H&S: EXAM PREPERATION QUESTIONS

1. Briefly explain the purpose of an inspection carried out by an HSE Inspector.

• To make sure that a company is following the health and safety laws, identify hazards, investigate accidents and ensure workers are protected from risks.

2. List four key tasks performed by a Health and Safety Officer in a small engineering company. 

• Carry out risk assessments

• Inspect the workplace to check safety procedures

• Record and investigate accidents and incidents

• Provide health and safety training to employees

3. Which two key organisations were established by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and what is the relationship between these two organisations?

• Health and Safety Commission (HSC)

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• The HSC sets policies and strategy, whilst the HSE enforces the law and provides guidance.

4. Explain the purpose of an enforcement notice issued by a UK local authority to an engineering company. 

• It requires a company to correct health and safety  breaches within a specific time to comply with legal requirements.

5. Explain the purpose of the CE mark.

• Shows that a product meets the EU safety, health and environmental protection standards and can be sold in Europe.

6. What regulations relate to: 

1. The provision of adequate lighting and ventilation in the workplace? 

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

2. The use of warning signs in the workplace? 

• Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

3. The storage, handling and disposal of hazardous substances? 

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

7. State four duties of employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

• Provide a safe working environment

• Provide training, supervision and information

• Maintaining safe equipment and machinery

8. Explain what is meant by a 'reportable dangerous occurrence'. Why is it necessary to report such an incident? 

• Reportable dangerous occurrences - a serious near-miss incident that could have caused injury - must be reported under RIDDOR so authorities can investigate hazards and prevent future accidents.

9. Explain why it is necessary to carry out a periodic review of a risk assessment.  

• Work conditions can change

• New hazards can be made

• To make sure areas are being regulated properly

10. Give three examples of physical hazards present in a typical engineering environment. 

• Vibration

• Machinery moving

• Wet floors

11. Give three examples of biological hazards present in a typical engineering environment.

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Mould

12. List four factors that need to be considered when planning to lift a heavy object manually. 

• Weight of load

• Distance to be moved

• Strength of person

13. When using manual handling, explain why maximum load weight must be reduced as distance from the body increases. 

• The centre of gravity moves away - increasing strain

• A larger turning movement - higher risk of injury

14. Briefly explain the responsibilities of a fire warden or fire marshal.  

• Ensure the safe evacuation of people

• Report to the emergency services if needed

• Help people to the assembly points

15. The Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992 suggest a three-stage approach to manual handling. What are the three stages? 

• Avoid the need for manual handling

• Assess the risk

• Reduce the risk by finding safer methods of handling

16. List four statutory duties of employers in relation to manual handling. 

• Carry out risk assessments

• Provide training

• Provide suitable equipment

• reduce the risk of injury

17. Where would you expect to find detailed information on a hazardous chemical substance? 

• The MSDS

18. What is a permit to work and why would you need one? 

• Authorising high risk work

• To make sure hazards are identified and controlled

19. Give an example of 

1. a safe condition sign

• Fire exit

2. a warning sign. 

• Electrical hazard sign

3. In what way do these signs differ? 

• The fire exit shows a safe root and the hazard sign shows danger

20. List three different types of fire extinguisher and give an example of where each type would be used. 

• Water - paper

• Carbon dioxide - electrical fires

• Foam - flammable liquids

21. Explain why the safe working load (SWL) of lifting equipment is important.  

• Prevents overloading - avoids accidents

22. Identify the lifting aid shown in the image. Describe a typical application for this device. 

- A manual pallet truck - moves heavy loads across flat surfaces.

23. Briefly describe the operation of a ratchet hoist. 

• A lever and ratchet - prevents slipping backwards

24. State two advantages of a wire rope sling compared with a chain sling 

• Lighter and easier to handle

• More flexible

25. Identify the lifting aid shown in the image. Describe a typical application for this device.

• A scissor lift - used to safely raise workers and their tools for tasks elevated off the ground.

26. Identify the lifting aid shown in the image. Describe a typical application for this device. 

- A chain block - used to lift or lower heavy loads.

27. Identify the lifting aid shown in the image. Describe a typical application for this device. 

- A wire rope sling - used with cranes or hoists to lift heavy loads.

28. Identify the lifting aid shown in the image. Describe a typical application for this device.  

- A swivel hook - attached to the end of a crane or hoist to connect to slings.

29. Describe the basic content and application of the Environmental Protection Act.

• Controls waste and pollution

• Requires safe handling, storage and disposal of waste

 

30. Explain the main features of: 

1. The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 

• Requires permits for industrial processes

• Limits emissions and pollution

2. The Controlled Waste Regulations 

• Classifies waste

• Controls disposal and collection of waste

3. The Clean Air Act  

• Controls air pollution

• Emission limits and smokeless zones

31. Describe the basic content and application of an environmental management system (EMS). 

• Environmental policy

• Planning

• Implementation

• Checking

• Management review

32. What impact is an EMS likely to have on the day-to-day operation of an engineering company? Explain your answer. 

• More monitoring and checks

• Improved efficiency

• Less waste and pollution

• Legal compliance

33. List four different types of hazardous waste likely to be produced by a typical engineering company. 

• Oils

• Solvents

• Batteries

• Chemicals 

34. List the six factors that constitute the 'waste hierarchy'. 

• Prevent

• Minimise

• Re-use

• Recycle

• Recover

• Dispose 

35. What is an 'alternative source of energy' and how does it differ from a conventional fossil fuel energy source? 

• Energy is not based on fossil fuels

• It has lower emissions and is renewable

36. Describe four different alternative energy sources. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of each of these sources.  

• Solar energy - renewable but depends on sunlight

• Wind energy - low emissions but isnt constant 

• Tidal energy - predictable but is expensive

• Geothermal energy - reliable but is location dependent

37. Compare and contrast the environmental impact of each of the following energy sources: MSHW 

1. Tidal 

• Low emissions

• Can disrupt water ecosystems

2. Wind 

• Clean energy

• Noise impact

3. Waste incineration  

• Reduces landfill waste

• Produces emissions