NEBOSH IOG EXAM: ELEMENT 1
Explain why accident investigations are carried out - Answers :Accident investigations
are carried out to.
To identify the immediate root causes of the incident - incidents are usually caused by
unsafe acts and unsafe conditions in the workplace, but these often arise from
underlying root causes.
To identify corrective actions that will prevent a recurrence - The main reason for
investigating.
List the four steps in the investigation process - Answers :The four steps in the
investigation process are.
Step 1:
Gather factual information about the event.
Step 2:
Analyse that information and draw conclusions about the immediate and root causes.
Step 3:
Identify suitable corrective measures.
Step 4:
Plan the remedial actions.
Identify the categories of staff who might be considered useful members of an internal
accident investigation team. - Answers :A simple investigation might be carried out by
the Line Manager of the area; a more detailed investigation often involves a team of
investigators that might include:
Site HES Team Leads and Safety Advisors
Subject Matter Experts (i.e. a Scaffold Superintendent)
Senior Managers
A worker representative
Offshore investigation teams may also include specialists from services such as drilling,
well services, maintenance, operations and deck crews.
List the types of documentation which might be consulted during an accident
investigation. - Answers :Types of documentation used during an investigation include:
Permit to Work and Risk Assessments
Photographs and CCTV tapes
Technical Drawings & documentation
Hand drawn sketches of the scene identifying location of incident and surrounding
conditions, victim(s) location, witness location, wind direction
, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation
Facility Rules and Regulations handbook
Witness & victim statements
Weather or sea conditions report at time of incident
Training records
Maintenance records
Operations records from database.
Outline the two categories of immediate cause of accidents/incidents - Answers
:Immediate causes are the unsafe act and unsafe conditions that gave rise to the event
itself. There will be things that occurred at the time and place of the accident. For
example, a worker slips on a patch of oil spilt on the floor - immediate causes the slip
hazard (unsafe condition), the worker walking through it (unsafe act)
A worker has been hit by a reversing vehicle in a loading bay. Identify possible
immediate causes and root causes. - Answers :Immediate causes:
The audible reverse indicator sound on the vehicle was not functioning (unsafe
condition)
Lighting in the area was not sufficient (unsafe condition)
The driver was driving too fast (unsafe act)
Root Cause:
Lack of maintenance on the vehicle
Work area not properly planned for low light conditions
Lack of Driver Training and/or refresher training
Breaking of rules and regulations (speed limits)
Give the meaning of the terms Lower and Upper Flammability Limits - Answers :Lower
Flammability Limits (LFL or LEL - Lower Explosive Limits) is the minimum concentration
level of fuel in air that is sufficient to allow combustion to occur. Below LFL/LEL the
mixture is too lean to burn). The Upper Flammability Limit (UFL or UEL) is the maximum
concentration of fuel in air that is sufficient to allow combustion to occur. Above the UFL
the mixture is too rich to burn. Between these limits is the explosive range.
Outline which are the four elements common to health & safety as well as general,
management systems - Answers :Plan - implies having a considered policy
Do - concerns the arrangements for putting the plan into practice
Check - means it is necessary to assess or monitor performance
Act - means performance should be reviewed leading to continuous improvement in the
management system
Outline the four main areas of risk to be dealt with in oil and gas processing risk control
- Answers :The four main areas of risk are: (4P's)
Explain why accident investigations are carried out - Answers :Accident investigations
are carried out to.
To identify the immediate root causes of the incident - incidents are usually caused by
unsafe acts and unsafe conditions in the workplace, but these often arise from
underlying root causes.
To identify corrective actions that will prevent a recurrence - The main reason for
investigating.
List the four steps in the investigation process - Answers :The four steps in the
investigation process are.
Step 1:
Gather factual information about the event.
Step 2:
Analyse that information and draw conclusions about the immediate and root causes.
Step 3:
Identify suitable corrective measures.
Step 4:
Plan the remedial actions.
Identify the categories of staff who might be considered useful members of an internal
accident investigation team. - Answers :A simple investigation might be carried out by
the Line Manager of the area; a more detailed investigation often involves a team of
investigators that might include:
Site HES Team Leads and Safety Advisors
Subject Matter Experts (i.e. a Scaffold Superintendent)
Senior Managers
A worker representative
Offshore investigation teams may also include specialists from services such as drilling,
well services, maintenance, operations and deck crews.
List the types of documentation which might be consulted during an accident
investigation. - Answers :Types of documentation used during an investigation include:
Permit to Work and Risk Assessments
Photographs and CCTV tapes
Technical Drawings & documentation
Hand drawn sketches of the scene identifying location of incident and surrounding
conditions, victim(s) location, witness location, wind direction
, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation
Facility Rules and Regulations handbook
Witness & victim statements
Weather or sea conditions report at time of incident
Training records
Maintenance records
Operations records from database.
Outline the two categories of immediate cause of accidents/incidents - Answers
:Immediate causes are the unsafe act and unsafe conditions that gave rise to the event
itself. There will be things that occurred at the time and place of the accident. For
example, a worker slips on a patch of oil spilt on the floor - immediate causes the slip
hazard (unsafe condition), the worker walking through it (unsafe act)
A worker has been hit by a reversing vehicle in a loading bay. Identify possible
immediate causes and root causes. - Answers :Immediate causes:
The audible reverse indicator sound on the vehicle was not functioning (unsafe
condition)
Lighting in the area was not sufficient (unsafe condition)
The driver was driving too fast (unsafe act)
Root Cause:
Lack of maintenance on the vehicle
Work area not properly planned for low light conditions
Lack of Driver Training and/or refresher training
Breaking of rules and regulations (speed limits)
Give the meaning of the terms Lower and Upper Flammability Limits - Answers :Lower
Flammability Limits (LFL or LEL - Lower Explosive Limits) is the minimum concentration
level of fuel in air that is sufficient to allow combustion to occur. Below LFL/LEL the
mixture is too lean to burn). The Upper Flammability Limit (UFL or UEL) is the maximum
concentration of fuel in air that is sufficient to allow combustion to occur. Above the UFL
the mixture is too rich to burn. Between these limits is the explosive range.
Outline which are the four elements common to health & safety as well as general,
management systems - Answers :Plan - implies having a considered policy
Do - concerns the arrangements for putting the plan into practice
Check - means it is necessary to assess or monitor performance
Act - means performance should be reviewed leading to continuous improvement in the
management system
Outline the four main areas of risk to be dealt with in oil and gas processing risk control
- Answers :The four main areas of risk are: (4P's)
