NEBOSH Musculoskeletal Hazards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, what must an employer do if hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided?
- Outsource the task to a contractor
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment and reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Simply provide workers with back support belts
- Limit manual handling to workers under 40 years old
Correct answer: Carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment and reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable
Where hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided, the Regulations require employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the operation and take steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable. This follows the avoid-assess-reduce hierarchy.
Question 2: Which factor in the TILE assessment considers whether the handler is pregnant, has a pre-existing injury, or lacks training?
- Task
- Individual (Correct answer)
- Load
- Environment
Correct answer: Individual
The 'Individual' factor in TILE considers personal characteristics that may affect the ability to handle loads safely. This includes physical capability, pregnancy, existing health conditions, age, training, experience, and whether the task requires unusual strength or height.
Question 3: What is the recommended minimum frequency for DSE workstation assessments to be reviewed?
- Only when a new employee starts
- When the workstation, user, or task changes significantly, or if a user reports problems (Correct answer)
- Every 12 months as a fixed requirement
- Only after a musculoskeletal injury is reported
Correct answer: When the workstation, user, or task changes significantly, or if a user reports problems
There is no fixed legal interval for DSE reviews. The HSE guidance states assessments should be reviewed when there is a significant change to the workstation, software, task, or user, or when a user reports discomfort or health problems. Waiting for injury is reactive and too late.
Question 4: Which mechanical handling aid would be most appropriate for moving a pallet of bricks across a level warehouse floor?
- A manual hoist
- A pallet truck or forklift truck (Correct answer)
- A wheelbarrow
- A conveyor belt
Correct answer: A pallet truck or forklift truck
A pallet truck (manual or powered) or forklift truck is specifically designed for moving palletised loads across level floors. They eliminate manual handling of heavy loads and are the standard mechanical aid for this type of warehouse operation.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a 'Task' risk factor in a TILE manual handling assessment?
- The worker has a history of back pain
- The load is unstable with contents that may shift
- The task involves twisting the trunk while lifting (Correct answer)
- The floor surface is uneven and slippery
Correct answer: The task involves twisting the trunk while lifting
Twisting the trunk while lifting is a Task factor — it relates to the physical demands of how the operation is performed. Individual factors cover the person, Load factors cover the object, and Environment factors cover the surroundings such as floor conditions.
Question 6: What is lateral epicondylitis commonly known as, and what causes it?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by wrist compression
- Tennis elbow, caused by repetitive gripping and twisting of the forearm (Correct answer)
- Trigger finger, caused by repetitive finger flexion
- Frozen shoulder, caused by lack of arm movement
Correct answer: Tennis elbow, caused by repetitive gripping and twisting of the forearm
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is an upper limb disorder caused by repetitive gripping, twisting, and forceful forearm movements. It causes pain on the outer elbow and is common in occupations involving repeated tool use or manual work.
NEBOSH Musculoskeletal Hazards 2
Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, what must an employer do if hazardous manual handling cannot be avoided?