NEBOSH International Certificate Distance Learning IGC3 – Practical Application
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Contents Page NEBOSH International Certificate Practical Exam Guidance
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Sample Completed Observation Sheet
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Practical Exam – Sample Report
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Tutor Marked Assessment
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IGC3: Practical Assessment
NEBOSH International General Certificate Practical Exam Guidance The system of assessment for the National General Certificate consists of two written and one practical assessment.
Guidance to the Practical Assessment In the practical assessment, you should understand, in particular, that:
The two key elements are to carry out a safety inspection and to prepare a report to management within the time limits allocated (i.e., 30-40 minutes for the inspection and about one hour to write the report)
The use of notes, previously prepared, in-house or published checklists etc is disallowed, as is speaking to another candidate at any time firm the start of the inspection to the completion of the report.
The observation sheet should be completed by: identifying, in the left hand column, any hazards, unsafe work practices and examples of good practice observed during the inspection; providing in the next column, an indication of the urgency of taking action (ranked as high, medium or low priority), which should reflect the assessed level of risk; commenting in the next column, on the adequacy of existing controls and identifying any immediate, medium term and long term remedial actions needed; and stating, in the right hand column, a reasonable time scale for the actions identified. The distinction between time scales and priorities should explained – i.e. that a low priority action, in terms of risk, might still be completed quickly because it can be done easily; conversely, the most appropriate solution for the high priority (high risk) area might only be possible in the longer term (in which case interim measures might be necessary)
The formal report to management must be in the candidate’s own handwriting and that, while marks are not deducted for poor spelling and grammar, marks will be missed if the assessor is unable to read or understand the observation sheet and /or report.
Marking Scheme for Practical Unit 1. Observation Range of issues identified (0 to 5 marks) You are expected to identify physical hazards such as unsafe machinery, examples of chemical, fire, ergonomic and health hazards and you should also consider if there are any welfare and environmental problems. You are expected to comment on situations where there is adequate control of hazards and where safe working practices are being observed, as well as when the opposite is the case. Number of hazards identified (0 to 20 marks) You are expected to recognise common hazards. You will NOT be awarded marks for repetitive hazards or deficiencies such as missing machinery guards. As a general guide, a very good candidate should identify about 75% of the health and safety issues readily noted by an occupational safety and health practitioner.
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IGC3: Practical Assessment
Identification of immediate, medium and long term actions (0 to 10 marks) Where appropriate you should comment on the need for medium and long term actions as well as immediate actions to control any danger. This requires you to distinguish between the symptoms and the root causes of unsafe conditions. The immediate action on poor housekeeping may be to sweep up the debris; tackling the root cause may involve employing a labourer, providing training for the supervisor, or modifying the work process. Suitability of remedial action/time scales (0 to 20 marks) The proposed remedial actions must not only remove or control the hazard but must also be realistic and costeffective. Time scales, too, should be realistic and appropriate. Report to management The management report is part of the examination and is not a project. It must be in your own handwriting and must not contain photographs, prints or any other extraneous material. Selection of topics for urgent management action (0 to 10 marks) This requires you to emphasise those items on your observation sheets that you consider require urgent attention by management and to present them, together with suggested remedial actions (both short and long term), in a logical and coherent manner. Marks will be deducted if you give weight to trivial matters or reproduce the observation sheet. Consideration of cost implications (0 to 5 marks) You are not expected either to know or to estimate the actual costs but should demonstrate that you are aware of cost implications. For example, if you recommend the replacement of a carpet because of a small tear, without commenting on its overall condition, marks will be deducted. If training is recommended as a solution to a problem, you should indicate if this is likely to require a few hours of work-based instruction or several days of more costly off-the-job training. It is the assessment of magnitude of the cost that is important, rather than precise figures. Identification of possible breaches of international standards (0 to 5 marks) In the real work situation, you would consult reference books when preparing reports. For the purpose of this assessment, in which books and reference material are not allowed, you should be able to broadly identify those international standard and conventions listed in the syllabus that may have been infringed. Presentation of information (0 to 10 marks) Although there is no universally preferred format for report writing, for the purpose of the assessment a good report should normally comprise about three sides of handwritten A4 (i.e. about 500-750 words). It should cover the following points in a logical sequence: Where are when the inspection took place A brief summary of what was found A short list of issues requiring urgent action by management with convincing arguments why such action is needed and calling attention to possible breaches of health and safety legislation
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IGC3: Practical Assessment ďƒź Reference to the list of observations and recommended actions (which should be attached to the report), calling particular attention to any recommendations which could have a high cost in terms of finance, inconvenience or time. Effectiveness in convincing management to take action (0 to 15 marks) This is the assessor’s overall impression of the report and the degree that they consider it would have convinced management to take action. Marks will be deducted for not being selective and including large numbers of minor hazards in a lengthy report. The report should be written in such terms that a manager would be able to take reasonable action based on facts. Marks will be deducted for reports based on unsupported generalities and those that simply reiterate the contents of the observation sheet. If the report is selective and has been written in such a way that it encourages assessors to read it, even though they disagree with some of the contents, then it would be worth about a third of the marks available. High marks will be awarded for reports that are concise, readable and highly selective in terms of action required by management. Your report should contain a balanced argument on why action is needed and explain the effect it would have on the standards of health and safety at the workplace.
