Question 01

1. Identify the control measures that could be implemented to reduce the risks to
pedestrians in areas where vehicles are maneuvering. (8)
Answer
The control measures are such as the management of traffic movement including the
introduction of one way systems and the designation of specific traffic routes;
segregation of pedestrians from transport with the demarcation of walkways; the
provision of barriers and refuges; maintaining good visibility by means of mirrors,
transparent doors and the provision of lighting; the enforcement of site rules covering
speed restrictions; limited areas of access for vehicles; the fitting of visual and
audible alarm devices to vehicles; ensuring that workers wore high visibility clothing;
ensuring that floors were regularly cleaned and kept free from spillages; introducing
procedures for the regular maintenance of vehicles with particular reference to the
condition of steering, brakes and tyres.

Question 02)
A worker is manually loading boxes of components onto metal shelves.
(a) Identify FOUR types of injury that the worker could suffer while carrying out this
task. (4)
(b) Identify factors in relation to the task that will increase the risk of injury. (4)
Answer
(a) The types of injuries include: spinal disc compression or a prolapsed disc, sprains and
strains to tendons, muscles or ligaments, hernia, dislocation or fracture of bones,
trapped nerve, rheumatism, cuts, bruising and abrasions, crushing or impact injuries
and work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs).
(c) The factors include: the manipulation of the load at a distance away from the
trunk, the work rate and periods allowed for rest and recovery, long carrying
distances, large vertical movements, excessive lifting or lowering, unpredictable
distances, twisting, stooping, reaching upwards, repetitive handling, strenuous
pushing and pulling and also the need to adopt unsatisfactory body positions
because of space restrictions

Question 03)
1. Outline the specific hazards associated with the use of battery-powered forklift trucks
and state the precautions necessary in EACH case. (8)
Answer
The hazards include that relating to battery charging leading to the generation of
hydrogen gas which may be ignited by electrical arcing, causing explosion or fire.
This calls for the provision of a dedicated charging station with adequate ventilation,
free from ignition sources and well signed to warn persons of the potential danger.
There is also the possibility of employees being burned by battery acid when carrying
out maintenance work on the truck so that they would need to be provided with and
wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection.
There is always the possibility of electric shock and burns through the shorting of
battery leads and to protect against this possibility, adequate insulation, a correct
connection procedure and the wearing of gloves would be needed.
Finally the collisions with pedestrians since the trucks are virtually silent when
running. This calls for the delineation of traffic routes, the wearing of high visibility
clothing by pedestrians and the sounding of the truck's warning device by drivers
when personnel are being approached.
Question 04)

(a) Identify FOUR mechanical hazards associated with the use of a pedestal drill.(4)
(b) Outline FOUR control measures to reduce the risk of injury to operators of
pedestal drills. (4)
Answer
(a) Mechanical hazards associated with the use of a pedestal drill include:
entanglement of clothes or hair with the drill bit or chuck; stabbing injuries from
the end of the drill bit; contact with the drill chuck resulting in abrasions; ejection
of, or impact by unclamped work pieces, made worse by the fact that the work
piece may be spinning at fast speed on the bit; cutting hazards may also be
presented by metal swarf produced by the drilling process.
(b) Control measures which could reduce the risk of injury to operators include:
ensuring stop/start controls, emergency stop devices and isolator switches are
operative; the fitting of robust and adjustable guarding around the chuck and drill

bit; ensuring the regular removal of swarf round the drill bit to prevent build up;
the removal of the chuck key before putting the drill into motion; ensuring the
operators are trained and competent and are not wearing items of loose clothing
and/or jewellery; the provision of personal protective equipment such as eye and
face protection and introducing procedures for the regular maintenance of the
machine.
Question 5)
(a) Identify the effects on the human body from a severe electric shock. (4)
(b) Identify FOUR factors that could affect the severity of injury resulting from
contact with electricity. (4)
Answer
(a) The effects include the muscular contraction leading to an involuntary grip; cardiorespiratory effects, in particular the risk of fatal injury due to disruption of heart
rhythm; damage to the nervous system; tissue burns; damage to internal organs;
fractures and multiple injuries on falling from heights; physical trauma..
(b) The factors such as the voltage and the type and size of the current involved; the path
taken through the body by the current; the length of contact time; the general health and
age of the person involved; the electrical resistance of the skin and the internal body
resistance; factors associated with the footwear and clothing being worn by the person;
environmental issues such as the floor surface and the possibility of secondary sources of
injury particularly if the person affected is working at a height
Question 06)
Identify EIGHT common causes of fires in the workplace. (8)
Answer
The common causes of fires in the workplace include: faulty or incorrectly used
electrical equipment; machinery and plant which was either incorrectly used or badly
maintained such as friction caused by inadequate lubrication; chemical reactions that
may give off heat; hot work such as welding or cutting; smoking materials which are
discarded in an unsafe manner; hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heating
appliances; sparks from cold working such as grinding; static electricity arising from
the incorrect transfer of flammable liquids and arson; metal impact such as metal
tools striking each other; improper housekeeping.

