International Diploma in Safety Engineering (IDSE)

Exam Instructions

• This is an Open Book Non-invigilated exam. You may consult books and,internet resources during the exam.
• Do not share your question paper (either in part or full) with any other person or the organization. Comply with all instructions mentioned in your exam registration slip.
• Total Marks are 150 and maximum marks for the questions are given against each.
• Do not add any externally downloaded picture/graph as part of your answer. You can however make sketches/ graphs to support your answers.
• Support your answers with logical arguments and examples relevant to the given scenario. Generic and Bookish answers will not be accepted by the examiners. The examples of generic answers include, but not limited to, incompetent person, management commitment, lack of maintenance, negative safety culture, regulatory requirements etc.
• All Questions are compulsory and must be answered to gain maximum marks
• Do not directly copy/paste from any source (Not even a single paragraph). Write all answers in your own words. Neither take nor offer any help/assistance to other candidates/ individuals/ organizations to complete the exams. Any identical work in terms of similar sentences or common ideas (Common bullet points) will lead to the initiation of malpractice investigation.
• Do not let any other person complete the exam on your behalf. The closing interview has been designed to confirm if the submitted work is your own or not. In case the learners are unable to defend their submitted work then their results will be declared void along
• with other disqualification penalties as appropriate.
• It is your responsibility to save your written work from data loss. No extra time will be given for submission of the answer sheets.
• You must only type your answer in the given answer sheet. Handwritten responses or scan copies will not be accepted.
• Submit your answer sheet in MS word file to _and CC to _. The subject of email must be your “name and learner number” only.
• You must send your answer sheet from your email ID registered with
• Institute.
• The answer sheet must be sent in a single file. No password protection should be applied on the file. The “file name” should be your learner number followed by your name.
• Write Question numbers for all answers. The answers without a question number will not be marked by the examiner.
• The company names in the exam are not real and only for the purpose of creating the exam scenarios.
• To eliminate the gender discrimination, the term He/ she will be replaced with they.
• Word limit for each answer is maximum 500 words. The length of your response against each question is not the criteria for marking. The response is marked based on its effectiveness in a given scenario, its relevance to the scenario and question requirements, conciseness and completeness. Irrelevant information (if included) will result in deduction of marks even if you have mentioned many valuable points in your answer.

Question Paper Starts from here
Section A

Carefully read and analyze the following scenario and answer to the 5 questions in context with given scenario only. Any generic or irrelevant response will not be accepted by the examiner.

Workplace Situation

“XYZ Maintenance Pvt. Ltd.” is a small company which carries out home maintenance services including electrical, plumbing and HVAC services. They are a small company which has 1 Director, 1 Manager and 6 technical staff members as its permanent employees. The company is intending to establish an OHS Management system but none of the staff have any formal knowledge or skill related to occupational safety and health. The company is reluctant to hire a safety professional as they believe it will not be financially viable for them to hire a full-time permanent safety professional. They have therefore decided that either a part time safety professional may be hired who could only visit one day per week or this job should be outsourced to a 3rd party consultant who will look after the OHS requirements and advise them accordingly from time to time after an initial set-up of OHS management system.

You supposedly work in an OHS consultancy firm and have been deputed by your parent company to develop an OHS management system based on their requirements after consulting and involving them. You also have to take care of their OHS matters and advise them from time to time as part of the initial contract for one year. The director of the XYZ Maintenance Pvt. Ltd. plans to take over the whole OHS responsibility after one year. They also want to be part during the initial OHS management system development process so they could not only provide their feedback but also learn about OHS management system.

Your first task is to have a meeting with the director and manager of the company and understand their requirements related to prospective OHS management system. During the meeting, you asked them if they have any specific criteria against which OHS Management system need to be established or latest ISO standard on OHS i.e. ISO 45001:2018 will be
used? They replied that they do not have any understanding about any of the criteria and the reason why they intend to implement an OHS management system is solely business reason. A renowned housing developer assured them that they will offer them with a long-term business opportunity if their company proves to have an OHS management system implemented and maintained.

You asked them if the developer company has provided any written requirements related to OHS management system. They replied that there was only a verbal discussion about this matter.

