IOSH Controlling Risks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'toolbox talk'?
- A talk given by a tool manufacturer
- A short, informal safety briefing on a specific topic, often given on site before work begins (Correct answer)
- A formal safety training course lasting several days
- A discussion about which tools to purchase
Correct answer: A short, informal safety briefing on a specific topic, often given on site before work begins
A toolbox talk is a short (typically 5-15 minutes), informal safety briefing delivered to workers at the worksite, often at the start of a shift. It covers a specific safety topic relevant to the work being done and reinforces safe practices.
Question 2: What is 'behavioural safety' as a control strategy?
- Punishing workers for unsafe behaviour
- An approach that focuses on observing, reinforcing and improving safety-related behaviours in the workplace (Correct answer)
- Installing CCTV to monitor workers
- Banning all high-risk activities
Correct answer: An approach that focuses on observing, reinforcing and improving safety-related behaviours in the workplace
Behavioural safety programmes focus on understanding why people behave unsafely and using positive reinforcement, observation, feedback and coaching to encourage safe behaviours. They complement traditional hazard-based controls.
Question 3: Why is training an important part of controlling risks?
- It is only required for new employees
- It ensures workers have the knowledge, skills and awareness to work safely and use controls correctly (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for other control measures
- It is only necessary for workers using PPE
Correct answer: It ensures workers have the knowledge, skills and awareness to work safely and use controls correctly
Training ensures that workers understand the risks they face, know how to use control measures correctly, can follow safe systems of work, and can recognise when things are going wrong. Without training, even good controls may be ineffective.
Question 4: What is the purpose of 'supervision' as an administrative control?
- To spy on workers and catch them making mistakes
- To ensure workers follow safe procedures, provide guidance, and identify unsafe practices that need correcting (Correct answer)
- To keep workers busy at all times
- To complete timesheets for the payroll department
Correct answer: To ensure workers follow safe procedures, provide guidance, and identify unsafe practices that need correcting
Supervision ensures that workers follow safe systems of work, use controls correctly, and adhere to procedures. Good supervisors also identify training needs, spot unsafe practices before they cause harm, and provide on-the-spot guidance.
Question 5: What is 'job rotation' and how does it control risk?
- Moving workers to different departments permanently
- Regularly changing workers between tasks to reduce prolonged exposure to specific hazards such as repetitive work or noise (Correct answer)
- Rotating shift patterns for all employees
- Changing the order of tasks in a process
Correct answer: Regularly changing workers between tasks to reduce prolonged exposure to specific hazards such as repetitive work or noise
Job rotation involves regularly moving workers between different tasks to limit their exposure to specific hazards. It is particularly useful for controlling risks from repetitive movements (reducing musculoskeletal disorders), prolonged static postures, and continuous exposure to noise or vibration.
Question 6: What is the employer's duty regarding the maintenance of workplace equipment used as a control measure?
- Equipment only needs maintaining if it appears damaged
- Employers must ensure equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair (Correct answer)
- Maintenance is the responsibility of the equipment manufacturer
- Equipment only needs maintaining if the HSE requests it
Correct answer: Employers must ensure equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair
Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must ensure equipment is properly maintained. This includes regular inspection, servicing and repair.
IOSH Controlling Risks 4
What is a 'toolbox talk'?