NEBOSH IGC1 Revision Notes | NEBOSH IGC Study Material PDF

Last updated on September 19th, 2023 at 09:52 am

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1 NEBOSH IGC1 Revision Guide

1.1 Element 1: Health and Safety Foundations

1.2 Element 2: Setting Policy for Health and Safety

1.3 Element 3: Organising for Health and Safety

1.4 Element 4: Promoting a Positive Health and Safety Culture

1.5 Element 5: Health and Safety Risk Assessment

1.6 Element 6:- Principles of Control in Health and Safety

1.7 Element 7: Investigation, Recording and Reporting Of Health and Safety Incidents

1.8 Element 8:- Monitoring, Review and Audit of Health and Safety Performance

1.9 Element 8:- Monitoring, Review and Audit of Health and Safety Performance

1.10 Related Articles

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NEBOSH IGC1 Revision Guide

NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) is a UK-based independent examination board delivering vocational qualifications in health, safety & environmental practice and management.

Element 1: Health and Safety Foundations

Accident Definition: An unwanted, unplanned event that results in a loss of some kind.

Incident/Near miss: An unwanted, unplanned event that had the potential to result in a loss

Hazard: Something with the potential to cause harm

Risk: The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of the harm

Why manage health and safety

Moral, Legal, Financial

Reduced accidents
Reduced loss through damage to equipment Reduced absenteeism
Reduced insurance premiums
Improved morale
Improved company reputation
Reduced fines
Reduced compensation claims
Increased likelihood of securing business

Law: Civil and Criminal

Aims:

Civil: To compensate an injured party for a loss as a consequence of an accident or ill health.

Criminal: To punish and deter individuals/Organisations from behaving in a way that society has decided is unacceptable.

Fault Liability

There was a duty of care owed to the injured party.
The duty of care was breached (Negligence)
The breach caused the injury or loss

Employer to provide

A safe place of work and safe access and egress
Safe systems of work
Safe plant and equipment
Information, Instruction, Training and supervision
Safe and competent fellow workers

Hidden costs of accidents

Lost Time
Extra wages, overtime payments, temporary workers Sick pay
Fines
Legal costs
Claims
Damage to equipment
Repairs to plant and equipment Production delays
Loss of contracts
Increased insurance premiums
Loss of business reputation

Variation of Legislation between countries caused by:

Different legal systems
Different standards of legislation and enforcement
Different penalties for breaches
Religious and cultural issues
Knowledge of enforcement bodies
Funding of enforcement sta
The degree of monitoring/reporting to enforcement authorities
Political pressure

Sources of Information

Internal

Risk assessments
Policies
Inspection reports
Medical records
Health and safety committees
Plant registers
Safety advisors

External

Government bodies
National safety organisations
Suppliers and manufacturers
International standards
Consultants and specialists
Insurance companies

Successful Management Systems (HSG 65)

Policy: Health and safety aims of the organization, health and safety objectives and
management commitment
Organising: Competence, commitment and control, Co-operation, Communication
Planning and Implementation: Identify hazards, assess risks, and decide how risks can be eliminated or controlled. Sets standards against which performance can be measured.
Measuring performance: Be used as a means of determining the extent to which health and safety policy and objectives are being implemented and should be both reactive and proactive.
Reviewing: Analysing data gathered through monitoring to see whether performance is adequate
Audit: A systematic critical examination of each stage of an organization’smanagement systems and procedures

OHSAS 18001: 1999

1) Health and safety policy
2) Planning
3) Implementation and operation Control, Competence, Co-operation, Communication
4) Checking and corrective action
5) Management review

Element 2: Setting Policy for Health and Safety

What is a health and Safety Policy: A business plan for safety to prevent or reduce loss in an organization.

Objectives of policy: to protect people from injury and ill-health, comply with legal requirements and avoid prosecution and manage health and safety on a cost-effective basis.

