July 2012

Examiners Report
NEBOSH National
Diploma in
Occupational Health
and Safety - Unit B

Examiners Report
NEBOSH NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Unit B: Hazardous agents in the workplace
JULY 2012

CONTENTS

Introduction

General comments

Comments on individual questions

2012 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW
tel: 0116 263 4700

fax: 0116 282 4000

email: [email protected]

website: www.nebosh.org.uk

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health is a registered charity, number 1010444
EXTERNAL

Introduction

NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as
an independent examining board and awarding body with charitable status. We offer a comprehensive
range of globally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety,
environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the private and public sectors.
Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract around 35,000 candidates annually and are offered
by over 500 course providers, with examinations taken in over 100 countries around the world. Our
qualifications are recognised by the relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution
of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety
Management (IIRSM).
NEBOSH is an awarding body to be recognised and regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA).
Where appropriate, NEBOSH follows the latest version of the GCSE, GCE, Principal Learning and
Project Code of Practice published by the regulatory authorities in relation to examination setting and
marking. While not obliged to adhere to this code, NEBOSH regards it as best practice to do so.
Candidates scripts are marked by a team of Examiners appointed by NEBOSH on the basis of their
qualifications and experience. The standard of the qualification is determined by NEBOSH, which is
overseen by the NEBOSH Council comprising nominees from, amongst others, the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and
the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Representatives of course providers, from
both the public and private sectors, are elected to the NEBOSH Council.
This report on the examination provides information on the performance of candidates which it is
hoped will be useful to candidates and tutors in preparation for future examinations. It is intended to
be constructive and informative and to promote better understanding of the syllabus content and the
application of assessment criteria.
NEBOSH 2012

Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to:

NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW
tel:
0116 263 4700
fax:
0116 282 4000
email: [email protected]

EXTERNAL

General comments

Many candidates are well prepared for this unit assessment and provide comprehensive and relevant
answers in response to the demands of the question paper. This includes the ability to demonstrate
understanding of knowledge by applying it to workplace situations.
There are always some candidates, however, who appear to be unprepared for the unit assessment
and who show both a lack of knowledge of the syllabus content and a lack of understanding of how
key concepts should be applied to workplace situations.
In order to meet the pass standard for this assessment, acquisition of knowledge and understanding
across the syllabus are prerequisites. However, candidates need to demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding in answering the questions set. Referral of candidates in this unit is invariably because
they are unable to write a full, well-informed answer to one or more of the questions asked.
Some candidates find it difficult to relate their learning to the questions and as a result offer responses
reliant on recalled knowledge and conjecture and fail to demonstrate a sufficient degree of
understanding. Candidates should prepare themselves for this vocational examination by ensuring
their understanding, not rote-learning pre-prepared answers.
Candidates should therefore note that Examiners Reports are not written to provide sample answers
but to give examples of what Examiners were expecting and more specifically to highlight areas of
under performance.
Common pitfalls
It is recognised that many candidates are well prepared for their assessments. However, recurrent
issues, as outlined below, continue to prevent some candidates reaching their full potential in the
assessment.

Many candidates fail to apply the basic principles of examination technique and for some
candidates this means the difference between a pass and a referral.

In some instances, candidates do not attempt all the required questions or are failing to
provide complete answers. Candidates are advised to always attempt an answer to a
compulsory question, even when the mind goes blank. Applying basic health and safety
management principles can generate credit worthy points.

Some candidates fail to answer the question set and instead provide information that may be
relevant to the topic but is irrelevant to the question and cannot therefore be awarded marks.

Many candidates fail to apply the command words (also known as action verbs, eg describe,
outline, etc). Command words are the instructions that guide the candidate on the depth of
answer required. If, for instance, a question asks the candidate to describe something, then
few marks will be awarded to an answer that is an outline. Similarly the command word
identify requires more information than a list.

Some candidates fail to separate their answers into the different sub-sections of the questions.
These candidates could gain marks for the different sections if they clearly indicated which
part of the question they were answering (by using the numbering from the question in their
answer, for example). Structuring their answers to address the different parts of the question
can also help in logically drawing out the points to be made in response.

