March 2012

Examiners Report
NEBOSH International
Technical Certifcate in
Oil and Gas

2012 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW
tel: 0116 263 4700 fax: 0116 282 4000 email: info@nebosh.org.uk website: www.nebosh.org.uk

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health is a registered charity, number 1010444

T(s):exrpts/pilots/K-oil&gas 1203 EXTERNAL RG/DA/REW

Examiners Report

NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL
TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONAL SAFETY


UNIT IOG1: MANAGEMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS
OPERATIONAL SAFETY


MARCH 2012






CONTENTS



Introduction 2



General comments 3



Comments on individual questions 4

2 EXTERNAL
Introduction




NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as
an independent examining board and awarding body with charitable status. We offer a comprehensive
range of globally-recognised, vocationally-related qualifications designed to meet the health, safety,
environmental and risk management needs of all places of work in both the private and public sectors.
Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications attract over 25,000 candidates annually and are offered by
over 400 course providers in 65 countries around the world. Our qualifications are recognised by the
relevant professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
(IOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

NEBOSH is an awarding body to be recognised and regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA).

Where appropriate, NEBOSH follows the latest version of the GCSE, GCE, Principal Learning and
Project Code of Practice published by the regulatory authorities in relation to examination setting and
marking. While not obliged to adhere to this code, NEBOSH regards it as best practice to do so.

Candidates scripts are marked by a team of Examiners appointed by NEBOSH on the basis of their
qualifications and experience. The standard of the qualification is determined by NEBOSH, which is
overseen by the NEBOSH Council comprising nominees from, amongst others, the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and
the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Representatives of course providers, from
both the public and private sectors, are elected to the NEBOSH Council.

This report on the examination provides information on the performance of candidates which it is
hoped will be useful to candidates and tutors in preparation for future examinations. It is intended to
be constructive and informative and to promote better understanding of the syllabus content and the
application of assessment criteria.

NEBOSH 2012


Any enquiries about this report publication should be addressed to:

NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW

tel: 0116 263 4700
fax: 0116 282 4000
email: info@nebosh.org.uk
3 EXTERNAL
General comments





Many candidates are well prepared for this unit assessment and provide comprehensive and relevant
answers in response to the demands of the question paper. This includes the ability to demonstrate
understanding of knowledge by applying it to workplace situations.

There are always some candidates, however, who appear to be unprepared for the unit assessment
and who show both a lack of knowledge of the syllabus content and a lack of understanding of how
key concepts should be applied to workplace situations.

In order to meet the pass standard for this assessment, acquisition of knowledge and understanding
across the syllabus are prerequisites. However, candidates need to demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding in answering the questions set. Referral of candidates in this unit is invariably because
they are unable to write a full, well-informed answer to one or more of the questions asked.

Some candidates find it difficult to relate their learning to the questions and as a result offer responses
reliant on recalled knowledge and conjecture and fail to demonstrate a sufficient degree of
understanding. Candidates should prepare themselves for this vocational examination by ensuring
their understanding, not rote-learning pre-prepared answers.

Candidates should therefore note that Examiners Reports are not written to provide sample answers
but to give examples of what Examiners were expecting and more specifically to highlight areas of
under performance.

Common pitfalls

It is recognised that many candidates are well prepared for their assessments. However, recurrent
issues, as outlined below, continue to prevent some candidates reaching their full potential in the
assessment.

Many candidates fail to apply the basic principles of examination technique and for some
candidates this means the difference between a pass and a referral.

In some instances, candidates do not attempt all the required questions or are failing to
provide complete answers. Candidates are advised to always attempt an answer to a
compulsory question, even when the mind goes blank. Applying basic health and safety
management principles can generate credit worthy points.

Some candidates fail to answer the question set and instead provide information that may be
relevant to the topic but is irrelevant to the question and cannot therefore be awarded marks.

Many candidates fail to apply the command words (also known as action verbs, eg describe,
outline, etc). Command words are the instructions that guide the candidate on the depth of
answer required. If, for instance, a question asks the candidate to describe something, then
few marks will be awarded to an answer that is an outline. Similarly the command word
identify requires more information than a list.

Some candidates fail to separate their answers into the different sub-sections of the questions.
These candidates could gain marks for the different sections if they clearly indicated which
part of the question they were answering (by using the numbering from the question in their
answer, for example). Structuring their answers to address the different parts of the question
can also help in logically drawing out the points to be made in response.

Candidates need to plan their time effectively. Some candidates fail to make good use of their
time and give excessive detail in some answers leaving insufficient time to address all of the
questions.

Candidates should also be aware that Examiners cannot award marks if handwriting is
illegible.

Candidates should note that it is not necessary to start a new page in their answer booklet for
each section of a question.
4 EXTERNAL
UNIT IOG1
Management of international oil and gas operational safety




Question 1 (a) Outline the contents of a typical permit-to-work. (8)

(b) Outline how the contents of a hot work permit are different to a
typical permit-to-work. (4)

(c) Give the meaning of the following terms:

(i) Lower Flammable Limit (LFL); (2)

(ii) flammable range. (2)

(d) The flammability of gas is a factor to consider with maintenance
tasks and particularly hot work permits. The diagram below
highlights the flammable range of a gas.

