NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

UNIT IC - WORKPLACE AND WORK EQUIPMENT SAFETY

UNIT IC MOCK EXAM

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Sample Examination Paper

NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
UNIT IC: Workplace and Work Equipment Safety
[08/06/2022]
3 hours, 08:30 to 11:30 pm
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.

Question (1)
(a) Give the meaning of the term ’confined space’. (2)
(b) Outline the factors that should be considered to ensure that emergency rescue arrangements for
confined space work are suitable and sufficient. (2)
(c) Outline the control measures that should be taken while working inside crude oil tank. (6)

Answer:
(a) A confined space is any enclosed or partially enclosed place, such as a chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit,
trench, pipe, sewer or flue or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises

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a reasonably foreseeable specified risk such as lack of oxygen or the possibility of drowning in free-
flowing solids.

(b) The factors that should be considered to ensure that emergency rescue arrangements for confined
space work are suitable and sufficient firstly depend on the nature of the confined space itself. Issues
such as raising the alarm and provision of adequate personnel and equipment are of primary
importance. Equipment required includes BA sets, resuscitators, life-lines and oxygen for resuscitation.
Rescue teams should not enter without BA and plant that needs to be shut down should be identified.
Precautions are needed in the event of fire and arrangements in place for contacting emergency
services and providing first aid. There should be training in rescue techniques, first-aid and use of
resuscitators and regular rehearsals or exercises to ensure that the arrangements are appropriate.

Question (2)

(a) In relation to automatic fire detection and alarm systems, outline the basic principles of operation
of:
(i) Heat detectors )4( .
(ii) Smoke detectors)4( .
(b) Identify the circumstances in which EACH type of detector would be inappropriate. (2)
Answer
(a) (i) Heat detectors:
Fixed temperature detectors use a thermocouple or other device to detect a set temperature.
Rate of temperature rise detectors use electronic circuitry to detect an abnormally fast temperature
rise.
(ii) Smoke detectors:
Optical detectors detect the obscuration or scattering of a light beam by smoke particles.
Ionising detectors respond to the electrical current generated by ionisation of smoke particles by a
radioactive source.
(b) Heat detectors are inappropriate where sudden temperature changes might be experienced in
normal circumstances, or where there might be slow burning materials.
Smoke detectors are inappropriate where the detector might be affected by smoke, steam or vapour
in a non-fire situation such as in kitchens and hotel bedrooms.

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Question (3)

The investigation of an accident at a food processor handling corn starch products concluded that the
explosion had taken place in two stages, a preliminary explosion followed by a more severe secondary
explosion.
(a) Identify the principles underlying the control measures that may be needed to prevent or minimise
the effects of such an accident)3( .
(b) For each principle identified, suggest control measures which are based on the principle. (7)

Answer
(a) The key principles to prevent or minimise the effects of a dust explosion are elimination of the source of
ignition, limitation of dust cloud generation and minimising harm by controlling the explosion.

(b) Eliminating ignition sources can be achieved by the following means:

Zoning following assessment.
Electrical bonding and earthing.
Extraction of ferrous metal contaminants from the product using magnets.
Prevention of equipment hot spots.
No smoking policy and enforcement.
Non-sparking tools.
Electrical conducting safety footwear to prevent static generation.
Dust cloud suppression can be achieved by:
Ensuring that ducting is dust tight.
Good housekeeping to prevent the build up of dust.
Means to prevent overfilling silos, such as interlocking.
Local exhaust ventilation at the point of transfer.
Damping down to suppress dust.
If an explosion does occur it can be controlled by the use of explosion relief venting, explosion panels
or designing the equipment to fully withstand an explosion.