3 Elements of Policy

Statement of intent: A statement establishing the importance of health and safety in
the organisation and providing targets and objectives for improvement
Organisation: The roles and responsibilities of everyone in the organisation
Arrangements: The arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring of the organisation’s health and safety

Contents of Arrangements Section

Risk assessments
Fire policy
Evacuation procedures
Safe systems of work
Permits to work
First aid policy
Display screen policy
Manual handling policy
Hazardous chemicals policy
Fork truck policy

Benchmarking

Advantages

Identifies key performance indicators
Ensures monitoring procedures are effective
Feeds into the continuous improvement cycle
Identify normal practice amongst similar business
Avoid making mistakes by learning from others
Generate management focus
Gains confidence of the stakeholders

Challenges of benchmarking

Selecting a company with similar activities
Assuring accuracy of data
Using common definitions
Accessing data
Gaining commitment

Management issues to benchmark

Health and safety policy
Staff roles and responsibility
Plans and strategies which can be measured
Risk assessments
Type of training
Monitoring, Proactive and reactive

Review of Policy

Accidents
Incidents
New equipment
New staff
New technology
New premises
Changes in legislation
Accident investigation
Enforcement action
Prosecution Compensation claims
Periodic review

Ineffective policies

No management commitment
No objectives set to implement policy
Health and safety not given priority
Resources not provided to implement action
Aims and intentions not understood by personnel
Too much emphasis on employee responsibilities
No measurement that objectives are being met
Management unaware of their health and safety role
No management training

Element 3: Organising for Health and Safety

Duties of Employers

A safe place of work
Safe work equipment and substances
Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision Welfare provisions
Emergency procedures
Consultation with employees
Do not charge employees for health and safety measureD

Duties of Employees

Do not endanger themselves and others
Co-operate with their employer
Consult with Employer
Report dangerous situations to Employer

Duties of Designers, Manufacturers and Suppliers

Ensure equipment is safe and without risks when being used
Ensure substances are safe and without risks when being used
Carry out any necessary tests
Provide information
Take reasonable steps to provide further information if new serious risks appear

Responsibilities of Safety Advisors

Be properly trained and qualified
Maintain adequate information systems
Be able to interpret the law applying to their organization
Establish and maintain procedures for reporting, investigating, recording and analyzing accidents and incidents
Be able to present their advice effectively

Relationships outside the organisation

The enforcing authority
Fire/rescue service
Insurance companies
Contractors
External consultants
Engineers
Equipment manufacturers and suppliers Clients and customers
The police
Members of the public
The media

Client’s duties to when work being done by Contractors

To consider the risks to their own employees from the work
The risks to the Contractors employees from the Clients activities
Risks to the public and others from the work

Contractor’s duties

To consider the risks to their own employees from the work
The risks to the client’s employees from their activities
Risks to the public and others from the work
To follow clients rules and procedures

Management of Contractors

Select a suitable contractor
Planning the job
Controlling contractors on site
Checking contractors work
Review contractors performance

Selecting a suitable Contractor

Experience of the type of work and industry
Suitable references
Enforcement record
Safety management such as Policy, risk assessments etc.
Accident and ill-health data
Membership of trade/professional bodies
Competence and training of employees
Arrangements for selection of sub-contractors
Arrangement for ongoing liaison with clients

Element 4: Promoting a Positive Health and Safety Culture

Benefits of a positive culture

Increased levels of compliance with rules and procedure
Increased staff morale
Reduced staff complaints
Reduced staff turnover
Reduced absenteeism
Reduced sickness and accident rates

Negative culture

Job insecurity
Reorganisation
Poor example set by management
Poor management decision making
Inadequate supervision
Poor working conditions

Internal influences on Health and safety

Competence
Commitment and control
Co-operation
Communication
Production/service demands

External Influences on Health and Safety

Society expectations
Political priorities
Legislation and enforcement
National or International agencies
Pressure groups
Insurance Companies
Workers unions
Stakeholders
Economic conditions

To improve culture

Senior management commitment
Ownership of health and safety at every level
Effective communication and consultation
Training for all levels of employee
Shared perception of risks
Standards of acceptable behavior
Learning from experience through monitoring and review
A balance between health and safety and production

Personal factors that might place an individual at greater risk of harm while at work

Poor attitude
Low motivation
Physical capabilities
Poor perception of risk
Drugs or alcohol problems
Age-related factors
Medical problems
Levels of training and experience

Attitude:- The tendency to respond in a particular way in a given situation

Factors that affect the attitude

Background
Personality
Experience
Training
Competence
Peer group pressure
Management Actions
The culture of the organization

Perception:- The way that people interpret and make sense of presented information

Factors which may affect perception

The nature of the hazards
Previous experience
Over-familiarity
The feeling of being in control
Level of training
Peer group pressure
Confidence in others ability
Personal characteristics

Motivation:- Motivation is the driving force behind the way a person acts in order to achieve a goal

What motivates people?