Candidates need to plan their time effectively. Some candidates fail to make good use of their
time and give excessive detail in some answers leaving insufficient time to address all of the
questions.

Candidates should also be aware that Examiners cannot award marks if handwriting is
illegible.

Candidates should note that it is not necessary to start a new page in their answer booklet for
each section of a question.

EXTERNAL

UNIT B Hazardous agents in the workplace

Section A all questions compulsory

Question 1

(a)

Outline the meaning of the term vocational rehabilitation.

(2)

(b)

Outline the benefits of vocational rehabilitation to the employer.

(5)

(c)

Identify THREE health care practitioners who may be involved in

the vocational rehabilitation of an employee.

(3)

This question is based on a new area of the Unit B syllabus (element B11) and most
candidates coped well with it. When outlining the meaning of vocational rehabilitation
in part (a), candidates needed to include reference to the help given to someone
returning to work following either injury or illness. The definition of vocational
rehabilitation also includes those remaining in work or accessing work following injury
or illness.
Candidates struggled more when responding to part (b). To be awarded all the marks
available, they needed to include a wide range of benefits to the employer. Most
responses included benefits such as reduced sickness absence costs and improved
productivity. Few candidates, however, referred to other benefits of vocational
rehabilitation such as retention of skilled employees or demonstration of compliance
with the Equality Act 2010.
Candidates did well in part (c) of the question. Examples of health care practitioners
involved in vocational rehabilitation were occupational doctors and occupational
nurses. Other options were counsellors or occupational therapists. There were a
number of other mark-worthy examples that candidates could have referred to.

Question 2

Employees can be exposed to corrosive substances.

(a)

Give the meaning of the term corrosive.

(b)

The data below, for three forms of the same product, is taken
from a suppliers catalogue.

(2)

Using the data outline the likely routes of entry AND effects of
exposure when handling EACH of these products.

(8)

Product
code

Chemical name/formula

Concentration

Physical form

C1

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

99.9%

Pellets

C2

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

97%

Powder

C3

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

50% in water

Liquid

In part (a), candidates were specifically asked to give the meaning of the term
corrosive. This phrasing in a question indicates that a clear and precise definition of a

EXTERNAL

term is required. In element B1 of the syllabus, a number of terms are listed for which
candidates are expected to know the meaning, eg toxic irritant, carcinogenic etc.
One of the terms listed in the syllabus is corrosive. Candidates were expected to refer
to a corrosive substance as one that results in the destruction of living tissue if
inhaled, ingested or on contact.
To gain all the range of marks available in part (b), candidates needed to address both
aspects of the question which were to outline the likely routes of entry and the effects
of exposure for each of the products listed in the table. Candidates who did well on
this part of the question organised their answers in a way that methodically addressed
these two aspects of the question for each of the three products. Some candidates did
not structure their answers and so limited their ability to be awarded marks.
Sometimes they missed out a likely route of entry for one product or an effect of
exposure for another product.
For example, a candidate gaining good marks indicated that product C2 being a
powder, the most likely route of entry would be via inhalation; therefore the effects of
exposure to C2 would be in the respiratory tract. Credit would also be given to
candidates who suggested that the powder C2 when airborne could also affect the
eyes and skin.
Candidates are encouraged to structure answers in a way that addresses all the
points signposted in the question.

Question 3

(a)

(b)

Outline the source AND symptoms of meticillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

(4)

Outline control measures that can be used to minimise the risks

from MRSA in a hospital environment.

(6)

