IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the main hazards associated with electricity?
- Only electric shocks
- Electric shock, burns, fire, arcing, and explosion in certain atmospheres (Correct answer)
- Only damage to equipment
- Only static electricity
Correct answer: Electric shock, burns, fire, arcing, and explosion in certain atmospheres
Electricity presents several hazards: electric shock (which can cause cardiac arrest), electrical burns (contact and arc flash), fire (from overloaded circuits, poor connections, faulty equipment), arcing (flash burns and blast injuries), and explosion in flammable atmospheres.
Question 2: What is the 'fire triangle'?
- A triangular fire escape route
- The three elements needed for fire: fuel, oxygen (air) and a source of ignition — remove any one and fire cannot start or continue (Correct answer)
- A type of fire extinguisher shape
- The three stages of a fire evacuation
Correct answer: The three elements needed for fire: fuel, oxygen (air) and a source of ignition — remove any one and fire cannot start or continue
The fire triangle shows that three elements must be present simultaneously for a fire to start and continue: fuel (combustible material), oxygen (usually from air), and a source of ignition (heat, spark, flame). Removing any one element prevents fire or extinguishes it.
Question 3: What are the main duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
- Only to install fire alarms
- The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, implement fire safety measures, provide fire safety information, and maintain fire precautions (Correct answer)
- Only to conduct fire drills annually
- Only to provide fire extinguishers
Correct answer: The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, implement fire safety measures, provide fire safety information, and maintain fire precautions
The Fire Safety Order requires the 'responsible person' to: carry out a fire risk assessment, implement and maintain fire safety measures, appoint competent persons, provide fire safety information and training, maintain means of escape, and ensure fire detection and fighting equipment is available and maintained.
Question 4: What are the main hazards of working at height?
- Only falling from scaffolding
- Falls from height (the leading cause of workplace death), falling objects, structural collapse, and overreaching or overloading (Correct answer)
- Only relevant to the construction industry
- Only a hazard above 3 metres
Correct answer: Falls from height (the leading cause of workplace death), falling objects, structural collapse, and overreaching or overloading
Working at height hazards include: falling from height (ladders, roofs, scaffolds, platforms — the biggest cause of workplace death in the UK), falling objects hitting people below, structural collapse of platforms or scaffolding, and injuries from overreaching or overloading mobile platforms.
Question 5: What does the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require?
- That all work above 5 metres requires a permit
- That work at height is avoided where possible, properly planned when necessary, and appropriate equipment is selected and used (Correct answer)
- That only qualified climbers can work at height
- That safety nets are always used
Correct answer: That work at height is avoided where possible, properly planned when necessary, and appropriate equipment is selected and used
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require: avoiding work at height where reasonably practicable, properly planning and organising work at height, using appropriate equipment (collective before individual protection), ensuring competent workers, inspecting equipment, and considering weather conditions.
Question 6: What are the main hazards of workplace transport?
- Only the risk of vehicles running out of fuel
- Pedestrians being struck by vehicles, reversing accidents, loading/unloading injuries, overturning vehicles, and falls from vehicles (Correct answer)
- Only relevant to haulage companies
- Only the risk of road traffic accidents
Correct answer: Pedestrians being struck by vehicles, reversing accidents, loading/unloading injuries, overturning vehicles, and falls from vehicles
Workplace transport hazards include: pedestrians being struck (especially during reversing), loading/unloading incidents, vehicles overturning, falls from vehicles, crushing between vehicles, and collisions. Separating pedestrians from vehicles and managing reversing are key controls.
IOSH Common Hazards in the Workplace 2
What are the main hazards associated with electricity?