NEBOSH Health and Safety Management Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'Organisation' section of a health and safety policy should detail:
- Specific hazards and risk assessments for each work activity
- The roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines for health and safety throughout the organisation (Correct answer)
- The emergency procedures and evacuation routes
- The schedule for planned preventive maintenance
Correct answer: The roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines for health and safety throughout the organisation
The 'Organisation' section identifies who is responsible for what in health and safety terms, covering directors, managers, supervisors, employees, and appointed persons, along with their specific duties and reporting lines.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of 'reactive monitoring' in a health and safety management system?
- Carrying out a planned workplace inspection
- Investigating a near-miss incident to identify root causes (Correct answer)
- Checking that fire extinguishers are serviced within date
- Observing workers to check they are following safe procedures
Correct answer: Investigating a near-miss incident to identify root causes
Reactive monitoring occurs after an unwanted event (accident, ill health, near miss, dangerous occurrence) and includes investigation to identify immediate and root causes and prevent recurrence.
Question 3: According to ISO 45001, what must top management demonstrate in relation to the OH&S management system?
- They must personally carry out all risk assessments
- They must demonstrate leadership and commitment by taking overall responsibility and accountability (Correct answer)
- They must attend all safety committee meetings
- They must hold a recognised health and safety qualification
Correct answer: They must demonstrate leadership and commitment by taking overall responsibility and accountability
ISO 45001 Clause 5.1 requires top management to demonstrate leadership and commitment, including taking overall responsibility and accountability, ensuring policy and objectives are established, integrating OH&S into business processes, and ensuring resources are available.
Question 4: What is meant by 'safety culture' in an organisation?
- The number of safety rules and procedures an organisation has
- The shared attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviours relating to health and safety (Correct answer)
- The amount of money spent on health and safety each year
- The qualifications held by the safety department staff
Correct answer: The shared attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviours relating to health and safety
Safety culture reflects the collective attitudes, values, beliefs, and patterns of behaviour that determine an organisation's commitment to and style of health and safety management. It is often described as 'how we do things around here'.
Question 5: The HSE publication HSG65 'Managing for Health and Safety' promotes which approach to health and safety management?
- A purely prescriptive approach following detailed checklists
- A risk-based, Plan-Do-Check-Act approach integrated with business management (Correct answer)
- A voluntary approach where employers choose which regulations to follow
- An insurance-based approach focused on minimising claims
Correct answer: A risk-based, Plan-Do-Check-Act approach integrated with business management
HSG65 promotes a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach that treats health and safety as an integral part of good management, using risk assessment as the basis for proportionate action.
Question 6: Under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, who appoints safety representatives?
- The employer
- Recognised trade unions (Correct answer)
- The Health and Safety Executive
- Employees through a ballot
Correct answer: Recognised trade unions
Under the 1977 Regulations, recognised trade unions appoint safety representatives from among the employees. Where there is no recognised trade union, the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 applies instead.
NEBOSH Health and Safety Management Systems 3
The 'Organisation' section of a health and safety policy should detail: