IOSH Introducing Managing Safely 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is meant by 'safety leadership' in the context of managing safely?
- Issuing written safety policies only
- Visibly demonstrating commitment to safety through actions and decisions (Correct answer)
- Appointing a health and safety consultant
- Conducting annual safety reviews
Correct answer: Visibly demonstrating commitment to safety through actions and decisions
Safety leadership means that managers visibly demonstrate their commitment to health and safety through their everyday actions, decisions, and behaviours — not just through written policies or occasional reviews.
Question 2: Which moral argument supports managing health and safety at work?
- Avoiding prosecution by the HSE
- Preventing financial losses from accidents
- Protecting people from harm because it is the right thing to do (Correct answer)
- Meeting insurance requirements
Correct answer: Protecting people from harm because it is the right thing to do
The moral argument is fundamentally about the duty of care — no one should suffer injury, ill health or death as a result of their work. It is simply the right thing to do to protect people.
Question 3: How many people are killed each year in UK workplace accidents, approximately?
- Around 5,000
- Around 500
- Around 140 (Correct answer)
- Around 50
Correct answer: Around 140
According to HSE statistics, approximately 130-150 workers are killed in workplace accidents each year in the UK, with many more suffering serious injuries or work-related ill health.
Question 4: What is the estimated annual cost of workplace injuries and ill health to the UK economy?
- Around £1 million
- Around £20 billion (Correct answer)
- Around £100 million
- Around £500 billion
Correct answer: Around £20 billion
The HSE estimates that workplace injuries and new cases of ill health cost the UK economy billions of pounds each year, with the figure typically cited around £18-20 billion when including costs to individuals, employers and the government.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a manager's competence in health and safety?
- Having a degree in health and safety
- Having sufficient knowledge, experience and training to manage risks effectively (Correct answer)
- Being able to carry out all safety tasks without help
- Having worked in the industry for over 20 years
Correct answer: Having sufficient knowledge, experience and training to manage risks effectively
Competence in health and safety means having a combination of training, knowledge, experience and skills appropriate to the role. IOSH Managing Safely provides managers with the foundation of this competence.
Question 6: What legal consequence can an individual manager face for health and safety failures?
- A verbal warning only
- Unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment (Correct answer)
- A fixed penalty notice of £100
- Compulsory retraining only
Correct answer: Unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Sentencing Guidelines, individuals can face unlimited fines and imprisonment of up to two years for serious health and safety offences.
IOSH Introducing Managing Safely 2
What is meant by 'safety leadership' in the context of managing safely?