IC1 - General Workplace Issues

Question 0

What should be considered to ensure emergency arrangements in confined space are suitable and sufficient

Answer 0

• nature and characteristics of confined space
• specific risks associated with confined space
• the risks of entering in an emergency
• how a rescue would take place
• provisions in place for communications and raising the alarm
• whether the rescue needs to ale place inside or outside
• the rescue equipment required for the task
• whether the staff know how to use the equipment
• other plant in the area which may impact the rescue
• would it be an external or internal emergency rescue team
• how would the emergency rescue team be contacted
• first aid provisions
• training and refresher training
• types of emergencies which may be encountered - fire
• ## rescue techniques needed for the type one emergencies

Question 1

What is a confined space

Answer 1

A confined space is any enclosed space such as a chamber, pit, tank or trench where due to the enclosed nature there is a reasonably foreseeable specified risk such as lack of oxygen or drowning

Question 2

Hierachy of control for working at height

Answer 2

1. Avoid
2. Steps to prevent falls
   - edge protection
   - collective equipment (MEWP, scissor lifts, cradles)
   - PPE - work restraint
3. Steps to minimise distance or consequence of the fall
   - collective work - nets & soft landings
   - personal work equipment - (rope access , fall arrest, work positioning system)
   -

Question 3

Reasons for ground subsidence

Answer 3

• Overloading
• water content of ground
• mines & tunnels
• excavations

Question 4

Signs that indicate structural damage to a building

Answer 4

• sagging roof
• bulging or cracked walls
• signs of flaking masonry
• collapsed walls
• signs of corrosion of brick work
• dampness
• dry or wet rot
• gaps around windows or doors frames
• uneven floors

Question 5

What are the specific risks related to confined space

Answer 5

• fire or explosion
• increase in body temperature
• gas fume or vapour = lack of oxygen
• drowning
• asphyxiation - free flowing solid

Question 6

What are the circumstances in which an employer should provide safety signs

Answer 6

Whenever there is a risk which has not been avoided or controlled by other means such as engineering controls

Question 7

Coefficient of friction

Answer 7

Is the number which represents the friction between two surfaces

Smooth surfaces have a lower number

UK use a swinging pendulum with a rubber imitation heel sweeping over a controlled area

Anything over 36 is deemed as ok

Question 8

What are the specified risks for confined space

Answer 8

• fire or explosion
• increase in biddy temperature
• asphyxiation / loss of consciousness ( gas & vapour)
• drowning
• asphyxiation (free flowing solid)

Question 9

Welfare facilities needed in a workplace

Answer 9

• sanitary convenience

- ventilated