igc2 examiner's reports

8/10/2019 IGC2 Examiner's Reports

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Question 1 (a) Givethe meaning of the term health surveillance. (2)

(b) Identifythe types of checks that could be included in a healthsurveillance programme. (6)

(c) Give the meaning of a short term exposure limit (STEL)ANDalong term exposure limit (LTEL). (6)

(d) Outlinethe limitations of exposure limits (ELs). (6)

Health surveillance is concerned with collecting and using information about aworkers health related to their work and systematically watching out for work related

ill-health in workers exposed to certain health risks. It could range from simple skin orhearing checks to medical examinations involving a doctor and/or nurse. There werenot too many candidates who were able to give an adequate meaning of the term.

In answering part (b), candidates were expected to identify types of checks such as: ahealth assessment by questionnaire; a clinical examination; diagnostic tests such asby x-ray or scan; function measurements for example a lung function test; biologicaltests as of the blood; skin checks for signs of rashes; eye and hearing tests; and selfchecks once the symptoms have been explained. Despite the difficulty in answeringthe first part of the question, most candidates were able to offer a number of thechecks that could be included in a health surveillance programme though only themore able identified the full range.

For part (c), candidates should have considered that both the short term and longterm exposure limits are concerned with airborne concentrations of a substance overa specified period of time and are expressed as a time weighted average. The shortterm exposure limit (STEL) is usually averaged over a fifteen minute reference period,and is aimed at avoiding acute effects from exposure to substances where there isevidence that such an effect may be present. The long term exposure limit (LTEL) isconcerned with the total intake averaged over a reference period of eight hours and isaimed at protecting against the known effects of long term exposure. Few candidateshad a good understanding of the exposure limits and some were obliged to repeat thewording of the question in response for example, STEL is the short term exposurelimit and LTEL is the long term exposure limit.

The limitations of workplace exposure limits include the fact that they relate to

inhalation only and not to other routes of entry such as skin absorption and do nottherefore account for circumstances where both routes may be possible. Additionally,they do not account for personal susceptibility since the majority of the work carriedout in their development has been carried out in the developed countries such asEurope and the USA and is based mainly on the average male physiology. It has alsoto be recognised that variations may exist in controlled conditions where local exhaustventilation may not always work consistently because of lack of maintenance andexcessive levels of contamination. Similarly lack of maintenance and misuse can leadto inaccuracies in monitoring since measuring microscopic amounts of contaminationrequire very accurate and sensitive equipment. There are, also, synergistic effectssince the standards that are available relate to a single substance and often theeffects of exposure to multiple substances in the workplace need to be considered.Finally some exposure limits are guidelines only and not requirements while others do

not assess all health effects of a particular substance.

4 EXTERNAL

Paper IGC2 March 2010

Control of international workplace hazards


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Answers to this final part of the question were again very disappointing with somecandidates not even attempting to provide a response.

Question 2 (a) Identify THREE control measures to segregate pedestrians and

vehicles in the workplace. (3)

(b) Identifymeasures to reduce the risk to pedestrians whensegregation is not practicable. (5)

In answering part (a) of the question candidates could have identified controlmeasures such as the provision of separate walkways which are clearly marked; theprovision of barriers and fencing; site rules which are strictly enforced; the issue ofinstructions to drivers; and the provision of instruction and training to pedestrians onthe precautions that must be observed.

For part (b), when segregation is not possible, measures to reduce the risk to

pedestrians include: the provision of designated safe crossing points and refuges;fitting vehicles with audible or visual alarms for example to give warning of a reversingoperation; the use of a banksman to ensure safe vehicle movement in areas wherepedestrians are likely to be present; ensuring a good standard of visibility by theprovision of mirrors, transparent doors and CCTV; the introduction of a speedrestriction on vehicles; the use of trained and authorised drivers particularly for forklifttrucks; the provision and use of high visibility personal protective equipment; and theprovision of a good standard of lighting which avoids the possibility of glare.

The question was generally well answered though a few candidates got intodifficulties and repeated the answers they had given for part (a) for the second part.

Question 3 The construction industry has a high incidence of contact dermatitis.

(a) IdentifyFOURsubstances used in construction that could causecontact dermatitis. (4)

(b) Outline control measures that could be used to reduce the riskof contact dermatitis. (4)

Substances in use in the construction industry that could cause contact dermatitisinclude degreasers, descalers and detergents; epoxy resins and hardeners; sealantssuch as acrylic silicone; bitumen, asphalt and tar; solvents used in connection with

paints, glues and other surface coatings; petrol, diesel, oil and greases; cement andlime and insulation materials such as mineral wool. There were some reasonableanswers provided for this part of the question though some candidates tended to givea list of products rather than substances.

