CITB Managers Risk Assessment and Method Statements

Question 1

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, when must a risk assessment be reviewed?

Accepted Answer

When there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid, or when a significant change in the matters it relates to has occurred

Answer

A risk assessment must be reviewed when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid (e.g., following an incident) or when a significant change has occurred in the work, environment, or workforce. There is no mandatory fixed review interval.

Question 2

What is the five-step approach to risk assessment recommended by the HSE?

Accepted Answer

Identify hazards; identify who might be harmed and how; evaluate risks and implement controls; record findings; review and update

Answer

The HSE's five steps are: (1) Identify hazards; (2) Decide who might be harmed and how; (3) Evaluate risks and decide on controls; (4) Record findings and implement; (5) Review the assessment and update if necessary.

Question 3

A 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment must:

Accepted Answer

Identify significant risks and introduce adequate controls proportionate to the risk — the level of detail must be appropriate to the nature and complexity of the risk

Answer

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment identifies significant risks, not trivial ones, and the controls introduced are proportionate to the risk level. The level of detail must be appropriate — more complex and higher-risk activities require more detailed assessments.

Question 4

What is the hierarchy of controls and what position does PPE occupy within it?

Accepted Answer

Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE — PPE is the last resort

Answer

The hierarchy of controls (in order of preference): (1) Eliminate the hazard; (2) Substitute a less hazardous option; (3) Engineering controls; (4) Administrative controls (procedures, training, supervision); (5) PPE as the last resort. PPE protects the worker but does not remove the hazard.

Question 5

A risk assessment identifies a high risk. What should the employer's first priority be?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate the hazard entirely if reasonably practicable — if not, apply further controls to reduce the risk to an acceptable level

Answer

When a high risk is identified, the employer's first obligation is to try to eliminate the hazard (top of the hierarchy). Only if elimination is not reasonably practicable should they apply engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE in that order.

CITB HS&E Managers Practice Test

CITB HS&E Managers Practice Test

CITB Managers Risk Assessment and Method Statements