CIEH Annual Moderators Report20122013Stock Code MOD4HNCIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the WorkplaceKey pointsAs well as drawing attention to strengths in candidate performance, a key purpose of this report is to highlight areas where candidate performance is weak and to suggest possible causes. It also recommends where improvements might be made, by both trainers and candidates.On completion of the Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace, candidates should possess the knowledge and skills to be able to monitor and audit health and safety management systems. Candidates should therefore demonstrate their proficiency and competency to do so within their examination responses and controlled assignment reports.Overall, results have improved this year, particularly with regard to the examination. However, several common problems remain, including:providing one-word answers to knowledge-based questionsoffering lists for questions based on understandingfailure to respond from a management perspective in application questionspoor understanding of key health and safety legislation and the implications and penalties for non-compliancepoor understanding of contractor management and CDM dutiesfailure to address the full scope of questions or to identify wider issues other than the subject basicsanswering questions with reference to what happens in their own workplace rather than demonstrating an understanding of current best practice.There has also been improvement in the controlled assignments, although many candidates still struggle with their responses to the risk assessment section.The pass rate can be improved through the diligence and support of trainers, particular in helping candidates to prepare for the two assessments.RequirementsLevel 4 assessments test knowledge, understanding and application. Trainers should provide candidates with examples of questions that address each of these areas and help them to differentiate between the demands of each question.Knowledge This aspect tests a candidates ability to recall facts and information and uses question words such as list, state and define.For example:List three ways of checking that safety training given to an employee has been adequate.State the purposes of a fire risk assessment.Define the terms hazard and risk.When answering knowledge-based questions, candidates need to provide more than one-word answers. Brief answers tend to reveal a candidates lack of detailed knowledge.A significant number of candidates are not aware of even the general principles of health and safety, including risk assessment, permits to work and accident reduction. Key weak areas of knowledge highlighted by moderators include civil/criminal law, contractor management, CDM duties and general aspects of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Candidates are not expected to cite regulation details or numbers but should understand the key requirements.UnderstandingThis aspect tests a candidates comprehension and uses question words such as identify, describe, explain and outline:identify name or pinpoint somethingdescribe communicate the key features of a situation or process, possibly using examplesexplain this is different from describe; explanations often include short descriptions but also express the relationships between component partsoutline this involves part description and part explanation, but in a more concise format. CIEH Annual Moderators Report 20122013 CIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the WorkplaceProficient candidates provide detailed examples of good practice to demonstrate their depth of understanding. At Level 4, candidates understanding will be checked through their use of realistic and relevant examples of the syllabus being applied to the workplace. They must have a sound understanding of risk assessment principles and safe systems of work from a management perspective.Less able candidates who only provide one-word answers or lists in response to this type of question fail to provide sufficient detail. This limits the number of marks that can be awarded.ApplicationQuestion words such as apply, demonstrate, prepare and solve are frequently used to test candidates application skills. Candidates are required either to make reasoned arguments for or against a point (or several points) or to find an answer to a problem. For example, after identifying the key points in a COSHH hierarchy of control, candidates could be asked to outline how each point could be monitored.A recurrent weakness is candidates failing to answer questions from a management perspective. They need to address how they would react as a manager in the given circumstances, and demonstrate how they would manage a situation and implement a solution. Even if candidates are not yet in a managerial position in their own workplace, they must still answer as if acting in the role of manager, otherwise they are unlikely to provide the level of detail required by the question. Examples, where required, need to be relevant and applicable to the specific type of premises.Application is particularly important in the controlled assignment, where candidates must use their own management-based workplace experiences in order to answer the questions. For example, in the second part of the assignment, when discussing training many candidates describe a training programme for a certain aspect of health and safety rather than the managers role in delivering that programme. A manager would look at identification of training needs, prioritisation, the selection of trainers, appropriate levels and methods of training, assessment of competence after training and keeping training records.Many candidates appear to have little understanding of how they might use their knowledge to develop health and safety management systems. They tend to answer questions based on their own workplace rather than applying their knowledge to develop relevant management systems and fail to demonstrate a detailed understanding.Syllabus areasCandidates must be able to answer questions based on any part of the syllabus. It is evident that some trainers are still failing to cover the whole syllabus in their training, leading to candidate disappointment and frustration in the examination and controlled assignment. The syllabus areas represent the cornerstones of successful health