NEBOSH HSE PSM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
NEBOSH
1. Question:
Explain the purpose of process hazard analysis (PHA) and give two commonly used
techniques.
Answer:
The purpose of Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) is to identify, evaluate, and control hazards
associated with processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. PHA helps to reduce the
likelihood and consequences of unplanned releases of toxic, reactive, or flammable materials.
Two commonly used techniques are:
Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP): A structured and systematic technique using
guide words to identify deviations in a process.
What-If Analysis: A brainstorming method where team members ask “what if” questions
to explore possible failures and their consequences.
2. Question:
Describe four key features of an effective safety management system in process industries.
Answer:
Key features include:
1. Leadership commitment: Senior management actively promotes and supports safety
culture.
2. Hazard identification and risk assessment: Systematic approach to identifying and
mitigating process risks.
3. Training and competence: Ensuring employees are trained and competent for their
roles.
4. Incident investigation and learning: Prompt investigation of near misses and incidents
with corrective actions.
3. Question:
Outline the main stages of a Management of Change (MoC) process.
,Answer:
The main stages of an MoC process are:
1. Proposal and justification: Clearly documenting the reason for change.
2. Risk assessment: Identifying potential process safety impacts.
3. Approval: Gaining necessary authorization before implementation.
4. Implementation: Carrying out the change safely and effectively.
5. Communication and training: Informing and training affected personnel.
6. Review and documentation: Ensuring all changes are recorded and the process updated.
4. Question:
State two reasons why process safety information is critical before conducting a hazard
analysis.
Answer:
1. Accurate risk identification: It ensures hazard analyses are based on correct and
complete data.
2. Informed decision-making: Enables teams to assess the potential consequences of
process failures with precision.
5. Question:
Explain the term 'inherent safety' and give two principles of achieving it.
Answer:
Inherent safety involves designing processes that eliminate or significantly reduce hazards,
rather than controlling them with add-on systems.
Two principles:
Substitution: Replacing hazardous substances with less hazardous ones.
Simplification: Designing systems that are less complex to minimize failure potential.
6. Question:
Outline three reasons for investigating process safety incidents.
, Answer:
1. To prevent recurrence: Identifying root causes allows corrective actions.
2. Legal compliance: Meeting regulatory and company policy requirements.
3. Learning and improvement: Enhances safety culture and system robustness.
7. Question:
List four examples of leading performance indicators in process safety.
Answer:
1. Number of overdue safety-critical maintenance tasks
2. Percentage of completed training sessions
3. Frequency of safety audits or inspections
4. Number of reported near-misses
8. Question:
Describe the role of safety instrumented systems (SIS) in controlling process risk.
Answer:
Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) are automated systems that monitor process parameters
and take action (e.g., shutdowns) when limits are exceeded to prevent hazardous events. They
serve as a critical layer of protection in high-risk operations, independent from the process
control system.
9. Question:
Give two reasons why operating procedures must be regularly reviewed and updated.
Answer:
1. Process changes: To reflect modifications in equipment or processes.
2. Learning from incidents: Incorporating lessons learned to improve safety and
efficiency.
10. Question:
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
NEBOSH
1. Question:
Explain the purpose of process hazard analysis (PHA) and give two commonly used
techniques.
Answer:
The purpose of Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) is to identify, evaluate, and control hazards
associated with processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. PHA helps to reduce the
likelihood and consequences of unplanned releases of toxic, reactive, or flammable materials.
Two commonly used techniques are:
Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP): A structured and systematic technique using
guide words to identify deviations in a process.
What-If Analysis: A brainstorming method where team members ask “what if” questions
to explore possible failures and their consequences.
2. Question:
Describe four key features of an effective safety management system in process industries.
Answer:
Key features include:
1. Leadership commitment: Senior management actively promotes and supports safety
culture.
2. Hazard identification and risk assessment: Systematic approach to identifying and
mitigating process risks.
3. Training and competence: Ensuring employees are trained and competent for their
roles.
4. Incident investigation and learning: Prompt investigation of near misses and incidents
with corrective actions.
3. Question:
Outline the main stages of a Management of Change (MoC) process.
,Answer:
The main stages of an MoC process are:
1. Proposal and justification: Clearly documenting the reason for change.
2. Risk assessment: Identifying potential process safety impacts.
3. Approval: Gaining necessary authorization before implementation.
4. Implementation: Carrying out the change safely and effectively.
5. Communication and training: Informing and training affected personnel.
6. Review and documentation: Ensuring all changes are recorded and the process updated.
4. Question:
State two reasons why process safety information is critical before conducting a hazard
analysis.
Answer:
1. Accurate risk identification: It ensures hazard analyses are based on correct and
complete data.
2. Informed decision-making: Enables teams to assess the potential consequences of
process failures with precision.
5. Question:
Explain the term 'inherent safety' and give two principles of achieving it.
Answer:
Inherent safety involves designing processes that eliminate or significantly reduce hazards,
rather than controlling them with add-on systems.
Two principles:
Substitution: Replacing hazardous substances with less hazardous ones.
Simplification: Designing systems that are less complex to minimize failure potential.
6. Question:
Outline three reasons for investigating process safety incidents.
, Answer:
1. To prevent recurrence: Identifying root causes allows corrective actions.
2. Legal compliance: Meeting regulatory and company policy requirements.
3. Learning and improvement: Enhances safety culture and system robustness.
7. Question:
List four examples of leading performance indicators in process safety.
Answer:
1. Number of overdue safety-critical maintenance tasks
2. Percentage of completed training sessions
3. Frequency of safety audits or inspections
4. Number of reported near-misses
8. Question:
Describe the role of safety instrumented systems (SIS) in controlling process risk.
Answer:
Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) are automated systems that monitor process parameters
and take action (e.g., shutdowns) when limits are exceeded to prevent hazardous events. They
serve as a critical layer of protection in high-risk operations, independent from the process
control system.
9. Question:
Give two reasons why operating procedures must be regularly reviewed and updated.
Answer:
1. Process changes: To reflect modifications in equipment or processes.
2. Learning from incidents: Incorporating lessons learned to improve safety and
efficiency.
10. Question:
