Exam Skills

Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Introduction
To pass the NEBOSH International General Certificate you need to perform well during the exams. You only have
two hours and your performance will be related to two key factors:
the amount that you can remember about the elements youve studied; and
your success in applying that knowledge to an exam situation.
Being good at both aspects is essential. Being calm under exam pressure is pointless if you do not have a good
knowledge of the information required to answer the exam questions.
Here we will consider some practical guidelines that can be used to increase success in the exam. Then you will find
Exam Skills questions for you to answer at the end of each element, starting with this one.

Exam Requirements
The IGC2 exam consists of two sections:
Section 1 contains one question which is likely to consist of a number of sub parts. This question in total is
worth 20 marks.
Section 2 contains ten questions with each question being worth eight marks.
There is no choice of questions in the exam - all questions are compulsory. The exam in total lasts two hours and
NEBOSH recommend that you spend:
about half an hour on Section 1; and
about one and a half hours on Section 2.

Exam Technique
In the exam, candidates can often struggle because they have not understood the question that is being asked. They
can interpret questions wrongly and as such provide an answer for the question they think is in front of them but in
reality is not. To try to overcome this issue, lets look at a step-by-step approach that you can adopt when answering
exam questions:
1. The first step is to read the question carefully. Be sure you know exactly what type of information the question
is trying to elicit from you.
2. Monitor the time. The 20-mark question in the first section should take around 25 minutes to answer, with five
minutes reviewing time. The eight-mark questions in Section 2 should take around eight minutes to answer.
This will leave an accumulated time of ten minutes at the end of Section 2 to review your answers. It is really
easy to spend more time than you should, churning out a fantastic answer to a question that you are confident
about, but this could mean that you dont have time to attempt one or more questions. Equally, if you find a
question particularly tough, sometimes it is better to move on to the next question and come back to it rather
than wrestle with it for too long and again risk missing questions out.
3. Next, consider the marks available. For each mark to be awarded the examiner will expect a piece of information
to award the mark against.
4. The next stage is to develop a plan there are various ways to do this. Remind yourself again of the content of
the question. Focus on key words that you have underlined on the examination paper to make sure you answer
the question set. The answer plan is your aide-mmoire and can take the form of a list or a mind map that
helps you unload information quickly and make sure you have enough factors (or things) in your answer that
will attract the available marks. Keep re- reading the question to ensure your answer plan is going to answer the
question set.
5. When composing your answer it is essential that you pay proper attention to the action word (e.g. outline,
describe, identify, explain) that has been used in the question. Candidates lose marks if the wrong approach
is taken. Remember you made a list to help your memory. The action word informs you about the amount of
information the examiner is expecting you to provide on the factors you have listed.

Exam Skills
Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Below are a few of the most commonly used action words with a translation of their meaning:
List literally list the words or phrases - no explanation or description required at all. You are likely to get
list-type questions in the Certificate exam.
State say what it is there is often no widely recognised definition. This should not require a huge
amount of detail - a less demanding form of the verb define.
Identify select and name - commonly used in the Certificate exam.
Outline give the key features of. You need to give a brief description of something or a brief explanation
of reasons why. This is less depth than Explain or Describe but more depth than a list. A great amount of
depth and detail is not required. Outline is commonly used in the Certificate exam.
Describe provide an in-depth description, a word picture of what the thing is, what it looks like, how
it works, etc. For Describe questions a great amount of detail is needed. This is sometimes used in the
Certificate exam.
Explain provide a detailed explanation - reasons why, reasons for, how it works, etc. Again, a great
amount of detail is required. Explain is usually used in a subdivided question so the detail required is tested
in a narrowed-down field.
When it comes to the exam, make sure you indicate clearly your Answer Plan and your Final Answer for the
examiner.

Exam Skills Practice

At the end of each element there is an Exam Skills question (or two) for you to attempt, with guidance on how
to answer in addition to a suggested answer outline. This includes an Answer Plan all of the points listed in this
would attract marks and you will see most of them developed in the suggested answer itself.
Remember that when answering exam questions, information from additional reading and personal experience may
be included. Examining bodies encourage this and it will enhance your answers.
There is a time estimate at the beginning of each Exam Skills activity. Dont worry if the activity takes you a little
longer than this - the timings are just there as a rough guide.
Please feel free to contact your tutor if you have any queries or need any additional guidance. (You can do this by
telephone or via the e-mail system in the e-Zone.)

