Occupational Safety, Health and Environment
What the exam tests
Occupational safety, health and environment tests hazard identification, PPE, fire safety, electrical safety, first aid, ergonomics, housekeeping and waste management. Expect practical scenario questions.
Core rules
- Hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineer controls, administrative controls, then PPE as the last line.
- Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen and heat. Remove one to extinguish. Water conducts electricity, so never use water on live electrical fires; use CO2 or dry powder.
- Electrical safety: switch off and isolate before repair, avoid overloaded sockets, use earthing and RCD protection, and keep water away.
- Ergonomics: chair height, monitor at eye level, wrists neutral, regular breaks; report pain early.
- Waste segregation: dry, wet and hazardous/e-waste; never burn plastic or dump e-waste with general refuse.
Worked example
Smoke comes from a computer power strip in an office. The correct sequence is: raise the alarm, switch off the main supply if safe, evacuate along the marked route, and use a CO2 extinguisher only if trained and the fire is small. Do not throw water. The reasoning is that electrical fires require a non-conducting extinguishing agent and personal safety comes before property.
Traps
Using water on an electrical fire, blocking fire exits with files, ignoring a minor shock, and wearing loose clothing near moving machinery are frequent errors. Do not use an extinguisher without training or if escape is blocked. Report near misses; they are free lessons.