B2 Exam Q's Flashcards
(a) Identify the published sources of information an employer could use to determine if
carcinogens are used in their workplace.
4 marks
Sources of information include:
Labels and Safety Data Sheets for substances used in the
workplace and in particular the relevant R (risk) phrases
Annex VI of the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging)
Regulation for classification as carcinogen
the European Chemicals Agency candidates list or list for SVHC
(substances of very high concern)
Schedule 1 of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health regulations)
Application of the criteria in CHIP (chemicals (hazard
information and packaging for supply) regulations), in a self-
classifying approach, which would be particularly relevant if a
new substance was involved
Technical reference sources including:
- EH40 (workplace exposure limits for use with the COSHH
regulations)
- scientific papers
- information from trade associations, such as the Chemical
Industry Association and the International Labour
Organisation.
(b) Outline control measures that should
be used when, because of the nature
of the work, it is not possible to eliminate
a carcinogen or substitute it with and alternative substance.
16 marks
Required control measures would be guided by the requirements in Regulation 7
of the COSHH Regulations and the associated ACoP on carcinogens. These
would include:
Reducing exposure to a level as low as reasonably practicable by minimising
quantities used and/or changing the physical form.
Use of a totally enclosed system, or automation of the process to physically
separate workers from the process and, where this is not possible, the use of
a partial enclosure in the workplace, or appropriate local exhaust ventilation.
Providing appropriate storage, including the use of closed/sealed containers,
and recognition that it may be better to store one large quantity in a controlled
manner than to deal with frequent supplies of smaller amounts.
Correctly labelled materials and the areas of use restricted with identifying
signs to indicate their boundaries.
Any waste carcinogenic products should be labelled and stored in a secure
area pending removal by a specialist contractor.
The numbers working in the restricted areas should be minimised and non-
essential personnel excluded.
Precautions should also be taken against contamination including prohibiting
eating, drinking and applying cosmetics in contaminated areas; providing
appropriate warning signs to demark these areas; and providing adequate
washing facilities.
Monitoring of levels of exposure should be carried out on a regular basis to
ensure the adequacy of the control measures in place, with the recognition
that the use of personal protective equipment can only be used as a
secondary control in combination with other controls.
(b) Explain THREE of the ‘principles of good practice’ that should be considered when deciding if the control of exposure can be treated as ‘adequate’ under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
3 marks
Examples of the principles of good practice that should be
considered when deciding if the control of exposure can be
treated as ‘adequate’ under COSHH include:
those dealing with design and operation of the
processes and activities to minimise emission
the need to take into account all relevant routes of
exposure not just inhalation
the need for the periodic checking and review of
control measures to ensure their continuing
effectiveness
the occasions when personal protective equipment
may have to be used alongside other control measures
the provision of information and training to employees
the need to avoid increasing the overall risk to health
and safety by the introduction of selected control
measures.
A company is considering substituting a solvent it currently uses for one that is thought to be more effective.
Outline the factors affecting health that should be considered before a decision is taken to make the change.
Factors associated with the proposed replacement include:
information contained on the manufacturer’s data sheet with
respect, for example, to its toxicity, the harm that it might
cause and its exposure limits
the form of the substance, whether liquid or spray
the quantity to be used and the changes that might have to
be made in the process times
the possible routes of entry of the solvent to the body
the number of people likely to be exposed
the level and frequency of exposure, taking into account
personal susceptibilities and groups especially at risk, such
as young employees
the control measures that would be required, such as the
provision of local exhaust ventilation and personal protective
equipment
whether specific requirements would be required for the
storage of the solvent
what arrangements would have to be made for its safe
disposal.
A facilities manager of a multi-occupancy office block built in the 1970s is concerned about the risks associated with asbestos in the building.
(a) Outline the steps the facilities manager should take to minimise risks associated with any asbestos that may be present in the building.
12 marks
The facilities manager should initially accept that his/her
company is the duty holder who has the responsibility to
manage asbestos in the multi-occupancy building and should
assume that because of the age of the building that asbestos
will be present.