Reward
Fulfillment
Job satisfaction
Recognition
Peer approval
Threat of Discipline

Why person may fail to comply with safety procedures

Lack of motivation
Unrealistic working procedures
Lack of management commitment
Over familiarisation
Repetitive work leading to boredom
Peer group pressure
Inadequate supervision
Fatigue and stress
Lack of information, training and consultation
Job insecurity

Human Error Causes

Slips
Lapses of attention
Mistakes
Violations

Reducing human error

Skilled competent workers
Well motivated employees
Clear roles and lines of responsibility
Adequate levels of supervision
Clear information and instructions
Drug and alcohol prevention policies
Good environmental conditions e.g. lighting, noise etc.
Avoiding monotonous work
Breaks to avoid fatigue

Promoting Safe behaviour

Discipline
Reward
Informing
Facilitate safe behavior
Train

Competence: Sufficient Knowledge, Training, experience and any other qualities to carry out their functions

Competence

Knowledge
Skills
Experience
Training
Recognition of limitations

Checks to assess competence

Qualifications
Level of training
Membership of professional/trade organizations
Undertaking written or practical assessments
Seeking references or recommendations

When is training needed?

On recruitment (Induction)
On the job training
Transfer
New equipment
New technology
New systems of work or system changes

Induction Training Programme content

Health and safety policy
The culture of an organization
Fire precautions
Emergency procedure
What accidents to be reported
How to report accidents
Hazards of the workplace
Drink and drugs policy
First aid precautions
Welfare provisions

Additional Training

New processes
New equipment
Accidents/incidents
Enforcement action
New legislation
The result of a risk assessment
Newly promoted
Refresher training

Levels of supervision

Person’s skills and qualifications
Experience of the work involved
Age
Person’s attitude and aptitude
Nature and complexity of the task
Employee’s communication skills
Any special needs they may have

Barriers to communication

The person e.g.

Sensory impairment
Learning difficulties
Inexperience
Lack of motivation

The deliverer e.g.

Too much jargon, language or dialect
The ambiguity of the message
Too complex message
Lack of feedback

The place e.g.

High noise levels
Interference from PPE
Distractions

Methods of communication

Team briefings
Safety committee meetings
Health and safety representatives
Memoranda
Toolbox talks
Newsletters
Standards/codes of practice
Work instructions
Posters
Notices
Electronic notice boards
Safety policy
Induction and other training

Written communication

Advantages	Disadvantages
Written record Can be referred to Can convey complex ideas Provide analysis Many people in different locations Can clarify or confirm oral Forms basis of contracts	May not be read To complex and jargon Time to produce and expensive Tends to be formal and distant Does not provide feedback Difficulty to modify Does not allow for exchange of views Attitude

Oral communication

Advantages	Disadvantages
Direct Close physical proximity Allows for interchange Provides instant feedback May be more effective Allows for contribution	No written record Difficult to control May reduce the quality of decision making through lack of time Attitude

Factors to consider in the presentation of health and safety talk

The purpose of the talk
The audience
The training style
Number of trainees
The time available
The skills required by trainer
Training aid required
The suitability of the training facilities.

Posters

Advantages

Low cost
Flexible
Brief
Used to enforce written instructions
Constant reminder

Disadvantages

Need to be changed on a regular basis
May become soiled
Maybe defaced
Can become out of date
May be seen as trivializing matters
May alienate people
Provide no feedback

Safety Representatives rights (ILO Convention) C155

Have access to all parts of the workplace
To be able to communicate with workers
Protection from dismissal
Protection from other prejudicial measures
To contribute to the decision-making process
Free to contact enforcement agencies
Contribute to negotiations in health and safety matters
Given appropriate training
Given reasonable time to exercise their health and safety functions

Safety Committees Agenda

Study of accident/incident statistics
Examination of audit reports
Reports from enforcing authorities
Reports from workers representatives
Assist in the development of policies/procedures
Monitoring the effectiveness of training
Monitoring safety communications
Provide link with the enforcing authority

Effective Safety Committees

Right number of members
A right mix of members
Adequate authority
Right knowledge and expertise
Good communications
A suitable level of formality
Input from outside specialists
Limited individual input
Identified and agreed on priorities
No trivia

