects and the intention to use the machine. The supervisor and operative failed to comply with act because they failed to take reasonable care and work in a safe manner (sections 7 and 8), the wilful misuse of machinery therefore putting themselves and others at risk.
8)		Outline the reasons why an organisation should monitor and review its health and safety performance	(8)
		Apart from the fact that monitoring and reviewing of H&S performance being an essential part of any good H&S management system, it also offers insight into how well a company's performance is against targets set or benchmarks and comparison it allows trend analysis to determine possible deficiencies or area of improvement in a process or operation. It also provides the required detail to enable the production of an H&S report for senior management.
9)		With respect to the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
	a)	State when a safety representative is legally entitled to inspect the workplace	(6)
		After any significant change in legislation that effects the work place at the behest of colleagues if reasonable ground can be given i.e. identified an unsafe practice. Or after either a reportable incident or dangerous occurrence. Written notice to the employer if an inspection has not been carried out in the previous 3 months
	b)	Describe the facilities that an employer may need to provide to safety representatives	(2)
		The employer must provide access to phones and fax provide access to a computer and any relevant data i.e. safety inspection records accident book
10)		Outline the factors that may determine the level of supervision an employee should receive during their initial period within a company	(8)
		Determining the amount of supervision an employee should receive would depend on the amount of experience that individual has of the task they are being asked to do their qualifications and knowledge level. Whether they are familiar with the working practices, their age and any special needs they may have or any specific safety concerns
11)		Identify the issues that should be contained in the 'arrangements' section of a health and safety policy	(8)
		The arrangement section of the H&S policy is the area of the policy where thinks such as risk assessments, reporting of incidents procedure , the wearing of PPE, identification of particular hazards i.e., noise, radiation, it is also the area where the procedure for controlling contractors, work permits , visitors, Emergency procedures for fire or evacuation etc, should also be detailed here

My First Test Paper for NGC1

1)		With respect to undertaking general risk assessments on activities within a work place:
	i	Outline the FIVE key stages of the risk assessment process, identifying the issues that would need to be considered at EACH stage When undertaking a risk assessment, from the process you are assessing firstly you should identify the hazards which are to assessed, who will be affected by theses hazards whether directly or indirectly paying particular attention to any high risk groups (Pregnant women. Young Persons, Old Persons), evaluate the risk and any controls consider the likely hood of any injury and the severity of an incident. All these findings should be recorded to form a written risk assessment and periodically revisited for audit and review purposes	10
	ii	Identify FOUR items of information from within and Four items of information from the outside the organisation that may be useful when assessing the activities Inside Opinions of the workforce Results of any safety audits Minutes of safety meetings Accident and near miss record books. Outside Complaints from neighbours Any Enforcement notices Fire inspection reports Affect on local environment	8
	iii	State the legal requirements for recording workplace risk assessments	2
		If you have five or more employees the management regulations require you to assess and record your activities in case of specialised work ie. Asbestos all risk assessments should be recorded regardless of number of employees
2)	a	Outline the THREE standard conditions that must be met for an injured employee to prove a case of negligence against their employer following an accident at work Before a employee can successfully accuse his employer of neglect, he must first prove that the employer had a duty of care to protect him from the hazard, and that that duty was in fact neglected and that any harm the employee suffered was a direct consequence of that neglect of duty of care	6
	b	Sate the circumstance in which an employer may be held vicariously liable for the negligence of an employee If an employer failed to provide correct and suitable guarding to a machine with exposed moving parts	2
3)	a	Explain the meaning of the term 'perception' the way that people interpret and make sense of presented information e.g. in relation to their surroundings or to the equipment they are using.	2
	b	Outline the factors relating to the individual that may be influence a person's perception of an occupational risk perception may differ greatly from person to person especially if sense have become damages due to a particular activity, If someone works in an environment which is very noisy that persons hearing may become damaged and therefore what they perceive as 'not being loud' may in fact be very loud to someone who has not suffered that hearing damage. The same can be said of someone who is very familiar with a working practice, what they perceive as being dangerous will very different to what a person doing that activity for the first time would. Familiarity can be a large contributory factor to injury at work.	6