Keeping in view the situation, you advised them about using ISO 45001:2018 Standard as criteria for their prospective OHS Management system. You shared a copy of ISO standard with them which they quickly went through and asked if they need to develop all the documents against all the clauses and sub-clauses. You replied that their company need to comply with all the requirements in order to make either

• a self-determination or self-declaration
• seeking confirmation of its conformity by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or
• seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
• seeking certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external organization.

The director and manager seemed upset and they told that it will be very difficult for them to maintain such a high volume of documentation for OHS management system in the long term.
They believed that keeping in view the extensive requirements of ISO 45001:2018, it is challenging for them to understand the system as a whole.

You however told them that the level and complexity of documentation will be based on various factors and keeping in view the lesser number of staff, the level of documentation will obviously be less. You also appeased them that ISO standards are designed to be used as a “process
approach” so it will be easy for the users to implement it on the basis of each OHS process.

During the discussion, you noticed that both director and the manager are using the terms “process” and “procedure” interchangeably. You took a note about it so you could explain the difference to them with examples during your next meeting.

The manager during the discussion mentioned the term “Controlled documents” in the context of some confidentiality or secrecy (Which was a wrong interpretation). Actually, they wanted to inquire if they needed any hardware e.g. locked cabinets to ensure the security of controlled documents. You took a note and told them that you will explain the basic terms in the next meeting when you plan to structure their OHS management system.

The director asked if it is possible that they could have a verbal (non-documented) OHS management system implemented as they are a small company and may not need to document all the requirements. They further explained that the ultimate intended outcome of an OHS management system is to save the employees and members of public from the risk of injury or ill health which they believe could be achieved without formal documentation keeping in view the nature of work they do and the number of employees they have.

Keeping in view the scenario and discussion above, please respond to the following questions;

All 5 questions carry 10 marks each (Total 50 Marks for Section A)

Question 1- What is the purpose of using process approach when developing an OHS Management system? 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 5 Marks for clarity regarding “Process Approach” in an OHS Management system
• 5 Marks for writing the benefits of using a process approach with examples

Question 2- Differentiate between an OHS process and OHS procedure with suitable examples from your workplace. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 2 Marks for clarity regarding “OHS Process”
• 2 Marks for clarity regarding “OHS Procedure”
• 2 Marks for effective differentiation between the 2 terms
• 4 marks for using suitable examples for the explanation of both terms

Question 3- Why is it mandatory that there should be “Documented” OHS management system in place for it to be effective? Why can’t we have an undocumented OHS Management system at the workplaces when there are only 5-10 employees only. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows; –

• 5 Marks for your understanding about the significance of a Documented OHS Management system
• 5 Marks for mentioning the issues which may arise due to undocumented OHS management system

Question 4- What is a controlled document in an OHS management system context? How you establish and ensure the traceability of controlled documents? Give suitable examples. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 3 Marks for understanding regarding the controlled document and its significance
• 3 Marks for explaining how you establish the traceability of the controlled documents
• 4 Marks for suitable examples (1 example for controlled document and 1 example for traceability)

Question 5- What is extent of documented information? What factors will you consider when you have to ensure that there should be as less documents as possible for an OHS Management system without compromising its effectiveness. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 2 Marks for understanding about “extent of documented information”
• 4 marks for the factors you will consider while establishing the size of documentation
• 4 marks for explanation of each factor in terms of its significance for establishing specific documents.

Section B

Carefully analyze the following scenarios and answer to the question/s in context with given scenarios and the discussions only. Any generic or irrelevant response will not be accepted by the examiner.

Reviewing OHS Objectives and Audit Trail

OHS objectives play a very important role in the performance of OHS Management system. The OHS Objectives must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound i.e. SMART. To audit if an OHS objective is really SMART, apart from reviewing the OHS Objectives statement, an audit trail must be followed by the auditors to reach to a conclusion.

You are supposed to audit a company with a specific emphasis on effectiveness of OHS objectives process. You have supposedly sampled OHS objectives from Manufacturing and Transportation sections. Your task is to comply with the Question #6 requirements.

Question 6– Review the following OHS objectives as per ISO 45001:2018 requirements and comment against each as per the following format?