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In outlining control measures that could be used to reduce the risk of contactdermatitis, candidates could have referred to the use of alternative substances wherethis is possible; using gloves to protect skin on the hands and minimising contact withthe use of hand tools; providing washing facilities so that contaminants can beremoved from the skin as soon as possible; using barrier and moisturising creams;providing information to workers on the hazards involved and the precautions to be

taken; encouraging them to report skin problems and arranging for supervisors toundertake skin inspections. Answers were generally concerned only with the use ofgloves and barrier creams and the provision of training. Some candidates referred tothe hierarchy of control but then did not apply it to the scenario. A few seemed to havelittle knowledge of contact dermatitis and suggested control measures moreappropriate to airborne contaminants such as the use of local exhaust or dilutionventilation.

Question 4 (a) Identifythe possible effects of electricity on the body. (4)

(b) Identifythe emergency action to take if a person suffers a

severe electric shock. (4)

For part (a), most candidates were able to identify the effects of electricity on thebody. This included reference to the cardio-respiratory effects, in particular the risk offatal injury due to disruption to heart rhythm; muscular contraction resulting in aninvoluntary grip on the live conductor, thus prolonging current flow through the body;tissue burns with the main sites of damage being the entry and exit points with thepossibility of damage to internal organs and fractures or dislocations caused by aresulting fall.

The second part of the question, which required candidates to outline the emergencyaction necessary after someone receives an electric shock, was also well answered.

Depending on the circumstances, action may include isolation of the victim from thesupply (either by switching off or pushing him/her clear with a non-conductiveimplement), summoning help, administering first aid such as cardio-pulmonaryresuscitation, treatment of burns and other injuries, placing the victim in the recoveryposition and remaining with him/her until professional medical help arrives.

Answers to this question were to an acceptable standard with those provided for part(b) better than those for part (a).

Question 5 Identify FOURtypes of engineering control that may be used to reducenoise in the workplaceAND givea practical example of EACH. (8)

In answering this question, candidates were expected to identify types of engineeringcontrol that might be used to reduce noise in the workplace such as changing theprocess for example using screws instead of rivets or substituting a machine with adiesel engine with one which was electrically driven; providing sound proof enclosuressuch as a hood for a printer; controlling vibration by the use of resilient machinerymounts and flexible pipes; damping by changing a material being used such as plasticinstead of glass; noise absorption by the use of acoustic absorbing ceiling baffles andscreens; using silencers to reduce sound energy emitted from exhaust pipes; andintroducing a programme of planned maintenance which would include lubrication ofmoving parts of machinery.

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This question was not well answered. Candidates seemed to have a poorunderstanding of the term engineering control and the terminology used andsuggested controls such as the use of appropriate personal protective equipment andsafe systems of work. Examples that were given referred only to the use of barriersand rubber mounts and the need for lubrication.

Question 6 (a) ListFOURspecific types of injury that could be caused by theincorrect manual handling of loads. (4)

(b) Identifyfactors in relation to the load that will affect the risk ofinjury. (4)

In answering part (a), candidates could have chosen from a list of potential injuriesincluding spinal disc compression or prolapsed disc, strains to tendons or muscles,hernia, dislocation or fracture of bones, cuts and abrasions and crushing or impactinjuries. Whilst most answers were to a good standard, a few candidates were notsufficiently specific and identified injuries such as bad back or upper limb disorders for

which no marks could be awarded. There was the tendency to generalise and refer tobad backs instead of listing specific types of injury as required.

Part (b) of the question explored candidates knowledge of the way the nature of aload can present a risk of injury during manual handling activities. They should haveidentified matters such as the size, weight and shape of the load, the possibility thatthe contents might move or the load become unbalanced, the position of the centre ofgravity, difficulty in securing a firm grasp of the load, the presence of sharp edges andthe possibility that the contents of the load might be hazardous.

Some candidates did not read the question with sufficient care and provided answersrelating to the load, task, environment and the individual. Others confused task andload and identified factors relevant to the former and not the latter.

Question 7 (a) IdentifyFOURhealth effects of working outside in extreme heatcreated by the sun. (4)

(b) Outlinecontrol measures that could be used to reduce theeffects of the sun on construction workers. (4)

Working out of doors in extreme heat caused by the sun may result in health effectssuch as burns, damage to the eyes and skin cancer, dehydration and heatexhaustion, heat stroke, sweat rash, prickly heat, headaches and fainting, and fatigue

and stress.