Question 07)
(a) In relation to the classification of fires, give an example of a material (fuel) that falls
within EACH of the classes A, B, C and D. (4)
(b) Identify TWO methods of heat transfer AND explain how EACH method
contributes to the spread of fire. (4)
Answer
(a) Some examples of fuel sources for the classes of fire such as for Class A, solids
usually of an organic nature such as wood, paper or plastic; for Class B, liquids or
liquefiable solids such as petrol, oil, paint or wax; for Class C, gases such as LPG,
natural gas and acetylene; and for Class D, finely divided metals such as zinc and
magnesium.
(b) The methods of heat transfer such as conduction involving the molecule to
molecule transfer of heat through conducting solids such as metal beams or pipes
to other parts of the building and igniting combustible or flammable materials;
radiation involving the emission of heat in the form of infra red radiation which
can raise temperatures of adjacent materials so that they reach their ignition
temperatures or flash points; convection which allows hot gases to rise and either
become trapped beneath a ceiling or travel through voids and ducts to remote
parts of a building, in both cases raising temperatures; and finally direct burning
where heat comes into direct contact with combustible material and causes
ignition. (Write any two).
Question 08)
An organisation uses small quantities of toxic chemicals.
a. Identify FOUR possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body. (4)
b. Explain the difference between acute and chronic health effects. (4)
c. Identify the sources of information which could be used in the assessment of risk
of toxic substances. (4)
d. Outline the control measures that might be required in order to minimise risks to
workers. (8)
Answer
(a) The possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body as inhalation,
ingestion, injection and skin absorption particularly if an open wound was
present.

(b) The difference between acute and chronic health effects: in the case of acute
health effects, the adverse effects appear after a single or short term exposure to
the agent, and the response is invariably rapid or immediate. In most cases, acute
effects recede on cessation of exposure. Chronic health effects, on the other hand,
usually result from prolonged or repeated exposure to the agent. The response is
normally gradual, often progressive and irreversible, and may go unrecognized for
long periods of time.
(c) The sources of information include: product labels, published limit values such as
work exposure limits (WEL), material safety data sheets (MSDS), the results of
internal inspections and audits, monitoring and health surveillance data.
(d) Control measures such as the use of suitable containers for the chemicals carrying
warning signs as to their danger; the methods used for handling the chemicals;
procedures for the clearing up and containment of spillages; the provision of
adequate ventilation for the working areas and the use of personal protective
equipment such as chemical proof gloves, eye protection and overalls; site rules
setting out the hygiene procedures to be followed and prohibiting eating or
smoking in the working areas; setting up emergency procedures including first aid
provision; providing employees with instruction, information and training on the
handling of toxic substances and ensuring the provision of adequate supervision
and monitoring to check that control measures were being followed.
Question 09)
Outline the factors that may lead to occupational stress amongst workers. (8)
Answer
The factors include: Job factors might include the existence of a poor health and
safety culture within the organisation; a lack of commitment by and support from
management and a failure to provide adequate information, instruction and training;
work patterns such as shift work or unsocial hours; excessive overtime; repetitive or
monotonous work; a lack of adequate breaks; a lack of control over the job with the
allocation of too much or too little responsibility; work loads too high or too low; the
task not matched to the skills of the person; environmental factors such as noise,
temperature and ventilation and job insecurity and the fear of redundancy particularly
at times of organizational change. Interactions involve such issues as harassment,
bullying, discrimination, fear of violence, poor communication and general
relationships with management and work colleagues.
There are also a range of personal and social factors such as illness, financial worries
and family commitments that could increase an employee's level of stress at work,
even if some may not be work related.

Question 10
Excavation work is being carried out on a construction site. Identify the control measures
needed to reduce the risk to workers. (8)
Answer
Control measures include: the detection of underground services by using plans or
cable/pipe detectors; supporting the sides of the excavation by shoring or benching;
storing materials and spoil away from edge of the excavation; providing means to
prevent vehicles falling into the excavation such as stop blocks; providing guard-rails
and barriers to prevent people falling into the excavation; providing means of support
for adjacent structures to prevent collapse; providing safe means of access/egress into
the excavation; .for noxious fumes and providing ventilation if necessary; using
pumps to protect against flooding; taking precautions to safeguard the workers from
biological hazards or those caused by the presence of contaminated ground and
arranging for the excavation to be inspected at regular intervals by a competent
person.