3.6 Safe systems of work for general work activities

A safe system of work is:

• 1 A legal permit only
• 2 A type of PPE
• 3 A formal procedure from a systematic examination of a task
• 4 An audit method

Technical, procedural and behavioural are types of:

• 1 Permits
• 2 Hazards
• 3 Controls
• 4 Audits

Why should workers help to develop a safe system of work?

• 1 It removes the need for training
• 2 They know how the job is really done
• 3 It removes the need for supervision
• 4 To avoid writing it down

A safe system of work should be:

• 1 Prepared after an incident only
• 2 Different for every worker
• 3 Kept in the head of the supervisor
• 4 Written down so it is consistent and can be used for training

The first step in developing a safe system of work is to:

• 1 Monitor the system
• 2 Train the workers
• 3 Analyse the task and identify the hazards
• 4 Buy the PPE

After a safe system of work is introduced, the organisation should:

• 1 Forget it
• 2 Monitor it to check that it is followed and still works
• 3 Replace the workers
• 4 Remove the supervisors

An example of a technical control is:

• 1 A toolbox talk
• 2 A machine guard
• 3 A work permit
• 4 A disciplinary policy

An example of a procedural control is:

• 1 A permit to work
• 2 A safety sign only
• 3 A noise enclosure
• 4 A fixed guard

An example of a behavioural control is:

• 1 A fixed guard
• 2 An interlock
• 3 Local exhaust ventilation
• 4 Training and supervision

Why should a safe system be developed with the people who do the job?

• 1 It removes the need for a risk assessment
• 2 They know how the job is really done
• 3 It is required by ISO 45001 clause 5.2
• 4 It makes the system shorter

A formal safe system of work results from:

• 1 A guess by a manager
• 2 A visitor's suggestion
• 3 A systematic examination of the task
• 4 A supplier's brochure

Instruction and training are needed after the system is written so that:

• 1 The system can be removed
• 2 The system stays secret
• 3 Everyone knows how to use it
• 4 Managers can avoid it

A reason for writing down a safe system of work is that it:

• 1 Shows what was agreed and is consistent
• 2 Avoids all risks
• 3 Makes it impossible to change
• 4 Removes the need for supervision

Which of these is part of developing a safe system?

• 1 Waiting for an injury
• 2 Removing guards
• 3 Formulating procedures and introducing controls
• 4 Ignoring the hazards

If workers find the safe system unworkable and ignore it, the likely cause is that:

• 1 It was too safe
• 2 It was audited
• 3 It was written down
• 4 It was written without the people who do the job

A safe system of work should be reviewed:

• 1 Every ten years
• 2 Only when the law changes
• 3 Only when a worker asks to retire
• 4 After an incident, a near miss or a change in the task

Which of these is a behavioural control in a safe system of work?

• 1 A fume cupboard
• 2 A fixed guard
• 3 Supervision and training
• 4 An interlock

Why is it useful to analyse the task before writing a safe system of work?

• 1 It makes the task shorter
• 2 It identifies the hazards and the steps where harm could occur
• 3 It removes the need for training
• 4 It transfers responsibility to the workers

Which is a procedural control?

• 1 A guard on a machine
• 2 Noise insulation
• 3 Local exhaust ventilation
• 4 A permit to work

A written safe system of work helps because it:

• 1 Replaces supervision
• 2 Guarantees that nobody breaks it
• 3 Is consistent, can be used for training and shows what was agreed
• 4 Removes the need for a risk assessment