Exam Skills
Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Question 1
Excavation work is being carried out on a construction site. Identify the control measures needed to reduce the risk to
workers. (8)

Question 2
A roofing contractor is required to carry out extensive repair work on a fragile roof on a large manufacturing building.
(a)

Outline the factors that should be considered in the selection process for hiring the roofing contractor. (8)

(b)

Identify the main risks to the contractors from working at height.

(4)

(c)

Identify possible control measures for the erection of an independent tied scaffold.

(8)

Approaching Question 1
Think now about the steps you would take to answer the question:
1. The first step is to read the question carefully. This question requires you to identify, so you dont need to give
much detail as we saw earlier if asked to identify you are expected to select and name, so in this case
name the control measures needed to reduce risk to workers.
2. Next, consider the marks available. In this question there are eight marks. It would be sensible to assume that
you need to identify eight or more controls to gain the eight marks (adding a couple of additional controls
may maximise your chances of getting full marks here). However, dont go overboard watch the time! The
question should take around eight minutes in total.
3. Now highlight the key words. In this case they might look like this:
Excavation work is being carried out on a construction site. Identify the control measures needed to reduce the
risk to workers.
(8)
4. Read the question again to make sure you understand it and have a clear understanding of controls to protect
pedestrians. (Reread your notes if you need to.)
5. The next stage is to develop a plan there are various ways to do this. Your answer must be based on the
key words you have highlighted. Remind yourself, first of all, that you need to be thinking about How are
pedestrians kept separate from vehicles? and then How else can we ensure the safety of pedestrians?.

Now have a go at the question. Draw up an answer plan, and then use it as the basis to write out an
answer as you would in the exam.
Take care to keep an eye on the time when answering it is very easy to spend too long on a question
and there are only eight marks available, no matter how long you spend on it!
Remember too that you can always contact your tutor if you have any queries or need any further guidance on how
to answer this question.
When you have finished, compare your plan and full answer with those that follow.

Exam Skills
Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Suggested Answer
Plan
Excavation Controls
Shoring or drag boxes to prevent trench collapse.
Stop blocks to prevent vehicles driving into trench.
Provision of safe access into excavation (ladders, etc.).
Pre dig checks for services (cable scans, checking plans).
Supporting adjacent buildings/checks to ensure foundations arent undermined.
Barriers to prevent pedestrians falling in.
Gas checks to ensure breathable atmosphere.
PPE to protect against possible contamination (contaminated land).
PPE and training in biological hazards.
Statutory inspections of the excavation.

Possible Answer by Exam Candidate

Possible controls to reduce the risk to workers near excavations on a construction site include:
Before digging, the excavation site should be checked for underground services including power and gas mains.
This should be carried out by checking site plans and using cable detectors.
Supporting the sides of the excavation to prevent collapse using shoring or drag boxes. An alternative is the
battering back of the sides of the excavation to a safe angle. All material excavated should be stored a safe distance
from the excavation to prevent it from falling in onto workers.
Provision of stop blocks to prevent vehicles driving or reversing into the excavation.
Use of barriers to prevent pedestrians from falling into the excavation.
Provision of safe access means for those entering the excavation (e.g. a ladder) and so that they can exit safely.
Those working in the excavation may need gas detectors to ensure that the atmosphere is breathable, testing for
toxic gases but also to ensure an adequate oxygen supply.
PPE may be needed to protect workers from contamination (e.g. chemicals in contaminated land) or biological
hazards.
In order to ensure ongoing safety the excavation should be inspected before the start of every shift, after any fall of
earth and after any event likely to affect stability.

Reasons for Poor Marks Achieved by Candidates in Exam

There were some good answers to this question, although some candidates did talk about general controls such as
permits-to-work and risk assessments which didnt attract marks.

