NEBOSH National General Certificate Unit NGC3 Health and Safety Practical Application

For practical applications submitted on / after 1st January 2011 to the October 2009 specification.

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Instructions for the practical assessment

There is a good example of a practical assessment located later within this document. Please study this document and the following instructions before attempting the practical assessment. Refer to your centre for timescales in which to complete the practical. The assessments must be completed using the NEBOSH forms and take place in a workplace of your choice. They must not contain extraneous material such as drawings and photographs. THE TIME ALLOWED TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT IS NOT RESTRICTED BUT CANDIDATES SHOULD AIM TO COMPLETE THE INSPECTION AND REPORT IN TWO HOURS.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART 1 - OBSERVATIONS

Take 5 copies of the Candidates Observation Sheet. Make 4 rows on each of five sheets and number the rows that you have created 1 to 20. Create an extra column in centre of each sheet and write I M and L in each row as shown on sample. On the bottom of sheet one only, put the key I= Immediate, M = Medium and L = Long term actions. THIS MUST BE DONE BY HAND ON EACH SHEET - YOU MUST NOT MAKE ONE PROFORMA AND THEN COPY IT!! You are now ready to carry out the inspection. Good marks are available to candidates who make 20 observations. Your observations must cover a wide range of issues. Note that marks are available for identifying good practice as well as bad practice you should comment on situations where adequate controls are in place. When making your observations, try to use the phrases Risk of.due to. for problem areas and Risk of..controlled by. for areas where good practice is being observed. Study the sample assessment provided for good examples. Control measures should consider a three stage approach based on immediate, medium and long term actions. For example, if a workplace is untidy, the first action is to clean it up. In the medium term, more waste bins could be provided and, in the long term, regular inspections could be carried out. For observations that are under control there will be no need for immediate action but in the longer term you could look at how to maintain or improve the good standards. Timescales should be assigned to EACH action. They must be realistic and practical. Some long term actions such as inspections may be carried out every week.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE REPORT TO MANAGEMENT

This assessment is based on a workplace inspection. It is not a risk assessment or an audit and should not be referred to as such. The report should be about 500-750 words or about three sides of A4 lined paper (there is not a prescribed form for the report).

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The following is a suggested structure for the report and as with the observations there is a good example provided later in this document.

Introduction State briefly who you are, where and when the inspection took place and activities taking place.

Executive Summary Identify two examples of good practice and two examples of bad practice that were identified in the inspection.

Main findings of the inspection (Select 5 High priority items from the observations and discuss them as follows) 1. Observation Number.(insert number)(insert subject) Details of the problem Consequences of the hazard Recommendations Estimated cost of remedial action Possible breaches of legislation

2. Observation Number Subject. As above Subject..

3. Observation Number.. As above

4. Observation Number. Subject,,,,,,,,,, As above

5. Observation Number. Subject As above

Conclusions This is your opportunity to convince your manager to take action. You should base your conclusion on the legal, moral and economic arguments for managing safety. It should contain balanced arguments on why action is needed and explain the effect it would have on the standards of safety at the workplace.

Recommendations Include as a table in the following format: Recommendation Likely resource implications Priority Review date

Administration
Once you have completed your practical assessment (observation sheets and management report) - YOU MUST SIGN A DECLARATION THAT SHOWS THE SUBMISSION IS YOUR OWN WORK (SEE APPENDIX 1). IF THIS DECLARATION IS NOT SUBMITTED THEN YOUR RESULT MAY BE DECLARED VOID. FOR ADDITIONAL HELP RELATING TO THE NGC3 HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION THEN PLEASE REFER TO THE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION DOCUMENT AVAILABLE VIA THE NEBOSH WEBSITE www.nebosh.org.uk.

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Sample practical assessment

NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE
UNIT NGC3 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION Candidates observation sheet Sheet number 1 of 5 Candidate name: Place inspected: A Candidate Company Offices Observations List hazards, unsafe practices and good practice Candidate number: Date of inspection: Control measures List any immediate, medium and longerterm actions

xxxxxx
Mon 4 Dec xx Timescale (Immediate, 1 week, etc.)