Explain the significance of the atmospheric range between 0%
and the LFL, indicated as (a) on the diagram, in relation to hot
work permits. (4)




Candidates received the majority of the marks for parts (a) and (c) of the question
displaying knowledge of the typical contents of a hot work permit and the meaning of
lower flammable limit and flammable range. Some candidates achieved marks for
understanding how the contents of a hot work permit differed to a typical one although
few candidates identified the need for control of ignition sources through damping down,
fire blankets etc.

Many candidates did not understand part (d) which assessed the understanding of gas
monitoring during hot work. Candidates did not explain that the gas monitor activates at a
low percentage of the LFL well in advance of any flammable atmospheres in order to
alert personnel to take action.

5 EXTERNAL


Question 2 A road tanker is being driven from an onshore refinery to a petroleum
(gasoline) station.

Identify control measures that could minimise risk to the driver.
(Unloading issues are NOT required in the answer). (8)


Candidates responded well to this question although several candidates treated this
question as an unloading question although the question stated it was not required.
Candidates failed to mention basic vehicle checks such as lights, tyre pressures, etc.



Question 3 A distillation column requires protection from fire exposure through active
or passive fire protection.

(a) Outline how a fixed water deluge system could provide fire
protection. (2)

(b) Identify TWO additional examples of active fire protection. (2)

(c) Identify TWO examples of passive fire protection. (2)

(d) Outline why the metal legs of the column should be protected. (2)


Candidates responded well to this question. Some candidates specified water deluge
systems as an additional form of active fire protection although this was assessed in part
(a). No candidates specified free water/mist systems.

6 EXTERNAL


Question 4 (a) Identify TWO elements of the fire triangle. (2)

(b) Outline the significance of the three elements of the fire triangle. (1)

(c) An oil pipeline with a normally open isolating valve is on fire. A
bypass line with a normally closed isolating valve exists
upstream of the fire.



With reference to the description and diagram above:

(i) outline TWO methods of removing fuel; (2)

(ii) identify THREE suitable types of portable extinguisher. (3)


Candidates achieved at least half marks for this question and applied practical
understanding to part (c) of the question.



Question 5 Following an annual shutdown of a process plant outline the operational
control measures that could minimise the risk of an incident before filling
equipment in preparation for start-up. (8)


The majority of candidates achieved less than half marks for this question. Most
candidates did not understand the significance of controlling open ends when starting up
and few mentioned the management of overrides.

7 EXTERNAL


Question 6 An interceptor/separator used on the surface drainage system of an oil
terminal includes safety critical control using an oil detection sensor (S) in
chamber 3. The oil detection sensor is linked to an automatic isolating
valve and the control room operating panel where an alarm is activated.


With reference to the description and diagram above:

(a) outline how the safety critical control should prevent an incident; (2)

(b) outline other operational controls that could prevent an incident. (6)


Candidates understood part (a) relating to the action of the controller from the diagram
and description given.

However, the signposts in the diagram did not trigger additional responses to part (b)
such as location of drain covers and regular inspection and cleaning of the chambers.



Question 7 (a) Identify THREE properties of Hydrogen Sulphide (H
2
S). (3)

(b) On an oil processing plant outline how activation of an H
2
S
detection system, linked to a control room, could prevent a fire. (5)


The majority of candidates understood H
2
S properties. However, candidates found
difficulty in applying how H
2
S activation could prevent a fire through control panel
readouts and printouts, etc.

8 EXTERNAL


Question 8 An operator is draining a flammable liquid from process pipe work to a
metal container. The supervisor is concerned about the possibility of an
electrostatic charge forming and stops this operation until a risk
assessment is undertaken.

During this work activity:

(a) identify factors that influence the generation of the electrostatic
charge; (4)

(b) outline practical ways of minimising the formation of an
electrostatic charge. (4)


Most candidates achieved half marks for this question although few mentioned the
hazard of splash filling and agitation with the corresponding control measures.



Question 9 Many major oil / gas incidents have occurred in recent years, eg Texas
City, Mumbai High.

(a) Outline FOUR reasons why such incidents should be
investigated by employers. (4)

(b) Identify FOUR parties, other than the employer, who may want
to investigate these types of incident. (4)


Whilst most candidates achieved high marks for part (a), very few candidates achieved
full marks for part (b) where manufacturers or suppliers were never mentioned.



Question 10 Identify documents that could be provided by contractors in order to
demonstrate their health and safety competence to an oil and gas
industry client. (8)


Candidates responded well to this question.



Question 11 A worker has requested a permit-to-work in order to replace damaged
thermal insulation in an overhead pipe rack that runs between two plants.

(a) Identify THREE hazards associated with this activity. (3)

(b) Outline control measures that should be implemented to reduce
the risks to the worker. (5)


Candidates achieved some marks for part (a) although some confused hazards with
risks.

However part (b) attracted less marks as most candidates could not relate the need to
control activities through permits and close communication between adjacent plants. In
addition, candidates must provide an example of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
in order to attain a mark. Simply specifying PPE will not merit a mark.
NEBOSH
Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester LE19 1QW
telephone +44 (0)116 263 4700
fax +44 (0)116 282 4000
www.nebosh.org.uk
Registered in England and Wales
Company number: 2698100
Registered charity number: 1010444
NEBOSH, the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health,
is the worlds leading provider of Health, Safety and Environmental qualifications.
May 2010
Guide to the NEBOSH
International Technical
Certificate in Oil and
Gas Process Safety