They should then identify all materials in the building that might
contain asbestos and arrange for a competent person to
undertake a survey using intrusive and destructive sampling to
determine the presence or absence of the material.
A record would have to be kept of where asbestos containing
materials (ACMs) are located and updated following regular
reviews of their condition. The information should be made
available to all tenants in the block.
Finally consideration would need to be given to what action
was necessary to deal with the various ACMs whether to
remove, repair, enclose or leave in place and an action plan
drawn up once the decisions had been made.
(b) An occupant of one of the offices engages a contractor to fit a hand dryer in a toilet which involves drilling through some asbestos insulating
board.
Outline the required steps to be taken by the contractor to carry out this work, in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
8 marks
The work to be carried out is of short duration and therefore
classed as non-licensed. However, precautions would be
necessary and whilst the work was being carried out:
Access to the toilet should be restricted, the door closed
and a warning sign displayed.
The fixtures and surfaces in the toilet would have to be
covered with a polythene sheet fixed with tape, paste or
foam used to coat the drill entry point and a hand drill used
to make the required hole which should then be lined or
sleeved to prevent fibre release.
The paste would have to be cleaned off with damp cloths
and all waste double bagged and disposed of as asbestos
waste.
The complete area where the work was carried out and the
equipment used would need to be cleaned down with a
type H vacuum.
The person carrying out the work should be fully informed
of its related hazards and the precautions to be observed
including the wearing of personal protective equipment
such as disposable overalls and the appropriate respirator.
(a) Explain the meaning of the term ‘carcinogen’.
2 marks
A ‘carcinogen’ is an agent that causes cancer; has the ability to
produce malignant tumours, attacks cell reproduction mechanisms;
causes changes in cell’s DNA resulting in abnormal cells and
uncontrollable growth; and produces effects that are irreversible and
continue well after the initial exposure.
(b) Outline the role of Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) when deciding if exposure to a carcinogen is ‘adequately controlled’ for the purposes of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
2 marks
Exposure to a carcinogen is adequately controlled when a WEL, if one
exists, is not exceeded and when exposure is reduced to the lowest
level that is reasonably practicable.
(c) Under COSHH exposure to substances hazardous to health (including carcinogens) shall only be treated as adequate if the ‘principles of good practice’ are applied. Outline SIX of these principles.
Examples of the principles of good practice that should be considered
when deciding if the control of exposure can be treated as ‘adequate’
under COSHH include:
those dealing with design and operation of the processes and
activities to minimise emission
the need to control exposure by measures that are proportionate
to the health risk
the choice of the most effective and reliable control options which
minimise the escape and spread of the substances hazardous to
health
the need to take into account all relevant routes of exposure not
just inhalation
the need for the periodic checking and review of control
measures to ensure their continuing effectiveness
the provision of suitable personal protective equipment when
adequate control of exposure cannot be completely achieved by
other means
the provision of information and training to employees on the
hazards and risks from the substances they use in their work and
the use of the control measures that have been introduced to
minimise the risks
the need to ensure that the introduction of the selected control
measures does not increase the overall risk to health and safety.
(b) A company uses a substance in the form of a powder, which is added directly to a mixing vessel from sacks, during the manufacture of paints.
Outline the practical control measures that could be used to minimise exposure during the addition.
8
marks
Elimination of the coloured powder was not an option since
the colour range was required, so following the rest of the
hierarchy of control the other practical control measures
included:
Introducing the colouring agent in a pellet or dye solution
form
… or …
The powder could be fed into the mixing vessel by means
of an automated hopper feed system and screw conveyor
with the powder being emptied into the hopper through
an opening provided with local exhaust ventilation.
A vacuum cleaner should be used to clear up spillages.
Employees should be provided with personal protective
equipment such as overalls, gloves and goggles.
Some form of respiratory protection would also have to
be provided. If the dust was thought to be nuisance only,
then a particle filtering face piece – a disposable face
mask – changed on a regular basis could suffice.
However, a filter respirator would have to be worn if the
powder were found to be harmful.