• Is the Objective S.M.A.R.T? If not, then what is the issue?
• What audit trail you will follow to further ensure the effectiveness of the OHS Objective process? You must specifically mention what information will you seek from them and why you are seeking the specific information i.e. “Look into/ Look for” approach
• Write Non-conformity statement for each objective, by taking into account the OHS Objective Statement and some assumptions based on your finding in the audit trail.

OHS Objective (Manufacturing Shops): “We Shall conduct 30 monthly inspections focused on hazards identifications and risk assessments during the period Jan to Dec 2022”
OHS Objective (Transportation): “During the period Jan- Dec 2021, We Shall improve the OHS culture within the Transportation Section by 50%. 20 Marks

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 6 Marks for identifying the issues with OHS Objectives statements (3 Marks for each Objective)
• 8 Marks for carrying out an effective audit trail (4 Marks Each Trail)
• 6 Marks for writing an effective Non-conformity statement (3 Marks for each NCR)

OHS Culture and Measurement Metrics

You supposedly work in a public sector organization which carries out repair services for the aviation parts for passenger aircrafts. The organization has more than 1200 permanent employees on its payroll. The appointment of Managing Director (MD) is carried out for a period of 3 years by the relevant ministry of aviation.

The new MD has taken the charge for the last one month and you are supposed to present the monthly OHS performance meeting. During the meeting, you shared various non conformities and observations and attributed the cause as poor OHS culture. You also mentioned, in the next slide, that OHS culture has improved as compared to the previous
year.

The MD questioned that how do you measure if OHS culture is improving or worsening? You replied that we have certain performance indicators against which we measure it. The MD further asked you to present the performance standards against those indicators?

The MD was curious to know more about the OHS culture and how it is being measured/monitored. The MD further asked if you can tell what is the OHS culture performance rating this month out of maximum 100 points against the last month. Your response was negative. MD advised you to prepare a response to the following 2 questions and present them in next OHS performance meeting.

Question 7- How do you differentiate between performance indicators and performance standards? Keeping both terms in mind, mention 5 indicators for an OHS culture in an organization by explaining how each indicator can be used to assess the OHS culture. 10 Marks

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 1 Marks for understanding about performance indicator
• 1 Marks for understanding about performance standard
• 2 marks for examples to clarify the difference between performance indicator and performance standard
• 3 marks for mentioning the OHS culture indicators
• 3 Marks for explanation of each indicator how it can be used to assess the OHS culture in an organization

Question 8- How will you rate the performance standards for the OHS culture in Quantified manner? You must establish a rating on a scale from maximum 100 points. 10 Marks

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 4 Marks for your understanding about Quantification of OHS Culture in an organization
• 3 Marks for the effective weightage given to each indicator for the OHS Culture
• 3 Marks for an effective OHS Culture Rating in numbers (0-100)

Risk Management

We are all exposed to risks whether at homes, schools, parks, shopping centres or at the workplaces. As an inherent instinct for the survival, we are naturally equipped to identify/ foresee risks and take the action to safeguard ourself and our loved ones. This is often referred
to as Fight-or-Flight Response by Psychologists.

At workplaces, we carry out the Risk assessment mostly by following the steps mentioned in Approach 1. But does this approach is closest to the way humans naturally process the risk assessment. For example, a person without any knowledge of occupational safety and health is trying to cross a busy road. They are about to being exposed to a risk (Collision with a fast moving vehicle which can be fatal). How do you think they will process the risk assessment and will safely cross the road?

This is pertinent to consider as the people who are mostly exposed to high level of risks are skilled people but they often lack the necessary knowledge to comprehend what is a hazard and what is a risk (As risk is most often interchangeably used for both hazards and risks by people around the world) and instead there is a need for the risk assessment approach to be more simplified. This can be however an ongoing discussion for evolution of Occupational Safety and professionals may agree or disagree to this.

Keeping in view the above discussion, give your response to the following 2 Questions.