and safety management, and it is troubling that some candidates cannot demonstrate understanding of important principles.Examiners and moderators have expressed concern that candidates cannot answer questions about:general health and safety, for example the differences between directives, regulations and approved codes of practice/guidancethe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (employers/employees responsibilities and policy) and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulationsemployers/employees responsibilities under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations. These types of questions, covering subjects that are central to the success of health and safety management in any organisation, appear in some form in every examination paper. If candidates fail to address these syllabus areas, they are likely to lose a significant number of marks.ExaminationHigh-scoring scripts are well structured, to the point and coherent, and it is evident that candidates have the required depth of knowledge and are able to apply it successfully. However, many candidates continue to demonstrate poor technique. The following comments from moderators highlight the key areas in need of improvement in candidates examination responses. Trainers should emphasise these matters when providing feedback to candidates.Focus on the questionCandidates must be reminded to read examination questions carefully in order to understand what is being asked of them. It is still apparent that some candidates do not read questions properly and as a result waste both time and marks by giving inappropriate and irrelevant answers. An example is where a question relates to employees responsibilities and the candidate answers on employers responsibilities. They should be careful to answer the specific question as set, rather than one that they would like to answer. It is strongly recommended that candidates read through the entire question before answering any part of it.Using highlighter pens to pick out key words/verbs in the question can help candidates to ensure they respond to all the requirements and avoid deviation.It is inappropriate to prime candidates with standard-style answers to examination questions. While it is possible to prepare candidates for the style of questions they are likely to encounter, the exact requirements cannot be guaranteed. They should not be encouraged to reproduce answers learned by heart and should instead address each examination question in context on the day. Providing a pre-prepared response that does not fit the precise requirements of the question will not gain any marks.Length and structure of examination responsesAs in previous years, candidates often provide one-word or very short answers, which provide neither sufficient depth nor detail for a Level 4 qualification, nor evidence of their CIEH Annual Moderators Report 20122013 CIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplacepractical, theoretical or technical understanding of health and safety management. As the questions are focused and clear as to their expectation, candidates should be able to provide the appropriate length and reasoning in their responses.Conversely, writing copiously on a subject without considering the finer points of the question is not an effective practice. It leads to digression and unnecessary/irrelevant information, which will not gain any marks. It is also a waste of a candidates time, which would be better utilised in answering another question. By looking at the mark scheme, candidates should be able to work out the level of detail required in their answers. Answers should be concise but show a complete and rounded appreciation of health and safety. Unless a candidates handwriting is particularly large, extra answer sheets should not be necessary.The examination questions are written in a format that guides the candidate. More able candidates use the structure of the question to plan their answer. The use of a simple answer plan with key headings would help candidates to structure longer responses in a logical and concise manner. This approach allows candidates to focus on the particular demands of the question and to respond to the specific issues. It also ensures that no salient information is omitted and points are not repeated.Bullet-pointed lists do not generally provide sufficient depth and breadth of information and tend to be restrictive. Unless the question specifically requests it, a bullet-pointed list will not be eligible for the full range of marks; neither will vague or generalised statements such as following good practice.Think like a managerCandidates must answer questions from the perspective of a manager, not an employee. For example, an employee may refer to the various controls in place, whereas a manager would plan, prioritise, implement, monitor and review. Candidates must demonstrate their understanding of key management concepts.Time management and planningCandidates must prepare thoroughly for the examination and manage their time carefully. Candidates have lost most marks either by failing to answer all the questions or by spending too much time answering the earlier questions and as a consequence rushing the later ones. Therefore they must understand how to plan adequately and pace themselves accordingly.Candidates should look at the mark scheme to gauge the amount of information the question is requesting and the comparative amount of time they should afford in answering it. A question worth five marks will require a more detailed response than one carrying a single mark, and should therefore take longer to answer. Providing only one or two points for a five-mark answer will not be sufficient.Candidates who are unsure of how to answer a section of a question should move on but leave sufficient time to return to it before the end of the examination when they are checking their work. They must answer all the questions and not leave any blanks. There have been several instances in the last year where whole sections of questions were left unanswered.Candidates should be advised to allow around 15 minutes at the end of the examination to check through their answers for any gaps or errors in particular, they should make certain that all the key issues have been addressed.Practice is essential, as it will allow candidates to become familiar with the