The Unit B syllabus has always included a list of biological agents that candidates are
expected to have studied. Responses to this question indicated that some accredited
course providers may not have noted the changes in this list, following the recent
syllabus update; therefore some candidates did not have knowledge of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In these cases, the candidates tried to apply
knowledge from other biological agents such as Hepatitis B and Leptospirosis to this
question and as a result were awarded low marks.
In part (a), candidates needed to outline that the source of MRSA was human as it is
found in about a third of healthy people. When outlining symptoms, candidates need to
avoid vague phrases such as flu-like symptoms. The more specific symptoms
relevant to this biological agent include local skin infection, boils, serious wound
infections as well as high temperature, pain and body aches. Those candidates who
had clearly studied this particular biological agent also noted that some people can
carry this bacterium, but show no symptoms (referred to as colonisation).
Control measures that candidates should have outlined in part (b) included those that
are relevant to many bacteria in a health care situation. For example, hand washing
with soap and water or alcohol hand gel and the wearing of gloves and aprons. Most
candidates gained marks in this way. Few candidates, however, were able to outline
control measures specific to MRSA. These include: identifying patients who carry
MRSA by taking swabs and sending them to a laboratory for analysis; treating patients
with antibiotics prior to hospital admission; and cleaning of clinical areas and
equipment. Tutors can find further specific advice on control measures for MRSA in
Health Protection Agency guidance.

EXTERNAL

Question 4

A Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system is used to reduce exposure of

workers to dust in a workplace.
(a)

(b)

Identify THREE visual inspection methods that could be used to

give a simple qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of the
LEV system.

(3)

Transport velocity is one of the quantitative measurements

undertaken to assess the performance of the LEV system.
(i)

(ii)

Outline why transport velocity is an important parameter

to measure when assessing the effectiveness of the LEV
system.

(2)

Outline the methods that can be used to measure

transport velocity in a LEV system.

(5)

A similar question to this has been included in previous Unit B examination question
papers; therefore candidates were well prepared to respond. Part (a) required
candidates to identify visual inspection methods that provide qualitative (rather than
quantitative) results. Suitable methods included the use of equipment such as a tyndall
beam or more simply, observations on the build of dust on surfaces in the workplace.
In part (b), transport velocity was selected as an example of a quantitative
measurement of LEV performance. This is an important parameter because an
insufficient transport velocity can result in dust particles settling in the duct and lead to
a blockage of the duct. As well as reducing the overall efficiency of the LEV system,
there is an increased fire or explosion risk.
Responses to part (b) (ii) were often inaccurate with candidates incorrectly naming the
equipment used to measure transport velocity. Candidates did need to provide
accurate information in order to gain the marks available. Suitable equipment included
a thermal or hot-wire anemometer or a pitot-static tube attached to a pressure gauge
(manometer). In addition, candidates were expected to outline the use of this
equipment and the calculation of transport velocity. Candidates who have seen and
perhaps used this equipment would be better placed to answer this question, so tutors
should try to provide candidates with this opportunity.

Question 5

Display lasers are used in a night club.

Outline the control measures that should be put in place to minimise the
risks to people in the night club from the display lasers.

(10)

Many candidates performed poorly on this new question. The revised diploma syllabus
includes more detail on lasers and, in particular, reference to typical workplace
situations (including leisure and entertainment) and practical control measures. Both
these parts of the syllabus were the basis for this question. Tutors are directed
towards the HSE publication HSG 95.
Candidates were able to gain some marks by applying basic hierarchy of control ideas
and as a result should have included in their responses reference to protective
housing for the laser system, maintenance of safe distances around areas where there
are hazardous emissions and the use of warning signs. At diploma level, more
technical detail about control measures was necessary to gain the range of marks
available.

EXTERNAL

Few candidates referred to control measures such as masking around the laser
aperture to restrict errant beams or positioning of lasers to avoid reflection from any
reflective surfaces in the night club.
A number of candidates wasted time explaining the various classes of lasers that the
question did not require. A simple reference to the need to use the lowest power (or
class) of laser possible was mark-worthy, although in reality in this setting, this is
unlikely to be a Class 1 laser and is more likely to be Class 3 or 4.
Most candidates were unaware of the importance of the Maximum Permissible
Exposure (MPE) for lasers. A safe display laser installation should have emissions that
do not expose people above the applicable Maximum Permissible Exposure value,
even when reasonably foreseeable faults occur.
Other controls that candidates could have included were the appointment of a laser
safety officer, the use of trained and competent people to install and operate the laser
display equipment and adequate supervision during the operation of the lasers.

Question 6

Stonemasons cutting and finishing stone are exposed to silica dust.

Outline factors to be considered when undertaking a suitable and
sufficient assessment of the risks from exposure to silica dust.

(10)

This question was generally not well answered.