For part (b), control measures that could be used to reduce the effects of the sun onworkers include limiting the duration of exposure by job rotation ensuring periods ofwork are alternated with periods of rest; avoiding work when temperatures are at theirhighest; ensuring an adequate supply of drinking water; the use of appropriateclothing for working in high temperatures and persuading workers to adopt a policy ofkeeping their bodies covered; encouraging workers to maintain their salt levels;working under canopies where this is possible; wearing hats and eye protection andapplying sun protection cream.

Answers provided for this question were generally to an acceptable standard.

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Question 8 In a factory a conveyor system is used to transfer manufactured articlesto the warehouse area.

Identifythe control measures to be taken to reduce the risk of injury to

workers from the conveyor. (8)

In answer to this question candidates should have referred to control measures suchas the provision of guarding for transmission machinery and the intakes of belts anddrums; the erection of barriers to keep workers away from the conveyor; the provisionof emergency stop buttons for the system conveniently situated and easily accessible;ensuring operators are trained in the use of the conveyor system and the hazardsassociated with its use such as the danger that could arise from overloading theconveyor, wearing loose items of clothing or allowing long hair to hang loose; using asignal to warn workers that the conveyer is about to be put into operation; ensuringmaintenance and servicing work is carried out only by authorised personnel and thatthe power supply to the conveyer is disconnected or locked off before the start of thework and encouraging workers to report unsafe practices to the supervisor.

Many candidates struggled with this question. Some appeared not to be familiar withconveyer systems and could offer little more than a general reference to the provisionof guards. Only the better answers were able to envisage where the problems mightlie and to go on and suggest what control measures were necessary.

Question 9 (a) Identifythe key components of the fire triangle. (3)

(b) Identify sources of ignition that may cause a fire to occur,ANDgivea typical workplace example of EACH. (5)

Most candidates were able to identify that each side of the fire triangle represents oneof the three elements namely, fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition, heat or energy that must be present for combustion to occur.

Possible sources of ignition that could have been identified included: electricity, suchas arcing or overheating due to faulty wiring, poor connections or excess current;chemical reactions such as spontaneous combustion or exothermic reaction; hot worksuch as welding or cutting; naked flame or smouldering material perhaps fromdiscarded smoking materials; friction caused by, for instance, inadequate lubricationof machinery; and hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heating appliances.

There were some good answers too, for this part of the question. However, somecandidates identified a source of ignition or an example but not both while othersreferred to methods of heat transfer rather than to sources of ignition.

8 EXTERNAL


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7/18

4 EXTERNAL

Question 1 (a) The team leader in a warehouse is giving training to his teamabout manual handling.

Identify SIXfactors in relation to the load which he could includein his talkAND, for EACH, givea practical example that couldbe present in the warehouse. (12)

(b) The manager of the warehouse has recognised that theenvironmental conditions are contributing to risks from themanual handling of loads and has decided to makeimprovements.

Identify FOURenvironmental conditions that the manager could

considerANDidentifyrisk control measures which he couldintroduce. (8)

Factors relating to the load which could be included in the team leaders talk includeits weight which might be too heavy for one individual to lift and carry; its bulk whichcould be a large box or a number of items tied together; the temperature of the loadespecially in relation to cold storage items such as frozen food; the difficulty ingripping the load for example if it was a parcel wrapped in plastic or if no handleswere provided on a bulky package; a centre of gravity which might be off-set such asthe presence of a live animal in the load; a shifting centre of gravity which could occurwith sacks of granules or powders; loads containing hazardous contents such aschemicals, toxic solids, and acids in bottles; and loads with sharp cutting edges such

as needles, glass and metal bands. Candidates did not seem to realise that it wasconcerned solely with factors relating to the load with some basing their answers onTILE (task, individual, load, environment) and discussing each of its components inturn. Those who had not read the question with sufficient care or perhaps did notappreciate what was required, described a safe method of lifting a load which was notwhat was required.

