Scenario-Based Exam

Total Marks: 100
Passing Marks: 45
Exam Type: 100% scenario-based

NEBOSH IGC Success Guide:

Step 1: Reading & Understanding the Scenario

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

NEBOSH IGC Success Guide:

Step 2: Writing Your Tasks (Answering Questions)

1. Word Count & Marks Correlation:
   • NEBOSH marks are allocated based on points.
   • Rule of thumb: 30 words per mark.
   • Example: Task carries 10 marks → 10 × 30 = 300 words.
2. 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, etc.
   • Avoid general words like “danger” or generic headings. Customize headings based on scenario.
   • Use bullets if scenario requires.
   • Connect every point to the scenario and standards (ILO, HSE, NFPA, OSHA).
3. 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 (Article 10 & 16, ILO R164)

• Identify employer duties in scenario.
• Link each obligation with specific scenario gaps.
• Provide control measures or corrective actions.
• Example: Training, provision of PPE, monitoring worker health.

2. Managing the Impact of Change

• Describe organizational changes or process changes.
• Identify hazards arising from change.
• Recommend risk assessment & consultation with workers.

3. Safety Culture

• Highlight positive practices (green) and weak areas (yellow).
• Describe leadership commitment, worker engagement, reporting culture, communication, and continuous improvement.

4. Moral, Legal, and Financial Implications

• Moral: Injury prevention, worker wellbeing.
• Legal: Compliance with ILO, OSHA, NEBOSH, local laws.
• Financial: Losses, insurance claims, penalties, operational downtime.

5. Hierarchy of Controls

• Apply Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE.
• Always connect control measures to scenario hazards.
• Avoid generic suggestions; show practical implementation.

6. Permit to Work (PTW)

• Identify high-risk tasks in scenario.
• Mention who authorizes, checks, and monitors PTW.
• Example: Hot work, electrical maintenance, confined spaces.

7. Audit

• Identify internal or external audits required.
• Highlight gaps detected in scenario.
• Suggest audit frequency, checklist, and corrective actions.

8. Incident Investigation

• Identify incident type, cause, unsafe act/condition.
• Describe first aid, investigation process, root cause analysis.
• Recommend corrective/preventive actions.

9. Contractor Management

• Identify contractor activities in scenario.
• Highlight training, supervision, permit requirements, coordination with employer.
• Apply risk assessment and hierarchy of controls for contractors.

Step 4: Key Exam-Day Techniques

1. Customize Every Answer:
   • Avoid copying from books, notes, or peers.
   • AI content is too general; use your own words and scenario context.
2. Headings & Subheadings:
   • Use unique, scenario-specific headings.
   • Avoid generic titles like “Safety Measures.”
3. Highlighting Helps Answering:
   • Green points → write what is already good.
   • Yellow points → explain gaps, risks, and required controls.
4. Word Allocation:
   • Use 30 words per mark.
   • Example: 5 marks → 150 words → ~5 short paragraphs of 2–3 lines.
5. Technical Words:
   • Hazards, risks, controls, unsafe acts/conditions, near miss, hierarchy of controls, PTW, audit, safety culture, first aider, incident investigation.
6. References:
   • Always attach relevant standards or laws at the end of each section.
   • Example: ILO R164 Article 10 & 16; NEBOSH Guidelines; ISO 45001.

Step 5: Last-Minute Tips

• Read scenario 2–3 times before starting answers.
• Highlight positive/negative points for clarity.
• Plan your word count per task.
• Write short, scenario-linked paragraphs.
• Use technical terms instead of general words.
• Customize headings and points for each task.
• Cite standards for extra marks.
• Stay calm and manage time efficiently.