NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Element 7
Q1 An organization uses small quantities of toxic chemicals.

A Identify four possible routes of entry of toxic substances into the body (4)

Refer Page No - 198 to 200

Inhalation

The most significant industrial entry route is inhalation. Harmful substances can directly attack
the lung tissue causing a local affect or pass through to the blood system, to be carried round
the body and affect target organs such as liver. Example of substances which have been
mentioned above would be ammonia.

Ingestion

This route normally presents the least problem as it is unlikely that any significant quantity of
harmful liquid or solid will be swallowed without deliberate intent. However accidents will occur
where small amount of contaminant are transferred from the fingers to the mouth if eating,
drinking or smoking in chemical areas is allowed or where a substance has been decanted into
a container normally used for drinking.

Absorption (Skin Contact)

Substances can enter through skin, cuts or abrasions and conjunctive of the eyes. Solvents
such as organic solvents, e.g.: toluene and trichloro ethylene, can enter either accidently or if
used for washing.

Injection

A forceful breach of the skin: perhaps as a result of injury, can carry harmful substances
through the skin barrier, for example handling broken glass which cuts the skin and transfers a
biological or chemical agent. On construction sites there are few items that present a hazard of
penetration, such as nails in broken upon false work that might be trodden on and penetrate the
foot presenting a risk of-infection from tetanus.

B Explain the difference between the acute and chronic health effects (4)

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Acute effect

Is an immediate or rapidly produced, adverse effect following a single or short term exposure to
an offending agent, which is usually reversible.

Chronic effect
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Is an adverse health effect produced as a result of the prolonged or repeated exposure, with a
gradual or latent, and often irreversible, effect that may go unrecognized for a number of years.

C Identify the sources of information which could be used in the assessment of risk of
toxic substances. (4)

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 Product labels.
 European Union list of indicative limit values.
 HSE list of workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) (UK)
 AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENTS (ACGIH)
LIST OF THERESHOLD LIMIT VALUES (US)
 MANUFACTURERS' HEALTH AND SAFETY DATA SHEEETS AND RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THEIR PROVISION
 INFORMATION TYPICALLY TO BE INCLUDED BY THE SUPPLIER.
 Providing hazard information
 Labeling
 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
 LIMITATIONS OF INFORMATION IN ASSESSING TISKS TO HEALTH

D Outline the control measures that might to be required to minimize risks to workers (8)

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 Design and operate processes and activities to minimize emission, release and spread
of substances hazardous to health.
 Take into account all relevant routes of exposure - inhalation, skin absorption and
ingestion- when developing control measures.
 Control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the health risk
 Choose the most effective and reliable control options which minimize the escape and
spread of the hazardous to health.
 Where adequate control of exposure cannot be achieved by other means, provide, in
combination with other control measures, suitable personable protective equipment.
 Check and review regularly all elements of control measures for their continuing
effectiveness
 Inform and train all workers on the hazards and risks from the substances with which
they work and the use of control measures developed to minimize the risks.
 Ensure that the introduction of control measures does not increase the overall risk to
health and safety.

Q2 a Identify TWO types of hazardous substance (2)

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A generic definition of a hazardous substance is' "a substance which has the potential,
through being used at work, to harm the health or safety of persons in the workplace".

The hazardous substances regulations apply to substances that have health hazards as listed
below.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 Harmful/toxic - causing transient or permanent damage to body functions e.g. -Solvents

 Corrosive - causing damage to riving tissue E.g. Sodium Hydroxide, Sulphuric acid
 Irritant - causing local irritation to living tissue E.g. Butyl Ester
 Sensitising. - Causing an allergic reaction E.g. - lsocyanates
 Carcinogenic - causing cancer E.g. - Asbestos
 mutagenic - causing genetic damage E.g. – Ethoxyethanol
 a substance toxic to human reproduction E.g. –Arsenic

Q2 b Outline personal hygiene controls to reduce the risk of ingestion of hazardous

substance (6)

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PERSONAL HYGIENE AND PROTECTION REGIMES

Personal hygiene and good housekeeping have an important role in the protection of the health
and safety of the people at work. Laid down procedures and standards are necessary for
preventing the spread of contamination. The provision of adequate washing / showering
facilities is critical to remove contamination from the body.