For part (b), candidates were expected to identify environmental conditions such asheat, which could be controlled by the provision of ventilation or air conditioning andarranging for the work to be carried out during the cooler periods of the day; cold,which might be alleviated by the provision of heating and warm clothing and gloves;noise, which could be controlled by the provision of acoustic barriers or the wearing ofpersonal protective clothing such as ear defenders or ear plugs; uneven slippery

surfaces which could be dealt with by weather proofing the building, the use ofabsorbent mats and the introduction of procedures for dealing with spillages;inadequate lighting suggesting the introduction of additional artificial lighting; and lackof space which would point to the need to re-organise the warehouse to provideadditional clear areas. The quality of response provided for this part of the questionwas again poor. Conditions such as rough seas, earthquakes and the weather ingeneral were suggested ignoring the fact that the scenario involved was a warehouse.Examiners were concerned at the apparent lack of attention given by candidates tothe wording of the question.

Paper IGC2 September 2011



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5 EXTERNAL

Question 2 Identify FOURtypes of ignition source that may lead to a fire in theworkplaceAND identi fy a control measure for EACH. (8)

Possible sources of ignition that could have been identified included: electricity, where

control measures that could be introduced include inspection, testing, regularmaintenance, earthing, bonding and the fitting of the correct fuses into equipment;chemical sources which can be countered by correct storage procedures and a goodstandard of housekeeping; hot work such as welding or cutting where controlmeasures include the use of a permit to work system, separation of the work and theprovision of a fire watch; overheating of machinery caused by friction which may becontrolled by regular maintenance and lubrication; hot surfaces such as those oncooking or heating appliances where separation would be necessary between theequipment and its fuel source and discarded smoking materials which can becontrolled by introducing a smoking ban in the workplace and providing a separatesmoking area.

With many candidates, the quality of answer provided was just sufficient to obtain a

pass standard but others were only able to offer sources of ignition such as hot workand smoking. A number of candidates again appeared to have misread the questionand discussed types of fuel rather than ignition sources. There were the occasionalreferences to convection, conduction and radiation, to fire spread and the use ofextinguishers and to the classification of fires, none of which were relevant and worthyof marks.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 3 Outline control measures that could be used to reduce the risk from theuse of electrical equipment in a workplace. (8)

Answers could have included reference to control measures such as visualinspections for damage to cables, plugs and sockets; the need to ensure that allfuses are of the correct rating; the use of double insulated or battery operatedequipment, or equipment connected to a reduced voltage system or a residual currentdevice; ensuring that means of isolation are provided and that equipment is switchedoff after use; checking that equipment is sited such that outlets are not overloaded,cables are not in vulnerable positions and extension cables are fully uncoiled;checking the equipment to ensure its suitability and conformity with recognisedstandards, for example CE or BS marking; and introducing a specific testingprocedure for portable appliances together with a procedure for reporting defects ordamage.

Answers to this question were generally to a reasonable standard, though somecandidates wrote about the hazards arising from the use of electrical equipment.Examiners again strongly recommend that the attention of candidates should bedrawn to the General Comments at the beginning of this Report and particularly to thesection on Common Pitfalls.


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6 EXTERNAL

Question 4 (a) Identify TWOpossible health effects caused by exposure toasbestos. (2)

(b) Identify THREEtypes of product that contain asbestosAND,for

EACH, givean example of where these can be found in theworkplace. (6)

In answer to part (a) of the question, candidates could have identified health effectssuch as asbestosis; lung cancer; mesothelioma or cancer of the lining of the chestand/or abdomen; and cancer of the stomach, intestines or rectum. Answers to thispart of the question were to a reasonable standard though some candidates lostmarks by identifying cancer without giving any further indication of its potentiallocation.

For part (b), candidates could have identified products such as building materials forexample cement sheets, drainpipes, gutters and roof tiles; thermal insulation such as

sprayed coatings and laggings; plastics such as asbestos floor tiles; friction productssuch as gaskets and brake pads; adhesives and sealants such as putty, resins, tileadhesives and mastic; decorative products such as textured coatings or decorativeplasters; and mill board or asbestos rope used for fire proofing.

Answers to this part of the question were disappointing, and although manycandidates mentioned the three types of asbestos with others producing a list ofbuilding materials, the majority were unable to proceed further and Examiners wereleft with the impression that they were not well briefed on the subject of asbestos.

Question 5 Outline precautions to be taken when repair work is to be carried out onthe sloping roof of a building. (8)

Initially an assessment should be made to gauge the condition of the roof and tocheck for the presence of fragile materials. It would then be necessary to provide safemeans of access, normally by the erection of a scaffold; to use roof ladders orcrawling boards; to erect edge protection with guard rails and toe boards to preventthe fall of persons and materials and either to provide barriers and signage aroundareas on the roof containing fragile materials or to cover them to prevent personsfalling through. Other precautions would include provision for transporting tools andmaterials to the roof and the removal of waste; the use of appropriate personalprotective equipment such as hard hats and footwear; the employment of competentpersonnel together with a high level of supervision; and the erection of signs and/or

barriers to prevent members of the public from passing beneath the work area.

