1. Based on element C9. This question is designed to test your
understanding of basic scaffold issues and, in particular, the factors relating to scaffold stability. The first part of the question for 8 marks requires you to outline the factors that may have affected the stability of the independent tied scaffold referred to. These should include
overloading, impact, incorrect erection, poor materials, ground instability, extreme weather conditions, and unauthorised alteration.
The second part of the question, for 12 marks, asks for a description of the main principles of scaffold design, erection and use to ensure stability.
It is useful to construct your answer around these three issues to ensure that key points are not missed as follows:
• Design Correct duty.
Type of structure and loading (BS5973).
Sound materials.
Regular inspection by competent persons.
Control loading.
Prevent unauthorised alterations.
Prevent use during alterations.
2. Based on element C8. This is a clearly structured question about
electrical safety, with the mark allocation for each part indicating the level of detail required.
Parts (a) and (b), for 5 marks each, require you to outline the purpose, means of operation and limitations of a fuse. The key point to make is that the primary function of the fuse is to limit overcurrent rather than prevent shock, providing a weak link in a circuit by overheating and melting if the current exceeds the safe limit.
fuses, designed to improve electrical safety. Consequently we need to consider both procedural measures such as maintenance and portable appliance testing, and also technical measures, such as circuit breakers, residual current devices, reduced low voltage, earthing (class 1
equipment) and double insulation (class 2 equipment) in order to address both issues.
3. Based on elements C2 & C3. This question is concerned with the principles and prevention of fire spread, and the provision and
maintenance of means of escape. It is clearly divided into two parts with equal mark allocation for each.
The first part is designed to test your knowledge of passive fire precautions and your answer should include:
• Compartmentalisation.
• Fire-stopped voids and ducts.
• Concrete encasement of principal construction components.
• Incombustible stairways.
• Stock management.
• Segregation of high risk materials.
The second part is concerned with escape arrangement and your description should consider:
• Routes and capacities.
• Travel distance.
• Signage.
• Emergency lighting.
• Electrical interlocking of lifts and escalators with alarm system.
• The appointment, training and role of fire marshals.
4. Based on element C2. This question simply requires an explanation of the circumstances in which each of the principal types of vapour cloud explosion could occur and consequently your answer should be structured as follows:
(i) Confined Vapour Cloud Explosion
Flammable vapour cloud ignited in a container (vessel or building).
Pressure builds up until containing walls rupture.
Small amount of flammable vapour can lead to an explosion.
Considerable damage but localised effects.
(ii) Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion
Considerable quantity of flammable vapour released as a cloud.
Ignition occurs before the cloud is diluted below the lower flammable limit.
Shock waves and thermal radiation result from the explosion.
(iii) Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Cloud Explosion
Pressure vessel containing flammable liquid is heated and ruptures.
Sudden release of vapour containing liquid droplets.
Ignition of vapour cloud causes secondary explosion and fireball.
Thermal radiation from the fireball, fragments from the failed vessel and blast wave from the expanding vapour.
5. Based on element C5. In order to answer this question you need
knowledge of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, and, in particular, Schedule 3 to the regulations which sets out these requirements under the following headings:
• Controls.
• Protection against mechanical hazards.
• Required characteristics of guards and protection devices.
• Protection against other hazards.
• Maintenance.
• Indicators and warnings.
The technical file, referred to, consists of all the relevant material upon which the manufacturer bases his decision on whether to sign the CE declaration of conformity and must include full details showing that the machine complies with the essential health and safety requirements.
6. Based on element C6. This is a clearly structured, straightforward
question concerned with the hazards and precautions associated with the use of industrial robots.
In outlining the problems posed by the use of industrial robots you should include issues such as:
• Dangers from the actual task being performed (e.g. welding).
• Pre-programmed instructions make them unresponsive to the operator.
• Have an unexpectedly wide operating range and speed.
• Possibility of aberrant behaviour.
