PART 17


91) In relation to occupational dermatitis,

A) Identify TWO causative agents
1) Acids

2) Alakalies

3) Detergents

4) Mineral Oil

5) Organic Solvent

6) Metal salts

7) Latex

8) Wet Cement.

B) Describe the typical symptoms of the condition.
Reddening of the skin.
Itchiness
Flaking
Cracking & bleeding with possible injection & ulceration.
C) Outline specific measures designed to prevent the occurrence of occupational dermatitis.
Change of process or a substitution of the material or substance being used.
A reduction in exposure.
Provision of the PPE (gloves, apron etc).
Use of barrier and after work creams.
Provision of adequate washing facilities.
‘IT IS’ on the causes & prevention of dermatitis.


92) Describe the physical features of traffic routes within a workplace designed to ensure the safe movement of vehicles.

Adequate width of a traffic routes with avoidance of blind corners.
Separation of vehicles & pedestrian with the provision of barriers & refuges.
One way system with turning circle to reduce the need for reversing.
Firm, even and well maintained round surface.
Roadways unobstructed and signed to indicate speed limits, rights of way & no entry.
Visibility aids such as mirrors, transparent screens across doorways & lighting.
Traffic calming measures such as road humps.
Marked pedestrian crossing points on vehicle routes.

93) In relation to a work place fire risk assessment, outline the issues that should be taken into account when assessing the means of escape.

Widths, travel distances.
Protection against smoke, fire, lighting.
Signage and
Specifications for doors (closers, direction of opening, glazing, etc).
Assessment should consider the provision and sitting of fire fighting equipment and the adequacy of assembly points.

94) Outline the precautions to be taken when repair work is to be carried out on the slopping roof of a building.

Assessment should be made to gauge the condition of the roof and to check for the presence of fragile materials and / or asbestos.
Means of access (e.g. scaffolding), the use of roof ladders, crawling boards and full arrest equipment, and edge protection to prevent the falls of persons and materials.
Provision for transporting tools and materials to the roof and for the removal of waste, barriers at ground level.
The use of appropriate PPE such as hard hats & footwear.
Employment of trained & competent personnel.

95 A) Identify TWO types of injury that may be caused by the incorrect manual handling.

Prolapsed or slipped discs.
Torn ligaments.
Muscular strains.
Cuts & abrasions.

Outline a good handling technique that could be adopted by a person required to lift a load from ground.
Placing the feet slightly apart & close to the load.
Bending at the knees.
Keeping the back straight ( or maintaining a natural curvature).
Maintaining a good grip.
Keeping the load close to the body without twisting and lifting smoothly using leg muscles.
Initial assessment of the load and lift prior to undertaking the task.


96) Outline the precautions to be taken to minimize the risks to the persons working in cold stores operating at sub-zero temperature.

Precautions against being locked in the cold store (e.g. doors capable of being opened from the inside and the installation of alarms).
Measures to protect the employees against the escape of refrigerant gas.
The need for pre-employment examinations & continuing health surveillance.
‘IT IS’ on the hazards associated with this type of work & precautions to be taken.
Provision of thermal clothing.
Restricting the time spent in the cold store with regular breaks.
Availability of warm drinks.


97) List the items that should be included on a checklist for the routine visual inspection of portable electrical appliances.

Need to check that the appliance is of a suitable type for the operations to be carried out.
Connecting plugs are in sound condition and sockets not overloaded.
Fuses fitted are of the correct ratting.
The appliance is operated at reduced voltage (where appropriate) and / or protected by a residual current device.
Cables are undamaged & routed safely.
Casing of the appliance is in good condition.
Need to check that a portable appliance test (PAT) has been carried out and is current, and that the relevant information is recorded.
Inventory of the types of electrical appliance that should be checked without listing the particular items that should be subject to a visual inspection.


MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH & SAFETY

98) Following a significant increase in accidents, a health and safety campaign is to be launched within an organization to encourage safe working by employees.

 Outline how the organization might ensure that the nature of the campaign is effectively communicated to, and understand by employees.
A variety of means (posters, emails, toolbox talks, training sessions etc). could be used to communicate and reinforce the message with account taken of the language used in order to facilitate understanding (avoidance of jargon, use of plan English etc).
Toolbox Talks, suggestion boxes, surveys and informal means of consultation can be used to involve employees and to provide a feedback loop to check that employees understand what the campaign is about and to assess the level of support.
Provide feedback to employees on how the campaign is progressing so that focus on the campaign’s objective is maintained.
Ensure that everybody within an organization knows the part that they are to play within a health & safely campaign.
Other than poor communication, describe the organizational factors that could limit the effectiveness of the campaign.
i) Lack of senior management commitment.
ii) Production or other pressures taking priority over health & Safety.
Insufficient resources allocated to the campaign.
Poor safety culture in general.
It should also have been recognized that poor working conditions are likely to induce cynicism towards the campaign amongst employees.
In addition, poor industrial relations or a lack of confidence in management’s ability could mean that the campaign is not given the support of influential members of staff.
Work patterns (e.g. shift work) could also mean that some sections of the workforce are not fully considered or supported, possibly due to the non-availability of the staff.

99) Outline the duties placed on employees by,

The Health & Safety at work etc Act 1974 (Section 7 & * – H SWA 1974)
Section 7 of the act requires employees to take reasonable care for themselves and others, who might be affected by their acts or omissions, and to cooperate with their employer or enable them to comply with their own statutory duties and requirements.

Section 8 requires that no one (including employees) shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.

B) (Reg 14 –MHSWR-1999) :
Requires employees to use all work items in accordance with the training and instructions that they have been given.
Requires employees to inform their employers (or a specified employee with health & safety responsibilities) of work situations that could present a serious and immediate danger, as well as any shortcomings that they might reasonably recognize in the existing arrangements for H & S.


100) Most occupational accidents can be attributed in part to human error. Outline ways of reducing the likelihood of human error in the workplace.

The use of skilled, competent and properly trained employees.
Ensuring that they are well motivated.
Avoiding monotonous work process and arranging breaks to counter fatigue.
Designating clear roles & lines of responsibilities.
Ensuring adequate level of supervision.
Establishing good lines of communication with the workforce.
Ensuring the clarity of instructions and information passed on to them.
Addressing workplace environmental issues such as noise, light and heat.
Designating the workplace & work equipment to reduce the opportunity for error ( e.g. automation, unambiguous and clearly marked controls, monitoring & confirmation of actions & feed back loops.
Implementing policies an alcohol & drugs.