In general, answers to this question were to a reasonable standard. If there was aweakness it was that some candidates provided a list of precautions rather than therequired outline alluding, for example, to the prevention of falls without specifying howthis might be achieved.


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7 EXTERNAL

Question 6 Identify the main hazards associated with excavation work onconstruction sites. (8)

In answer to this question, candidates were expected to identify the main hazardsassociated with excavation work such as the unstable nature of the sides of theexcavation; contact with buried services such as electricity or gas; ingress of water;build-up of fumes and lack of oxygen; the dangers associated with excavationmachinery such as contact with overhead lines or being struck by the machines; theeffect of the excavation work on adjacent structures causing them to collapse; thefailure to provide protection for the edges of excavations; the restrictions on accessand egress; biological hazards such as leptospirosis; coming into contact withcontaminated land and even the possible presence of an unexploded bomb.

While answers to this question were generally satisfactory, a few candidatesdiscussed control measures rather than hazards, perhaps a further example of payinginsufficient attention to the wording. There was too, a suggestion that some wereconfused between a hazard and a risk, suggesting the hazard of people or vehiclesfalling into the excavation which is the risk which could arise from the hazard of theabsence of edge protection for the excavation.

Question 7 A display screen equipment (DSE) workstation user has complained ofneck and back pain.

Identifyfeatures associated with the workstation that might havecontributed towards this condition. (8)

Features associated with the workstation which might have contributed towards theusers condition include the position of the screen at an incorrect height which wouldcause repeated head movements; the incorrect position of the keyboard; the incorrectheight of the chair because of a lack of adjustability and the incorrect adjustment ofthe backrest; the monitor set at too great an angle for the keyboard which would againforce movement of the head; glare and reflections on the screen which would drivethe user to adopt awkward postures; the pointing device such as the mouse in a non-optimal position; the lack of or the incorrect siting of the document holder; the locationof the workstation as far as lighting and draughts were concerned; and materialsstored round the workstation which would restrict space and affect the users posture.

It was to be expected that most candidates would have used a DSE workstation onoccasions and so a logical approach, dealing with each item of the workstation in turn

should have provided enough information to answer the question. However manyconcentrated only on the chair whilst others referred to long working hours withoutbreaks, lack of sleep and a failure to provide training, features which were not directlyassociated with the workstation.


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8 EXTERNAL

Question 8 Outlineissues that should be considered by an organisation whendeveloping a system for the safe collection and disposal of its waste. (8)

_____________________________________________________________________

In answering this question, candidates were expected to outline issues such as: theidentification of waste by its hazardous properties for example general, biological orspecial and by its nature, for example solid or liquid; the quantity produced and thefrequency of removal; the need for separation of incompatible and recyclable wastes;the means for containing waste such as sharps boxes and bags and its marking andlabelling; the provision of safe storage on site and the methods of transportation toand from the storage facility; the means for processing waste such as by crushing,compacting or incinerating; the appointment of a competent and/or licensed wastecontractor; the keeping of necessary records; the possibility of pollution issues arisingfrom spillages; the competence and training of staff and the issue and use of suitablepersonal protective equipment such as overalls and gloves.

Most candidates struggled with this question which proved to be the least popular onthe paper and which was avoided by many. Those who did attempt it generallyshowed little knowledge of the safe collection and disposal of waste and were able torefer only to the different types of waste, storage on site and fire issues.

Question 9 Outline factors to consider when carrying out a fire risk assessment of aworkplace. (8)

A good answer to this question would initially have referred to the statutoryrequirements and then gone on to identify structural, physical and procedural factors

in turn.

In the first case the fire resistance of the structure would need to be confirmed andconsideration given to the fire protection and prevention measures taken, the escaperoutes and exits bearing in mind the travel distances involved and also to the provisionof emergency lighting.

As for physical factors, these would include matters such as the identification ofpossible ignition sources; the quantities of flammable and combustible materials usedor stored in the workplace; and the size of the building and number of people to beevacuated including particular groups at risk such as the disabled and visitors.

