NEBOSH IDip flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Reasonably practicable test

Weigh the risk against the sacrifice (time, trouble, cost) needed to control it. Cost only justifies inaction where it is grossly disproportionate to the risk reduction achieved.

ALARP

As Low As Reasonably Practicable. Risk must be reduced below the tolerable level unless the cost of further control is grossly disproportionate to the benefit gained.

PDCA cycle

Plan, Do, Check, Act. The improvement loop underlying ISO 45001: plan controls, implement them, monitor performance, then correct and improve the management system.

Active monitoring

Proactive measurement of control before loss occurs: inspections, audits, exposure monitoring and compliance checks. It tests whether controls are in place and working.

Reactive monitoring

Measurement of failure after the event: accidents, incidents, near misses, ill health, complaints and enforcement action. It shows where controls have failed.

Bird's accident triangle

For each serious injury there are roughly 10 minor injuries, 30 property-damage incidents and 600 near misses. Near misses are free lessons and should be investigated.

Root cause

The underlying management or design failure that allowed an immediate cause (unsafe act or condition) to exist, such as no maintenance system or no competence requirement.

Safety culture maturity

Progression from pathological and reactive, through calculative and proactive, to generative, where health and safety is embedded in how the organisation does business.

Risk assessment formula

Risk equals likelihood multiplied by severity of consequence. The rating drives prioritisation of controls; residual risk must be recorded after controls are applied.

Fire tetrahedron

Fuel, oxygen, heat and chemical chain reaction. Removing any one side extinguishes the fire; fire classes A, B, C, D and F reflect the fuel type.

Flammable atmosphere limits

A fire or explosion needs a concentration between the lower and upper explosive limits and an ignition source above the minimum ignition energy.

Noise action values

Lower action value 80 dB(A), upper action value 85 dB(A) daily exposure; peak action values 135 dB(C) and 137 dB(C). Hearing protection is PPE, used after noise reduction.

HAVS exposure values

Hand-arm vibration: action value 2.5 m/s² A(8), limit value 5 m/s² A(8). Control by low-vibration tools, trigger-time limits and health surveillance.

TILE manual handling

Task, Individual, Load, Environment. Each factor changes the risk independently of load weight, so assessment must consider all four.

Confined space hazards

Oxygen deficiency or enrichment, toxic gas, flammable atmosphere and engulfment. Entry needs a permit, atmospheric testing, a rescue plan and non-entry rescue where practicable.

LEV at source

Local exhaust ventilation captures airborne contaminants near the point of generation, before they enter the breathing zone; it ranks above general ventilation and RPE.

Machine guarding rule

Guards prevent access to dangerous parts and must fail safe; interlocks stop the machine before access is possible. Emergency stops complement, not replace, guarding.

Hierarchy of control

Eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE. PPE is the last line of defence and protects only the wearer.

Practical report structure

Executive summary, scope and methodology, findings with evidence, risk assessment table, prioritised action plan, conclusions and recommendations to top management.

SMART action

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. An action without an owner and a target date is not a control.

Observation walk technique

Walk the site by process flow rather than at random, recording what is seen, where, and which hazard category and standard it relates to.

Risk prioritisation rule

Rank findings by likelihood times severity using a stated matrix; address high risk first and apply interim controls where the permanent fix takes time.

Cost-benefit justification

Quantify the risk reduction, compare it with the cost of the control, and state whether cost is grossly disproportionate to justify the recommendation.

Weakness analysis levels

Individual factors (behaviour, competence), job factors (task design, procedures) and organisational factors (culture, resources, priorities); organisational factors usually carry the highest leverage.

Evidence-based findings

Each finding in the practical report must be supported by what was observed or measured, then linked to a hazard category and a legal or standards reference.

Continuing professional development

Record planned and unplanned learning, reflect on how practice changed, and evidence it against a competence framework. Output matters more than hours logged.

Professional code of conduct

Work within competence, act with honesty and integrity, keep confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, report serious risk, and never misrepresent qualifications.

Whistleblowing escalation

Raise the concern internally first; if the risk is serious and imminent and internal channels fail, escalate to the regulator. Record the timeline and protect evidence.

Competence components

Knowledge, skills, experience and behaviour. A qualification alone does not demonstrate competence for a specific task or workplace.

Ethical dilemma test

Ask whether it is legal, consistent with the code, who is harmed, whether you would defend it publicly, and what a reasonable professional would do. Document the reasoning.

Reflective practice cycle

Gibbs: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, action plan. The action plan is what converts experience into improved competence.

Mentoring versus supervision

A mentor gives guidance and challenge; supervision is a formal, recorded relationship. In both, accountability for decisions stays with the practitioner.