HSE Interview Q&A

HSE Job Interview Questions & Answers

Question 1: What is Safety?

Answer 1:

It is a condition which gives you freedom from hazard, risk, accident which may cause injury, damage and loss to material or property damage and even death.

 

Question 2: What is accident?

Answer 2:

It is an unexpected or unplanned event which may or may not result in injury or damage or property loss or death.

 

Question 3: What is injury?

Answer 3: 

It is defined as a harmful condition sustained by the body as a result of an accident

Question 4: What is hazard?

Answer 4: 

Inherent property of a substance or an occurrence which has potential to cause loss or damage property, person or environment.

 

Question 5: What is risk?

Answer 5: 

In probability of the realization of potential for loss or damage or injury.

 

Question 6: What is incident?

Answer 6: 

It is an event which represents deviation from the intended sequence of designed steps.

 

Question 7: What is safety policy?

Answer 7: 

Any company has a social and legal obligation to provide a safe and health working environment to all his improvement to all his employees.

 

Question 8: What is safety audit?

Answer 8: 

The safety audit is the process that identifies un-safe conditions and unsafe acts the plant and recommended safety improvement. Walk through It evaluates the unsafe condition notice able to naked eye during work through the plant. (Stores, civil work, erection work) Inter mediate-more details study and review of plant

design and plant operation. Comprehensive –It evaluates the safety factors in the plant on the base engineering, analysis, testing, and measurement.

 

Question 9: What is safety tag?

Answer 9: 

Safety tag can be defined a surface made of card board or paper board on which English local languages letters written for warning safety instructions to employees.

 

Question 10: What is safety program?

Answer 10: 

Safety program can be defined as five methods by which accident can be prevent easily they are engineering, education, enforcement, enthusiasm and example safety

programs are plain spoken and carry out certain legal steps.

 

Question 11: What is attitude?

Answer 11: Attitude may be described as continuous behavior .if man’s behavior is good, and then his action will be either correct or safe.

 

Question 12: What is emergency planning?

Answer 12: 

Emergency planning can defined as a control measures. It can control the accidents safe guard people and provide information to media.

 

Question 13: What is work permit system?

Answer 13: 

Work permit system is a “written documents” for permission to undertake a job by area in charge or it is written document issued by the area in charge to the performer to undertake the specific job.

 

Question 14: What is work at height?

Answer 14: 

Any work above 1.8 Meters or 6 Feet above ground level is caused work at height.

 

Question 15: What is confined space?

Answer 15: 

An area which is enclosed or an area where one entry and one exit or where a man cannot work comfortable in any location is caused confined space. 

 

 

Question 16: What is excavation?

Answer 16: Marking a hole or tunnel by digging the ground by man or machine is called excavation.

 

Question 17: What is scaffolding?

Answer 17: 

It is a temporary platform constructed for supporting both men and materials and working safety at a construction site.

 

Question 18: What is welding?

Answer 18:

The process of joining of metals either by electrical or by gas is called welding.

 

Question 19: What is gas cutting?

Answer 19: 

The process of joining of cutting metals by using oxygen and combustible gas is called gas cutting.

 

Question 20: What is sand blasting?

Answer 20: 

The process of removing rust dust, dirt, scales and old prints from the old surface using compressed air is called sand blasting.

 

Question 21: What is painting?

Answer 21: 

The process after sand blasting is called painting.

 

Question 22: What is LEL?

Answer 22: 

The minimum concentration of vapors, gasses and dust in air below which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition is called LEL.

 

Question 23: What is UEL?

Answer 23: 

The maximum proportion of vapors, gasses and dust in air above which proposal the flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition is called UEL.

 

Question 24: What is manual handing?

Answer 24: 

The process of lifting, carrying and stacking materials by men is called manual handing.

 

Question 25: What is housekeeping?

 

Answer 25:

Housekeeping means not only cleanness but also orderly arrangement of operations, tools, equipment’s storage facilities and suppliers.

 

Question 26: What is personal protective equipment?

Answer 26: 

It is equipment’s used to project the person from hazards such dust, dirt, fumes and sparks etc. It is the barrier between hazard and person.

 

Question 27: What is grinding?

Answer 27: 

Grinder is a portable machine with a wheel guard in position to reduce the danger.

 

 

Question 28: What is Crane?

Answer 28: 

A tall machine used for moving heavy objects by suspending them from a projecting arm with hook.

 

Question 29: What is fork lift truck?