In identifying procedural factors, candidates could have referred to the means of

raising the alarm and the positioning and audibility of the alarms provided; the meansof making contact with the emergency services; the adequacy and positioning of firefighting equipment and its accessibility; the procedures for the maintenance ofequipment, alarms and detection systems; the adequacy of emergency signs; thepositioning of a fire assembly point; and the training of personnel in evacuationprocedures including those with special responsibilities such as fire marshals.

On the whole, this question was well answered though a small number of candidatesrestricted their answers to escape routes only and did not consider other issues suchflammables, ignition sources and procedures that should be put in place.


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9 EXTERNAL

Question 10 A portable electric sander is being used in the production area of afactory.

(a) Identifyhazards that may be present. (4)

(b) Outlineprecautions that could be taken to reduce the risk. (4)

Hazards associated with the use of the sander include entanglement with the rotatingand abrasive parts of the machine; being struck by ejected material; those arisingfrom the use of electricity; exposure to dust, noise and vibration; and ergonomicissues related either to the design of the equipment or to the way in which the work iscarried out. This part of the question seemed to present few problems though somecandidates did not identify the potential ergonomic hazards.

For part (b), control measures that should be taken to reduce the risks include theintroduction of procedures for the regular mechanical and electrical testing of theequipment; ensuring that a fuse of the correct rating is fitted to the sander and that itis connected either to a residual current device or to a reduced voltage system whilstin use; the necessity to carry out pre-use checks of the equipment; the provision anduse of personal protective equipment such as eye and hearing protection; ensuringthat operators do not wear items of loose clothing which might become entangled inthe machine; the installation of local exhaust ventilation; introducing job rotation andensuring that operators are trained to use the appliance in a way that will minimise therisk of fatigue and discomfort.

Answers were again to a reasonable standard though there was only the occasionalreference to the clothing that operators should wear and to organisational precautions

that should be taken to counter the possible environmental risks.

Question 11 (a) Identify FOURhazards that can cause slips or trips. (4)

(b) Identifycontrol measures that can be used to reduce the risk ofslips or trips. (4)

There are many reasons why people slip or trip including the floor being poorlymaintained or conversely highly polished; changes in level caused by ramps, slopesor kerbs; slippery surfaces caused by oil, water or chemical spillages; dusty surfacessuch as those with a covering of sand; general obstructions in walkways such astrailing cables, pipes and air hoses; mats and rugs; damaged flooring such as torncarpets and linoleum; the presence of ice and snow and the wearing of inappropriatefootwear. Answers to this part of the question were generally to an acceptablestandard.

Control measures that might be used to reduce the risk of slips or trips include theinitial design and layout of the workplace with designated walkways and non-slipfloors; a system of maintenance which ensures the prompt repair of floor defects suchas holes and bumps; procedures for avoiding and dealing with spillages; theprovision of adequate lighting and highlight strips to warn of a difference in levels; theprovision of hand rails and edge protection on stairways; the replacement of damagedor worn carpet, linoleum and tiles; a good standard of housekeeping including theproper management of cables and hoses; procedures for reporting defects and thewearing of appropriate footwear. Answers normally referred to many of the abovecontrol measures though candidates should avoid using phrases such as proper


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10 EXTERNAL

lighting and proper housekeeping which have little meaning and are not worthy of amark.


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5 EXTERNAL

Question 1 A factory producing furniture uses wood in the manufacturing processand is concerned about the health risks of wood dust.

(a) Identifyoperations which are likely to produce high levels ofwood dust in the workplace. (4)

(b) Identifyhealth risks which could be associated with the wooddust. (4)

(c) Outlinecontrol measures which could reduce the risk from thewood dust. (12)

In the scenario described, operations which are likely to produce high levels of wooddust include sawing, routing, sanding, planing, turning, cleaning items or areas withcompressed air lines and emptying dust extraction systems. There were not too manyreferences made either to sawing or sanding or to cleaning with air lines whilst a fewcandidates suggested grinding which is not normally an operation practised on wood.

In part (b) candidates tended to refer to general respiratory problems rather than tospecific health risks. A few seemed unfamiliar with the health risks associated withwood and referred to silicosis and asbestosis.

For part (c), candidates might initially have suggested measures such as theenclosure and/or segregation of the dust generation operations from other areas ofproduction or, if this was not possible, the use of engineering controls such as the

provision of local exhaust ventilation which would need to be regularly inspected andmaintained.. A further measure would involve the provision and use of respiratoryprotective equipment and other personal protective equipment such as eye protection,overalls and gloves. Additionally, a good standard of housekeeping including the useof high efficiency vacuum cleaning equipment with HEPA filters would have to bemaintained, while cleaning with compressed air lines and hand brushes would have tobe prohibited. Washing facilities, separate storage for and laundering of work clothingwould have to be provided while workers themselves would need to practise a highstandard of personal hygiene by changing overalls and washing hands before eatingor drinking.

