IOSH Controlling Risks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'permit to work' system?
- A government licence to operate a business
- A formal written system used to control high-risk activities such as hot work, confined space entry, or electrical work (Correct answer)
- A planning permission document
- An employee's work visa
Correct answer: A formal written system used to control high-risk activities such as hot work, confined space entry, or electrical work
A permit to work is a formal, documented procedure that authorises certain people to carry out specific high-risk work under controlled conditions. It ensures that proper safeguards are in place before work begins and that all relevant people are aware.
Question 2: What is a 'method statement'?
- A statement from the HSE about their investigation methods
- A document describing how a work activity will be carried out safely, step by step (Correct answer)
- A record of all methods of transport used on site
- A declaration from a manufacturer about product safety
Correct answer: A document describing how a work activity will be carried out safely, step by step
A method statement (also called a safe method of work statement) is a document that describes how a work activity will be carried out safely, step by step. It identifies the hazards, risks and controls for each stage and is often used alongside risk assessments.
Question 3: What does the acronym 'LEV' stand for?
- Legal Environmental Verification
- Local Exhaust Ventilation (Correct answer)
- Low Exposure Volume
- Lifting Equipment Validation
Correct answer: Local Exhaust Ventilation
LEV stands for Local Exhaust Ventilation. It is an engineering control that captures airborne contaminants (dust, fumes, vapours) at or near their source before they can spread into the workplace and be inhaled by workers.
Question 4: How should multiple control measures be applied?
- Only one control measure should be used at a time
- In combination — using several layers of controls provides better protection (Correct answer)
- Only the cheapest control should be used
- Only controls from the same level of the hierarchy should be combined
Correct answer: In combination — using several layers of controls provides better protection
In practice, a combination of controls from different levels of the hierarchy is often used. This 'defence in depth' approach provides multiple layers of protection, so if one control fails, others are still in place.
Question 5: What must an employer provide if PPE is necessary?
- The cheapest available PPE
- PPE that is suitable, properly fitting, maintained, stored correctly, and provided with training on its use (Correct answer)
- Any PPE the employee requests
- PPE only for high-risk activities
Correct answer: PPE that is suitable, properly fitting, maintained, stored correctly, and provided with training on its use
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, employers must provide PPE that is suitable for the risk and conditions, fits the wearer properly, is maintained in good condition, stored correctly, and provided free of charge. Training on its correct use must also be given.
Question 6: What is 'isolation' as an engineering control?
- Sending a worker to work alone
- Separating the hazard from people using physical barriers, distance or enclosures (Correct answer)
- Removing the hazard entirely from the workplace
- Providing ear defenders to workers
Correct answer: Separating the hazard from people using physical barriers, distance or enclosures
Isolation involves physically separating the hazard from people. Examples include enclosing noisy machinery, using fume cupboards, installing barriers around dangerous processes, or locating hazardous operations in separate areas away from other workers.
IOSH Controlling Risks 2
What is a 'permit to work' system?