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3.6 Safe systems of work for general work activities

Written by Imran Qureshi (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH IGC · Health and safety management · 20 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

A safe system of work is:
- A A legal permit only
- B A type of PPE
- C A formal procedure from a systematic examination of a task
- D An audit method
Technical, procedural and behavioural are types of:
- A Permits
- B Hazards
- C Controls
- D Audits
Why should workers help to develop a safe system of work?
- A It removes the need for training
- B They know how the job is really done
- C It removes the need for supervision
- D To avoid writing it down
A safe system of work should be:
- A Prepared after an incident only
- B Different for every worker
- C Kept in the head of the supervisor
- D Written down so it is consistent and can be used for training
The first step in developing a safe system of work is to:
- A Monitor the system
- B Train the workers
- C Analyse the task and identify the hazards
- D Buy the PPE
After a safe system of work is introduced, the organisation should:
- A Forget it
- B Monitor it to check that it is followed and still works
- C Replace the workers
- D Remove the supervisors
An example of a technical control is:
- A A toolbox talk
- B A machine guard
- C A work permit
- D A disciplinary policy
An example of a procedural control is:
- A A permit to work
- B A safety sign only
- C A noise enclosure
- D A fixed guard
An example of a behavioural control is:
- A A fixed guard
- B An interlock
- C Local exhaust ventilation
- D Training and supervision
Why should a safe system be developed with the people who do the job?
- A It removes the need for a risk assessment
- B They know how the job is really done
- C It is required by ISO 45001 clause 5.2
- D It makes the system shorter
A formal safe system of work results from:
- A A guess by a manager
- B A visitor's suggestion
- C A systematic examination of the task
- D A supplier's brochure
Instruction and training are needed after the system is written so that:
- A The system can be removed
- B The system stays secret
- C Everyone knows how to use it
- D Managers can avoid it
A reason for writing down a safe system of work is that it:
- A Shows what was agreed and is consistent
- B Avoids all risks
- C Makes it impossible to change
- D Removes the need for supervision
Which of these is part of developing a safe system?
- A Waiting for an injury
- B Removing guards
- C Formulating procedures and introducing controls
- D Ignoring the hazards
If workers find the safe system unworkable and ignore it, the likely cause is that:
- A It was too safe
- B It was audited
- C It was written down
- D It was written without the people who do the job
A safe system of work should be reviewed:
- A Every ten years
- B Only when the law changes
- C Only when a worker asks to retire
- D 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?
- A A fume cupboard
- B A fixed guard
- C Supervision and training
- D An interlock
Why is it useful to analyse the task before writing a safe system of work?
- A It makes the task shorter
- B It identifies the hazards and the steps where harm could occur
- C It removes the need for training
- D It transfers responsibility to the workers
Which is a procedural control?
- A A guard on a machine
- B Noise insulation
- C Local exhaust ventilation
- D A permit to work
A written safe system of work helps because it:
- A Replaces supervision
- B Guarantees that nobody breaks it
- C Is consistent, can be used for training and shows what was agreed
- D Removes the need for a risk assessment

Answer key

1. C, 2. C, 3. B, 4. D, 5. C, 6. B, 7. B, 8. A, 9. D, 10. B, 11. C, 12. C, 13. A, 14. C, 15. D, 16. D, 17. C, 18. B, 19. D, 20. C

It records the safe way to do a task.
Controls can be technical, procedural or behavioural.
Their knowledge makes the system practical.
A written system shows what was agreed and helps training.
Analysis comes first, then controls, instruction and monitoring.
A system that is not monitored will slowly be forgotten.
Technical controls are engineering measures.
Procedures and permits are procedural controls.
Behavioural controls influence what people do.
Practical knowledge makes the system realistic.
A systematic look at the task produces the system.
A system only works if people understand it.
Written systems can be used as evidence and for training.
Controls and procedures follow from the assessment.
A system that does not fit the real job gets bypassed.
Systems must be kept up to date and checked against what really happens.
Behavioural controls influence what people do.
The analysis is the basis for the controls and the procedure.
Procedural controls include permits, inspections and instructions.
Written systems give a standard to train and check against.