Risk of Slips and trips due to loose and worn carpets in office generally

I M L

Alert staff to hazards and fix/tape down most hazardous areas Replace carpets (worst should be replaced first) Monitor to ensure no recurrence of problem No immediate action. Ensure window cleaners are using harness and fixings Ensure fixings tested regularly (British Standard required) Close fire doors (remove wedges, etc.) Inform / train staff Monitor and remind staff. Consider installing hold open devices linked to fire alarms

Immediate 1 Week Monthly

Reduce risk of falls due to incorporation of window cleaners fixings at each window

I M L

1 Week 3 Monthly

Increased risk of fire / smoke speed, due to fire doors being wedged open & propped open with fire extinguishers

I M L

Immediate 1 day 6 Months

Risk of falls due to possible failure of loose balustrading (at 2 locations on main staircase)

I M

Inform staff or risk and effect a 3 Days temporary repair (boarding fixed across balusters or similar) 1 Month Effect permanent repair (replacement steel balusters fixed to floor etc) Monitor for recurrence 3 Monthly

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NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

UNIT NGC3 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION Candidates observation sheet Sheet number 2 of 5 Candidate name: Place inspected: No A Candidate Company Offices Observations List hazards, unsafe practices and good practice Candidate number: Date of inspection: Control measures List any immediate, medium and longerterm actions

xxxxxx
Mon 4 Dec xx Timescale (Immediate, 1 week, etc.)

Risk of electric shock due to broken plastic casing on electric fan in project management office

I M L

Isolate from electricity and remove from service Replace plastic casing Monitor as part of standard procedure No action required at present Maintain on regular basis Ensure guard is not removed and inform/train staff Nil Maintain luminaries Assess requirements and provide additional lighting if work practices change

Immediate 1 Week Weekly

Reduce risk of injury (cuts, amputation) from guillotine (for paper and card cutting) with fixed guard

I M L

1 week 1 month

Generally good lighting risk of trips, eye strain, prevented

I M L

1 Week 3 Months Annual

Risk of trips and slips due to trailing cables in project management and drawing offices

I M L

Immediate Fix cover over cables or tape down Re-route cables, re locate desk / 1 Month drawing boards or provide flexi sockets Review office layouts 3 Monthly Train staff in awareness of hazards

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NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

UNIT NGC3 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION Candidates observation sheet Sheet number 3 of 5 Candidate name: Place inspected: No A Candidate Company Offices Observations List hazards, unsafe practices and good practice Candidate number: Date of inspection: Control measures List any immediate, medium and longerterm actions

xxxxxx
Mon 4 Dec xx Timescale (Immediate, 1 week, etc.)

Risk of electric shock due to frayed power cable on draughtsman's hand held erasing machine (in drawing office)

I L M

10

Risk of injury and damage due to collapse of shelving over drawing boards as a result of loose brackets (faulty fixings) (drawing office)

I L M

Isolate electrical supply and Immediate remove machine from service Replace damaged cable 1 Week Monthly Monitor equipment on a regular basis and train staff in awareness Immediate Remove shelving 1 week Refit shelving securely (establishing reason for failure) 1 month Monitor for possible recurrence

11

Risk of work-related upper limb disorder, back and neck pain, eye strain, fatigue, stress etc, due to poorly laid out work stations with computers, inappropriate chairs, etc (secretarial, computer drafting, etc) Noted generally Risk of lacerations and / or falls due to low cilled window at bottom of stair flight (quarter landing)

I M L

Assess each users workstation Adjust layouts and provide appropriate equipment as necessary Reassess at regular intervals and monitor Display Screen Equipment Regs

1 Month 3 Months Annual

12

I M

1 Week Fix temporary protection Fix permanent protection barrier 1 Month (metal bar or similar) across window and apply safety film to glazing 3 Monthly Monitor

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NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

UNIT NGC3 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION Candidates observation sheet Sheet number 4 of 5 Candidate name: Place inspected: No A Candidate Company Offices Observations List hazards, unsafe practices and good practice Candidate number: Date of inspection: Control measures List any immediate, medium and longerterm actions

xxxxxx
Mon 4 Dec xx Timescale (Immediate, 1 week, etc.)

13

Risk of confusion etc in the event of fire due to missing fire exit sign at ground floor (people not knowing direction of escape

I M L

Inform staff of escape requirements Fix up new fire exit sign as soon as possible Train staff and have fire drills

1 Week 2 Week Monthly

14

Risk of strains / injury due to moving of large boxes of photocopy paper stored on floor near to photocopier

I M L

Inform staff to move small amounts at a time Fix shelves at appropriate height for paper storage Train staff in manual handling and use of shelves

Immediate 1 week 3 months

15

Risk of falls and strains due to heavy articles on high shelves, with no adequate means of access (general office)

I M

Remove articles form high shelves Supply means of access (steps etc) and store small items at high level. Monitor situation and train staff

Immediate 1 Week

1 Month

16

Risk of fire and possible reduced means of escape due to papers and files stored under fire escape stair at basement level

I M L

Remove papers, etc Inform / train staff Monitor situation to ensure situation does not recur

Immediate 1 Month On going

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NEBOSH NATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE

UNIT NGC3 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION Candidates observation sheet Sheet number 5 of 5 Candidate name: Place inspected: No A Candidate Company Offices Observations List hazards, unsafe practices and good practice Candidate number: Date of inspection: Control measures List any immediate, medium and longerterm actions

xxxxxx
Mon 4 Dec xx Timescale (Immediate, 1 week, etc.)