Answer 29: 

Fork lift truck is designed to handle heavy loads.

 

Question 30: What is JSA?

Answer 30: 

The procedure of analyzing job for the specific purpose of finding the hazards and developing.

 

Question 31: What are the duties of a safety officer?

Answer 31:

Prepare tool box talk Prepare monthly statistics Prepare the checklist Accident reports Management meetings

Arrange the safety classes/training Arrange monthly safety bulletin Inspection of fire extinguisher Arrange first aid training classes

Arrange safety competitions like quiz, slogan, poster competitions exhibition etc.

 

Question 32: What are the duties of a supervisor?

 

Answer 32:

He has to instruct these workers about the work methods and procedures. He has to maintain discipline among the workers

He has to supply necessary materials

He has to control quality and cost of the job

He has to guide has workers in doing a job in the correct and safe way He has to supply suitable personal protective equipment to his workers He should conduct periodical safety meetings.

He should conduct safety inspection of his working area He should know about the fire fight equipment

He should know investigate the accident and find out the cause of accident

 

 

 

Question 33: What are the pre cautions for welding?

Answer 33:

1. Remove all combustion material from the place of welding
2. Clear the work area and cover wooden floor with fire proof mats. (Welding mechanic should be kept within the visibility of the
3. Erect fire resistance screen around the work
4. All welding cables should be fully insulted
5. All welding mics shall be double earthed
6. Welding area should be dry and free from water
7. Keep the fire extinguisher / sand really
8. Use leather hand gloves, goggles and helmets
9. Switch off the power when welding is stopped
10. Do not allow the helper to do welding
11. Do not shift him welding cable unless the electric power is switched
12. Do not allow the helper to carry the welding. Terminal of the welding cables should be provided 3-cable with lugs and kept
13. Oxygen hose in black and Acetylene hose in red in color as per standard
14. NRV of the blow torches should be maintained properly avoid back fire
15. Welders should be trained properly
16. Cylinders should be stored in a cold dry place away bottom heat and direct
17. Proper housekeeping, good ventilation in the working area
18. Smoking should be avoided from welding area
19. Hose connection should be proper made
20. Barricade the work area and put a sign board
21. Rolling of cylinders should be avoided
22. Flash back arrestor should be attached in each cylinder
23. Any leakage of cylinder should be kept separately

 

 

Question 34: What is the precaution for gas cutting?

Answer 34:

1. Keep fire extinguisher nearby
2. Keep fire watch nearby
3. Remove all combustible from work area
4. Use all necessary PPE
5. Never put welding gas cylinder inside a confined space
6. Hoses shall not be laid in path ways
7. Gas cutting torch should have flash back arrestors
8. Gas test to be done to check for presence of flammable gas in site
9. Good housekeeping and ventilation necessary in working
10. Hose connections should be made properly

 

 

 

Question 35: What are the precautions for “sandblasting”?

Answer 35:

1. Compressed airline, hoses and other fitting must installment firmly without leaks the hose.
2. Misuse compress are should be avoided
3. A fresh air hood or mask must be worn
4. Housekeeping can be done period cally
5. Fire extinguish her shall be kept nearby
6. Dust mask ear plugs / muffs should be used
7. No sand blasting shall be done on top of floating roof tank in
8. Use goggles & face shield
9. Sand blasting operation must be gas free

 

Question 36: What are the precautions for “painting”?

Answer 36:

1. All flammable material should be cleared from the work area
2. The required protective clothing and equipment must be worn
3. Cartridge respirators shall always be worn
4. Adequate ventilation is necessary
5. Adequate washing facilities must be readily available
6. Barrier cream should be applied to the skin

 

Question 37: What are the hazards in welding?

 

Answer 37:

Eye injury

Burn injury Arc realization Electrical shock Light arc radiation

Heat, light and radiation effect Heat fume Poisonous gases Chipped price of weld metal Fire

Explosion Scattering Noise Sparking Sparking

Flying sand

 

 

 

 

 

Question 38: What are hazards and injuries in manual handing?

Answer 38:

1. Cutting fingers due to sharp edges
2. Burns due to handing of hot articles
3. Foot injuries due to dropped articles
4. Slipped disc due to improper posture in lifting on object
5. Strains to wrist or fingers
6. Sprains, wounds hernias, fractures

 

Question 39: Cause of accidents in manual handling?