Marks were available for factors such as the likely route of entry, the possible health
effects of silica dust and the particle size of the dust. Any risk assessment for a
hazardous substance has to take account of the frequency of exposure, the number of
people exposed and the duration of their exposure.
As the question was based on a particular scenario of stonemasons cutting and
finishing stone, there were marks available for consideration of how the nature of the
work could affect the exposure to silica dust. For example the use of power tools to do
the work could result in larger quantities of dust being generated, unless existing
controls measures such as dust extraction were available.
An outline of what else is relevant to making a suitable and sufficient risk assessment
for a hazardous substance such as silica dust, can be found within the ACOP
(approved code of practice) that accompanies the Control of Substances Hazardous
to Health Regulations (COSHH).

EXTERNAL

Section B three from five questions to be attempted

Question 7

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require

every workplace to have suitable and sufficient lighting.
Outline factors that should be considered when providing suitable and
sufficient workplace lighting.

(20)

This was not a popular choice of question, perhaps because this is another new topic
within the Unit B syllabus. This was previously included within the Unit C syllabus.
Those candidates who answered this question did not perform well and the average
mark achieved was well under half marks. There was a very wide range of factors that
candidates could have included in their responses and only a small number of these
are mentioned here. Tutors are directed to the HSE guidance document HSG38.
The provision of suitable and sufficient lighting should consider general, localised and
local lighting requirements, the avoidance of glare and shadows, as well as
accessibility of lighting controls and requirements for maintenance. Other factors that
candidates should have included in their answer were the colour and frequency (in
Hertz) of the lighting. Those who noted that lighting levels are measured in lux were
given credit.
Candidates are advised that questions that are not broken down into parts benefit from
some planning before starting to respond. This avoids duplication of points and helps
candidates to ensure they cover a wide range of factors.

Question 8

(a)

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set exposure values.

Give the meaning of the terms:

(b)

(i)

Exposure Limit Value (ELV);

(2)

(ii)

Exposure Action Value (EAV).

(2)

A building contractor has been asked to remove a large area of

concrete paving using a hand-held concrete breaker. The
2
concrete breaker has a vibration magnitude of 10m/s . The site
manager estimates it will take approximately 4 hours for one
worker to complete this task.
Using the information above and the Health and Safety Executive
Vibration calculator below, explain a range of practical steps
the site manager could consider when determining how to
complete this task with the existing equipment to comply with the
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

(10)

EXTERNAL

Vibration
magnitude
m/s2

40
30
25
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5.5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1

800
450
315
200
180
160
145
130
115
98
85
72
61
50
41
32
25
15
13
10
8
6
5
3
2
1
1

900
625
400
360
325
290
255
225
195
170
145
120
100
81
64
49
36
30
25
20
16
12
9
6
4
2
1

1250
800
720
650
580
510
450
390
340
290
240
200
160
130
98
72
61
50
41
32
25
18
13
8
5
2

1450
1300
1150
1000
900
785
675
575
485
400
325
255
195
145
120
100
81
64
49
36
25
16
9
4

1350
1200
1000
865
725
600
485
385
295
215
180
150
120
96
74
54
38
24
14
6

1350
1150
970
800
650
510
390
290
240
200
160
130
98
72
50
32
18
8

1450
1200
1000
810
640
490
360
305
250
205
160
125
90
63
40
23
10

1450
1200
970
770
590
430
365
300
245
190
145
110
75
48
27
12

1300
1000
785
575
485
400
325
255
195
145
100
64
36
16

1200
865
720
605
500
405
320
245
180
125
80
45
20

15 mins

30 mins

1 hour

2 hours

3 hours

4 hours

5 hours

6 hours

8 hours

10 hours

18

Daily exposure time

(c)

Outline other control measures that the site manager could put
in place for similar work in the future.

