Site Safe Hazard Identification NZ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the hierarchy of controls in NZ workplace health and safety?
- Elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE (Correct answer)
- PPE, training, signage, elimination
- Warning signs, supervision, substitution, PPE
- Administrative controls, elimination, PPE, engineering controls
Correct answer: Elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE
The hierarchy of controls ranks control measures from most effective (elimination) to least effective (PPE). The order is: eliminate, substitute, isolate, use engineering controls, use administrative controls, and lastly use PPE.
Question 2: What is 'elimination' in the hierarchy of controls?
- Completely removing the hazard from the workplace (Correct answer)
- Replacing a hazardous substance with a less hazardous one
- Putting a barrier between the worker and the hazard
- Providing protective equipment to workers
Correct answer: Completely removing the hazard from the workplace
Elimination means completely removing the hazard so it no longer exists. It is the most effective control measure as it removes all risk associated with that hazard.
Question 3: On a NZ construction site, which of the following is an example of an 'engineering control'?
- Installing guardrails around an open edge (Correct answer)
- Providing a safety induction for new workers
- Requiring workers to wear hard hats
- Posting warning signs near a hazard
Correct answer: Installing guardrails around an open edge
Guardrails are an engineering control as they physically prevent workers from reaching the hazard (the open edge). They do not rely on worker behaviour to be effective.
Question 4: What is a 'Job Safety Analysis' (JSA)?
- A systematic process of breaking a job into steps and identifying hazards and controls for each step (Correct answer)
- A review of a worker's performance
- An annual audit of the whole workplace
- A financial analysis of safety costs
Correct answer: A systematic process of breaking a job into steps and identifying hazards and controls for each step
A JSA breaks a job down into its individual steps, identifies the hazards associated with each step, and determines the appropriate controls to manage the risks.
Question 5: What is a 'near miss' and why is it important for hazard identification?
- An unplanned event that did not result in injury but had the potential to; it helps identify hazards before harm occurs (Correct answer)
- A minor injury that does not need first aid
- A scheduled safety drill that goes well
- A worker who arrives late to a safety meeting
Correct answer: An unplanned event that did not result in injury but had the potential to; it helps identify hazards before harm occurs
A near miss is an event that could have resulted in injury or damage but did not. Reporting and investigating near misses helps identify hazards and prevent future incidents.
Question 6: How should hazards be documented on a NZ construction site?
- Recorded in a hazard register that is regularly reviewed and updated (Correct answer)
- Written on a whiteboard that is erased each week
- Reported verbally to the site manager only
- Noted in workers' personal diaries
Correct answer: Recorded in a hazard register that is regularly reviewed and updated
Hazards should be recorded in a formal hazard register that is accessible to all workers, regularly reviewed, and updated as conditions change or new hazards are identified.
Site Safe Hazard Identification NZ 2
What is the hierarchy of controls in NZ workplace health and safety?