Answer 39:

1. Improper lifting
2. Carrying too heavy loads
3. Improper gripping
4. Failure to use PPE
5. Lifting greasy, oily and irregular objects
6. Poor physique

 

Question 40: What precautions are needed to avoid accident in manhandling?

Answer 40:

1. Stand at safe distance from the load
2. Sharp edge and burns are removed before lifting a
3. PPE such as safety gloves and safety shoes are to be

 

4. If the weight is too heavy for one person to lift, then he has to seek the
5. The pathway is not blocked by obstacles while carrying the
6. The different actions, movements and forces necessary while carrying the
7. Modify the task by using hooks and crow
8. Mechanical equipment like cranes shall be
9. Modify the objects
10. Change the way things are

 

Question 41: Which Tips are necessary for manuals handling?

Answer 41:

1. Plan
2. Clear the path
3. Move in close to the load
4. Secure your grip
5. Hold your head upright
6. Maintain normal curves of the spine
7. Power the lift with legs and body weight
8. Don’t twist

 

Question 42: What types of causes of accidents in mechanical handling?

Answer 42:

1. The sudden failure of wire rope or a chain
2. Slipping of the load from the sling
3. Swinging of the load at the time of lifting
4. The load sometimes hits the man

 

Question 43: What are the accidents in “poor housekeeping”?

Answer 43:

1. Men getting hit by failing from overhead
2. Men slipping as greasy, wet or dirty floor
3. Men failing in open tank without cover in level floor
4. Accidents due to poor lighting
5. Fire accidents due to faulty electrical wires

Question 44: What are the advantages in good housekeeping?

Answer 44:

1. It helps in the reduction of accidents including fire accidents
2. It saves the property damages
3. It improves employee moral
4. Better productivity
5. Working area becomes presentable
6. Human energy is conserved
7. Visitors are very much satisfied
8. The burden of supervisor is reduced

Question 45: How to care and maintenance of hand tools?

Answer 45:

1. Tools must be kept clean and free from corrosion
2. Keep metal parts lightly oiled
3. Remove burrs from edges of tools and heads of
4. Tools which are not in used must be stored separately
5. A good worker regularly inspects his tools
6. Do not use tools without handles

Question 46: How to prevent accidents of “power tools”?

Answer 46:

1. The operators should wear face shields or safety glasses
2. Power tools should be placed in the store room after use
3. Power tools should have protected by guards
4. Pneumatic hoses or electric cables of power tools should not pass through passage ways.
5. The electrical power tools should be properly earthed
6. Never horse play with hose of pneumatic tools
7. Power tools machines should be maintained and operated

Question 47: What are the causes of accidents of “hard tools”?

Answer 47:

1. Due to wrong way using of
2. Due to defective condition of tools
3. Due to failure of using right tools for right job
4. Due to wrong way of carrying tools
5. Due to strong of tools unsafely

Question 48: What precautions are necessary in electrical work?

Answer 48:

1. All electrical installations shall be as per country electricity rules
2. Only competent persons should handle the electrical equipment
3. The equipment should be earthed properly
4. All temporary electric lines should be drawn at least above man’s height
5. Cable should be completely insulted
6. Cable should not have any joints
7. Only connection for one point
8. Good housekeeping on the area
9. Fire protection equipment to be kept near by
10. Use rubber gloves and rubber boots
11. Use good quality of wire
12. Power isolation close to the job
13. Use three pin plugs instead of loose wire
14. Never operate any electrical equipment with wet hands
15. Never stand wet surface while working electrical equipment
16. During thunder storm do not stand under tree
17. Proper sign board is necessary
18. No person shall work on any live electrical conductor
19. The switch shall only be put on by person who switched it off

Question 49: What are the hazards in construction?

Answer 49:

1. Fall of person from top and getting injured
2. Fall of objects from top and below person injury
3. Fall of materials from top and damaged
4. Person fall into excavated pit
5. Collapse of soil and below person get injury or may
6. Damage of UG cables and sewage pipe
7. Collapse of scaffolding and person fall from height, get injury
8. Electrical shock
9. Fire and explosion
10. Burn injury
11. Health and lung problems
12. Snakes bite
13. Poisonous gas
14. Foreign body in eye

Question 50: What types of cause of accident in construction?

