NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ELEMENT 4

Q1a Identify four mechanical hazards associated with the use of a pedestal drill (4)

Refer Page No -148, 144 & 145

Hazards in setting up the equipment include failure to remove chuck- key (which will be thrown off in
use) and failure to secure guard to drive pulleys.

Hazards when the equipment is in use include entanglement, puncture and flying swarf.

Entanglement

The mere fact that a machine part is revolving can in itself constitute a very real hazard. Loose clothing,
jewellery, long hair etc... Increased the risk of entanglement. Examples of rotating action hazards include
couplings, drill chucks/ bits, flywheels, spindles and shafts (especially those with keys/ bolts).

Friction and abrasion

Friction burns and encountering rough surfaces moving at high speed, e.g. sanding machine, grinding
wheel etc… can cause abrasion injuries.

Cutting

Saw blades, knifes and even rough edges, especially when moving at high speed, can result in serious
cuts and even amputation injuries. The dangerous part can appear stationary. Examples of cutting action
hazards include saws, slicing machines, abrasive cutting discs, chains (especially chainsaws) etc…

Shear

When two or more machine parts move towards/ past, one another a “trap” is created. This can result
in a crush injury, even an amputation. Examples of shearing/ crushing action hazards include: scissor
lifts, power presses, guillotines etc.

Stabbing and puncture

The body may be penetrated by sharp pieces of equipment, or material contained in the equipment, e.g.
fixing materials such as nails fired into a part of the body, or a drill bit puncturing the hand.

Drawing –in

When a belt runs round a roller an in-running nip (pinch point) is created between them (in the direction
of travel); this inward movement draws in any part of the body presented to it. Examples of drawings-in
(in-running/ nip) hazards are V-belts- such as on drive from a motor to the drum of a cement mixer,
meshing gears and conveyors.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Ejection

When pieces of the material being worked on or components of the machinery are thrown or fired out
of the equipment during operation they represent an ejection hazard. For example, parts of a shattered
grinding wheel, sparks, swarf (waste metal shavings) or a nail from a nail gun.

Q1b Outline four control measures to reduce the risk of injury to operators of pedestal drills (4)

Refer Page No- 156

 Drive pulley entanglement prevented by isolation from power.

 Check that chuck key is removed before use.
 Prevent entanglement- close fitting clothing, control of long hair and removal of jewellery.
 Puncture prevented by jigs or clamping devices.
 Adjustable guard, face shield/ goggles for protection from flying swarf.

Q2 Outline the hazards that a worker could be exposed to when using as petrol driven chainsaw to
cut down a tree (8)

Refer Page No- 148

Chain-saw

Despite safely improvements, chainsaws can be dangerous, and injuries can arise from their use. The
most common accident arises from “Kickback” when a chain tooth the upper quadrant of the guide bar
tip cuts into wood without cutting through it. The chain cannot continue moving, and the bar is driven in
an upward arc toward the operator. Kickback can result in serious injuries or death. Another dangerous
situation occurs when heavy timber begins to fall or shift when a cut is nearly complete- the chainsaw
operator can be trapped or crushed. Operation of chainsaws can also cause vibration white finger or
industrial deafness. The risks associated with chainsaw use mean that protective clothing and hearing
protectors should be worn while operating them, and many jurisdictions require that operators be
certified or licensed to work with chainsaws. Injury can also result if the chain breaks during operation
due to poor maintenance or attempting to cut inappropriate materials.

 Contact with revolving blades.

 Potential for the machine to overturn when on inclines.
 Noise.
 Fumes.
 Dust.
 Possibility of being struck by ejected from the machine.
 Exposure to sun.
 Attacks by insects.
 Flammability dangers associated with fuel.
 Exposure to fumes.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Possibility of fire or explosion.
 Contact with the moving parts.
 Manual handling.
 Slips, trips and falls.
 Exposure to extreme weather conditions.

Q3 Identify eight types of mechanical hazard associated with machinery (8)

Refer Page No- 144 & 145

Entanglement

The mere fact that a machine part is revolving can in itself constitute a very real hazard. Loose clothing,
jewellery, long hair, etc. increased the risk of entanglement. Examples of rotating action hazards include:
couplings, drill chucks/ bits, flywheels, spindles and shafts (especially those with keys/bolts).

Friction and abrasion

Friction burns and encountering rough surfaces moving at high speed, e.g. sanding machine, grinding
wheel etc. can cause abrasion injuries.

Cutting

Saw blades, knifes and even rough edges, especially when moving at high speed, can result in serious
cuts and even amputation injuries. The dangerous part can appear stationary! Examples of cutting
action hazards include saws, slicing machines, abrasive cutting discs, chains (especially chainsaws) etc.

Shear

When two or more machine parts move towards/past, one another a “trip” is created. This can result in
a crush injury or even an amputation. Examples of shearing/crushing action hazards include: scissor lifts,
Power presses, guillotines etc.