Ineffective Committee opposite of above

Element 5: Health and Safety Risk Assessment

Hazard:- Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk:- Likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of the harm

Suitable and Sufficient

Be proportionate to the level of risk
Ensure that all aspects of work activity are covered
Take account of the way the work is organized
Identify the significant hazards and risks
Evaluate the risks
Identify control measures
Enable priorities to be set
Residual risk low

Competence of Risk Assessor

Experience and training in risk assessment techniques
Knowledge of process or activity
Technical knowledge of the plant or equipment
Good communication and report writing skills
Ability to interpret legislation and guidance
Possess right attitude
Knows limitations

5 Steps to Risk Assessment

Identify the hazards
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate the risks and the existing precautions
Record the findings
Review the assessment and revise if necessary

Identifying hazards

Task observation
Accident, ill-health or near miss data
Workplace inspections
Job safety analysis
Legal standards

Hierarchy of Control

Eliminate
Reduce
Isolate
Control
PPE
Discipline

When assessment should be reviewed

After an accident/incident
New equipment
Changes to equipment, plant, process
Changes in personnel
Changes in legislation
Result of monitoring or audit
Action by enforcing authority
New information becomes available

Why young persons at risk

Lack of experience and/or training
Body not fully developed
More likely to take risks
Respond to peer group pressure
Be overenthusiastic

Risks to Young Workers

Their physical condition
The workplace
Physical, Biological and chemical hazards
The work equipment
The organization of work and processes
Health and safety training

Risks to New and expectant mothers

Ergonomic
Manual handling
Extremes of temperature
Personal protective equipment
Radiation
Chemical agents
Biological hazards
Working conditions

Risks to disabled workers

Reduced mobility for access and egress
Ability to access welfare facilities
Reduced sensory ability e.g. speech, hearing or eyesight
Reduced ability to lift, carry or move objects
Ergonomic hazards

Element 6:- Principles of Control in Health and Safety

General Principles of Prevention

Avoid the risk e.g. eliminate the hazard or task
Evaluate risks which cannot be avoided
Combat risks at source
Adapt the work to the individual
Adapt to technical progress
Replace the dangerous by the less dangerous
Develop a coherent prevention policy
Give collective measures priority over an individual measure

General Hierarchy of Control

Eliminate
Reduce
Isolate
Control
PPE
Discipline

Benefits of PPE

Often low cost
Can be used as a short-term measure
Portable for worker away from the base
Disposable PPE reduces the risk of infection

Why PPE used as last resort

Does not eliminate the hazard
Does not reduce the hazard
Only protects the wearer
Always fail to danger
May introduce new hazards
Relies on the worker to use it
May not be worn correctly
It may be uncomfortable
Worn for only part of task of shift
Wrong size
Used when damaged
Not properly maintained
Management may not enforce wearing

Selection of PPE

What are the hazards?
Type of equipment
Made to suitable standards
Comfort
Compatibility Storage
Training Cost

Factors affecting the wearing of PPE

Fit
Health of worker
Period of use
Comfort
Maintenance
Training
Interference
Management commitment
Peer pressure

Main types of PPE

Head protection
Eye protection
Foot protection
Hand and arm protection
Body protection
Respiratory protection

Safety Signs

Prohibition (Circular, Red, white background)
Warning (Triangular, Yellow black edging)
Mandatory (Circular, Blue white symbols)
Safe Condition (Green, White symbols)

Safe Systems of Work:- A step by step procedure for carrying out a task safely, identifying the hazards, assessing the risks and the precautions needed to eliminate or reduce the risks.

Factors/Developing safe systems of work

Select the task to be studied
Identify the hazards
Develop the safe system looking at: Materials/Equipment/Environment/People
Implement system
Monitor the system

Permit to Work:- Is a formal written procedure requiring written confirmation that certain actions have been carried out to eliminate or control risks before a specific high-risk activity is carried out.

Where Permits needed

Conned spaces Electricity
Hot work
Cold work

Operation of Permit to Work

Identify the task (Where and when)
Identify the hazards
List the precautions to eliminate or reduce the hazards Additional precautions
Time limits
Issue by competent person
Receipt by person in charge of work
Completion
Cancellation

Conned Space: – Is any space where there is a specied risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space

What are the specied hazards in a conned space?