Answer 50:

1. Erection equipment failure
2. Falling of persons from height
3. Electrical shocks
4. Improper lighting
5. Nonstop working by worker
6. Up safe work methods
7. Collapsing of earth during trench excavation
8. Failure of use safety equipment
9. Working a height without safety belt

Noise

Noise is present in many workplaces, but being exposed to too much can cause permanent and irreversible damage to workers. Noise levels and the duration of the worker's exposure to noise should be reduced.

• How workers are exposed
• The risks

• How to reduce the risks
• Resources

How workers are exposed

Loud machines and equipment are among the most common causes of harm to workers' hearing. As a guideline, if you are within 1 metre of another person at work and have to shout to be heard, the noise level is likely excessive.

The risks

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most prevalent occupational health problems. It is permanent and irreversible. Work-related hearing loss can be caused by a single event such as an explosion. More often, it is caused by long-term exposure to excessive noise, like machine noise, that is present throughout a work shift.

If you work around hazardous noise, you must take part in a hearing loss prevention program. This includes annual hearing testing.

How to reduce the risks

The best way to reduce the risk of noise exposure is to eliminate the source of noise. If that's not possible, engineering controls should be used to reduce noise levels. Another option is to reduce exposure duration by limiting the time spent around noise. When choosing preventive measures, start by asking the questions in the following steps. These steps are listed here in order of effectiveness:

1. 1

   Elimination or substitution

   This involves eliminating the hazard by substituting a safer process or material, where possible. It is the most effective control. Some questions to consider:

   • Can a quieter machine or piece of equipment be used?
   • Can a process that generates less noise be used?
2. 2

   Engineering controls

   This type of control involves making physical modifications to control the hazard or reduce exposure. When practical, employers must make physical modifications to facilities, equipment, and processes to reduce exposure to noise. An acoustical engineer can help employers identify engineering controls and start using them. Combining some options may maximize noise reduction and improve worker safety. Some questions to consider:

   • Can noise be reduced at the source?
   • Can the noise source be enclosed?
   • Can workers be enclosed from the noise?
   • Can the room be acoustically treated?
3. 3

   Administrative controls

   This type of control involves changing work practices and policies. Awareness tools and training also count as administrative controls. All can limit the risk of noise exposure. Some questions to consider:

   • Can shift lengths be reduced to cut exposure time?
   • Can workers be scheduled as far away from the source of noise as possible?
   • Has a hearing loss prevention program been started?
   • Have warning signs been posted in the work area?
   • Have workers taken their annual hearing tests?
4. 4

   Personal protective equipment

   This is the least reliable control. When used, there must always be at least one other control in place as well. Some questions to consider:

   • Do workers have appropriate hearing protection that fits them?
   • Are workers wearing their hearing protection properly?

   Bringing noise down to a safe level may eliminate the need for a hearing loss prevention program and hearing protection.

Radiation ( Non Ionizing)

Radiation (non-ionizing)

Non-ionizing radiation is all around us and comes from both natural and human-made sources. It includes electric and magnetic fields, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, and visible radiation. Workers can effectively limit their exposure to non-iodizing radiation by shielding and by keeping a safe distance from sources.

• How workers are exposed
• The dangers to workers

• How to reduce the risks
• Resources

How workers are exposed

Most people aren't aware they are being exposed to non-ionizing radiation. There are many types of non-ionizing radiation, which include:

Ultraviolet light	Generated by black light, sunlight
Visible light	Generated by sunlight, LEDs, light bulbs, lasers
Infrared light	Generated by sunlight, thermal radiation, incandescent light bulbs, lasers, remote controls
Microwave radiation	Generated by microwaves, cellphones, and data transmission
Radio frequency radiation	Generated by AM and FM radio signals, cellphone and data communications, and by radio frequency heaters used to bond vinyls and plastics
Extremely low frequency radiation	Generated by transmission lines, old CRT computer monitors

Some jobs expose workers to more non-ionizing radiation than others. Higher exposure work includes:

• Maintenance on radio, cell or TV towers
• Roofing
• Painting
• Building maintenance
• Building inspection
• Window washing
• Welding
• Glassmaking
• Furnaces
• Outdoor workers

The dangers to workers

Each type of radiation causes different effects on human tissue. The closer workers are to the source of the non-ionizing radiation, the more exposure they will experience. Fortunately, non-ionizing radiation hasn't been demonstrated to cause cancer or other serious illnesses, with the exception of sunlight causing skin cancers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radiofrequency and microwave electromagnetic fields as possible carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on an increased risk for two types of tumours (glioma and acoustic neuroma).