Stabbing and puncture

The body may be penetrated by sharp pieces of equipment, or material contained in the equipment, e.g.
fixing materials such as nails fired in to a part of the body, or a drill bit puncturing the hand.

Crushing

Caused when part of the body is caught between either two moving parts of machinery or a moving part
and a stationary object, e.g. the platform of hoist closing together with the ground or an overhead
beam; moving parts of piling equipment or the calipers of a spot welding machine.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Drawing – in

When a belt runs around a roller an in-running nip (Pinch point) is created between them (in the
direction of travel); this inward movement draws in any part of the body presented to it. Examples of
drawing-in (in-running/nip) hazards are V-belts- such as on drive from a motor to the drum of a cement
mixer, meshing gears and conveyors.

Ejection

When pieces of the material being worked on or components of the machinery are thrown or fixed out
of the equipment during operations they represent an ejection hazard. For example, parts of a shattered
grinding wheel, sparks, swarf (waste metal shavings) or nail from a nail gun.

Q4 Outline four main types of guards and safeguarding devices that may be used to minimize the
risk of contact with dangerous parts of machinery. (8)

Refer Page No-151 to 155

The various guards and safety devices are;

 Fixed guard
 Interlock guards
 Automatic guards
 Trip devices

Fixed Guards

A fixed guard/fence must be fitted such that it cannot be removed other than by use of specialist tools
which are not available to operators of the equipment. A fixed guard may be designed to enable access
by authorized personnel for maintenance or inspection, but only when the dangerous parts of the
machine have been isolated.

Example; A tree shredding machine uses a fixed distance guard design to prevent operators reaching the
dangerous part of a machine when in use.

Interlocking Guards

An interlocking guard is similar to a fixed guard, but gas movable (usually hinged ) part, so connected to
the machine controls that if the movable part is in the open/lifted position, the dangerous moving part
at the work point cannot operate. This can be arranged so that the act of closing the guard activities the
working part (to speed up work efficiently), e.g. the front panel if a photocopier.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Automatic Guard

A guard which operates as the machine goes through its cycle. In some cases it physically moves the
operator away from danger and is therefore only suitable for slow cycling equipment, e.g. on a guillotine
or large panel press.

Trip Devices

A sensitive rod, cable or other mechanisms, which causes the device to activate a further mechanism
which either stops or reverses the machine, e.g. pressure sensitive mats.

PROTECTION APPLIANCES / SAFE GUARDING DEVICE

When the methods of safeguarding mentioned above are not practicable then protection appliances
such as jigs, holders and push-sticks must be provided.

Emergency stop controls

Emergency stops are intended to affect a rapid response to potentially dangerous situations and they
should not be used as functional stops during normal operations.

Emergency stops control should be easily reached and actuated. Common types are mushroom-headed
buttons, bars, levers, kick plates, or pressure-sensitive cables.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The use of machinery presents a number of mechanical hazards and care has to take that PPE is not
used in situation where they present an increased risk of entanglement or drawing in to machinery, such
as might happen with loose overalls and gloves.

Main examples are;

 Eye protection
 Head protection
 Protective clothing for the body
 High visibility clothing
 Gloves
 Footwear
 Ear protection

Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision

The employer should ensure that all persons who work equipment and any of the other workers who
supervise or manage the use of work equipment have available to them adequate health and safety
information and, where appropriate, written instructions relevant to the work equipment.

Q5 A Portable electric drill is being used on a building site

NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(a) Other than electricity, identify four hazards associated with the use of the drill. (4)
 Inhalation (fumes, dust);
 Moving and rotating parts (blades and bits, tool disintegration);
 Waste ejection (waste material from cutting blades);
 Heat (burns from hot material or friction);
 Movement (piece moving or unstable);
 Stabbing of drill bit in to the hands or legs
 When drilling, clamp or anchor the material being drilled to prevent whipping and possible injury.
(b) Outline four precautions that could be taken to reduce the risk to workers. (4)
 Guards and safety devices designed for the portable machine must be in place.
 Adequate ventilation should be available. The inhalation of dust or fumes from Design Technology
Workplace activities should be limited.
 Adequate instruction in the correct operation of the portable tools should be given.
 Use appropriate PPE
 Work areas should be well lighted.

Q6 Outline control measures to reduce the risks to workers when using non-powered hand tools. (8)

Refer Page No- 142 & 143

Hammers

Avoid split, broken or loose shafts (handles) and worn or chipped heads. Heads should be properly
secured to the shafts.

Files

These should have a proper handle. Never use them as levers.

Chisels

The cutting edge should be sharpened to the correct angles. Do not allow the head of cold chisels to
spread to a mushroom shape- grind off the sides regularly. Use a hand guard on the chisel.

Screwdrivers

Never use them as chisels, and never use hammers on them. Use the correct size and type of
screwdriver for the screw, Split handles are dangerous.

Spanners

Avoid splayed jaws. Scrap any which show signs of slipping. Have enough spanners of the right size. Do
not improvise by using pipes, etc. as extensions to the handle.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS