11.1 Hazards and risks

Written by Imran Qureshi (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH IGC · Workplace hazards · 15 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

Which factor affects the severity of an electric shock?
- A Weather forecast
- B Duration of contact
- C The colour of the cable
- D The age of the building
Wet skin makes shock more dangerous because it:
- A Reduces voltage
- B Insulates the person
- C Lowers body resistance
- D Raises resistance
A secondary effect of electric shock can be:
- A Asbestosis
- B A fall from height
- C Legionnaires' disease
- D Hearing loss
In electric shock, a person may not be able to let go because of:
- A Cold
- B Muscle contraction
- C Light
- D Noise
Ventricular fibrillation is:
- A A noise effect
- B A heart disturbance caused by current through the chest
- C A lung disease
- D A skin burn
Which of these affects how severe an electric shock is?
- A The colour of the cable
- B The size of the plug
- C The path the current takes through the body
- D The brand of tool
Electrical burns can be caused by:
- A Cold weather
- B Noise
- C Direct contact or a nearby arc
- D Radiation only
Electrical equipment is likely to cause fires when it is:
- A Well maintained
- B Double insulated
- C Defective, damaged or overheated
- D Unused
Charging portable equipment can cause fires if:
- A It is fully charged
- B It is switched off
- C It is cool
- D It is overheated or left unattended
A hazard of excavation is:
- A Noise from cables
- B Radon
- C Asbestos only
- D Striking underground cables
Work near overhead lines is dangerous because:
- A There is no voltage
- B Contact or a flashover can cause a shock
- C The lines are quiet
- D They are never live
A worker receives a shock and falls from a ladder. The fall is:
- A Unrelated
- B The primary effect of noise
- C A secondary effect of the shock
- D A radiation effect
Wet conditions increase electrical risk because:
- A Water lowers resistance and conducts current
- B Water insulates
- C Water removes current
- D Water is cold
Equipment used in wet places needs to be:
- A Damaged equipment
- B Any equipment
- C Old equipment
- D Suitable for that environment
A small current passing through the heart:
- A Can kill
- B Is always harmless
- C Is never dangerous
- D Cannot cause injury

Answer key

1. B, 2. C, 3. B, 4. B, 5. B, 6. C, 7. C, 8. C, 9. D, 10. D, 11. B, 12. C, 13. A, 14. D, 15. A

Voltage, frequency, duration, resistance and current path matter.
Lower resistance allows more current.
A person may fall after a shock.
The effects range from a tingle to death.
It can be fatal.
Voltage, frequency, duration, resistance and path matter.
They may be deep.
Poor maintenance and wet use add risk.
Overheating is a cause.
Locate buried services before digging.
Protect against overhead lines.
Falls from height can follow a shock.
Wet skin lowers body resistance.
Equipment must suit the place.
The path matters as much as the voltage.