Question 9– Which one of the following approaches will be more effective in Risk assessment at the workplace in your opinion. Give suitable examples and support your answer with logical arguments. 10 Marks

Approach 1	Approach 2
1- Identify the Hazards 2- Identify who may be harmed and how 3- Evaluate the Risks and Take Action (Eliminate, substitute, Engg. Control, Admin Control and/or PPEs) to Prevent Them 4- Record your findings and actions taken 5- Review and improve	1- Look if there is anything (or absence of anything) which can harm you or others 2- Take action (Eliminate, substitute, Engg. Control, Admin Control and/or PPEs) or seek help to safeguard yourself and people around you at the workplace 3- Record your findings and actions taken 4- Review and improve

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 5 Marks for your arguments in support of your preferred Approach
• 5 Marks against the other approach by explaining the reasons for its lesser effectiveness in your opinion

Question 10– Why is it important that the workers should be involved in doing relevant workplace risk assessments? You must support your answer with logical arguments and workplace examples. 10 Marks

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 6 Marks for your understanding about the need for the workers’ involvement in risk assessment
• 4 marks for relevant workplace examples

Inspections/ Audits

You supposedly joined (As a junior safety manager) a petrochemical company which is due to have external 3rd party audit against ISO 45001:2018 requirements next month. The senior safety manager called you in their office and told you to prepare for the audit and shared MD’s apprehensions about the audit.

You feel an environment of fear within all workforce as MD has categorically told that there should not be any Non-conformity. You visited various work centres and noticed that although there aren’t any obvious OHS issues at the workplaces as workers are very competent in their respective jobs, yet they seem intimidated by the upcoming OHS audit and are less confident than what they are supposed to be.

You highlighted this issue with the senior safety manager and tried to convince him that real benefits of 3rd party audit will not be achieved if the work sections will be asked for zero non conformities. The senior manager told you that MD wishes to get the 3rd party ISO certification and an NC may delay the process.

Subsequent to the audit, there were no Non-conformities identified by the auditor as the MD and senior safety manager used many tactics e.g. long lunch and tea breaks, lengthy opening meeting which included a company introduction and irrelevant discussions, to divert the auditor’s attention away from the audit activities. The auditor however managed to raise 2 Observations/ Potential Non-conformities.

The MD was annoyed over the potential non-conformities too, but the senior safety manager apprised the MD that these are not a binding on auditee (your organization) to comply. You however told the senior manager that it is for the best interest of the organizations’ OHS management system that we must review these potential non-conformities in detail and see if they may be useful for us.

Question 11–What is a potential non-conformity and what is its significance for the auditee organization? Give 2 examples to support your response. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 2 Marks for understanding about “Potential Non-conformity”
• 2 Marks for understanding about its significance
• 3 Marks each for an example of “Potential Non-conformities” related to occupational health and safety

Question 12– What, in your opinion, is the best benefit an organization may get through 3rd party auditing for its OHS management system. You only have to mention one significant benefit and it should not be mere achievement of “ISO Certification.” Support your answer with examples and logical arguments 10 Marks

Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 3 Marks for identifying the most obvious benefit for which the 3rd Party audits are principally designed
• 3 Marks for logical arguments to justify your response
• 4 Marks for explanation with example/s

Data Analysis, Evaluation and Management Review

Management Review is an important component of OHS Management system in order to continually improve its efficiency and effectiveness. The Safety managers however are very crucial as they are the ones who prepare the data for management review meeting. In doing so, for an effective management review to be carried out, they must analyze the data based on the trends and patterns so they could provide the data in the most usable form for the evaluation by the top management and the subsequent actions as management review outcome decisions.

You are supposed to present the data in the annual OHS Management review meeting. Respond to the following 2 questions to show your proficiency regarding the whole Management Review process.

Question 13– How do the OHS Data “Trends” and “Patterns” can help in effective management review outcome? You must support your answer with examples. 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 1 Mark for understanding about the Data Trends
• 1 Mark for Understanding about the Data Patterns
• 4 marks for the examples of Trends and Patterns related to OHS
• 4 Marks for explanation to how the effective Trends and Patterns analysis and evaluation can result in effective Management Review Outcome decisions

Question 14- What are the various type of data, apart from the inspections and audit data, which you may use as management review input for an effective output of Management Review (MR) Process? 10 Marks
Note: Examiner will mark your responses as follows;

• 5 Marks for the various input data (Minimum 5 different types to be mentioned)
• 5 Marks for explaining their relevance for the MR process effectiveness

End of Question Paper