The most common answers provided relied on the provision of personal protectiveequipment and local exhaust ventilation but little more. A few did suggest damping

down which was not particularly practicable for the processes involved whilst othersrelied on the usual provision of information and training which are not primarily hazardcontrol measures.

Paper IGC2 March 2012



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6 EXTERNAL

Question 2 (a) Identifyhazards associated with the use of a cement mixer. (4)

(b) Outlinecontrol measures that can be used to reduce the risks ofinjury to operators of a cement mixer. (4)

In answering this question, Examiners expected candidates to refer to hazards suchas manual handling; the corrosive and irritant properties of cement; inhalation ofcement dust; machinery hazards such as moving parts, ejection of materials andnoise; hazards associated with the power supply to the mixer whether electricity orpetrol; and being struck by moving vehicles.

Control measures that might be used to reduce the risks include mechanical handling,or, if this was not possible, positioning the materials to be used close to the mixer andin a position that would reduce the amount of twisting on the part of the operator;setting the mixer up on level ground and ensuring guards are in place and the enginecover closed to provide protection against moving parts; providing hearing protection

to counter the noise; if the mixer was powered by electricity, a system of regularinspection and testing of the equipment and the use of residual current devices tominimise the risk of shock should be in place while if petrol was the fuel, storagefacilities for the fuel would be necessary together with the prohibition of use of themixer in confined areas; and the introduction of a traffic management system toprevent the possibility of contact with vehicles.

There were some good answers provided for this question but there were somecandidates who were not prepared for this syllabus area and only outlined riskassessment and the hierarchy of controls as measures that should be taken.

Question 3 (a) Identifythe key components of the fire triangle. (3)

(b) Identifysources of ignition that may cause a fire to occur,ANDgivea typical workplace example of EACH. (5)

Most candidates were able to identify that each side of the fire triangle represents oneof the three elements that must be present for combustion to occur.

Possible sources of ignition that could have been identified included: electricity, suchas arcing or overheating due to faulty wiring; chemical reactions such as spontaneouscombustion or exothermic reaction; friction caused, for instance, by inadequatelubrication of machinery; and hot surfaces such as those on cooking or heatingappliances.

Answers to this part of the question were not to the same standard. Hot work was apopular answer and in some cases the only source of ignition quoted whilst othersidentified a number of different electrical faults which could only be awarded onemark. Many candidates did not give the required examples.


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7 EXTERNAL

Question 4 The manager of a large taxi company is concerned that his drivers aresuffering from stress.

(a) Identifybehaviours that could indicate high stress levels. (4)

(b) Identifywork-related factors that could be causing stress. (4)

In answer to part (a), candidate were expected to identify behaviours such asincreases in sickness absence and staff turnover; poor levels of performance andbehaviour leading to customer complaints; and intra-group disputes. This part of thequestion was poorly answered with few showing an appreciation of the types ofbehaviour which could indicate that a person was suffering from stress. Someprovided factors that might cause stress leaving them with nothing to add in answer tothe second part of the question.

Work related factors that might be causing stress include long hours and lack of

breaks particularly in those cases where taxi driving was in fact a second job; trafficconditions together with the strain of driving in adverse weather; role isolation;unpredictable demands and the ever present threat of violence from customers; andthe design of the seating in the taxi resulting in having to drive for long periods in anuncomfortable position. There was an improvement in the answers to this part of thequestion although some candidates did not tailor their responses to the scenariogiven whilst others identified factors which tended to be personal rather than work-related.

Question 5 Describe FOUR types of guard used on machineryAND, inEACH case,identifya workplace application. (8)

Candidates could initially have referred to a fixed guard, describing it as a physicalbarrier which was not linked to the machine operation and required a special tool forits removal. This kind of guard is often used on belt and pulley drives to machines.They could then have gone on to cite the interlocked guard, which is linked to themachine operation and prevents access when the machine is in a dangerouscondition while also preventing operation of the machine until the guard is in position.An appropriate application of this type of guard would be on the door of a washingmachine. A third category of guard, the trip device, stops movement of the machinewhen approach is detected and is often found as a means of protection on drillingmachines whilst finally, an automatic guard such as a push away guard on a guillotine,is linked to the machine mechanism and physically moves the operator away from the

danger zone.

