THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN O CCUPATI O NAL

SAFET Y AND HEALTH

INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL

SAFETY AND HEALTH

PAPER 2: CONTROLLING WORKPLACE HAZARDS

2 hours allowed
SECTION 1

1
(4)

(a)

Explain, using a suitable sketch, the significance of a fire triangle

(b)

Identify THREE methods of heat transfer and explain how EACH can cause the
spread of fire
(6)

(c)

Outline measures that should be taken to minimise the risk of fire from
electrical equipment.
(8)

(d)

Explain why water should not be used on fires involving electrical equipment.
(2)

2.

Outline the means by which the risk of accidents from reversing vehicles within a
workplace can be reduced.
(8)

3.

Outline FOUR types of engineering control that may be used to reduce

noise in the workplace, giving a practical example of EACH .
(8)

4.

Outline the precautions to protect against electrocution when:

(i) Excavating near underground cables
(i) Working near overhead power lines

5.

(a)

Describe the possible effects of electricity on the body.

(4)
(4)

(4)

(b) Outline the emergency actions to take if a person suffers a severe

electric shock.
(4)
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6.
Outline the factors that could contribute towards the development of workrelated upper limb disorders (WRULDs).
(8)

7.
Provide sketches to show clearly the nature of the following mechanical
hazards from moving parts of machinery:

(i)

entanglement

(2)

(ii)

crushing

(2)

(iii)

drawing-in

(2)

(iv)

Shear

(2)

8.

Outline the issues that should be considered by an organisation when

developing a system for the safe collection and disposal of its waste. (8)

9.

(a)

Outline a good lifting technique that could be adopted by a person

when lifting a load from the ground.
(6)

(b)

Give TWO examples of how a manual handling task might be avoided

10.

Outline the precautions to be taken when repair work is to be carried out on

the sloping roof of a building.
(8)

11.

List EIGHT precautions that could be taken when leaving a fork-lift truck
unattended.
(8)

(a)

Fuel

Oxygen

Heat (ignition)

Triangle to show three standard elements: Fuel, oxygen and ignition.

(b) Methods of heat transfer include:
Conduction: Where heat is transferred through a conducting material (eg, metal), without the
conductor itself is burning.
Convection: As the hot air and gases rise from the fire, cooler air is drawn in which, in turn, is
heated and rises. The continuous process of air being drawn in and heated, then rising,
cooling and descending, forms circulating currents which enable the fire to spread
Radiation: Heat energy from the fire, in the form of infrared radiation, is transmitted through
the air and may be absorbed by other fuel sources causing them to heat up, possibly enough
to cause ignition.
(C) measures such as the proper selection of equipment to ensure its suitability for the task,
pre-use inspection by the user, establishing correct fuse ratings, ensuring circuits and sockets
are not overloaded, disconnecting or isolating the equipment when it is not in use, and
ensuring that electric motors do not overheat (eg by checking that vents are uncovered).
Additional measures include the need to uncoil cables (particularly extension leads) to prevent
the build up of heat and protecting cables from mechanical damage. Importantly, electrical
equipment and systems should be subject to regular inspection, testing and maintenance by
competent persons. This should ensure, for instance, that contacts are sound, thereby
reducing the likelihood of electrical arcing.
(d) Using water on an electrical fire can lead to electric shock since water is a good conductor
of electricity. Carbon dioxide and dry powder were correctly identified as suitable extinguishing
agents where electrical equipment is involved but references to halon were discounted due to
the fact that its use has been banned.

2.