4)		Outline the Issues to be addressed in a training session on the operation of a permit-to-work system Permit to work systems are documented SWP (safe working practices) when training is given either from persons who are carrying out the works or persons who are completing the permits to allow people to work emphasis should be put on the importance of completing the permits fully and then complying with the restrictions or action the permits dictate. Only competent persons should be allowed to complete and receive permit to work they should be well versed in the particular hazard present. Persons issuing permits must follow the accepted company method of issuing all sections of the permit should be completed none left blank, if it's not required for that particular activity then it must say so Training on the receipt of permit and complying with the conditions set out is just as important.	8
5)		In relation to the safety representatives and safety committees Regulations 1977, outline:
	i	The rights and functions of a trade union –appointed safety representative The representative should represent the health and safety interests of workers to the employer by approaching the employer regarding any potential hazards and dangerous occurrences within workplace and be able to approach the employer regarding general matters affecting the group of employees they represent.	6
	ii	The facilities that an employer may need to provide to safety representatives He has the right to investigate any incidents that have occurred; he has the right to attend safety meetings he is required to be given time without loss of pay to do these activities.	2
6)		Identity the factors to be considered to ensure the health and safety of persons who are required to work on their own from the workplace That the work can be safely carried out by one person That they have adequate training and they are competent to carry out the work safely. They have sufficient PPE available and are trained in its use. That they suffer no threats of violence or are vulnerable in other ways such as women or young person's working alone. That they have adequate means of communication with the office or other workplace. Is there adequate supervision or arrange periodic visits from supervisors and is the person medically fit to complete the works, is there safe ingress and egress for the person	8
7)	a	Identify FOUR types of health and safety information that might usefully be displayed on a notice board within a workplace	4
		Safety Committee minutes, company H&S newsletters and bulletins, posters about particular hazards, H&S legislation booklets and posters
	b	Explain how the effectiveness of notice board as a means of communicating health and safety information to the workforce can be maximised If a notice board is just a collection of bland H&S features this will not be as effective in conveying information as one which is bright kept up to date regularly, highlighting serious issues by use of posters and graphs charts etc, graphics can say a lot very quickly	4
8)		With respect to the management of risk within the work place:
	i	Explain the meaning of the term of the risk 'hierarchy of control'	2
		'hierarchy of control' at which point in the development of a process that management of a potential hazard through control measures are adopted to remove this hazard, the earlier in a process that the hazard can be removed the better
	ii	Outline, with examples, the standard hierarchy hat should be applied with respect to controlling health and safety risks in the workplace ERIC PD (Eliminate, Reduce, Inform, Control, PPE, Discipline) Eliminate the hazard at design stage wherever possible substitute either materials or plant for something less hazardous, put in place safe systems of work; Warning systems, and as a last resort the use of PPE. All other methods should take president over PPE	6
9)		Outline the strengths AND weaknesses of using a checklist to complete a health and safety inspection in a workplace	8
		Using checklist when carrying out safety inspections are very useful in allowing the hazards that have been identified previously to be check and not overlooked. They also provide a logical approach to assessing a process from start to finish, they allow preparation for the inspections to be done. On the downside is they may focus the inspector to the areas on the check list and may miss something else that is happening, this again re-iterates the need for trained and competent inspectors who are familiar with risk and hazards associated with the process.
10)	a	Explain why an organisation should have a system for the internal report accidents at work. This allow them to trend analyse statistics of accidents, near misses or dangerous occurrences. They can identify areas where inappropriate PPE is being used, or there are significant flaws in SWP's, they can also be used to benchmark and give targets for improvement.	4
	b	Identify the reasons why employees may fail to report an accident at work An employee may not report an accident if he was not supposed to be in the area where the accident happened, maybe was not wearing the correct PPE for the task or was not following standard SWP for the task	4
	c	Outline the key areas that should be addressed in the 'arrangements' section of a health and safety policy document The arrangement sections of a health and safety policy should address the terms of reference for the H&S committee, Accident and ill health reporting procedures, Site visitor's routine, dealing with any emergencies (Fire etc), should include details of the first aid and emergency contacts of ambulance Hospital. Any health screening programs (ie eye or hearing tests), pre-employment medicals. Alongside all these things which are mainly concerned with the welfare of personnel should be the statuary requirements of machinery and equipment maintenance, this section is also where information on risk assessments should found with the review procedure and frequency.	8