17

18

Location of first aid box and names and locations of appropriate persons (First Aid) prominently displayed Risk of delay in first aid treatment reduced / controlled Risk of injury due to impact of forward opening door into small utility room (sink and kettle immediately behind door)

I M

No immediate action Ensure all staff kept informed (including changes) and monitor Put warning sign on outside of door and inform staff Fit inside panel into door (fire resisting) Monitor

Monthly

I M L

Immediate 1 week 1 Month

19

Risk of electric shock due to electrical socket (for kettle) within 1M of sink (utility room) reduced by provision residual current device(RCD)

I M

Inform staff of risk and controls. Monitor staff usage and remind them to keep all surfaces free from water prior to use of kettle. Relocate socket ,but retain RCCB

Immediate 1 Month

3 Monthly

20

Risk of laceration due to breakage of glass in glazed screen at entrance reduced / controlled by application of protective clear plastic film Workplace (HSandW) Regs 92

I M L

No immediate action Check that appropriate type of film approved Monitor condition at regular intervals

1 Week 1 Month

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Management Report
1. Introduction This report identifies good and poor practices within the head office of Pristine Tiles Plc., Northampton. The office is a modern two storey building, with basement, situated on a small business park adjacent to a main trunk road. The building consists of a reception, kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor together with three small offices. The second floor is reached by a central stair well and this leads to six further offices. The nature of the work carried out in the building includes sales, customer support, finance, human resources and a design department. Work involves telephone calls, use of computers for data entry and design. There are 26 employees located within the building. The purpose of the report is to highlight the main findings of a workplace inspection carried out on the 4th December xx. It covers hazards and office related welfare matters. A number are considered in detail and the full observation list is included in the appendix.

2. Executive Summary I was impressed to find a high level of housekeeping, the floor areas and corridors were clear of obstructions and the lighting levels were appropriate to the work being carried out. Unfortunately a number of items were noticed on further inspection which required rectification to prevent the risk of serious injury or ill health. Detailed consideration is given to faulty balustrades, a defective electric fan, fire precautions, the potential danger from a first floor window and the need to carry out Display Screen Equipment assessments for computer users. Urgent repairs/replacement is recommended to the balustrade and fan, improved management systems for fire prevention and remedial measures to the window. Approximate costs are given under each heading. 3. Main Findings The general the level of housekeeping was maintained to a high standard, the floor areas and corridors were clear of obstructions and the lighting levels were appropriate to the work being carried out.

3.1

Observation No 4 - Loose balustrades on main stair

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Two sections of balustrade are loose and likely to fail if leaned against heavily. Any fall could be serious or fatal. Apart from the cost in human terms and loss of professional time of such an accident, the defective balustrades breaches legislation: the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations (WHSW) which require all traffic routes to be kept free from obstruction. Since the stair is in constant use, I recommend immediate temporary repair using boarding, quickly followed by permanent repair comprising replacement steel balusters fixed to floor and handrail. I assess cost of repairs at 650 + VAT. inspected regularly in future. 3.2 Observation No 5 - Faulty electric fan in sales office A section of the plastic cover was found to be broken exposing electrically conductive parts to the rear of the fan motor, which were accessible to the touch. Accidental electrocution could easily occur, so the fan should be taken out of service and the cover replaced. If parts are not available, the whole fan should be replaced. Cost off repair is 10 (carried out by our own staff) and replacement is 55 (incl.VAT). Action should be taken immediately to avoid a serious/fatal accident, lost time and to comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. (PUWER) which require all dangerous parts of machinery to be adequately guarded. Portable appliance testing should be reviewed and carried out at least annually. Cost 2.5 per item. 3.3 Observation No 16 - Basement fire escape exit stair Documents are stored under the fire escape exit stair. This is a fire hazard and in the event of fire the only escape route would be cut off from the basement. This could lead to fatalities and is a contravention of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order since adequate escape routes are not provided. The situation is remedied, at almost no cost, by removing the documents. I recommend, this is done immediately and management procedures adopted to prevent reoccurrence. training on fire prevention. 3.4 Observation No 12 - Stair windows with low sill This first floor landing window has a very low sill and is unprotected from impact. If someone trips and falls against it, they could break the glass and cut themselves badly and possibly fall through to the outside. To prevent a fall the glazing should be protected by applying plastic safety film and fixing a bar or hand rail across the opening should be installed for further protection, this This should include immediate provision of corrective action information to staff, and further staff The balustrades should be