Exam Skills
Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Approaching Question 2
In IGC2 the first question is a longer, 20-mark question, which is typically broken down into smaller parts. NEBOSH
advise that you allow yourself half an hour for this question here you can allow yourself a little longer to work
through the process, but be aware that on exam day you will be under greater time pressure.
This question may look daunting, consisting of three sub-sections, but you should approach it in the same way that
you tackled Question 1, an eight-mark question. The same action words are used to indicate the level of depth that
you are required to provide. Note, however, that it is possible that a 20-mark question may cover topics from more
than one element.
Think now about the steps you would take to answer the question:
The first step is to read the question carefully. This question requires you to outline and identify as always be
careful that the correct level of depth is used, as many good candidates lose marks for giving a list rather than an
outline.
Next, consider the marks available. It would be sensible to assume that you need to outline eight factors for part (a)
(though adding a couple of additional factors may maximise your chances of getting full marks here). In part (b)
you would be looking to identify at least four main risks from working at height. In part (c) you would be looking to
identify at least eight controls for erection of the scaffold.
Now highlight the key words. In this case they might look like this:
A roofing contractor is required to carry out extensive repair work on a fragile roof on a large manufacturing
building.
Outline the factors that should be considered in the selection process for hiring the roofing contractor. (8)
Identify the main risks to the contractors from working at height. (4)
Identify possible control measures for the erection of an independent tied scaffold. (8)
Read the question again to make sure you understand about roof work, contractor selection and scaffolds. (Reread
your notes if you have to.)
The next stage is to develop a plan.
Here your answer plan is likely to take the form of a bullet-pointed list that you need to develop into a full answer
based on the key words that you have highlighted.
Now have a go at the question. Draw up an answer plan, and then use it as the basis to write out an answer as you
would in the exam.
Key hint: think of this as three separate questions if that helps.
Remember, you can always contact your tutor if you have any queries or need any further guidance on how to
answer this question.
When you have finished, compare your plan and full answer with those that follow.

Exam Skills
Element 1 WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL

Suggested Answer
Plan
Factors to Consider in Contractor Selection

Risks to Contractors
from Work at Height

Controls for Erection of

Independent Tied Scaffold

References.

Falls from height.

Insurance.

Falling objects.

Correctly designed for use and

load.

Trade association memberships.

Falls through fragile roof.

Maintenance of equipment. Experience of similar

works.

Contact with live services/

cables.

Training of staff.

Injuries due to tools in use.

Base plates and sole plates.

Method statement suitability.

Effects of weather (from

sunburn to slips on ice).

Scaffold not damaged and in

good condition.

Risk assessment quality.

Accident history.
Enforcement actions.
Health and safety policy.
Equipment to be used.

Designed for weather.

Equipment to be used.
Stable ground.

Erected by competent persons.

Inspected before use.
Scaffolders wearing fall arrest
equipment.

Maintenance of equipment.

Securely tied to structure/

building.

Control of sub-contractors.

Protected from vehicles.

Possible Answer by Exam Candidate

a. The following factors should be considered when selecting a roofing contractor. References should be
checked to ensure that previous clients were satisfied with the work carried out, and to ensure that works of
a similar nature and size to the proposed project have been delivered successfully. Certificates of insurance
should be checked to ensure that adequate public liability and employers liability cover is carried by the
contractor. The level and quality of health and safety training provided to employees should be considered,
and preference given to organisations which demonstrate such commitment to employee training. The
organisations health and safety management system should be considered, such as the suitability of the
health and safety policy and the process for reporting and recording of accidents, and the processes in place
for checking and controlling subcontractors. With regard to the safety of the project the suitability and quality
of the risk assessments should be assessed, ensuring that the risk assessments are site-specific. Method
statements should be sufficiently detailed and demonstrate how control measures will be implemented to
reduce the risk to the workers. Finally consideration should be given to the safety of the equipment to be
used on site, the suitability of the equipment for the environmental conditions and its maintenance.
b. The main risks to the contractors from working at height include falls from height, falls through the
fragile roof, contact with live services such as power cables, and the effects of exposure to adverse weather
conditions (from sunburn through to slips on ice).
c. Possible control measures to be implemented when erecting an independent tied scaffold include
ensuring that the scaffold is designed for the load it is intended to take, and erected by a competent scaffold
contractor on firm, level ground with base plates used to spread the load. The scaffold components should
be free from damage. The scaffolders should wear fall arrest equipment during the assembly to prevent falls.
The scaffold should be tied securely to the building with the appropriate number of ties to prevent collapse,
taking into account possible loads and adverse weather conditions.

Reasons for Poor Marks Achieved by Candidates in Exam

In part (a) problems that the candidates encountered included limiting their answers to only considering previous
work of a similar nature, and reviewing the health and safety policy.
In part (b) some candidates confused risks (which were required) with hazards and provided the wrong information.
In part (c) some candidates misread the question and detailed the components used for the erection of the scaffold
rather than the control measures to be used during the erection of the scaffold.