IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the main health effects of prolonged noise exposure?
- Only temporary discomfort
- Permanent noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), difficulty communicating, and increased accident risk due to masked warning signals (Correct answer)
- Only headaches
- Noise only affects concentration, not health
Correct answer: Permanent noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), difficulty communicating, and increased accident risk due to masked warning signals
Prolonged noise exposure can cause: permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL — irreversible), tinnitus (persistent ringing, buzzing or humming), difficulty following conversations, social isolation, and increased risk of accidents because warning signals or shouts are not heard.
Question 2: What are the key requirements of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?
- To provide all workers with back supports
- Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, assess unavoidable tasks, reduce risk of injury, and review assessments (Correct answer)
- To set a maximum weight limit of 25 kg
- Only to provide manual handling training
Correct answer: Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, assess unavoidable tasks, reduce risk of injury, and review assessments
The regulations require: avoiding hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable, assessing any hazardous operations that cannot be avoided, reducing the risk of injury so far as reasonably practicable (using TILE factors), and providing training. There is no specified weight limit.
Question 3: What are the TILE factors in manual handling assessment?
- Temperature, Illumination, Layout, Equipment
- Task, Individual, Load, Environment (Correct answer)
- Training, Inspection, Legislation, Enforcement
- Timing, Intensity, Location, Effort
Correct answer: Task, Individual, Load, Environment
TILE stands for: Task (does it involve twisting, stooping, excessive distance?), Individual (does it require unusual capability, is the person fit?), Load (is it heavy, bulky, unstable, hard to grip?), Environment (are there space constraints, uneven floors, temperature extremes?). All four factors must be considered.
Question 4: What are the main hazards of using portable electrical equipment?
- Only electric shock from damaged plugs
- Electric shock from damaged cables/plugs, fire from overloaded circuits, burns from faulty equipment, and trip hazards from trailing leads (Correct answer)
- Portable equipment is always safe because it is low voltage
- Only the risk of the equipment breaking
Correct answer: Electric shock from damaged cables/plugs, fire from overloaded circuits, burns from faulty equipment, and trip hazards from trailing leads
Portable electrical equipment hazards include: electric shock from damaged cables, plugs, or equipment, fire from overloaded circuits or faulty connections, burns from overheating equipment, and trip/fall hazards from trailing leads. Regular visual inspection and PAT testing are key controls.
Question 5: What is PAT testing?
- Personal Attitude Testing for safety culture
- Portable Appliance Testing — the routine inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use (Correct answer)
- Performance Assessment Training for electricians
- Protective Apparatus Testing for fire equipment
Correct answer: Portable Appliance Testing — the routine inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use
PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) involves the routine examination and testing of portable electrical equipment to check it is safe. It includes a user visual check, a formal visual inspection, and where necessary, combined inspection and testing using a PAT tester. Frequency depends on equipment type and use.
Question 6: What control measures can reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls?
- Only placing warning signs on wet floors
- Good housekeeping, appropriate flooring, prompt spill clean-up, proper lighting, cable management, suitable footwear, and maintenance of walkways (Correct answer)
- Only providing non-slip shoes to all workers
- Only painting floor markings
Correct answer: Good housekeeping, appropriate flooring, prompt spill clean-up, proper lighting, cable management, suitable footwear, and maintenance of walkways
Effective controls include: good housekeeping (keeping areas clear and tidy), appropriate slip-resistant flooring, prompt cleaning of spills, adequate lighting, cable management (trunking, overhead routing), appropriate footwear, maintaining walkways (fixing holes, repainting markings), and reporting/repair procedures.
IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 3
What are the main health effects of prolonged noise exposure?