Total Marks: 100
Passing Marks: 45
Exam Type: 100% scenario-based
Step 1: Reading & Understanding the Scenario
Read the scenario carefully 2–3 times.
- First reading: Get a general idea of the organization.
- Second reading: Focus on hazards, processes, and incidents.
- Third reading: Understand the flow, positive/negative points, and clues for each task.
Break the Scenario into Logical Parts
Introduction:
Define your role, nature of the organization, floor/facility layout, number of workers, and nature of work.
Activities:
Describe main operations or processes.
Current Practices:
Explain what is being done, what is missing, and unsafe acts/conditions.
Incident / Near Miss:
Identify an accident or unsafe act, first aid response, losses, penalties, and whether incident investigation was conducted.
Use Highlighting Technique
Keep two highlighters:
- Green: Positive points or good practices
- Yellow: Negative points or gaps in safety
These highlights help you structure answers and focus on key areas.
Step 2: Writing Your Tasks (Answering Questions)
Word Count & Marks Correlation
NEBOSH marks are allocated based on points.
Rule of thumb:
30 words per mark
Example:
10 marks × 30 = 300 words
Answer Structure
- Use short paragraphs (2–3 lines each).
- Include technical terminology: hazards, risk, control measures, hierarchy of controls, near miss, unsafe act, PPE, safe system of work.
- Avoid general words like “danger”.
- Customize headings based on the scenario.
- Use bullets where required.
Reference & Standards
Always include references at the end of the section.
Example:
ILO R164 Article 10 & 16; HSE Managing the Impact of Change; NEBOSH Guidelines
Step 3: Task-Wise Tips & Techniques
1. Employer Obligations (ILO R164 Article 10 & 16)
- Identify employer duties in the scenario.
- Link each obligation with scenario gaps.
- Provide corrective actions such as training, PPE provision, health monitoring.
2. Managing the Impact of Change
- Identify organizational or process changes.
- Highlight hazards arising from change.
- Recommend risk assessment and worker consultation.
3. Safety Culture
- Highlight positive practices (green).
- Identify weak areas (yellow).
- Cover leadership commitment, communication, reporting culture, and continuous improvement.
4. Moral, Legal, and Financial Implications
- Moral: Worker wellbeing and injury prevention
- Legal: Compliance with ILO, OSHA, NEBOSH, local laws
- Financial: Fines, insurance claims, downtime, reputation loss
5. Hierarchy of Controls
Apply in order:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering
- Administrative
- PPE
Always link controls to scenario hazards.
6. Permit to Work (PTW)
- Identify high-risk tasks.
- Define authorization, supervision, and monitoring.
- Examples: hot work, electrical work, confined spaces.
7. Audit
- Identify internal or external audits.
- Highlight gaps from the scenario.
- Recommend frequency, checklists, and corrective actions.
8. Incident Investigation
- Identify incident type and root causes.
- Describe first aid and investigation steps.
- Recommend preventive and corrective measures.
9. Contractor Management
- Identify contractor activities.
- Address training, supervision, permits, and coordination.
- Apply risk assessment and hierarchy of controls.
Step 4: Key Exam-Day Techniques
Customize Every Answer
Avoid copying from books or generic AI responses.
Marks depend on scenario relevance.
Headings & Subheadings
Use scenario-specific headings.
Avoid generic titles like “Safety Measures”.
Word Allocation
- 5 marks → 150 words
- 10 marks → 300 words
Technical Language
Use: hazards, risks, unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, PTW, audit, safety culture, hierarchy of controls.
References
Always cite standards:
ILO R164 Article 10 & 16; NEBOSH Guidelines; ISO 45001
Step 5: Last-Minute Tips
- Read scenario multiple times.
- Highlight positives and gaps.
- Plan word count per task.
- Write short, focused paragraphs.
- Use technical terminology.
- Customize headings.
- Cite standards.
- Manage time calmly.