NEBOSH Foundations of Health and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: ISO 45001 replaced which previous occupational health and safety management system standard?
- ISO 14001
- BS 8800
- OHSAS 18001 (Correct answer)
- ISO 9001
Correct answer: OHSAS 18001
ISO 45001:2018 replaced OHSAS 18001 as the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, adopting the Annex SL high-level structure.
Question 2: What does the term 'reasonably practicable' mean in the context of UK health and safety law?
- All possible measures must be taken regardless of cost
- The cost of risk reduction must be weighed against the degree of risk, with duty-holders doing everything possible unless grossly disproportionate (Correct answer)
- Only measures required by specific regulations need be taken
- The employer decides what level of risk is acceptable
Correct answer: The cost of risk reduction must be weighed against the degree of risk, with duty-holders doing everything possible unless grossly disproportionate
Reasonably practicable involves weighing the risk against the sacrifice (time, money, trouble) needed to avert it. Measures must be taken unless grossly disproportionate to the risk, as established in Edwards v National Coal Board (1949).
Question 3: Which body is the primary enforcing authority for health and safety in factories and construction sites in Great Britain?
- Local authority environmental health departments
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (Correct answer)
- The Environment Agency
- The Crown Prosecution Service
Correct answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE is responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation in higher-risk workplaces including factories, construction sites, and chemical plants. Local authorities enforce in lower-risk premises such as offices, shops, and restaurants.
Question 4: Under HSWA 1974 Section 3, employers owe a duty of care to which group?
- Only their direct employees
- Only visitors who have been given permission to enter the premises
- Persons not in their employment who may be affected by their undertaking (Correct answer)
- Only contractors working under their direct supervision
Correct answer: Persons not in their employment who may be affected by their undertaking
Section 3 extends the employer's duty beyond employees to include anyone who may be affected by the employer's undertaking, including members of the public, visitors, and contractors.
Question 5: An HSE inspector issues a notice requiring a dangerous machine to be stopped immediately. What type of notice is this?
- Improvement notice
- Prohibition notice (Correct answer)
- Remediation notice
- Compliance notice
Correct answer: Prohibition notice
A prohibition notice is served when an inspector believes there is a risk of serious personal injury. It requires the activity to cease immediately (or deferred if not yet imminent). An improvement notice gives time to put things right.
Question 6: Which of the following is a source of EXTERNAL health and safety information that an employer might consult?
- Company accident records
- Internal safety committee meeting minutes
- HSE Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) (Correct answer)
- Employee training records
Correct answer: HSE Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)
HSE Approved Codes of Practice are external publications that provide practical guidance on complying with regulations. They have a special legal status — failure to follow an ACOP can be used as evidence of non-compliance.
NEBOSH Foundations of Health and Safety 2
ISO 45001 replaced which previous occupational health and safety management system standard?