Question (4)
A motor vehicle repair workshop has installed a new electrically powered, compressed air system.
Outline the factors to be considered in developing a suitable planned preventative maintenance
programme. (10)

Answer
In developing a planned preventative maintenance programme for a new electrically powered,
compressed air system the first consideration is the design life and expected reliability of the
equipment, taking into account the possibility of early or random wear out of components. The
manufacturer's specification will give some information on maintenance frequency in relation to the
expected usage of the equipment - constant, periodic or simply on standby. Experience from using
similar equipment will provide information on expected fault patterns and consideration should be

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given to routine operations such as lubrication and also the regular replacement of critical parts to
prevent breakdown. Another important factor to examine is the availability of 'down-time' in which to
perform 'shut-down' maintenance and also any particular safety aspects of maintenance while
equipment is running.
There will need to be a written scheme for maintenance with safety precautions and also special safe
systems of work and permits-to- work for electrical isolation. The planned preventative maintenance
system will require staff with the necessary skills and competencies and records will need to be kept
on maintenance activities such as dates, times, results of inspection, defects found and parts replaced.

Question (5)
Outline the conditions that must be satisfied before a CE mark can be affixed to a machine. (10)

Answer

Before a CE mark can be affixed to a machine, the machine must satisfy the essential health and safety
requirements such as protection against mechanical hazards and safe and reliable control systems. It
must also be safe.
The responsible person must have carried out the appropriate conformity assessment procedure,
issued a declaration of conformity and ensured that the machine complies with any relevant directives.
The CE mark can then be fixed in a distinct, visible, legible and indelible manner. There should be no
markings which are likely to deceive or reduce the visibility/legibility of the CE mark.

Question (6)

Outline the main design features of a warehousing operation designed to reduce the risks of injury
associated with internal transport. (10)

Answer
The main design features of a warehousing operation designed to reduce the risks of injury associated
with internal transport are as follows:
Segregation to ensure the separation of vehicles and pedestrians.
Provision of separate access and egress for pedestrians.
Provision of specified passing places.
Protection of racking, or other vulnerable items, from collision damage.
Provision of suitable and sufficient lighting, including colour balance and avoidance of glare in
transition areas between the inside and outside of the building.
Barriers and raised walkways and kerbs to protect pedestrians from vehicles.
Provision of convex mirrors on corners to improve visibility.
Suitable and maintained road surfaces, provision of signage including speed limits, and suitable road
markings and signals.
Edge protection on loading bays and wheel stops for vehicles when tipping.

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 Careful design of road layouts to avoid sharp bends and blind corners.
Avoidance of the need to reverse, through the use of one-way systems and clear signage.
Designated crossing places for pedestrians and designated parking spaces to avoid congestion.

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.

Question (7)
During a fire drill exercise at a large multi-storey office premises, the majority of the occupants
evacuated the building in less than three minutes. However, all of the people based in one area of the
building failed to leave the building until a further four minutes had elapsed.
(a) Outline factors that may have contributed to the delay in evacuation )15(
(b) Describe the advantages of undertaking regular fire drills in workplaces (5)
Answer:

(a) The factors that may have contributed to the delay in the evacuation could have arisen from the
following general areas: fire alarm design, structural layout of the building, deficiencies in the
procedure, implementation of the procedure, or human factors.
The fire alarm could be too quiet due to low volume sounders or too few of them. The alarm may
sound similar to other alarm systems, and therefore cause confusion, or the alarm might be inactive
due to maintenance. Finally, the alarm signal may have been attenuated by walls and doors in the
building.
The building may have inadequate escape routes which are greater than the recommended travel
distance, too complex to traverse, too narrow slowing down evacuation, or even blocked or locked.
The fire evacuation procedure may be too difficult or complex to understand. There may be no, or
insufficient, instructions for staff action in the event of fire. Fire marshal responsibilities may not be
defined in writing and there may be no fire marshal deputies appointed.
The procedure may not have been communicated effectively or occupants of the building trained in it.
On the day of the drill the alarm signal may have been misinterpreted by staff. They might have
delayed their response to the signal whilst finishing a telephone call or shutting down a computer or
investigating why the alarm had sounded; or staff may not have responded at all assuming it was a drill
or false alarm. There might have been too few fire marshals present in the affected area of the
building to carry out their duties; or the occupants may have followed an incorrect escape route.