Fire or explosion
Loss of consciousness due to increased body temperature Loss of consciousness due to asphyxiation
Drowning

Asphyxiation due to free owing solids

Conned space examples: – Cellars, Excavations, Sewers, Silos, Tanks, Vats Avoiding entry

Modify conned space so entry not required Have work done from outside

Precautions for working in a conned space

Permit to work Competent sta Appoint a supervisor Isolate

Ensure suitable size of entry
Gas purging
Ventilation
Regular testing of the atmosphere Special tools and lighting

PPE
Communications
Limit working time Emergency procedures

Lone Worker Hazards to be considered

Work location
Type of work
The equipment
Manual handling
Sex of the worker Emergency facilities Lack of Training
Lack of Supervision Limited communication

Precautions for lone workers

Information on hazards
Training to deal with hazards
Regular contact
Supervisors regularly visiting Automatic warning devices
Check the worker has returned home PPE
Emergency action if worker becomes ill

First-Aid: – aim is to preserve life, prevent deterioration and promote recovery Assessment for rst-aid requirements

The nature of the work and the size of the organisation Past history and accident type
The nature and distribution of the workforce Remoteness of site from emergency medical services The needs of travelling, remote or lone workers Employees working on shared sites

Absence of rst aiders due to holidays etc. Compliance with legal requirements

Element 7: Investigation, Recording and Reporting Of Health and Safety Incidents

Reasons to investigate accidents

Prevent future accidents by identifying and eliminating the causes Demonstrate concern about people’s health and safety
Improve worker morale
Identify weaknesses in management time

Prevent business loses
Collate accident and ill-health data and identify trends Defend criminal cases
Defend claims for compensation

Accident: – An unplanned, unwanted event which results in a loss

Incident (Near Miss):- An unplanned, unwanted event that has the potential to result in loss

Why consider near misses

Near misses indicate that the potential for serious accidents is present and by reacting to the near misses they will prevent them.

Domino Theory:- It has been suggested that the events leading up to an accident are like a row of dominos and by removing dominos the accident will not occur.

Actions following Accident Immediate

Treatment for injured personnel Make the area safe
Initiate emergency plan
Contact emergency services
Preserve scene for investigation
May have to notify enforcing authority

Initial

Identify witnesses
Report details to senior management Report details to insurance company

Longer Term

Decide the depth of the investigation and select team Gather evidence at the scene
Interview witnesses
Examine documents

Appoint specialists if necessary

Composition of Investigation team

Supervisors and line managers from department where accident occurred A senior manager from another department
Health and Safety professionals

Specialists e.g. Engineers
Representative of workers
Employee experienced in the work activity.

Reasons why records should be kept

To prevent a recurrence
Monitoring purposes
Legal reasons
Occupational ill-health may take years to occur Civil claims

Reporting of accidents

Report to enforcing authority Injuries involving lost time Dangerous occurrences Occupational diseases

Information in Report

Who is injured person?
Where the accident happened When it happened
What happened?
Why it happened Documentation
Evidence
Recommendations

Element 8:- Monitoring, Review and Audit of Health and Safety Performance

Monitoring Active Monitoring Benchmarking

Takes key performance indicators and compares them externally with similar organisations or industry standards

Workplace Inspections

A formal, structured examination possibly by a team of people of the working environment that identify hazards that are not controlled

Limitations of inspections

Some hazards are not visible Some hazards not always present Unsafe practices not seen

Types of inspections

General workplace inspections Statutory inspections Compliance inspections

People who carry out inspections

Managers
Supervisors
Health and Safety advisors Employee safety representatives Enforcement agencies

Inspection Checklist

Condition of processes and plant Contractors
Electrical
Environmental conditions

Fire protection
First aid
Hand held tools Hazardous substances Housekeeping/cleanliness Lifting equipment

Manual handling Machinery guarding Noise etc.

Safety Sampling

A random exercise in which assigned observers walk in allotted timescale noting incidence of health and safety defects on pre-prepared sheets

Safety Tours

An unscheduled examination of a workplace to look for acceptable standards. A tour can be carried out by a Manager and demonstrates commitment to safety

Audit

A thorough examination of the performance of the health and safety management systems, procedures.

Audits look at Management systems, Procedures, Training, documentation such as safe systems, Permits to work, Interview selected employees as well as examining the workplace.

Reactive Monitoring

Accidents
Incidents
Ill-health statistics
Near misses
Dangerous occurrences Complaints by workforce Enforcement action Prosecutions

Civil claims