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will then comply with the WHSW Regulations which state that large areas of glass should be clearly marked. Costs would be approx 450 (+VAT). 3.5 Observation No 11 - Display screen equipment Risk of work-related upper limb disorder, back and neck pain, eye strain, fatigue, stress etc, due to poorly laid out work stations with computers, inappropriate chairs, Noted generally. An assessment of each users workstation should be carried out. Employers must carry out workstation assessments in order to comply with the Display Screen Equipment Regulations. Whilst the above are the most critical issues there are a number of items requiring attention and reference should be made to the observation sheets in the appendix. 4. Conclusion Defective balustrades and a damaged eclectic fan were observed indicating that routine maintenance and portable appliance testing was not being carried out. Maintenance schedules and routine electrical testing of equipment should be established to prevent a reoccurrence of similar issues in future. Computer workstations were not correctly adjusted for users and many chairs were inadequate for this type of work. DSE assessments should be reviewed as a priority and new chairs purchased as necessary to reduce the risk of muscular skeletal injury to operators. Fire precautions were inadequate in the basement and accumulated files under the exit staircase should be removed. Staff should be instructed not to store such materials under the stairway in the future; this will avoid the risk of a blocked escape in the event of a fire in the basement. Occupational health and safety is a subject which needs to be managed properly. Failure to do this might result in prosecution in a criminal court or civil claims for compensation. The attendant costs and adverse publicity could have a significant impact on profitability. Accidents have to be investigated by management and when time is lost from work, workloads have to be reorganised and sometimes re-training has to take place. These issues cause disruption and have an economic impact.

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Accidents that result in personal injury will cause pain and suffering to the victim. More serious accidents affect a wider circle of family and friends. Witnesses to serious accidents may also suffer. It is my belief that people have a right to be protected from the hazards that are present in the workplace and that managers have a duty to ensure this protection is in place. It is my conclusion that if my recommendations are not accepted, we are not fulfilling our legal and moral obligations as an employer and that profitability could be adversely affected. 5. Recommendations
Recommendations Likely resource implications Priority Review Date

Ref. No.

3.1 (Item 4) 3.2 (Item 5)

Fit temporary boards to stairwell Replace defective balustrades Take out of service Repair replace electric fan Implement portable appliance testing

100 650.00 10 to 55 150 0 300 50 450 400 600 800

3 days 1 month Immediate 1 week 3 months Immediate 1 week 1 week 1 month 1 month 3 month

3 monthly Annual

3.3 (Item 16)

Remove files from beneath basement fire exit stairway Inform/train staff not to store files under stairwell Apply plastic safety film to window Fit hand rail in front f window Carry out DSE risk assessments Provide replacement chairs

Monthly

3.4 (Item 12) 3.5 (Item 11)

3 monthly Annual

End

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APPENDIX 1 Candidate and course provider declarations:

For completion by the Candidate: I declare that the work submitted for this practical application assessment is my own work. I recognise that contravention of this statement constitutes malpractice and may result in my being subject to the penalties set out in the NEBOSH Malpractice policy.

Name (Print) Signature Date

_ A CANDIDATE ____________________________ _ A Candidate _____________________________ _26/01/10_________________________________

For completion by a course provider representative (e.g. internal practical assessor): I declare that the work marked is identical to that received from the candidate. I recognise that contravention of this statement constitutes malpractice and may result in my being subject to the penalties set out in the NEBOSH Malpractice policy.
Name (Print) Signature Date _ J SMITH _________________________________ _ J Smith _________________________________ _26/01/10________________________________

For completion by the course providers internal practical assessor: I declare that I have marked this work and am both qualified and approved by NEBOSH to do so. I recognise that contravention of this statement constitutes malpractice and may result in my being subject to the penalties set out in the NEBOSH Malpractice policy.
Name (Print) Signature Date _B FERRY_________________________________ _ B Ferry _________________________________ _26/01/10________________________________

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