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The delay in evacuation could have arisen from specific human factors such as hearing disability or
physical disability slowing down the evacuation, general apathy and lack of will to participate in the
exercise, or lack of familiarity with the building if from another workplace.

(b) There are two principal advantages of undertaking regular fire drills in workplaces.
The first is to provide regular practice of the procedure. This will enable a quick evacuation and also
familiarity with the procedure, the escape routes and the alarm signal. It also ensures legal
compliance.
The second is to enable identification of problems with evacuation. As a result, staff may require
retraining, the procedure may need amending or there might be a need to investigate alarm provision
or escape routes.

Question (8)
(a) Describe the factors that may cause instability of a mobile crane. (8)
(b) Outline the measures that should be taken to reduce the likelihood of overturning during a lifting
operation. (12)

Answer
(a)
The factors that may cause instability of a mobile crane can be related to the load, lateral and
longitudinal instability and general stability.
The load may be too heavy, have an off-set centre of gravity, not be securely slung, may snatch –
causing shock loading, or become snagged.
Lateral and longitudinal instability may be caused by sloping ground, soft ground or voids, excessive
wind, slewing or hoisting too fast, not fully extending the outriggers and ignoring rated capacity
indicator alarms.
General stability can be adversely affected by travelling under load on gradients, extending the jib
under load, travelling too fast under load, and incorrect rigging of the crane or mechanical failure.
(b)
The measures that should be taken to reduce the likelihood of the crane overturning during a lifting
operation can be divided into engineering controls, procedural controls and behavioural controls.
However, before commencing the lifting operation, consideration should be given to ground
conditions which may be soft or contain voids, overhead and proximity hazards, which may interfere
with the operation, and possible weather and wind conditions as forecasted.
Engineering controls should include speed limiters, an over-hoist limit switch and rated capacity
indicator and alarm system. The outriggers should be fully extended with spreader plates underneath.
Visibility can be improved by the use of mirrors or closed circuit television and an anemometer will
assist in identifying strong winds.
Procedural controls will start with a lifting plan or method statement then correct selection of a crane
of suitable capacity. The crane should comply with statutory inspection requirements and be properly
maintained. The lifting area should be segregated, cordoned off and warning signs posted.

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Behavioural controls rely on correct selection, medical fitness, training and competence of the driver,
slinger, banksman and supervisor.

Question (9)
With respect to an electricity supply operating at 240v:
(a) Outline the factors that determine the severity of the effects of an electric shock. (6)
(b) For EACH of the following protective devices describe their principles of operation:
(i) Residual current devices. (3)
(ii) Fuses. (3)
(iii) 110v centre tapped to earth reduced voltage systems. (3)
(c) Outline other design features of electrical systems intended to improve safety. (5)

Answer
(a) The severity of an electric shock depends on the length of time the current flows through the body.
The level of current depends on the voltage and the body’s resistance, which in turn depend on factors
such as moisture, footwear and floor material. The route through the body is another important factor,
across the chest being most critical.
Individual factors such as age and health can also affect the severity of the effect and a shock occurring
in a high risk environment, such as at height or working with machinery, will also have more severe
consequences.
(b) (i) Residual current devices (RCDs) are designed as a shock limiting device, not for system
protection. They operate by monitoring the balance of current flow in line and neutral and detecting
an imbalance caused by an earth leakage fault which disconnects the line and neutral from the power
source. A shock is still received but the system disconnects at a current of 30mA and limits the time the
current flows through the body to 40 milliseconds. RCDs can easily be reset after operation.
(ii) Fuses limit overcurrent by the heating effect of an electric current through the metal link of the
fuse if the design value is exceeded. They are placed in the live side of a circuit and prevent overload of
the electrical system and overheating of
electrical wiring. They may limit shock under severe fault conditions but may not blow fast enough to
prevent serious
injury or death.
(iii) 110v centre tapped to earth reduced voltage systems transform the voltage down to 110v and,
since the secondary winding of the transformer is earthed to its centre, the maximum voltage from live
to earth is 55v. The transformer may be wired to a fixed installation or portable.
(c) Other design features of electrical systems intended to improve safety include miniature circuit
breakers (MCBs) and earth free zoning. Class 1 equipment uses earthing to ensure that exposed metal
parts cannot become charged and Class 2 systems are double insulated and have no exterior metal
parts that can become charged. Additional design features to improve safety include the suitable
selection of cabling, the use of isolators, and appropriate insulation and placing of conductors.