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IGC3: Practical Assessment
Sample Completed Observation Sheet
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE
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IGC3: Practical Assessment
Practical Exam – Sample Report INSPECTION REPORT To: Board of Directors From: Joe Bloggs, H&S Manager INTRODUCTION This report has been produced following the inspection of the premises carried out on 15th June 2008. The purpose of the report is to summarise the key findings, and make cost-effective recommendations to remedy any legal breaches. The report is divided into the main problem areas found: 1. Slips and trips 2. Fire Safety 3. Electrical Safety 4. Hazardous Substances For detailed observations, please refer to the observation sheets which are attached as an appendix to this report. SLIPS AND TRIPS There were several slip and trip hazards noted around the premises e.g. spillages, slippery floors, trailing cables etc. This is a breach of the UK Health & Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974. This seems to be a problem resulting from a culture of poor housekeeping. As well as implementing all the specific recommendations made on the observation sheets, this should be backed up with a ½ day training course for all managers and supervisors on the importance of good housekeeping. This would cost around £350 from our health & safety consultants, Phoenix Health & Safety. Monthly housekeeping inspections should then be carried out by supervisors to ensure that standards remain high. FIRE SAFETY Although many good points were noted with regard to fire safety, there were some deficiencies identified – many fire doors were wedged open with fire extinguishers and some fire exits were blocked. This is a breach of the guidance provided in the document “Fire Safety – an employer’s guide.” All staff should be instructed (at minimal cost) that this practice must cease. Supervisors will be looking out for this kind of thing on the housekeeping checks recommended in the proceeding section. Repeat offenders will need to be subjected to disciplinary action. ELECTRICAL SAFETY Several items of portable electrical equipment had not been PAT tested for more than 2 years. This is a breach of the HSE guidance on electrical safety at work. A competent electrician should be appointed to test every portable appliance and provide full records. They will then be in a position to advice on the frequency of future testing. The cost is likely to be between £3 and £5 per item.
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IGC3: Practical Assessment It was also noted that there were conducting materials stored in the substation e.g. metal ladders and a metal pole – these should be removed immediately at no cost, and staff instructed that they must not store conducting materials in the substation. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES There was a stack of half empty paint cans stored in the meter room, and the door was unlocked. This is a breach of the ILO Code of Practice on Safety in the use of chemicals at work. If the paint is required, then we need to obtain safety data sheets and carry out COSHH risk assessments. It will then be necessary to implement any appropriate control measures. The cost of carrying out the assessments will be time only, but the cost of the required control measures is unknown until the assessments are complete. If the paint is no longer required, then it should be properly disposed of in accordance with environmental legislation. SUMMARY This report has identified a range of problem areas that need to be addressed. A variety of different health & safety standards are being breached, and this could result in enforcement notices being issued (either improvement or prohibition) or ultimately prosecution. In addition to our legal duties, we have a strong moral duty to ensure that our employees are safe at work. The economic outcomes of potential accidents can also have disastrous consequences, and can result in costs such as fines, lost time, investigation time and reduced employee morale. For these reasons, the recommendations made above should be implemented as soon as possible.
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IGC3: Practical Assessment
Tutor Marked Assignment IGC3 You are now required to complete a Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA). The TMA is a mock practical assessment, and follows the same format as the real assessment. Following the guidance and examples on the previous pages, you should inspect a workplace for about 45 minutes and then write a report in about an hour. Sit the TMA in exam conditions, and allow yourself 2 hours maximum to complete the assignment. Use the observation sheet provided to record your observations, and write the report on lined A4 paper, and once completed you can email the TMA to studysupport@phoenixhsc.co.uk or post to: Phoenix Health & Safety Keys Business Village Keys Park Road Cannock Staffordshire WS12 2HA We strongly recommend that you keep a copy of your TMA and if you choose to post the TMA, please post by recorded delivery. We will confirm receipt of your TMA by email. If you have not received the email confirmation within 3 working days from sending your TMA to us, please contact the office on 0845 500 8811. The TMA begins on the following page.
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