June 2013

Examiners Report
NEBOSH International
General Certificate in
Occupational Health
and Safety (IGC1)

Examiners Report
NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL
CERTIFICATE IN OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
UNIT IGC1:
MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
JUNE 2013

For:

NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety
NEBOSH International Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management

CONTENTS

Introduction

General comments

Comments on individual questions

2013 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW
tel: 0116 263 4700

fax: 0116 282 4000

email: info@nebosh.org.uk

website: www.nebosh.org.uk

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health is a registered charity, number 1010444
EXTERNAL

Introduction

NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as
an independent examining board and awarding body with charitable status. We offer a comprehensive
range of globally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety,
environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the private and public sectors.
Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract around 35,000 candidates annually and are offered
by over 500 course providers, with exams taken in over 100 countries around the world. Our
qualifications are recognised by the relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution
of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety
Management (IIRSM).
NEBOSH is an awarding body to be recognised and regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA).
Where appropriate, NEBOSH follows the latest version of the GCSE, GCE, Principal Learning and
Project Code of Practice published by the regulatory authorities in relation to examination setting and
marking. While not obliged to adhere to this code, NEBOSH regards it as best practice to do so.
Candidates scripts are marked by a team of Examiners appointed by NEBOSH on the basis of their
qualifications and experience. The standard of the qualification is determined by NEBOSH, which is
overseen by the NEBOSH Council comprising nominees from, amongst others, the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and
the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Representatives of course providers, from
both the public and private sectors, are elected to the NEBOSH Council.
This report on the examination provides information on the performance of candidates which it is
hoped will be useful to candidates and tutors in preparation for future examinations. It is intended to be
constructive and informative and to promote better understanding of the syllabus content and the
application of assessment criteria.
NEBOSH 2013

Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to:

NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW
tel:
0116 263 4700
fax:
0116 282 4000
email: info@nebosh.org.uk

EXTERNAL

General comments

Many candidates are well prepared for this unit assessment and provide comprehensive and relevant
answers in response to the demands of the question paper. This includes the ability to demonstrate
understanding of knowledge by applying it to workplace situations.
There are always some candidates, however, who appear to be unprepared for the unit assessment
and who show both a lack of knowledge of the syllabus content and a lack of understanding of how key
concepts should be applied to workplace situations.
In order to meet the pass standard for this assessment, acquisition of knowledge and understanding
across the syllabus are prerequisites. However, candidates need to demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding in answering the questions set. Referral of candidates in this unit is invariably because
they are unable to write a full, well-informed answer to one or more of the questions asked.
Some candidates find it difficult to relate their learning to the questions and as a result offer responses
reliant on recalled knowledge and conjecture and fail to demonstrate a sufficient degree of
understanding. Candidates should prepare themselves for this vocational examination by ensuring
their understanding, not rote-learning pre-prepared answers.
Candidates should therefore note that Examiners Reports are not written to provide sample answers
but to give examples of what Examiners were expecting and more specifically to highlight areas of
under performance.
Common pitfalls
It is recognised that many candidates are well prepared for their assessments. However, recurrent
issues, as outlined below, continue to prevent some candidates reaching their full potential in the
assessment.

Many candidates fail to apply the basic principles of examination technique and for some
candidates this means the difference between a pass and a referral.

In some instances, candidates do not attempt all the required questions or are failing to
provide complete answers. Candidates are advised to always attempt an answer to a
compulsory question, even when the mind goes blank. Applying basic health and safety
management principles can generate credit worthy points.

Some candidates fail to answer the question set and instead provide information that may be
relevant to the topic but is irrelevant to the question and cannot therefore be awarded marks.

Many candidates fail to apply the command words (also known as action verbs, eg describe,
outline, etc). Command words are the instructions that guide the candidate on the depth of
answer required. If, for instance, a question asks the candidate to describe something, then
few marks will be awarded to an answer that is an outline. Similarly the command word
identify requires more information than a list.

Some candidates fail to separate their answers into the different sub-sections of the questions.
These candidates could gain marks for the different sections if they clearly indicated which part
of the question they were answering (by using the numbering from the question in their
answer, for example). Structuring their answers to address the different parts of the question
can also help in logically drawing out the points to be made in response.

Candidates need to plan their time effectively. Some candidates fail to make good use of their
time and give excessive detail in some answers leaving insufficient time to address all of the
questions.

Candidates should also be aware that Examiners cannot award marks if handwriting is
illegible.

Candidates should note that it is not necessary to start a new page in their answer booklet for
each section of a question.
3

EXTERNAL

Unit IGC1
Management of international safety and health
Question 1

(a)

Outline the:
(i)

organisational;

(5)

(ii)

job;

(5)

(iii)

individual

(5)

factors that could lead to poor health and safety behaviour in the
workplace.
(b)

Outline factors that contribute to workers competence.

