Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Turn over your papers

I've just done a health and safety exam. Here are a few of the questions presented to candidates:

You have witnessed a serious accident on your site, and are interviewed by an HSE inspector. Should you:

A: tell the inspector what your mates say you should tell him
B; ask your supervisor what you should say to the inspector
C: co-operate fully with the inspector and tell him exactly what you say
D: don't tell him anything



Why should a high visibility vest be worn when working on roads?

A: So road operators and plant users can see you
B: Because you were told to do so
C: Because it will keep you warm
D: So that your mates can see you



A colleague has drilled holes in the top of his safety helmet because the weather is hot. Is this:

A: acceptable if the holes are small
B: his choice
C: acceptable
D: in breach of legal requirements



Which of the following would NOT make a load easier to handle manually

A: Painting it a bright colour
B: Securing the load so it does not shift unexpectedly
C: Reducing its weight
D: Providing suitable handles or hand grips



Which of the following statements is true with regard to the dangers of electricity?

A: Electricity is perfectly safe so long as you wear cotton gloves
B:Electricity is only dangerous if you are not wearing wellington boots
C: Electricity is only dangerous in wet weather
D Electricity is dangerous at any time because you cannot tell by looking at a cable whether it is live

Assuming that the people who weren't able to answer these questions correctly have already been weeded out by the operation of natural selection, I found myself asking the eternal question; "what's the point?" The answer, I imagine, is so someone, somewhere can say that there's a process in place and tick the health and safety box. Job done.

0 comments: