IOSH Measuring Performance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'safety tour'?
- A guided tour of the workplace for new employees
- A general walk-through of the workplace by managers to observe conditions, behaviours and compliance with safety standards (Correct answer)
- A tour organised by the HSE for enforcement purposes
- A formal audit of the safety management system
Correct answer: A general walk-through of the workplace by managers to observe conditions, behaviours and compliance with safety standards
A safety tour is an informal walk-through of the workplace, typically conducted by managers or senior leaders, to observe working conditions, worker behaviours, housekeeping, and general compliance with safety standards. It demonstrates visible management commitment to safety.
Question 2: What is 'benchmarking' in health and safety?
- Setting a minimum standard that cannot be changed
- Comparing an organisation's safety performance against similar organisations, industry standards, or its own past performance (Correct answer)
- Marking out safe walkways in the workplace
- Testing equipment against manufacturer specifications
Correct answer: Comparing an organisation's safety performance against similar organisations, industry standards, or its own past performance
Benchmarking involves comparing safety performance data (such as accident rates, audit scores, compliance levels) against other organisations in the same sector, industry averages, best practice standards, or the organisation's own historical performance, to identify areas for improvement.
Question 3: What should a safety inspection checklist include?
- Only emergency equipment checks
- Items relevant to the specific workplace covering housekeeping, equipment condition, PPE compliance, fire safety, and adherence to safe systems of work (Correct answer)
- Only a list of all employees present
- Only the date and inspector's name
Correct answer: Items relevant to the specific workplace covering housekeeping, equipment condition, PPE compliance, fire safety, and adherence to safe systems of work
A good inspection checklist should be tailored to the specific workplace and cover: housekeeping, equipment condition and guarding, storage, access/egress, fire safety, PPE availability and use, welfare facilities, signage, working practices, and compliance with specific procedures.
Question 4: What is the purpose of analysing accident statistics?
- Only to complete the annual safety report
- To identify trends, patterns and areas of concern that inform targeted safety improvements and resource allocation (Correct answer)
- To compare with competitor organisations for marketing purposes
- To calculate insurance premiums
Correct answer: To identify trends, patterns and areas of concern that inform targeted safety improvements and resource allocation
Analysing accident statistics helps identify trends (increasing/decreasing rates), patterns (common types, locations, times, worker groups), and areas needing attention. This data-driven approach enables targeted improvements, informed resource allocation, and evidence-based decision making.
Question 5: What is a 'safety climate survey'?
- A survey about workplace temperature and ventilation
- A questionnaire-based tool measuring workers' perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about safety in their organisation (Correct answer)
- A weather forecast for outdoor workers
- A survey conducted only by the HSE
Correct answer: A questionnaire-based tool measuring workers' perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about safety in their organisation
A safety climate survey measures workers' shared perceptions of safety policies, procedures, practices and the importance placed on safety by management. It provides insight into the organisation's safety culture and can identify areas where perceptions differ from management's intended message.
Question 6: What is 'active monitoring' of health and safety?
- Monitoring that only takes place during working hours
- Proactive checking before things go wrong, such as inspections, audits, safety observations, and compliance checks (Correct answer)
- Monitoring that uses electronic sensors only
- Monitoring performed exclusively by the safety department
Correct answer: Proactive checking before things go wrong, such as inspections, audits, safety observations, and compliance checks
Active monitoring is proactive — it involves checking that safety controls, procedures and systems are in place and working before incidents occur. It includes regular inspections, planned audits, safety observations, compliance checks, environmental monitoring, and health surveillance.
IOSH Measuring Performance 2
What is a 'safety tour'?