There were some disappointing answers provided for this question with manycandidates having difficulty in describing the different types of guard. Some diddescribe a guard correctly but then were unable to give an example of where it mightbe used in the workplace. Others did not pay sufficient attention to the wording of thequestion and identified rather than described the types of guard.


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Question 6 Outline precautions to reduce the risk of fires being caused by electricityin the workplace. (8)

Precautions to reduce the risk of electrical fires in the workplace include the initial

procurement of equipment to a national or international standard; carrying out periodictesting of the fixed installation and of portable appliances and carrying out regularinspections to check for damaged insulation and cables and defective wiring.

Many candidates seemed unaware of electrical faults that might cause fires and as aconsequence were unable to outline the precautions that should be taken. Somewrote on the subject of electrical safety in general and while they suggested sensibleprecautions they were unrelated to the risk of fire. Others outlined general workplacefire precautions without specifying those which might prevent electrical fires.

Question 7 Identify possible causes of a mobile crane overturning on a construction

site. (8)

This question assessed candidates knowledge of causes a mobile crane on aconstruction site might overturn. Candidates should have identified causes such asthe failure to set the crane on a level footing, siting it on poor and unconsolidatedground and failing either to deploy outriggers or to distribute the weight of the craneby providing adequate timber beneath the outriggers.

This question produced some reasonable answers although some candidates tendedto concentrate too much on machine examination and certification and operatorcompetence.

Question 8 Identifyfactors that could contribute towards the development of work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) affecting supermarket checkoutworkers. (8)

In answering this question, candidates were expected to identify factors such asspace constraints resulting in workers being forced to adopt fixed and static positions;over reaching often during the handling of bulky and heavy articles; environmentalconditions such as temperature and humidity; the age of the workers with somehaving pre-existing conditions and a lack of appropriate training and supervision.

The question did not seem to pose too many problems with most candidates

identifying a wide range of factors although the use of scanning equipment receivedfew mentions. Some widened the scope of the question and referred to generalsupermarket workers such as those stacking shelves whilst a few introduced factorsthat might result in leg disorders despite the reference in the question to thoseaffecting the upper limbs.


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Question 9 Repair work is taking place on the roof of a two-storey building.

Outlineprecautions that could minimise the risk to workers below frombeing injured by falling materials or tools. (8)

In answering this question candidates should have outlined precautions such asproviding safe means of access to and edge protection for the roof and if scaffoldingwas to be used enclosing it where possible for example by the use of nets; coveringany openings in the roof; wherever possible excluding workers at ground level fromareas directly beneath the work being carried out on the roof and ensuring they wereprovided with and were wearing head protection at all times.

The question was concerned with the precautions that should be taken to minimisethe risk to workers below but some candidates broadened their answers to includeinformation on how the roof work itself should be carried out including the precautionsto be taken to reduce the risk of falls from a height.

Question 10 (a) Identifypossible effects of electricity on the body. (4)

(b) Identifyemergency action to take if a person suffers a severeelectric shock. (4)

For part (a), candidates should have identified effects such as respiratory failure;cardiac arrest; tissue burns with the main sites of damage being the entry and exitpoints with the possibility of damage to internal organs and fractures or dislocationscaused by a resulting fall. Answers to this part of the question were disappointing.Many generic answers referring to heart problems or breathing difficulties wereoffered which did not result in the award of marks whilst a few could refer only toelectric shock.

The second part of the question required candidates to identify emergency actionsnecessary after someone has received an electric shock. Candidates generallyprovided better answers to this part although only a few referred to the need to placethe victim in the recovery position.

Question 11 Identifycontrol measures to reduce slip and trip hazards in anengineering workshop. (8)

Control measures which should have been identified included the initial design andlayout of the workplace with storage and disposal facilities, designated walkways andnon-slip floors; a system of maintenance which ensures the prompt repair of floordefects such as holes and bumps; procedures for avoiding and dealing with spillagesparticularly those associated with the filling and draining of machinery and itsmaintenance; the provision of adequate lighting and highlight strips to warn of adifference in levels; the provision of hand rails and edge protection on stairways; agood standard of housekeeping including the proper management of cables andhoses; erecting warning signs where necessary; the introduction of procedures forreporting defects and incidents and ensuring that workers use footwear which is to anadequate standard.

Few candidates identified sufficient control measures to gain the eight marksavailable.

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