July 2016 Flashcards
An organization is considering the substitution of a solvent that it
currently uses for one that is thought to be more effective.
Outline factors that should be considered before a decision is taken to make the change. (10)
An assessment of the risks to health from hazardous substances will consider:
- The hazardous properties of the substances.
- The likely route of entry into the body.
- The effects of mixtures.
- The quantity in use and levels of exposure.
- The operating conditions and processes used.
- The range of uses of the chemical.
- The number of people exposed.
- The type and duration of the exposure.
- The frequency of the exposure.
- The variety and nature of the tasks, and the methods used.
- The point at which the exposure becomes harmful (the “threshold of exposure”).
- The consequences and likelihood of failure of existing control measures.
- The results from relevant health surveillance and exposure monitoring.
- Individual susceptibilities.
Workers are exposed to high levels of heat and steam from a
manufacturing process.
(a) Identify TWO parameters that could be measured when making
an assessment of the thermal environment AND, in EACH case,
give the name of an instrument that can be used to measure this
parameter. (2)
(b) Outline ways of reducing thermal stress among workers during
the manufacturing process. (8)
(a) Identify TWO parameters that could be measured when making
an assessment of the thermal environment AND, in EACH case,
give the name of an instrument that can be used to measure this
parameter. (2)
*
*
(b) Outline ways of reducing thermal stress among workers during
the manufacturing process. (8)
Identify functions that may be carried out by an occupational health
service in a large manufacturing organization. (10)
Identify functions that may be carried out by an occupational health
service in a large manufacturing organization. (10)
An organization has decided to close its offices and to allow its 30
workers to work from home. The organization will provide workers with
their own laptop (portable computer) for use at home and on their daily
visits to customers.
Outline factors that should be considered in order to minimize ergonomic
risks in the selection and use of these laptops. (10)
An organization has decided to close its offices and to allow its 30
workers to work from home. The organization will provide workers with
their own laptop (portable computer) for use at home and on their daily
visits to customers.
Outline factors that should be considered in order to minimize ergonomic
risks in the selection and use of these laptops. (10)
Construction workers use a range of equipment and vehicles that may
expose them to high levels of vibration.
(a) Outline issues that a vibration risk assessment should consider. (8)
(b) Outline practical measures to prevent or control exposure to
vibration for these workers. (12)
(a) Outline issues that a vibration risk assessment should consider. (8)
(b) Outline practical measures to prevent or control exposure to
vibration for these workers. (12)
A contractor has been hired to examine the quality of a weld repair to a
metal pipe on a chemical plant. It has been decided that on-site
radiography, using either gamma or X-ray sources, is the only practical
option in this case.
Outline suitable measures to control the risk of exposure to radiation
from the examination work. (10)
Ionizing Radiation Control:
* Using competent advice (Radiation Protection Officers)
* Competent employees
* Proper planning of the job
* Safe systems of work
* Localized shielding and restricting access to the job site during the examination.
* Maintaining the equipment in a good state of repair, monitoring (dose monitoring of the radiographers,
area monitoring, activity monitoring of equipment)
* Making sure the monitoring equipment itself was calibrated and well-maintained.
* Time: For people who are exposed to radiation in addition to natural background radiation, limiting or minimizing the exposure time reduces the dose from the radiation source.
* Distance: Just as the heat from a fire reduces as you move further away, the dose of radiation decreases dramatically as you increase your distance from the source.
* Shielding: Barriers of lead, concrete, or water provide protection from penetrating gamma rays and x-rays.
* administrative controls include signage, warning systems, and written operating procedures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate radiation exposure. Operating procedures typically include both normal operating procedures and emergency procedures (i.e., those for spills, leaks, and emergency evacuation).
A worker at a large organisation has recently been diagnosed with the
bacterial infection Legionnaire’s disease.
(a) Outline the signs and symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease. (4)
(b) Outline factors that may have contributed to the worker being
exposed to the bacterium and contracting the disease. (8)
(c) Outline practical measures that the organisation should put in
place to help reduce the risk of future outbreaks. (8)
(a) Outline the signs and symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease. (4)
(b) Outline factors that may have contributed to the worker being exposed to the bacterium and contracting the disease. (8)
(c) Outline practical measures that the organization should put in place to help reduce the risk of future outbreaks. (8)
Hospital nurses are at risk from work-related violence when they are required to visit patients in their own homes.
(a) Outline a strategy that the hospital management should have in place in order to manage work-related violence. (10)
(b) Describe a range of practical measures that the nurses can put in place to help reduce the risk of violence when making visits to patients. (10)
(a) Outline a strategy that the hospital management should have in place in order to manage work-related violence. (10)
(b) Describe a range of practical measures that the nurses can put in place to help reduce the risk of violence when making visits to patients. (10)
A worker at a large organization has recently been diagnosed with the bacterial infection Legionnaire’s disease.
(a) Outline the signs and symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease. (4)
(b) Outline factors that may have contributed to the worker being exposed to the bacterium and contracting the disease. (8)
(c) Outline practical measures that the organization should put in place to help reduce the risk of future outbreaks. (8)
(a) Outline the signs and symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease. (4)
*Mild headaches.
*Muscle pain.
*High temperature (fever).
*Chills.
*Tiredness.
(b) Outline factors that may have contributed to the worker being exposed to the bacterium and contracting the disease. (8)
* If the worker works in a cooling tower and evaporative condensers.
Hot and cold water systems.
Spa pools
* If the water system:
Has a water temperature between 20 to 45C where bacterium grows best.
* Creates and/or spreads breathable droplets, e.g. aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets.
* Stores and/or re-circulates water.
* Likely to contain a source of nutrients for the organism to grow, e.g. rust, sludge, scale,
organic matter, and bio films.
* humidifiers, air washers, emergency showers, and indoor ornamental fountains
(c) Outline practical measures that the organization should put in place to help reduce the risk of future outbreaks. (8)
* Practical measures include detailed risk assessment to identify potential sources and people at risk
* water system tested
* inspected
*cleaned
* treated and maintained at temperatures below 20°C or above 65°C
(a) Outline how the use of drugs or alcohol can adversely affect a
worker’s fitness to work. (4)
(b) Outline circumstances when drug and alcohol testing should be
used at work. (4)
(c) Outline how drug or alcohol problems at work can be managed
effectively. (8)
(d) Identify disciplines or agencies that may assist in assessing or managing the use of drugs or alcohol at work. (4)
(a) Outline how the use of drugs or alcohol can adversely affect a worker’s fitness to work. (4)
(b) Outline circumstances when drug and alcohol testing should be used at work. (4)
(c) Outline how drug or alcohol problems at work can be managed
effectively. (8)
(d) Identify disciplines or agencies that may assist in assessing or managing the use of drugs or alcohol at work. (4)
