NEBOSH Risk Assessment 2

Question 1

What is a 'specific risk assessment' and how does it differ from a general risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Specific assessments address particular high-risk activities (manual handling, COSHH, noise, DSE, fire) with specific legal requirements; general assessments cover overall workplace risks

Answer

Specific risk assessments are required by particular regulations for defined hazards: Manual Handling Operations Regulations, COSHH, Control of Noise at Work, Control of Vibration at Work, DSE Regulations, and fire risk assessment under fire safety regulations. They supplement the general risk assessment with hazard-specific evaluation and controls.

Question 2

What does 'ERIC PD' stand for as a hierarchy of controls?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate, Reduce, Isolate, Control, PPE, Discipline — a hierarchy of control measures

Answer

ERIC PD (sometimes used in NEBOSH curricula) is a hierarchy: Eliminate (remove hazard entirely), Reduce (decrease hazard level), Isolate (separate hazard from people), Control (engineering or administrative measures), PPE (personal protection as last resort), Discipline (ensure compliance). It reinforces the principle of applying higher-order controls first.

Question 3

What is the significance of the 'residual risk' after controls have been applied?

Accepted Answer

Residual risk is the risk remaining after all control measures are in place — it must be acceptable before work proceeds, and further controls applied if not

Answer

Even after applying all practicable controls, some residual risk typically remains. Residual risk must be evaluated to determine if it is acceptable (tolerable) or if additional measures are needed. If residual risk remains unacceptable, the work should not proceed until further controls are implemented.

Question 4

What is a 'task-based risk assessment'?

Accepted Answer

An assessment focusing on a specific work task, identifying all hazards associated with that task, who performs it, and required controls

Answer

Task-based (or job hazard analysis) risk assessments break a task into its sequential steps, identify hazards at each step, assess the risk, and specify controls for each step. They are particularly useful for non-routine, maintenance, or high-risk tasks and form the basis of safe work method statements (SWMS) in construction.

Question 5

How does a 'permit to work' system complement risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

The permit to work authorizes specific high-risk non-routine tasks after confirming all risk assessment controls are in place — it is the operational tool that implements the risk assessment findings

Answer

A risk assessment identifies the hazards and required controls for high-risk work. The permit to work system formally authorizes the work to proceed only when all identified controls are confirmed to be in place (isolation complete, gas testing done, emergency arrangements ready). Together they form an integrated safety management system for high-risk tasks.

NEBOSH IGC Practice Test

NEBOSH IGC Practice Test

NEBOSH Risk Assessment 2