(5)

This question related to Element 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcomes 3.3: Outline the human factors which influence
behaviour at work in a way that can affect health and safety (Organisational Factors,
Job Factors and Individual Factors) and 3.4: Explain how health and safety behaviour
at work can be improved.
The overall response of candidates to this question was generally very limited. The
common weakness amongst candidates in part (a) was their inability to differentiate
their answers between organisational, job and individual factors. In part (a)(i), several
candidates confused organisational factors with the organisation as used as the
second part of a health and safety policy.
In part (a)(ii), candidates often outlined individual factors as examples of job factors.
Those candidates who gained marks for part (a), did so by outlining several individual
factors as required in part (a)(iii).
Answers to part (b) of this question were mixed with several candidates being able to
outline the breadth of answers required within this part thus gaining higher marks.
Those candidates who performed less well offered a narrow answer often relating only
to experience and training. Other candidates performed less well in part (b), as it
required an outline answer and candidates failed to gain marks by listing their points
rather than giving an adequate outline.
It is always difficult to know if the low number of points identified across each part of
this question is the result of limited knowledge ie the candidate failed to identify or
understand factors under each of the headings or poor examination technique ie they
needed to outline answers or could have given more answers but failed to do so.
Candidates need to be aware that where there are five marks for a question, one or
two points will not gain the full marks for that part.

Question 2

(a)

Give the meaning of the term permit-to-work.

(2)

(b)

Identify THREE types of activity that may require a permit-towork AND give the reasons why in EACH case.

(6)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 4.6: Explain the role and function of a permit-to-work
system.

EXTERNAL

In part (a), many candidates were able to give something of an outline of the meaning
of the term permit-to-work, with some candidates gaining both of the two available
marks.
In part (b), most candidates were able to identify three types of activity that require a
permit-to-work but failed to give the reasons why the permit is required thus limiting
the opportunity to gain further marks. A common weakness amongst candidates was
to identify the hazards present within the activity or state the reason for the permit-towork was simply to keep the worker safe rather than give the reasons for the permitto-work controls.
Question 3

A worker has been seriously injured in an accident at work.

Outline the immediate AND longer term actions that should be taken.

(8)

This question related to Element 5 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 5.3: Explain the purpose of, and procedures for,
investigating incidents (accidents, cases of work-related ill-health and other
occurrences).
This question was generally well answered with many candidates being able to outline
the immediate and longer term actions that should be taken following an accident with
some candidates being able to identify a sufficient number of points to gain good or
even full marks.
Candidates who failed to gain good marks on this question tended to outline a couple
of points in some depth such as describing how medical and first-aid treatments may
be rendered rather than give the broader range of immediate and longer term actions
as required.
Candidates need to be aware that where a question has eight marks available, a good
broad range of points will be needed. An answer covering four points, even if valid,
would not gain more than half of the marks.

Question 4

Give FOUR health and safety responsibilities that employers have

towards workers AND, in EACH case, give an example how this
responsibility could be met.

(8)

This question related to Element 1 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 1.3: Explain the role of national governments and
international bodies in formulating a framework for the regulation of health and safety
(employers responsibilities).
Answers to this question followed something of a pattern of performance on this
question paper with most candidates being able to give four health and safety
responsibilities that the employer has towards employees and candidates who gained
good marks were able to give sufficient examples of how the employer could meet this
responsibility.
Those candidates who did less well in this question tended to either give just the four
responsibilities and/or failed to link the specific example to the responsibility given thus
limiting the number of marks available to be awarded.
Accredited course providers might be advised to indicate to future candidates that in
such a question a tabulated style answer might help with the presentation of the
answer.

EXTERNAL

Question 5

Evaluation is a key element of a health and safety management system.

(a)

(b)

Identify THREE parts of this element AND give an example in

EACH case.

(6)

Identify TWO key further elements of a health and safety

management system.

(2)

This question related to Element 2 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 2.1: Outline the key elements of a health and safety
management system (Evaluation).
Generally this question was not very well answered and gained one of the lowest
average marks on this question paper.
Part (a) required candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the evaluation
element of a health and safety management system by identifying three elements
within the evaluation element and giving workplace examples of each of those
elements. Candidates tended to describe the whole of a health and safety
management system providing information that may be relevant to the topic but
irrelevant to the answer as it was depth not breadth of understanding of one element
that was required.
Part (b) is where most candidates gained the two marks available for this part of the
question by identifying a further two elements of the health and safety management
system.
Question 6

(a)

(b)

Outline provisions to be considered to help ensure the health

and safety of disabled workers.

(6)

Identify TWO further categories of worker that may require

special case application.

(2)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 4.2: Explain the principles and practice of risk
assessment.
Part (a) of this question was generally not very well answered with a significant number
of candidates making no attempt to answer the question. Candidates who did attempt
the question often gave answers that related to general provisions to the workforce
such as breaks and welfare rather than provisions specifically for disabled workers.
Other candidates answers tended to be narrow, for example focusing on the
employers responsibility to disabled workers in an emergency situation.
Most marks were awarded in part (b) of this question as most candidates had no
problem in identifying two further categories of worker that may require a special case
application

Question 7

Outline factors to consider when making an assessment of first-aid

provision in a workplace.

(8)

This question related to Element 3 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 3.6: Outline the requirements for, and effective
provision of, first-aid in the workplace.

EXTERNAL

Performance for this question was mixed. Most candidates gained some marks for this
question. Better answers outlined a broad range of points covering requirements of
first-aid, training, role and provision, equipment, location work pattern as described in
the syllabus.
Those candidates who did not receive many marks tended to provide a list rather than
outline their answer as the command word for this question required. Some
candidates offered a couple of narrow points that went into some depth on a particular
area such as explaining the contents of a first-aid box or candidates misread this
question and offered answers that outlined how to render various first-aid treatments.

Question 8

(a)

(i)

(ii)

(b)

(i)

(ii)

Give the meaning and purpose of the term active

monitoring.

(2)

Give TWO workplace examples of active monitoring

methods.

(2)

Give the meaning and purpose of the term reactive

monitoring.

(2)

Give TWO workplace examples of reactive monitoring

methods.

(2)

This question related to Element 5 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 5.1: Outline the principles, purpose and role of active
and reactive monitoring.
This question required candidates to demonstrate a clear understanding of the active
and reactive monitoring by giving the purpose and meaning and then workplace
examples.
Generally candidates who gained most marks were able to provide an outline in part
(a)(i) and (b)(i) giving reasons such as before and after an event gaining one of the
two marks available. These candidates then went on to give the appropriate workplace
examples.
Some candidates were unable to differentiate between proactive and reactive
workplace examples or attempted to answer this question with answers relating to
another topic area in the syllabus such as describing the stages of risk assessment
and could not therefore be awarded marks.

Question 9

Identify possible costs to an organisation following an accident in the

workplace.

(8)

This question related to Element 1 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 1.2: Explain the moral, social and economic reasons
for maintaining and promoting good standards of health and safety in the workplace.
This question gained the highest average mark of all the eight mark questions on this
question paper. This question has identify as the command word and a number of
costs could be identified with only a few words. Some points however did need
sufficient wording to make clear to Examiners that the point identified was relevant.

EXTERNAL

Some candidates were able to gain good or even full marks for this question by
identifying a wide range of costs with some candidates identifying which of the costs
were direct and indirect to the organisation.
Some candidates offered similar or narrowly based answers that limited the number of
marks available to be awarded.
Candidates should note that a question that has eight marks available requires a good
broad range of answers to achieve the full eight marks.

Question 10

Outline FOUR advantages of using:

(a)

an internal auditor;

(4)

(b)

an external auditor

(4)

to carry out a health and safety audit.

This question related to Element 5 of the syllabus and assessed candidates
knowledge of learning outcome 5.2: Explain the purpose of, and procedures, for health
and safety auditing (Internal/ external auditor).
There was a mixed response to this question from candidates. Most candidates
attempted part (a) and gained most marks in this part. Candidates were able to outline
advantages of using an internal auditor. Those candidates who did less well in part (a)
often described the disadvantages and or described what an internal audit should
cover.
Part (b) was often less well answered by candidates and two common patterns
appeared. Some candidates found it difficult to outline any advantages of using an
external auditor and simply described the disadvantages by reversing the advantages
outlined in part (a) of this question. Other candidates described what an audit would
consist of rather than the advantages of an external auditor.

Question 11

Identify the general principles of prevention that can be used to reduce the
risk of injury from hazards in the workplace.

(8)

This question related to Element 4 of the syllabus and assessed candidates

knowledge of learning outcome 4.3: Explain the general principles of control and a
basic hierarchy of risk reduction measures (General principles of prevention).
Answers to this question were generally very limited and, although the topic of the
question is within the ICG1 syllabus, it appeared to be one that was not well
understood by many of the candidates. This question gained the lowest average mark
on this question paper.
As is the common pattern with this question paper candidates failed to answer the
question set and instead provided information that may be relevant to the topic but
irrelevant to this question and could not therefore be awarded marks. Examples
include an outline of the hierarchy of controls or the stages of carrying out a risk
assessment.
In the case of this question, it is likely that failure to provide sufficient relevant points
related to a lack of understanding of this topic rather than poor examination technique.

EXTERNAL

The National Examination

Board in Occupational
Safety and Health
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester LE19 1QW
telephone +44 (0)116 2634700
fax +44 (0)116 2824000
email info@nebosh.org.uk
www.nebosh.org.uk