Accidents from reversing vehicles can be reduced by:

Avoiding the need for vehicles to reverse one-way or drive through systems, turning circles,
etc.
Separation of vehicles and pedestrians use of barriers and signs
Suitable vehicle and workplace design audible alarms, mirrors on vehicles and at blind
corners, refuges, adequate lighting etc.
Procedural measures use of banksmen, good site rules, driver training etc
3.
Engineering measures that can be used to reduce noise levels are:
Noise can be eliminated or reduced by replacing noisy equipment with that having lower noise
emissions.
Replacing steel moving parts with alloys or nylon gears rather than replacing the whole item of
equipment.
Replacing metal chain drives with rubber belts.
Making sure that rotating parts are properly balanced
4.The precautions to protect against electrocution when:
(i) Excavating near underground cables
Supply isolation
Cable routes identification via plans and cable detectors
Checking for service box covers
Marking of cable routes
Digging with hand-tools
(ii) Working near overhead power lines
Isolation
Goal-post barriers defining clearance distances
Use of signs and bunting to clearly mark danger zones
Safe access routes under lines
Use of marshals and banksmen when cranes, excavators or tipper lorries may approach
Restriction on use of metal ladders and scaffold tubes

5
(a) The effects of electricity on the body. These include: the cardio-respiratory effects, in
particular the risk of fatal injury due to disruption to heart rhythm; muscular contraction
following contact with AC current resulting in an involuntary grip on the live conductor, thus
prolonging current flow through the body; and tissue burns with the main sites of damage
being the entry and exit points but with the additional possibility of damage to internal organs.
(b)
The action on discovering a person having suffered an electric shock should be to
make others aware of the situation and, at the same time or immediately afterwards, to turn off
the supply. If this is not possible, and the victim is still in contact with, or in close proximity to,
the live part, then he/she should be pushed clear using a non-conductive implement (such as
a broom). First-aid should then be administered, which, depending on the condition of the
person, may include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. If successful, an airway should be

maintained by placing the victim in the recovery position and breathing should be monitored
until medical help arrives.
6.
Outlined factors such as workstation layout and the failure to provide sufficient breaks
from the task. Others produced lengthy answers in which they repeated the same items in
different ways, thus losing time but gaining few marks. Better candidates took a broader view
and referred to additional factors such as space constraints resulting in poor working postures,
excessive force or awkward hand movements needed to carry out an operation, the frequency
with which tasks need to be repeated, the use of vibrating tools and equipment, and the
involvement of vulnerable workers such as those with pre-existing medical conditions and
pregnant women.
7 (i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

8.
The issues to be considered when developing a system for the safe collection and
disposal of its waste include: Making sure the skip is of sound construction; locate skip on
firm, level ground away from excavations; clear access for filling the skip and its removal by a
vehicle away from the site; filling by means of a chute or mechanical means (unless done by
hand); controls to prevent over-filling; controls to prevent tipping(disposal) of incompatible
wastes; use of netting or sheeting covers when skip is full; fire safety procedures; need to site
away from buildings; need to protect against arson.
9
(a)
The following are important to ensure a safe lifting technique: stop and think;
assess the weight of the load; bend the knees; keep the back straight; get a good grip on the
load; use of body weight; keep the load close to the body; position the foot slightly apart; keep
the shoulders and hips in line (same direction); lift steadily using the leg muscles to straighten
up and dont twist the body.
(b)
The manual handling task can be avoided by mechanization and use of Fork lift
trucks, hoists, cranes and conveyors.
10.
The precautions to be taken are initially an assessment should be made to gauge the
condition of the roof and to check for the presence of fragile materials and/or asbestos. It
would then be necessary to consider the means of access (eg scaffolding), the use of roof
ladders, crawling boards and fall arrest equipment, and edge protection to prevent the falls of
persons and materials. Other precautions would include provision for transporting tools and
materials to the roof and for the removal of waste, barriers at ground level, the use of
appropriate personal protective equipment such as hard hats and footwear, and the
employment of trained and competent personnel.
11.
There are a number of precautions that a driver must follow when leaving his/her forklift
truck unattended. The first one relates to leaving the forklift truck on a firm level surface, in a
designated area, to ensure that it cannot roll away. The truck must not be left in a position
where it could obstruct the emergency exits, walkways or fire points, and must be parked
away from other vehicles.
The truck should be left with the mast tilted slightly forward and forks resting on the
floor to make sure that it is stable and not likely to overturn. The truck must not be left until the
brake has been applied and the power switched off. Where a start key is used, the key must
be removed and returned it to a responsible person, as appropriate. This will prevent the
unauthorized use of the truck.