The most common health effects workers may experience depend on the type of radiation they are exposed to:

Extremely low frequency radiation	Little to no health effects even when working directly at the source of the radiation
Radio frequency radiation and microwave radiation	Nerve or muscle stimulation Heat stress as the body warms up, especially in warmer weather Eye damage (cataracts) Numbness in the hands
Ultraviolet radiation	Sunburn Skin cancer Welder's "arc-eye" Cataracts
Infrared radiation	Skin burns Cataracts Retinal burns

How to reduce the risks

The best way to reduce the risk of exposure to non-ionizing radiation is to eliminate the source of exposure. If that's not possible, there are other risk controls to use which will be identified in your exposure control plan. To protect workers from discreet sources, creating distance between them and the source of the non-iodizing radiation is often effective. As the worker moves away, exposure quickly decreases. If the source is not from a specific location or increasing the distance from the source is not possible, shielding might be appropriate.

When choosing risk controls, start by asking the questions in the following steps, listed in order of effectiveness.

1. 1

   Engineering controls

   Making physical modifications to facilities, equipment, and processes can reduce exposure. Some questions to consider:

   • Can guards or barriers be used to restrict access to high exposure areas?
   • Can antennas be raised so they are above the working level of the roof?
   • Can shields be erected to eliminate nearby workers from exposure?
2. 2

   Administrative controls

   Changing work practices and work policies, and using awareness tools, and training, can limit the risk of non-ionizing radiation exposure. Some questions to consider:

   • Can the equipment be turned off to do work around it?
   • Is access to communication and data transmitting equipment secured or restricted?
   • Can warning signs be posted to indicate high radiation areas?
   • Can the amount of time workers spend near the antenna be limited?
   • Can a notification system be set up to alert contractors when an antenna is present?
   • Is a UV protection program in place?
3. 3

   Personal protective equipment

   This is the least preferred control. It must always be used in addition to at least one other control. Some questions to consider:

   • Do workers have the proper eyewear and protective clothing?
   • Has personal protective equipment been verified to ensure it is working properly?
   • Is sunscreen provided?

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion. It is also the most common cause of occupational gas poisoning leading to death. It is hard to detect because it has no colour or odour. It is especially dangerous in confined or poorly ventilated spaces. Recognizing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can prevent fatalities.

• How workers are exposed
• The risks

• How to reduce the risks
• Resources

How workers are exposed

Running an internal combustion engine indoors or in confined areas will quickly fill a workplace with dangerous levels of the gas. On a worksite there are many possible sources of carbon monoxide, including:

• Gas-powered engines
• Fires
• Natural gas space heaters
• Furnaces
• Kilns
• Boilers

Workers indoors can also be exposed if vehicles idle next to fresh air intakes on the building.

The risks

When inhaled, carbon monoxide blocks the body's ability to absorb oxygen.

The gas is odourless and invisible. Workers may not know they are in danger until it's too late. How fast symptoms develop depends on various factors. How active workers are, how long they've been exposed, and the concentration of carbon monoxide all matter. Headache and nausea are the first symptoms. A coma and then death can follow.

How to reduce the risks

To reduce the potential for injury or disease, you need to control the risks and hazards in your workplace.

The most effective way to manage the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide is to eliminate the source of exposure. If that's not possible, there are other risk controls to use. When choosing risk controls, start by asking yourself the questions in the following steps, listed in order of effectiveness. See our resources for more information.

1. 1

   Elimination or substitution

   This involves eliminating the hazard by substituting a safer process or material, where possible. It is the most effective control. A question to consider:

   • Can diesel or gas equipment be replaced by electric?
2. 2

   Engineering controls

   Making physical modifications to facilities, equipment and processes can reduce exposure. Some questions to consider:

   • Can the equipment or tools be fitted with emissions control devices?
   • Can ventilation be improved?
   • Can building air vents be installed away from loading docks or parking garages?
3. 3

   Administrative controls

   Changing work practices and work policies, awareness tools, and training can limit the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Some questions to consider:

   • Have you developed a written exposure control plan for carbon monoxide?
   • Can warning signs be posted in the work area?
   • Can signs explaining exposure symptoms be posted?
   • Can written safe work procedures be posted?
   • Can carbon monoxide monitors be installed?
4. 4

   Personal protective equipment

   This is the least effective control. When used, there must always be at least one other control in place as well. Some questions to consider:

   • Do workers have the proper respirators?
   • Has personal protective equipment been tested to make sure it is working properly?