Summative assessments 244383

Knowledge questionnaire
Explain the general duties of employers to their employees regarding the working
environment in terms of Section 8 of the Act. (2)

Every employer shall provide and maintain

as far as is reasonably practicable

a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees.

Explain the general duties of employers to their employees regarding the duty to inform as
stated in Section 13 of the Act. (3)

In terms of Section 13 of the Act:

Employers must –

Inform employees of the hazards to his health and safety attached to any work which he
has to perform, as well as the precautionary measures which should be taken and observed
with respect to those hazards.

Inform the health and safety representatives concerned beforehand of inspections,

investigations or formal inquiries of which he has been notified by an inspector.

Inform a health and safety representative as soon as reasonably practicable of the

occurrence of an incident in the workplace or section of the workplace for which such
representative has been designated.

Explain the difference between a hazard and a risk. (4)

A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. This includes substances,
machinery, methods of work or other aspects of work organisation

Risk is the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard will occur
Explain base line risk assessments-according to Section 8.2(d) of the Act. (5)

The introduction of the new Act means that mines will have to do the following:

assess where they are in terms of risk,

identify the major risks

establish priorities for risk control

and develop a programme for future risk control.

Any baseline risk assessment has to be very comprehensive as all other risk assessments
will be based on this.

Explain issued based risk assessment according to Section 8.2(d) of the Act. (2)

Issue-based risk assessment means that extra risk assessments have to be carried out
when circumstances change, e.g.

New machinery has to be used

An operational procedure is changed – when you have to work differently

After an accident or a 'near-miss' has taken place

New knowledge or information is received that could influence the level of risk to employees
at the mine. An example of this is when the scientific knowledge about the toxicity of a
substance changes, making previous risk assessments with regard to that substance invalid.

Explain continuous risk assessments according to Section 8.2(d) of the Act. (2)

Continuous risk assessment takes place every day before employees start to work. You
should do a risk assessment of your workplace every day to make sure that all health and
safety risks have been eliminated.

What steps have to be taken once you have identified hazards. (2)

After you have identified these hazards, you will evaluate the extent of the risk. Precautions
that are already in place will also be taken into account.

This is followed by an evaluation of the extent of the risk involved taking into account those

precautions already being taken.

Explain tolerable risk. (3)

A level of risk deemed acceptable by society in order that some particular benefit or
functionality can be obtained

but in the knowledge that the risk has been evaluated and is being managed.

What is the purpose of safety inspections? List 4. (4)

To identify potential hazards.

To establish the cause of injuries, death, occupational diseases, property damage and
pollution.

To record all of the abovementioned information and report to the appropriate authorities in
the required format.

To provide information at meetings where safety, health and environmental protection

matters are discussed.

To make information available for research purposes.

To assist in the evaluation of the SHE policy and procedures, including the completion of all
registers, records, schedules, etc., required by law.

Explain the functions of Health And Safety Committees in terms of Section 20 of the Act. (2)

A health and safety committee may make recommendations to the employer or an inspector
regarding any matter affecting the health or safety of persons at the workplace, discuss and
report to an inspector on any incident causing injury or death at the workplace.

A health and safety committee must keep record of recommendations made to an employer
and of any report made to an inspector in terms of the above.

Explain what employers must do when an incident occurs. (2)

Employers must –

Inform a health and safety representative as soon as reasonably practicable of the

occurrence of an incident in the workplace or section of the workplace for which such
representative has been designated.

When you do a risk assessment, you have to follow a systematic approach. Explain what
this means. (5)

You have to identify all the major risks in the workplace

Think about aspects of the work such as the substances or equipment used, the work
processes and the way the work is organised: can any of these cause harm

Take into account what safety controls and other measures already exist. Make sure that
you carefully review the effectiveness of these controls

Look at hazards and risks systematically

Review all aspects of the work activities.

When you do an inspection to identify hazards, what could you base your risk assessment
on? Name 3 criteria. (3)

geographically by looking at shafts, haulages, workshops, etc.;

functionally – linked to work activities such as trucking and tramming, blasting, winding
operations, etc.;
Hazards or issues, such as the hanging wall, electricity, machinery, etc.;
Type of work such as engineering, environmental, metallurgical, etc.

What could the consequences of an incident be? (1)

Death, injury, loss of production, loss in profits, etc.

What documents would you need to prepare for an inspection? Name 5. (5)

A floor plan of the workplace in order to mark areas where people work; write down the
number of people working in each area.

Work processes and machinery in each area.

A health and safety checklist

Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from management

Pre use checklists

Planned task observations forms

Critical parts inspection form

Structured inspection checklists

Mine Standards

Procedures

Task directives

Analyses
What PPE will you use when you see these safety signs? (5)

Safety Sign Meaning

Safety Shoes

Eye Protection

Respiratory Equipment

Head protection

Hearing protection
How can you ensure that you work safely? Name 4 actions. (4)

You should not commence work if a risk assessment has not been completed for the task

Before work starts at every shift, your supervisor should have a crew talk explaining all the
safety instructions for the job

You have the right to refuse to work if you feel the conditions are unsafe.

