IOSH Safety Interview: 50 Questions and Sample Answers
1. What is IOSH?
Answer: The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is a UK-based professional body that promotes workplace safety and health through training, certification, and industry guidance.
2. What is the main purpose of IOSH?
Answer: IOSH aims to reduce workplace risks by promoting best practices in health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management worldwide.
3. What are the key IOSH certifications?
Answer:
- IOSH Managing Safely – For managers/supervisors
- IOSH Working Safely – For employees
- IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors – For senior leaders
4. How does IOSH differ from NEBOSH?
Answer:
- IOSH focuses on awareness and practical application
- NEBOSH is more in-depth and globally recognized for safety professionals
5. What are the key responsibilities of an IOSH-certified safety officer?
Answer:
- Identifying hazards and risks
- Conducting safety audits and inspections
- Ensuring compliance with health & safety laws
- Providing training and guidance
6. What are the core principles of IOSH Managing Safely?
Answer:
- Assessing risks
- Controlling risks
- Understanding responsibilities
- Identifying hazards
- Investigating incidents
7. What is a risk assessment?
Answer: A risk assessment is the process of identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards to prevent workplace accidents.
8. How do you conduct a risk assessment using the IOSH approach?
Answer:
- Identify hazards
- Determine who might be harmed
- Assess risk levels
- Implement control measures
- Review and update regularly
9. What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
Answer:
- Hazard = A potential source of harm
- Risk = The likelihood and severity of harm occurring
10. What is the “Hierarchy of Control” in IOSH?
Answer:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard
- Substitution – Replace with a safer alternative
- Engineering controls – Use barriers or redesign work processes
- Administrative controls – Implement rules or training
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Last resort
11. What is the role of a Safety Officer under IOSH guidelines?
Answer: A Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance, reducing hazards, investigating incidents, and promoting a safety culture.
12. What are the legal requirements for health and safety under IOSH?
Answer: Compliance with local laws, including UK Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and global best practices.
13. What is the purpose of incident investigation?
Answer:
- Identify root causes
- Prevent future incidents
- Improve safety policies
14. What is a near miss?
Answer: A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury but had the potential to cause harm.
15. How does IOSH promote a positive safety culture?
Answer:
- Leadership commitment
- Employee engagement
- Regular training and communication
16. What are the main causes of workplace accidents?
Answer:
- Unsafe acts (e.g., ignoring procedures)
- Unsafe conditions (e.g., poor lighting)
- Lack of training
17. What is the role of PPE in workplace safety?
Answer: PPE provides barrier protection against hazards such as chemicals, noise, and falling objects.
18. What is an IOSH Safety Policy?
Answer: A document outlining an organization’s commitment to health and safety, responsibilities, and procedures.
19. How often should risk assessments be reviewed?
Answer: Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly or when:
- A new hazard arises
- Work processes change
- An incident occurs
20. What is manual handling safety?
Answer: Manual handling safety involves lifting, carrying, or moving objects safely to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
21. What is the significance of safety leadership in IOSH?
Answer: Managers and leaders must set an example by prioritizing safety and ensuring compliance.
22. What is the role of training in health and safety?
Answer: Training increases awareness, reduces accidents, and ensures legal compliance.
23. What are workplace safety signs and their importance?
Answer: Safety signs warn, inform, and guide employees to prevent accidents.
24. What is a safety audit?
Answer: A systematic inspection and evaluation of workplace safety policies, procedures, and compliance.
25. How do you ensure contractor safety on-site?
Answer:
- Conduct safety briefings
- Provide site-specific training
- Monitor work compliance
26. What is the difference between proactive and reactive safety measures?
Answer:
- Proactive safety: Preventing accidents before they happen (e.g., training, risk assessments).
- Reactive safety: Responding after an accident occurs (e.g., incident investigation, corrective actions).
27. What are the key elements of a successful health and safety management system?
Answer:
- Policy – Clear health and safety policies
- Planning – Identifying hazards and setting objectives
- Implementation – Training and control measures
- Monitoring – Inspections and audits
- Review – Continuous improvement
28. How do you promote worker participation in safety programs?
Answer:
- Encourage open communication
- Provide recognition and incentives
- Conduct regular safety meetings
29. What is an emergency response plan (ERP)?
Answer: A set of procedures to handle emergencies like fires, chemical spills, or medical incidents.
30. What is a Job Safety Analysis (JSA)?
Answer: A step-by-step evaluation of a job task to identify hazards and implement safety measures.
31. How does IOSH define workplace stress?
Answer: Workplace stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by job demands, workload, or poor work conditions.
32. What are the main fire safety measures in IOSH?
Answer:
- Fire risk assessments
- Fire extinguishers and alarms
- Emergency exits and evacuation plans
33. What is an accident pyramid (Bird’s Triangle)?
Answer: A model showing that for every serious accident, there are multiple near-misses and unsafe acts.
34. What are the key components of an incident report?
Answer:
- Date, time, and location
- Description of the incident
- Injuries or damages
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective actions
35. How do you conduct a workplace safety inspection?
Answer:
- Identify hazards and unsafe practices
- Check compliance with safety standards
- Recommend corrective actions
36. What is behavioral-based safety (BBS)?
Answer: A proactive approach where employee behaviors are observed and improved to prevent accidents.
37. What are the safety precautions for working at height?
Answer:
- Use fall protection (harness, guardrails)
- Conduct pre-use inspections
- Provide training and supervision
38. What is ergonomics, and why is it important?
Answer: Ergonomics is designing workspaces to fit employees, reducing strain and injury risks.
39. What are the main hazards of confined spaces?
Answer:
- Oxygen deficiency
- Toxic gases
- Engulfment risks
40. What is a Permit to Work (PTW) system?
Answer: A written authorization for high-risk jobs like hot work, excavation, and confined space entry.
41. What is an occupational illness?
Answer: A disease or condition caused by workplace exposure (e.g., hearing loss, respiratory diseases).
42. How do you handle hazardous materials safely?
Answer:
- Use Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Store chemicals properly
- Wear appropriate PPE
43. What is a workplace evacuation plan?
Answer: A structured emergency exit strategy ensuring workers safely leave the premises during emergencies.
44. How do you reduce slips, trips, and falls in the workplace?
Answer:
- Keep floors clean and dry
- Use non-slip mats
- Ensure good lighting
45. What are the main causes of hand injuries in the workplace?
Answer:
- Sharp objects
- Caught-in/between hazards
- Chemical burns
46. What are the requirements for machine safety under IOSH?
Answer:
- Proper guarding
- Emergency stop mechanisms
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
47. What is an occupational exposure limit (OEL)?
Answer: The maximum allowable concentration of a hazardous substance a worker can be exposed to.
48. How do you ensure the safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Answer:
- Provide proper training
- Conduct PPE fit testing
- Regularly inspect and replace PPE
49. What is the role of leadership in health and safety?
Answer:
- Setting safety policies
- Ensuring compliance
- Promoting a culture of safety
50. Why is continuous improvement important in workplace safety?
Answer: Continuous improvement ensures that safety standards evolve, preventing new risks and enhancing worker well-being.
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