• The need to enter the robot enclosure for training or maintenance.
in the vicinity of industrial robots might be minimised should cover:
• Emergency stop arrangements and restricted access to the danger zone.
• Dissipation of stored energy in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Isolation procedures.
• Movement restriction by mechanical restraint.
• Safe systems of work including permits to work.
• Arrangements for uncovenanted interruptions and restarting.
• Possibility of software and hardware faults and the need for sophisticated audit procedures to identify.
• Operator training.
7. Based on element C5. This question is concerned with the integrity of materials and components and is divided into three distinct sections, with the mark allocation indicating the level of detail required for each.
Section (i) asks for a description of the mechanisms and characteristics of fatigue failure which is a specific type of metal failure which usually involves the development of surface cracks around a stress concentration zone. In your answer you also need to make reference to the creeping nature of the cracks under repeated or fluctuating loading which is eventually followed by sudden brittle failure.
For section (ii) answers should outline factors such as stress
concentrations at sharp corners, screw threads, slag inclusions, residual stress points such as welds, corrosion pitting and heat-induced stress and embrittlement
The final part of the question asks for a description of the measures that could have been taken which might have prevented the failure which include:
• Planned preventative maintenance procedures.
• Statutory inspections and testing.
• Non-destructive testing methods.
• Use of equipment within its design criteria.
• Attention to the suitability of materials used in construction.
8. Based on element C5. A system is one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction with any associated pipework and protective devices OR pipework with its protective devices to which a transportable gas container may be connected OR a pipeline and its protective devices which contains or is liable to contain a "relevant fluid". A relevant fluid
here includes steam, gas at a pressure exceeding 0.5 bar above
atmospheric pressure (at the temperature of the liquid or at 17.5°C). For part b, the safety requirements include:
• Siting (vehicle collision, public access, segregation from flammables, noise considerations, etc).
• Design (standards (CE), capacity, construction materials, etc.)
• Installation (pressure gauges, relief valves, drain lines, marking and signage (SWP), guarding.
• Information/instruction to operators.
• Maintenance (procedures, scheme of examination, pre-commissioning checks).
9. Based on element C6. For part a), interlocking is when the machine cannot be started or placed in a dangerous state with the guard open OR, conversely, the guard cannot be opened when the machine is in a dangerous condition OR the opening of the guard shuts down the machine from a dangerous condition.
(For part b) a negatively operated switch can be defeated by taping up the plunger; the spring may also fail and the contacts may weld together through arcing or from damage/debris inside the mechanism. Positively operated switches can fail due to misalignment (cam and cam-follower), wear/damage to plunger, over-travel of guard, etc.
(Part c) requires a sketch – showing the two switches in a circuit with a monitoring circuit – with guard open and guard closed like the following diagram from the RRC notes:
position switch Regulations, there are similar duties for both excavation and scaffolding.
(i) These duties come under Regulation 29(1) and are listed in Schedule 7 which states: Before anyone carries out work at the start of every shift; and after any event likely to have affected the strength or stability of the excavation or any part thereof, and after any
accidental fall of rock or earth or other material. This could include if any flooding takes place or any alteration to the excavation or
shoring.
(ii) This information comes under Regulation 30 and is listed in Schedule 8.
Name and address of the person on whose behalf the inspection is being carried out.
Location of the place of work.
Description of the place of work or part of that place inspected (including any plant and equipment and materials, if any).
Date and time of inspection.
Details of any matter identified that could give rise to a risk to the health and safety of any person. Details of the action taken as a result of any matter identified. Details of any further action
considered necessary. Name and position of the person making the report.
(iii) This is the more general part of the question where you are expected to consider how an excavation could become unsafe, the answers need not be for the same excavation. The sort of situations that
could be described are: flooding, soil collapse, shoring collapsing, vehicles working too near the edge and falling in, people falling in, spoil or tools left on the edge and falling in, main services being disturbed and not disconnected so causing hazards, near by buildings having their foundations disturbed by the excavation, the work may include blasting or drilling and so cause excessive dust, it could be that work has to be carried out at night and so lighting is required, this entails electrical hazards.