Always identify the things that can cause injury

Apply control measures as specified in your risk assessment

If you are not sure, ask your supervisor and follow instruction

List 8 general safety rules. (8)

Never:

Enter a work area that you have not been authorised to enter.

Operate any equipment that you have not been trained to operate

Always wear:

suitable protective clothing

safety boots

hard hats

overalls

General

Use special safety equipment when required as indicated by mandatory signs.

Report to your supervisor loss or damage immediately of any protective clothing or safety
equipment, and ensure that it is replaced.

Obey “No Smoking” signs.

Know where the nearest fire extinguishers are and how to use them.

Know where you’re nearest emergency point is and it’s number

Store flammable liquids only in small amounts and in approved safety cans.

Keep portable heating equipment and engines in buildings away from combustible
materials.
Do not interfere with electrical equipment until it has been isolated.

Do not use electrical power tools or equipment while standing in water.

Make sure the cords of electrical tools are in good condition

List 5 things to look for when doing an inspection. (5)

Noise

Very cold or hot working areas.

Dust or fumes.

Any noticeable smells.

Unguarded machinery.

Ease of entry and exit from workplace.

Ease of movement within and around the workplace.

Storage of articles and substances.

Location of fire extinguishers/ first aid boxes.

What are the most important tools you need for workplace inspections? List 5. (5)

Eyes to spot hazards

Nose to smell bad odours as indication of hazards.

Mouth to talk to health and safety representatives

Brain to be always thinking and learning

Ears to listen to workers complaints and suggestion for improvements.

Guts to be strong enough to fight to get the hazards corrected,

to stop work which you see is of immediate danger.

Feet to regularly inspect the workplace.

There are two levels of observation. Name and explain them. (4)

Obvious

These are easily identified and would include those things that are visible to the eye, such
as:

Diesel spills,
Oil spills,

Handrails loose, etc.

Concealed

These hazards are not so obvious to the Observer and require some exploration. These
include:

Brakes not working,

Air leaks, etc.

Three factors are used for classification of hazards. Name them. (3)
Normally three factors are used for this classification exercise namely severity (how serious
it is), frequency (how often it occurs) and exposure (how many people will be exposed).
List the ten steps to effective risk assessment. (10)

1. make sure the risk assessment process is practical and realistic.

2. Involve as many people as possible in the process, especially those at risk and their
representatives.

3. Use a systematic approach to ensure that all risks and hazards are adequately
addressed.

4. Aim to identify the major risks; don't waste time on the minor risks, don't obscure the
process in too much detail.

5. Gather all the information you can and analysis it as well as possible before starting the
risk assessment.

6. Start by identifying the hazards.

7. Assess the risks arising from those hazards, taking into account the effectiveness of the
existing controls

8. Look at what actually occurs and exists in the workplace and, in particular, include non-
routine operations.

9. Include all employees, visitors and contractors.

10. Always keep a written record of the assessment, including all assumptions you make,
and the reasons for those assumptions.

TOTAL: 90
 Workplace assignments
Research
1. Find out how the following assessments are done at work and explain the procedures:
 Baseline
 Issue-based
 Continuous
2. Investigate two incidents or accidents that occurred at work. Explain the reason why
these incidents occurred and how they could have been prevented through regular
inspections.
3. What were the consequences of these incidents or accidents to:
 the employer
 the employee
 the team

Work sample
1. Prepare for the following two inspections: an issue-based inspection and a continuous
inspection. Do the following:
 Identify the PPE you will wear for each type of inspection and make a list of this.
 Gather the documents you will need for both inspections. Make a list of the
documents
2. Do the inspections using the forms supplied by your employer or develop a form to use.
Identify all hazards you come across and assess the risks, using the procedure in your
organisation or the procedure suggested in the learner guide. Attach copies of your
documents to this assignment.
 Where possible, deal with the risk immediately and make a note of this on your
inspection sheet. (For example, where an employee or visitor is not wearing PPE.)
 Note all other significant risks and how these risks could be avoided or minimised.
3. Develop a checklist to use in future. Attach this to your assignment.
4. Complete the reports that are needed and give the report to your supervisor and the
Health and Safety Committee. Attach a copy of this report showing signatures of both
recipients.
5. Explain what follow-up action you suggested. Find out if this action was taken by
conducting another inspection. Attach copies of this inspection sheet to your
assignment.

Testimonial
1. Two of your colleagues and your supervisor must confirm that you conducted the
inspections in a positive and friendly way to promote teamwork.
2. This could be in the form of a letter or you could develop a form for them to complete.
3. Make sure that the full details of the inspection are included: date, time, place, etc.