The provision of laundry facilities for overalls and PPE reduces the effect of contamination.
Barrier creams and suitable hand protection are important considerations for chemical and
biological risks.

Where personal hygiene is critical, for example, when stripping asbestos, a 'three room system'
is employed. Workers enter the 'clean end' and put work clothes on, leaving by means of the
'dirty end'. When work has been completed they return by means of the ‘dirty ends’ carryout
personal hygiene and leave by means of the ‘clean end’

Q3 a Outline the term 'respirable dust' (2)

Respirable dust refers to those dust particles that are small enough to penetrate the nose and
upper respiratory system and deep into the lungs. Particles that penetrate.deep into the
respiratory system are generally beyond the body's natural clearance mechanisms of cilia and
mucous and are more likely to be retained.

Respirable dust is an airborne dust that is smaller than 10-microns in size.

Q3 b Outline the methods for measuring airborne dust in the workplace (6)

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Direct reading dust sampler (E.g. Tyndall lamp)

Simple methods are by direct observation of the effect of the dust on a strong beam of light e.g.
using a Tyndall lamp. High levels of small particles of dust show up under this strong beam of
light. Other ways are nu means of a direct reading instrument. This establishes the level of dust
by, for example, scattering of light. Some also collect the dust sample.

Refer Page No - 198 to 200

NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Inhalation

The most significant industrial entry route is inhalation. Harmful substances can directly attack
the lung tissue causing a local affect or pass through to the blood system, to be carried round
the body and affect target organs such as liver. Example of substances which have been
mentioned above would be ammonia.

Ingestion

This route normally presents the least problem as it is unlikely that any significant quantity of
harmful liquid or solid will be swallowed without deliberate intent However accidents will occur
where small amount of contaminant are transferred from the fingers to the mouth if eating,
drinking or smoking in chemical areas is allowed or where a substance has been decanted into
a container normally used for drinking.

Absorption (Skin Contact)

Substances can enter through skin, cuts or abrasions and conjunctive of the eyes. Solvents
such as organic solvents, e.g.: toluene and trichloro ethylene, can enter either accidently or if
used for washing.

Injection

A forceful breach of the skin, perhaps as a result of injury, can carry harmful substances through
the-skin-barrier, for example handling broken glass which cuts the skin and transfers a
biological or chemical agent. On construction sites there are few items. that.present a hazard of
penetration, such as nails in broken upon false work that might be trodden on and penetrate the
foot presenting a risk of infection from tetanus.

Q3 c Give two control measures to reduce the risk of exposure to a biological agent. (2)

Refer Page No - 215

 Display suitable and sufficient warning signs, including the biohazard sign.
 Putting in place appropriate decontamination and disinfection procedures.
 Putting in place the means for the safe collection, storage and disposal of contaminated
waste. This includes the use of secure and identifiable containers after treatment if
appropriate.
 Testing, where it is necessary and technically possible, for the presence of biological
agents outside primary physical containment
 Setting out the procedures for working with, and on-site transport of biological agents or
material that could contain them.
 Making effective vaccines available to employees.

Passive personal samplers

Passive samplers are so described to illustrate that they have no mechanism to draw in a
sample of the contaminant but instead rely on passive means to sample. As such they take a
time to perform this function, for example, acting as an absorber taking in contaminant vapours
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
over a period of a working day. Some passive samplers like gas badges, area generally fitted to
the lapel and change colour to indicate contamination.

Active personal samplers

Filtration devices are used for dusts, mists and fumes. A known volume of air is pumped
through a sampling head and the contaminant filtered out. By comparing the quantity of air with
the amount of contaminant a measurement is made. The filter is either weighed or an actual
count of particles is done to establish the amount, as with asbestos. The type of dust can be
determined by further laboratory analysis. Active samplers are used in two forms, for personal
sampling and for static sampling.

Static sampling

These devices are stationed in the working area. They sample continuously over the length of a
shift, or longer period if necessary. Mains or battery-operated pumps are used; Very small
quantities of contaminant may be detected. The techniques employed include absorption,
bubblers, and filtration; they are similar in principle to personal samplers, but the equipment is
tailored to suit static use.

Q4 (a) Identify three forms of biological agents. (3)

Refer Page No -195

FUNGL

Fungi are a variety of organisms that act in a parasitic manner, feeding on organic manner,
feeding on organic, matter. Most are either harmless or positively beneficial to health; however a
number cause harms to humans and may be fatal.

BACTERIA

Bacteria are single cell organisms. Most bacteria are harmless to humans and many are
identical. The bacteria that can cause disease are called pathogens.

VIRUSES

Viruses are the smallest known type of infectious agent. They invade the cells of other
organisms, which they take over and make copies of themselves and while not all cause
disease many of them do.

Q4 (b) Identify possible routes of entry in to the body for a biological agent (3)

 Putting in place good occupational hygiene measures including the provision of washing
and toilet facilities and not allowing eating, drinking or smoking in the workplace where
there is a risk of contamination with biological agents.
 Personal respiratory protective devices should be used in addition to other practicable
control measures if exposure cannot be otherwise prevented. !t has to comply with EU
regulations.
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q5 identify the information that should be included on a manufacturer's safety data sheet
supplied with hazardous substances. (8)

Refer Page No – 202

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers should provide information on substances for use at
work; this is usually provided in the form of a material safety data sheet. The content of material
in the safety data sheets for substances should include the following

 Identification of the substance/preparation and the company.

 Composition / information on ingredients!
 Hazards identification.
 First -aid measures.
 Fire fighting measures.
 Accidental release measures
 Handling and storage.
 Exposure-controls /personal protection
 Physical and chemical properties.
 Stability and reactivity.
 Toxicological information.
 Ecological information.
 Disposal considerations.
 Transport information.
 Regulatory information.

Q6 (a) Identify FOUR forms of hazardous substances for which respiratory protective
equipment could be used to reduce the risk of harm. (4)

Refer Page No-195

Dust

These are solid airborne particles, often created by operations such as grinding, crushing,
milling, sanding or demolition - e.g. silica.

Fumes

Are solid particles formed by condensation from the gaseous state - e.g. lead fume, welding
fume.

Gases

Formless fluids usually produced by chemical processes involving combustion or by the

interaction of chemical substance. A gas will normally seek to fill the space completely into
which it is liberated - e.g. chlorine gas.

Mists
NEBOSH IGC-2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Are finely dispersed liquid droplets suspended in air. Mists are mainly created by spraying,
foaming, pickling and electro-plating - e.g. mist from a water pressure washer.

Q6 (b) Outline Factors that could reduce the effectiveness of the respiratory protective
equipment. (4)

Refer Page No-122

Limitations

 Can be heavy and cumbersome which restricts movement

 Require special training
 Purify the air by drawing it through a filter to remove contaminants. Therefore, can only
be used when there is sufficient oxygen in the atmosphere.
 Requires careful selection by a competent person.
 Requires-regular maintenance
 Knowing when a cartridge is at the end of its useful life.
 Requires correct storage facilities.
 Can give a 'closed in' claustrophobic feeling.
 Relies on user for correct fit/use etc.
 Incompatible with other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE).
 Interferes with other senses', e.g. sense of smell.

Q7 Outline the procedure to clean, keep and dispose the chemical spillage in the
workplace (8)

Refer Page No - 103

 Raise the alarm and inform emergency services ad relevant authorities (e.g. fire and
rescue service, water supply authority).
 Evacuate all personnel, seal off access from danger areas (if safe to do so without
personal risk).
 Quickly assess the nature and extent (if possible) of the incident.
 Do not approach the liquid if you do not know what is.
 Raise first aid treatment for those light have been affected.
 Provide a barrier or some other form of spillage containment such as sand or special granules
to contain the spillage.
 Isolate any ignition sources.
 Keep workers away.
 For internal spills with no fire risk, ventilate by openings windows and dosing doors, that
is, ventilate the area but isolate the material.
 For example spills, cover drains to prevent the material going into drains and or
watercourses. Do not wash spillage into drains.
 Issue appropriate personal protective equipment to those involved and competent in
carrying out the procedure.
 Ensure safe disposal of the spilled substance an any absorbent material used.