Mixed Deck — All IOSH Topics Flashcards

What is the role of fire wardens (or fire marshals) during an evacuation?

Answer: To assist evacuation of their designated area, check rooms are clear, direct people to exits, assist those with PEEPs, and report to the assembly point

Fire wardens are responsible for: initiating evacuation of their zone, checking that all areas (rooms, toilets, rest areas) are clear, directing people to the nearest exit, assisting anyone with a PEEP, ensuring fire doors are closed, reporting to the assembly point coordinator, and confirming their area is clear.

How should the cost-benefit of recommended control measures be considered?

Answer: By considering whether the cost and effort of the control measure is proportionate to the risk reduction achieved

While safety must not be compromised on cost grounds for significant risks, recommendations should be proportionate. The concept of 'reasonably practicable' requires weighing the cost against the degree of risk. Low-cost, high-impact measures are particularly valuable.

What are the key regulations made under the HSWA 1974 that managers should know?

Answer: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Workplace Regulations 1992, PUWER 1998, and others

Key regulations include: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment), Workplace Regulations 1992 (welfare), PUWER 1998 (equipment), Manual Handling 1992, DSE 1992, COSHH 2002, PPE Regulations, and RIDDOR 2013.

What duties does the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 impose?

Answer: Risk assessment, competent assistance, emergency procedures, information, training, and cooperation

The Management Regulations 1999 require: suitable and sufficient risk assessments, appointment of competent persons, emergency procedures, provision of information and training, health surveillance where needed, cooperation between employers sharing a workplace, and protection of young persons.

What does 'so far as is reasonably practicable' (SFAIRP) mean in health and safety?

Answer: The cost and effort of reducing a risk must be weighed against the degree of risk

SFAIRP means that the duty holder must weigh the risk against the sacrifice (time, cost, effort) needed to avert it. If the risk is significant compared to the cost of control, the measures must be implemented.

What is the 'accident ratio' concept (Heinrich's ratio)?

Answer: The theory that for every serious injury there are many minor injuries and even more near-misses and unsafe acts

Heinrich proposed that for every major injury there are approximately 29 minor injuries and 300 near-misses/unsafe acts. While the exact numbers are debated, the principle is important: addressing the base of the triangle (near-misses and unsafe behaviours) reduces serious incidents.

Which piece of UK legislation protects employees from being treated less favourably due to a long-term health condition or disability at work?

Answer: Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees with disabilities or long-term health conditions and requires employers to make reasonable adjustments.

What is the purpose of a health and safety policy?

Answer: To set out the organisation's commitment, arrangements and responsibilities for health and safety

A health and safety policy sets out the organisation's general approach and commitment to health and safety, the responsibilities of key personnel, and the arrangements in place to manage health and safety.

What is a 'task-based' risk assessment?

Answer: An assessment focused on the specific hazards and risks associated with a particular work task or activity

A task-based risk assessment focuses on a specific work activity or task, identifying the particular hazards associated with that task, who could be harmed, and what controls are needed. It is more focused than a general workplace assessment.

How should the risk assessment project findings be presented?

Answer: In a clear, structured report or presentation including hazards identified, risk ratings, existing controls, recommendations, and an action plan

Findings should be presented in a clear, structured format that includes: the scope and methodology, hazards identified, current controls, risk ratings, recommended additional controls (using the hierarchy of control), an action plan with responsibilities and timescales, and a review date.

What is 'crisis communication' and why is it important during emergencies?

Answer: The planned, coordinated communication with staff, families, media, authorities and stakeholders during and after an emergency

Crisis communication ensures clear, accurate, timely information reaches all stakeholders: employees (what to do), families (welfare information), media (managed messaging), authorities (incident details), and customers/suppliers (business impact). Poor communication causes confusion, panic, and reputational damage.

What is 'contaminated land'?

Answer: Land where substances in, on or under it are causing or could cause significant harm to human health or controlled waters

Under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, contaminated land is land where substances are present that are causing, or have the potential to cause, significant harm to human health, property or controlled waters. Local authorities have a duty to identify and remediate contaminated land.

What is the difference between 'active' and 'reactive' monitoring following an incident?

Answer: Active monitoring proactively checks controls before incidents occur; reactive monitoring examines what happened after incidents to identify failures

Active (proactive) monitoring checks that safety controls, procedures and systems are in place and working before things go wrong (inspections, audits, safety tours). Reactive monitoring examines what happened after incidents have occurred (investigations, accident analysis, trend review). Both are essential.

What is a 'waste management plan'?

Answer: A documented plan setting out how waste will be minimised, segregated, stored, transported and disposed of in compliance with legislation

A waste management plan documents how an organisation will manage its waste in compliance with legislation. It covers: waste minimisation strategies, segregation procedures, storage arrangements, transport requirements, disposal/recovery routes, training, record-keeping, and emergency procedures.

What makes a risk assessment project stand out as excellent?

Answer: Thorough hazard identification, clear analysis, practical and justified recommendations, worker involvement, and a realistic action plan

An excellent project demonstrates: systematic and thorough hazard identification using multiple methods, clear risk evaluation with consistent methodology, well-justified recommendations following the hierarchy of control, evidence of genuine worker consultation, a realistic action plan, and understanding of continuous improvement.

What is the relationship between 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) and environmental management?

Answer: Environmental management is a key component of CSR, which covers an organisation's broader responsibilities to society, communities and the environment

CSR encompasses an organisation's responsibilities to society beyond profit-making, including environmental stewardship, ethical business practices, community engagement and employee wellbeing. Environmental management is a core pillar of CSR, alongside social and governance (ESG) considerations.

How can control measures fail?

Answer: Through lack of maintenance, incorrect use, changes in conditions, human error, or gradual deterioration

Control measures can fail in many ways: lack of maintenance, incorrect use or fitting, changes in working conditions, human error, wear and tear, inadequate training, or because they were inappropriate for the actual risk. This is why monitoring is essential.

What is a 'safe system of work'?

Answer: A formal procedure based on systematic examination of work to identify hazards and define safe methods

A safe system of work is a formal procedure resulting from a systematic examination of a task to identify all the hazards. It defines safe methods of working that eliminate those hazards or minimise the risks. It considers people, equipment, materials and the environment.

What is 'job rotation' and how does it control risk?

Answer: Regularly changing workers between tasks to reduce prolonged exposure to specific hazards such as repetitive work or noise

Job rotation involves regularly moving workers between different tasks to limit their exposure to specific hazards. It is particularly useful for controlling risks from repetitive movements (reducing musculoskeletal disorders), prolonged static postures, and continuous exposure to noise or vibration.

What is meant by 'continuous improvement' in the context of the risk assessment project?

Answer: Recognising that risk management is an ongoing process of assessment, implementation, monitoring, and improvement — not a one-off exercise

Continuous improvement means recognising that the risk assessment is part of an ongoing cycle: assess risks, implement controls, monitor effectiveness, learn from experience, and improve. The project should reflect this by including review dates, monitoring proposals, and recognition that safety management evolves.