(6)

Part (a) required candidates to give the meaning of two specific technical terms
relevant to exposure to vibration. Both these legal terms are specifically defined within
the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and therefore responses needed to
be accurate. Since these levels of exposure are a dose, the meaning of the terms
Exposure Limit Value (ELV) and Exposure Action Value (EAV) require reference to
the time period of exposure (daily). Candidates who quoted numerical values for ELV
and EAV as part of their response gained marks only if the correct numbers were
2
accompanied by the correct units, m/s A(8).
In part (b) of this question, candidates were specifically asked to determine how to
complete the task using the existing equipment, so those who mentioned using
alternative work equipment or methods were not given credit.
There were options on how to complete the task and comply with the Control of
Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. For example, the site manager could use more
than two operatives each working for less than 30 minutes a day and then all would
receive a vibration exposure that was below the Exposure Action Value (represented
by 100 points on the calculator). Other permutations of numbers of operators and time
spent working with the equipment were possible and these also gained marks.
Some candidates commented in their answers that the HSE calculator had not been
reproduced on the examination question paper in colour and therefore they were not
able to utilise the information to answer the question. The colour version of the

EXTERNAL

calculator that is found in HSE publications is a presentational tool to aid use. The
colours are not necessary to utilise the numerical data in the calculator. It is expected
that as part of the studying the use of the HSE Vibration calculator (a specific
requirement in element 6.5 of the revised diploma syllabus), candidates will note the
point values that represent the ELV and EAV. Candidates with this knowledge were
able to use the calculator to help them answer parts (b) and (c).
Responses to part (c) required candidates to think about control measures that could
be used in the future and these could include the use of alternative work methods of
equipment. Some candidates continued to utilise the information provided in the HSE
calculator to determine that selecting equipment with a vibration magnitude of less
2
than 4 m/s would allow one operative to complete the 4 hour task in one day and still
receive a vibration exposure below the EAV. Other relevant control measures included
maintenance of the concrete breaking equipment and the use of such equipment with
heated hand grips to improve blood circulation in the hands of the operatives.
Overall this was a popular choice of question and most candidates provided
reasonable responses.

Question 9

Employees working in a busy 24 hour Accident and Emergency

Department of a city centre hospital are exposed to the risk of workplace
violence and aggression.
(a)

(b)

(c)

Outline factors that will increase the likelihood of these

employees experiencing workplace violence and aggression.

(6)

Outline a range of practical controls that the hospital could

introduce to minimise the risks to these employees from
workplace violence and aggression.

(10)

A nurse is violently attacked by a relative of a patient they are

treating and acts to defend herself.
Explain the legal criteria that would be considered when
deciding if the nurse had acted within the law in these
circumstances.

(4)

Candidates were able to answers parts (a) and (b) of this question well. However,
responses to part (c) were poor. Fortunately, the bulk of the 20 marks were for parts
(a) and (b), so on average, candidates attempting this question gained half marks.
Factors that increase the likelihood of employees in an Accident and Emergency
department experiencing violence and aggression include dealing with members of
the public in close proximity, in situations when they are in pain or distress and may
be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other organisational factors such as
waiting times and lack of communication are also relevant.
In part (b), candidates needed to outline practical control measures for the Accident
and Emergency department. It seemed that many candidates were able to draw on
personal experience to provide examples of control measures that were very relevant
to the scenario. Control measures within the work environment included CCTV,
removal of potential missiles by fixing chairs etc to the floor and physical barriers at
reception desks. Other organisational control measures included training of
employees in managing violent situations, improved communication on waiting times,
post-incident counselling and support for employees who want to press charges
against assailants.
Responses to part (c) were poor. Element 8.4 of the revised diploma syllabus is the
basis for this question. Candidates were expected to have some knowledge of the

10

EXTERNAL

Criminal Law Act 1967 section 3 (listed in the statutory provisions for element 8) and
be able to explain its relevance in the situation described in the question. Part (c)
required reference to the Criminal Law Act 1967 and explanation of term reasonable
force. For the nurse to have acted with reasonable force when defending herself, it
would be necessary to determine that the force was necessary in the circumstances
and that the force that was used was reasonable. A number of candidates mistakenly
cited the Health and Safety at Work Act as being relevant to the use of self-defence.

Question 10

A parcel sorting depot is experiencing a high number of manual handling

related injuries. The employees handle a large number of different
parcels and packages each day.
(a)

(b)

(c)

Identify the different types of hazard that may be inherent in the

loads being handled.

