IOSH Introducing Managing Safely 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'safety culture' refer to?
- The number of safety signs displayed in a workplace
- The shared attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours relating to health and safety (Correct answer)
- The frequency of safety training courses
- The amount spent on personal protective equipment
Correct answer: The shared attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours relating to health and safety
Safety culture encompasses the shared attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviours of everyone in an organisation regarding health and safety. It determines how safety is perceived and prioritised in daily operations.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the three sections of a health and safety policy?
- Statement of intent
- Organisation (responsibilities)
- Risk register (Correct answer)
- Arrangements
Correct answer: Risk register
A health and safety policy has three sections: the Statement of Intent (commitment), Organisation (who does what), and Arrangements (how safety is managed in practice). A risk register is a separate document.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the IOSH Managing Safely course?
- To train people to become health and safety officers
- To give managers and supervisors the knowledge and skills to manage safety in their teams (Correct answer)
- To prepare candidates for NEBOSH examinations
- To qualify people as fire wardens
Correct answer: To give managers and supervisors the knowledge and skills to manage safety in their teams
IOSH Managing Safely is designed to give managers and supervisors across all sectors the knowledge and tools they need to handle health and safety in their teams, regardless of their industry.
Question 4: Why should near misses be reported and investigated?
- Because they always result in injury
- Because they indicate potential for future serious incidents and provide learning opportunities (Correct answer)
- Because the HSE requires a report for every near miss
- Because they affect insurance premiums directly
Correct answer: Because they indicate potential for future serious incidents and provide learning opportunities
Near misses are warning signs. Investigating them helps identify weaknesses in controls before a serious incident occurs. Heinrich's triangle suggests that for every serious injury, there are many near misses — addressing them prevents escalation.
Question 5: What does the 'Heinrich Triangle' (or accident triangle) illustrate?
- The three types of workplace hazard
- The relationship between near misses, minor injuries and major injuries (Correct answer)
- The hierarchy of control measures
- The structure of health and safety legislation
Correct answer: The relationship between near misses, minor injuries and major injuries
Heinrich's Triangle shows that for every major injury there are many minor injuries and even more near misses and unsafe acts. It illustrates why addressing the base of the triangle (near misses) can prevent serious incidents.
Question 6: What is meant by 'reasonably practicable' when applied to safety improvements?
- All possible measures must be taken regardless of cost
- Only free measures need to be implemented
- Measures should be taken unless the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk (Correct answer)
- The cheapest option should always be chosen
Correct answer: Measures should be taken unless the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk
A measure is reasonably practicable if its cost (in time, money and effort) is not grossly disproportionate to the risk being addressed. Where the risk is high, greater expenditure is justified.
IOSH Introducing Managing Safely 4
What does the term 'safety culture' refer to?