Question (10)

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A company has been contracted to undertake maintenance work on the roof of a building, which is
partly constructed of fragile material.
(a) Identify the characteristics of the fragile material that may contribute to the risk of falls through the
roof. (5)
(b) Outline the measures to be taken to reduce the risk to those involved in the roof work and those
who might be affected by it. (15)

Answer
(a) The characteristics of the fragile material that may contribute to the risk of falls through the roof
include:
Age and condition of the material.
Type of material, such as asbestos or fibre board.
Thickness of the material.
Span between roof supports.
Condition of fixing.
Whether the surface is slippery underfoot.
(b) The measures to be taken to reduce the risk to those involved in the roof work, and those who
might be affected by it, will begin with a risk assessment that considers: access to the roof, the need to
transport tools and equipment, the number of people working on the roof and the general state of the
roof, including where fragile material exists.
From the risk assessment, a method statement will be developed that details the safe system of work
which should cover the following issues:
The method of safe means of access such as scaffolds, mobile work equipment and crawling boards.
Edge protection for persons and falling materials – equipped with guard rails, intermediate rails and
toe boards.
Protection of falls through fragile materials using covers and supports.
Demarcation of areas where there are fragile materials – with barriers and signage, restriction of
work there, and provision of safety nets under such areas.
Appropriate tools and equipment, including the means of carrying them.
Provision of safety harnesses with adequate fixing points, and other necessary PPE, including hard
hats and boots.
Arrangements to ensure the competency of personnel - that they are aware of the risks of the job
and the necessary precautions.
Emergency arrangements, including first aid.
Measures, such as signs and barriers, to protect other persons such as occupants of the building and
members of the public.
Finally, monitoring and supervision of the safe system of work.

Question (11)

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(a) Identify the possible modes of structural failure of pressure vessels and, with reference to different
types of pressure vessel, describe the factors and conditions that may influence the mode and
likelihood of such failure. (14)
(b) Review the measures that may be needed to prevent structural failures of pressure vessels. (6)

Answer
(a) The possible modes of failure are as follows:
Creep.
Corrosion.
Brittle failure.
Ductile failure.
Metal fatigue.
The factors and conditions that may influence the mode and likelihood of such failure include the
following:
Temperature is an important factor with brittle failure more likely to occur at low temperature, e.g. in
LPG vessels. Creep and ductile failure is more likely to occur at high temperature, e.g. in steam boilers.
Cyclical pressure variations are likely to promote metal fatigue. Residual manufacturing stresses,
choice of materials, poor repair, welding and heat treatment can influence likely stresses in the
pressure vessel. The contents of the vessel will affect the probability, extent and type of any corrosion.
Weak components such as seams, welds and loose access plates may promote failure, as will
contamination such as oil and grease in air receivers. The environment is an important factor, e.g.
corrosive or hot. Physical factors such as shock loading or possible impact may promote brittle failure.
Operating within design specifications is an important issue, since overheating can occur due to low
water levels or scale formation from feed water, and overpressure due to safety gauge or valve failure.
(b) Measures that may be needed to prevent structural failures of pressure vessels include:
Designed safety features such as relief valves, sight gauges, level sensors and choice of materials
used.
Specified design standards relating to quality control and proof testing.
Regular checks and tests coupled with servicing, maintenance and inspection.
Statutory tests and examinations by a competent person.
Non-destructive testing to identify potential failure modes.
Operating procedures to keep within the specified performance envelope.
Water treatment for boilers and filters to remove contamination.

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