(6)

In order to reduce the level of manual handling required, the

employer has decided to invest in a range of non-powered
handling devices such as trolleys and trucks.
Outline factors the employer should consider when selecting
suitable devices.

(10)

Outline a range of additional control measures that could be

introduced to minimise the risks associated with these manual
handling activities.

(4)

This was an extremely popular question and candidates who answered this question
performed well. In part (a), most candidates easily identified the hazards associated
with the loads being handled, although some did stray from the question and included
hazards associated with the task and the environment. These were not required.
Some candidates answering part (b) did not focus on the word in italics (selecting) and
concentrated on the use of the devices, so limiting their marks. In order to be awarded
the 10 marks available candidates needed to outline a wide range of factors. These
included a suitable safe working load, the need for brakes, devices to be lightweight
and height adjustable. More features of the design of the devices were relevant to
consider, but are not listed here.
Since the question was about selection, credit was given to candidates who
mentioned the importance of user trials and employee involvement in the selection
process. Other factors to consider related to the environment in which the devices
were to operate, for example sufficient width to manoeuvre the devices.
In part (c), candidates needed to consider options beyond the use of the trolleys and
trucks in part (b). Therefore marks were awarded for additional control measures such
as changing the layout of the workplace to reduce twisting, stooping, carrying
distances etc. The use of mechanical assistance such as forklift trucks was also
relevant. As is often the case the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a
valid control measure. Diploma level candidates should always be certain to include a
relevant example of PPE and not just mention the generic term PPE, to be awarded
the mark.

11

EXTERNAL

Question 11

A manufacturing process involves the use of a solvent which has a

Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL).
(a)

(b)

(c)

Explain what is meant by the term WEL and how it relates to the
term adequate control as defined in the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

(5)

Outline a range of methods and equipment that could be used to

measure the personal exposure of the process workers to this
solvent.

(7)

Exposure of the process workers to this solvent is controlled by

local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and personal protective
equipment (PPE). The LEV system is regularly inspected and is
subject to thorough examination and testing on an annual basis.
Using results from personal exposure measurements and
information relating to the control measures in use, outline how
you could determine if the process workers exposure to this
solvent is adequately controlled.

(8)

Part (a) of this question required candidates to have specific knowledge of the term
WEL and the meaning of adequate control as both terms have particular meanings
within the COSHH Regulations. When explaining the term WEL, it is always
necessary to include reference to the relevant time frames (ie 15 minutes and 8
hours). Adequate control is not only achieved if the WEL is not exceeded and the
principles of good practice are met. Credit was given to candidates who mentioned the
additional requirements for carcinogens, mutagens and asthmagens.
Part (b) was particularly poorly answered. Understanding of the methods used to
measure personal exposure to hazardous substances is a perennial problem in Unit B
answers. When candidates are asked to provide information on how to do this, there
is often a lack of knowledge and understanding. Tutors are encouraged to give
candidates practical experience of using such equipment in order to improve their
understanding and reduce confusion about the various methods available.
The methods that are required in response to part (b) are concerned with measuring
personal exposure. Instead, many candidates talked about static sampling within the
work environment. Tutors are directed to the relevant MDHS documents on the HSE
website (Methods for Determining Hazardous Substances), that describe the
methodologies for measuring exposure to solvents. Whilst candidates were not
expected to have detailed knowledge about the name/number of these MDHS
documents, use of these documents when studying this area of the syllabus is helpful.
In part (c), many candidates did not show understanding about how to use the results
from personal exposure monitoring along with data on local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
performance and personal protective equipment (PPE) specifications. Clearly it was
necessary to compare the results of personal exposure monitoring with the relevant
WEL. The results of LEV testing compared with the commissioning data for the LEV
system could indicate a drop in LEV performance over time, which may result in the
control of exposure deteriorating. Other comparisons in relation to PPE or RPE
specification and personal exposure monitoring results were also mark-worthy.

12

EXTERNAL

The National Examination

Board in Occupational
Safety and Health
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester LE19 1QW
telephone +44 (0)116 2634700
fax +44 (0)116 2824000
email [email protected]
www.nebosh.org.uk