IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main legislation covering workplace noise exposure?
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
- The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Correct answer)
- The Noise Act 1996
- The HSWA 1974 only
Correct answer: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set out specific duties for employers regarding noise exposure at work. They establish exposure action values and limits, require noise assessments, mandate hearing protection and health surveillance, and require the elimination or reduction of noise exposure.
Question 2: What are the main hazards associated with compressed gases?
- Only the risk of running out of gas
- Explosion from overpressure, fire from flammable gases, asphyxiation from gas displacing oxygen, and injuries from cylinder falls or valve failures (Correct answer)
- Compressed gases are always safe when stored correctly
- Only relevant in industrial settings
Correct answer: Explosion from overpressure, fire from flammable gases, asphyxiation from gas displacing oxygen, and injuries from cylinder falls or valve failures
Compressed gases present multiple hazards: explosion (overpressure, heat exposure), fire (flammable gases like acetylene, hydrogen), asphyxiation (inert gases displacing oxygen in confined spaces), toxic exposure, cold burns (from liquefied gases), and physical injuries from falling cylinders or failed valves.
Question 3: What are the main workplace hazards from vehicles and mobile plant?
- Only exhaust fumes
- Being struck by or caught between vehicles, reversing incidents, overturning, loading/unloading injuries, and driver fatigue or distraction (Correct answer)
- Only relevant on public roads
- Only the risk of vehicle breakdown
Correct answer: Being struck by or caught between vehicles, reversing incidents, overturning, loading/unloading injuries, and driver fatigue or distraction
Key hazards include: pedestrians being struck (especially during reversing), workers caught between vehicles or vehicle and fixed objects, vehicles overturning, falls during loading/unloading, crushing injuries, and incidents caused by driver fatigue, distraction, or poor visibility.
Question 4: What controls are required for safe use of ladders?
- Ladders can be used without any specific controls
- Ladders should only be used for short-duration, low-risk work; they must be in good condition, properly positioned, secured, and used by competent persons (Correct answer)
- Ladders must never be used under any circumstances
- Ladders are safe as long as they are made of aluminium
Correct answer: Ladders should only be used for short-duration, low-risk work; they must be in good condition, properly positioned, secured, and used by competent persons
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, ladders should only be used for short-duration work where the risk is low. Controls include: checking condition before use, correct angle (75° or 1:4), securing at the top, three points of contact, both feet on the rungs, and competent users.
Question 5: What are the main hazards of lone working?
- Lone working has no specific hazards
- Violence, medical emergencies with no help available, inability to summon assistance, accidents without witnesses, and psychosocial effects of isolation (Correct answer)
- Only relevant to night shift workers
- Only relevant to delivery drivers
Correct answer: Violence, medical emergencies with no help available, inability to summon assistance, accidents without witnesses, and psychosocial effects of isolation
Lone workers face specific hazards: vulnerability to violence or aggression, no immediate help during medical emergencies, difficulty summoning assistance, accidents where no one witnesses or assists, fatigue and stress from isolation, and performing tasks that usually require two people.
Question 6: What is 'ergonomic assessment' of a DSE workstation?
- Measuring the size of the desk
- A systematic assessment of the workstation setup including chair, desk, monitor, keyboard, lighting, and environment to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems (Correct answer)
- Only checking the brightness of the monitor
- Only relevant for workers who use computers all day
Correct answer: A systematic assessment of the workstation setup including chair, desk, monitor, keyboard, lighting, and environment to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems
A DSE workstation assessment evaluates: chair height and adjustment, desk height and space, monitor position, height and distance, keyboard and mouse position, lighting (avoiding glare and reflections), temperature, and the worker's posture. The goal is to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 4
What is the main legislation covering workplace noise exposure?