11. Based on element C1. This question does not stipulate a particular type of welding, gas or electric.
(i) The risks to health include those due to the welding operation as well as working in a confined space. These hazards include
breathing difficulties due to the lack of oxygen; oxygen enrichment, fumes from the chemicals of the welding rods; explosion from a leaking gas cylinder; electric shock; arc eye from the electrodes, cramp; from the spelter, hearing damage; heat exhaustion; burns;
claustrophobia; unsafe access and egress.
(ii) Once the hazards have been identified the precautions should be obvious. There is always a need for rescue, fire and first-aid
facilities. Gas cylinders should never be taken into a confined space, all the parts of the welding kit should be tested before use, including gas regulators, hoses and cylinders tested for leaks. There should be a competent supervisor on site during all working hours.
Intrinsically safe lighting will be required. Permits to work will be necessary as under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. All persons must be competent and have had adequate training,
information and instruction.
12. Based on C1. This is a very open question and so you need to consider the ergonomic factors as well as the welfare ones. The question does not give details as to the type of office work that are to be carried out or the number of men and women staff so these can be given figures to suit your experience. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare ) Regulations 1992 have 21 different topics, of which Regulations 20-25 are the main facilities, so there is plenty of scope. You do need to
outline what you would be looking for in order to comply with a particular Regulation. The more often forgotten Regulations include maintenance of the space and the equipment, devices and systems;
Ventilation: windows and their cleaning; temperature; space; removal of waste materials; condition of floors, stairs, doors, lifts and escalators.
13. Based on elements C5 and C7.
i) The hazards of lift maintenance should include both the maintainers and the public including disabled, blind, old and curious people. The answer can then be divided into these two categories. The
maintainers are working on an unfenced piece of machinery which has weight, electrics, wire ropes and lifting gear. They often have to
could be crushed when the lift rides to the top of the shaft and comes close to the winding mechanism, of course they have to work with the doors open and in shaft with out the lift present. The public may not notice that as the doors are open that there is no lift, and so could fall down the shaft, the cupboards containing all the electrics may be open, the doors may be opening and shutting at different floors during testing. If the lift is present it is not safe to board while under test, at times the lift has to be drop tested, this can cause injury to anyone inside.
(ii) The precautions are obvious, remember that a notice is not considered to be sufficient in a court of law, so firm barriers at all strategic places must be in place.
14. Based on element C3.
(a) The question asks for the main requirements for a safe means of escape so details should be left out, alternative escape routes;
keeping routes free of obstructions; short routes away from the fire;
signs; emergency lighting; fire resistant walls, floors, ceilings and doors; exit doors opening to a safe place; alarms and tannoy messages are the things that should be outlined.
(b) The issues for fire safety training should start with fire prevention, smoking policy, use of electrical equipment, use and storage of flammable materials, etc. The action to be taken in the event of discovering a fire, raising the alarm, use of fire equipment, if trained.
Then there is the training in the action on hearing the alarm, the orderly evacuation and dealing with customers and disabled persons, etc.
15. Based on elements C4 and C10. Procedures for handling and storage of waste include:
• Hazard identification and risk assessment.
• Systems of work for control of exposure – transport to skip and containment whilst in the skip.
• Prevention of overfilling of skip.
• Access for vehicle to collect skip.
• Security/marking of area.
• Adverse weather protection.
• Control of potential contaminated rain water run-off.
• Emergency procedures.
Transportation would include:
• Licensed carrier.
• Planned route to disposal site.
• Vehicle suitability.
• Load security.
• Consignment notes and pre-notifications.
• Marking of vehicle (waste may be dangerous for transport) and carrying of emergency information and equipment.
• Driver training/information.
• Involvement of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor.