QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

ELEMENT 06
PRINCIPLES OF CONTROL

1. Past Exam Question

a) Outline the factors to be considered
when developing a safe system of
work
(8)
b) Outline the sources of information
that could be consulted when
developing a safe system of work
(6)
c) Explain the actions an enforcement
officer could take when an
organisation has failed to provide a
safe system of work
(6)

1. Past Exam Answer

a)
Analyse the task (e.g JSA)
Method of work, Environment,
Equipment and People
Implementation
Monitoring and review

1. Past Exam Answer

b)
Internal
Existing risk assessments, SOPs, safe
systems of work, employees, competent
persons, etc
Accident/ill-health data

External
Comparison of best practice with similar
workplaces
HSE accident/incident statistics
Legislation, ACOPs, guidance

1. Past Exam Answer

c)
Verbal advice
Written advice
Improvement notice
Prohibition notice
Prosecution

2. Past Exam Question

a) Explain the meaning of the term safe
system of work
(2)
b) Describe the enforcement action that
could be taken by an enforcing authority
when a safe system of work has not been
implemented
(6)

2. Past Exam Answer

a)
A safe system of work is a formal procedure which
results from a systematic examination of a work task
to identify all the hazards. It defines safe methods to
ensure that hazards are eliminated or risk minimised

b)

Verbal advice
Written advice
Improvement notice
Prohibition notice
Prosecution

3. Past Exam Question

Outline the factors that should be
considered when designing a safe
system of work
(8)

3. Past Exam Answer

Analyse the task (e.g. JSA)
Method of work, Environment,
Equipment and People
Implementation
Monitoring and review

4. Past Exam Question

Outline the sources of information that
could be consulted when developing a
safe system of work
(8)

4. Past Exam Answer

b)
Internal
Existing risk assessments, SOPs, safe systems
of work, employees, competent persons, etc
Accident/ill-health data

External
Comparison of best practice with similar
workplaces
HSE accident/incident statistics
Legislation, ACoPs, guidance

5. Past Exam Question

Outline the factors that should be
considered when carrying out a risk
assessment
(8)

5. Past Exam Answer

The types & range of hazards
The types(people more at risk, (e.g. pregnant,
disabled, young, old, lone workers,etc) &
numbers of people exposed to those hazards
The likelihood & severity & existing control
measures
Methods of recording & communicating
Methods & occasions for reviewing
Remember:
Suitable & sufficient, remain valid for a reasonable
time, appropriate to nature of work, prioritises

6. Past Exam Question

a) Explain the meaning of the term
hazard
(2)
b) Outline the main hazards that may
be present during the demolition
of a building
(6)

6. Past Exam Answer

a)
Something with the potential to cause
harm or loss to an organisation
Could be physical, chemical, biological,
ergonomic, psychological

b)
Dust, asbestos, noise, premature collapse,
working at height, machinery, chemicals &
other toxic substances, falling objects

7. Past Exam Question

Explain, using examples, the meaning of
the following terms
(i)
Hazard
(2)
(ii)
Risk
(3)
(iii)
So far as is reasonably
practicable
(3)

7. Past Exam Answer

i) Something with the potential to cause harm or
loss to an organisation
Could be physical, chemical, biological,
ergonomic, psychological
Example trailing cable
ii) Likelihood & severity & number of persons
affected & existing control measures
iii)
Quantum of risk is placed on one hand & the time
trouble & effort to overcome that risk
If there is a gross disproportion between the two,
then employer is absolved of any duty, unless the
risk is so great then either stop the activity or do
everything that is required

8. Past Exam Question

Outline a hierarchy of control measures
for controlling risk
(8)

8. Past Exam Answer

Eradicate
Replace with something less hazardous
Isolate
Change the work process
Protect the individual (PPE)
D

9. Past Exam Question

a) Define the term permit to work
system
(2)
b) Explain the operation of a permitto-work system for entry into a
confined space
(6)

9. Past Exam Answer

a) Part of a safe system of work that
requires written confirmation that
certain activities have been carried
out to eliminate risks or control risks
during a specific high
risk activity
b)
Issue, Receipt, Clearance/return to
service, Cancellation, Extensions

10. Past Exam Question

a) Explain the meaning of the term
hazard
(2)
b) Outline techniques for identifying
hazards in the workplace
(6)

10. Past Exam Answer

a)

Something with the potential to cause

harm or loss to an organisation Could be
physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic,
psychological

b)
Inspections
HAZOP
Fault tree analysis
JSA
Hazard books & contact schemes

11. Past Exam Question

a) Outline the hazards associated with
work in confined spaces
(6)
b) Describe the precautions that may be
needed when an emptied solvent
degreasing tank is to be cleaned
including the removal of sludge from
the bottom of the tank
(14)

11. Past Exam Answer

a)
Restricted access & egress, oxygen deficiency,
hazardous substances, poor environmental
conditions, explosion & fire hazards, structural
collapse, electrocution, mechanical hazards

b)
Is entry necessary, gas purging, testing/monitoring
of atmosphere, PTW/SS of W, anti-static
equipment, lighting, ventilation, communications,
emergency procedures, anti-static equipment,
harnesses & other PPE, ISIT & competence

12. Past Exam Question

Explain, with examples, the
meaning of the term confined
Space
(4)

12. Past Exam Answer

Any space, including any chamber, tank, vat,
silo, pit, trench, pipe , sewer, flue, well or
other similar place in which, by virtue of its
enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably
foreseeable specified risk