NEBOSH NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Unit IA: International management of health and safety TUESDAY 3 JULY 2012 3 hours, 0930 to 1230 10 minutes reading time is allowed before the start of this examination. You may not write anything during this period.
Answer both Section A and Section B
SECTION A This section contains six questions. Answer ALL SIX questions. All questions carry equal marks. The maximum marks for each question, or part of a question, are shown in brackets. You are advised to spend about 15 minutes on each question. Start each answer on a new page.
1
Outline issues that should be considered when planning a health and safety inspection programme.
(10)
Information on the specific workplace conditions or behaviours that might be covered in an inspection is not required.
2
(a)
An extract from a company annual report is given below. Comment critically on the suitability of the content in providing information to the stakeholders.
(5)
‘The company has done much better at health and safety in the last year compared to previous years. In 2008 there were 170 accidents that required first-aid treatment compared to 180 in 2007, 185 in 2006 and 240 in 2005. This significant reduction is due to our new health and safety manager and a reduction in staff numbers from 1500 in 2005 to 1400 in 2006 and 1300 in 2007 to 900 in 2008, which also helps reduce business costs. Fatalities were also reduced from 11 in 2007 to 4 in 2008, a significant decrease.’ The management team is confident of further reductions in 2009. (b)
Calculate the non-fatal accident incidence rates AND comment on the findings.
An organisation is proposing to move from a health and safety management system based on the International Labour Organisation ILO OSH 2001 model to one that aligns itself with BS OHSAS 18001. Outline the possible advantages AND disadvantages of such a change.
4
(a)
(b)
5
Outline what is meant by punitive damages in relation to a compensation award clearly stating their purpose AND to whom the damages are paid.
(5)
In relation to a claim for compensation, outline the meaning of the terms: (i)
no fault liability;
(2)
(ii)
breach of duty of care.
(3)
A worker has been seriously injured after being struck by material transported using an overhead crane. Outline the types of human failure which may have contributed to the accident AND, in EACH case, give examples relevant to the scenario to illustrate your answer.
6
(10)
(10)
Outline, with appropriate examples, the key features of the following risk management concepts: (a)
risk avoidance;
(2)
(b)
risk reduction;
(2)
(c)
risk transfer;
(3)
(d)
risk retention.
(3)
SECTION B This section contains five questions. Answer THREE questions only. All questions carry equal marks. The maximum marks for each question, or part of a question, are shown in brackets. You are advised to spend about 30 minutes on each question. Start each answer on a new page.
7
You are preparing a detailed report intended to persuade senior management to make resources available for the management of health and safety. Outline reasons for managing health and safety that you would include in the report.
Outline the use and limitations of fault tree analysis.
(b)
A machine operator is required to reach between the tools of a vertical hydraulic press between each cycle of the press. Under fault conditions, the operator is at risk from a crushing injury due to either (a) the press tool falling by gravity or (b) an unplanned (powered) stroke of the press. The expected frequencies of the failures that would lead to either of these effects are given in the table below: Failure type Flexible hose failure Detachment of press tool Hydraulic valve failure Activation button failure Electrical fault
(i)
(ii) (iii)
9
10
Effect
0.2
a
0.1
a
0.05
a
0.05
b
0.1
b
Given that the operator is at risk for 20 per cent of the time that the machine is operating, construct and quantify a simple fault tree to show the expected frequency of the top event (a crushing injury to the operator’s hand).
(10)
Outline, with reasons, whether or not the level of risk calculated should be tolerated.
(4)
Assuming that the nature of the task cannot be changed, explain how the fault tree might be used to prioritise remedial actions.
(2)
(a)
Outline the role of health and safety legislation in the workplace.
(10)
(b)
Outline the limitations of health and safety legislation in the workplace.
(10)
Extensive repair work is needed to the roof of the main production area of a large factory. The factory is to remain fully operational during the work. (a)
(b)
11
Frequency (per year)
(4)
Identify the criteria that might be used when selecting a contractor for the work to ensure they have the necessary competence in health and safety.
(8)
Identify ways in which the factory management should control the work of the contractor to ensure that risks to factory workers are minimised.
(12)
The management of an organisation intends to introduce new, safer working procedures but the workers are resisting this change. (a)
(b)
Outline practical measures the organisation could take to communicate effectively when managing this change.
(10)
Outline additional steps the management could take to gain the support and commitment of workers when managing this change.