process and time demands of the examination.Legibility On occasion, candidates handwriting is difficult to read, and sometimes it cannot be deciphered at all if a candidates answers are not clear, marks will be lost. If this problem is identified by trainers during the training programme, the candidate should be advised and help should be sought. There have been some instances in the last year where examination scripts have only just been legible. Also, if a candidate makes a mistake and rewrites an answer, it should be made clear to the examiner where the correct answer is written.Controlled assignment As the controlled assignment is carried out under examination conditions, candidates are unable to rely on and/or use company documentation/material. Therefore, trainers must emphasise the importance of thorough preparation.It is essential that candidates read through the exemplar scoping documents and sample controlled assignments provided by the CIEH, so that they understand what is expected of them. It is also recommended that trainers allow their candidates to undertake practice controlled assignments, in order to familiarise themselves with the requirements and timings.While trainers should support their candidates in the completion of the controlled assignment, it is not advisable to use a template, as this limits free thinking and leads to similarity across candidates. It can also mean that candidates do not appreciate key words or phrases and are unable to follow through the hazards and examples to the later parts of the assignment.Scoping documentPrior to sitting the controlled assignment, candidates must complete the scoping document provided by the CIEH. They should describe their chosen workplace and their role, not exceeding the limit of 500 words.An exemplar scoping document has been produced to give candidates an idea of the level of detail required. Controlled assignments submitted without a scoping document will not be marked.Part 1Risk assessmentCandidates should ensure that both sections of the controlled assignment are completed with reference to their chosen workplace. Many candidates are limited in their performance in Part 1. It is important that candidates select a work activity for this section that offers them the opportunity to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the risk assessment process, from identification of hazards to assigning risk ratings and deciding on control measures. Many candidates choose relatively simple tasks that are CIEH Annual Moderators Report 20122013 CIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplacelimited in scope, and as such they are unable to provide the depth of response required to achieve the highest marks.In this section, many candidates provide narrow responses and use the same answers for several questions. Answers to questions relating to risk often fail to identify consequences, which is fundamental in even a Level 2 qualification. Some candidates fail to identify residual risks following the introduction of control measures. A good understanding of the HSEs five steps to risk assessment should enable candidates to answer this part of the assignment well.Part 2The role of the managerIn Part 2, a significant number of candidates are unable to demonstrate all the aspects of safe systems of work.Trainer support for candidatesThis award is aimed at managers or aspiring managers. Consequently, it is expected that candidates have the necessary managerial responsibility and autonomy and can analyse, interpret and evaluate complex material and relate it to their own experiences. However, as has been identified in previous years, there are candidates whose basic underpinning knowledge and practical application appear lacking and do not meet the required depth for a Level 4 qualification.A number of candidates appear to have been recruited onto the course without sufficient prior knowledge and appreciation of health and safety or management principles to meet the exacting demands of a Level 4 qualification. Consequently, they struggle with the content, terminology and requirements of the training programme, examination and controlled assignment, and will be unlikely to achieve a pass.It is therefore recommended that candidates have achieved a Level 3 award in health and safety in the workplace, or have gained sufficient practical experience in managing workplace health and safety, before enrolling on the training programme for the CIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace. Centres must be aware that some employers may not have assessed or understood their employees ability to cope with the rigours of a Level 4 qualification.The challenges of the training programme mean that candidates need to be fully supported in their learning. Trainers must ensure that candidates understand the CIEH Candidate Guidelines document and that they are fully aware of the requirements in both the examination paper and controlled assignment. Candidates also need to appreciate that self-directed study time is essential to be successful in this qualification.Pre-course informationProspective candidates should be provided with accurate, comprehensive pre-course information regarding Level 4 qualifications and they must be made fully aware of the levels of practical, theoretical and technical knowledge and understanding they will be expected to demonstrate in both the examination and the controlled assignment. Not only should candidates be sent information about the qualification and formal assessment process, but trainers might also consider sending the CIEH course book to them in advance of the training to allow them to appreciate what the qualification involves. Directing candidates to the HSE/CIEH websites at this stage will alert them to the scope of the subject matter.Initial assessmentTrainers should determine candidates eligibility for the Level 4 award at the earliest opportunity, either through some means of initial assessment before they embark on a course (though this may not always be possible) or during the early stages of a course. An assessment should be made of the candidates prior knowledge and understanding, as well as of the scope of their managerial responsibilities in the workplace. If weaknesses are identified, candidates could be offered pre-course training to address any significant gaps in knowledge, understanding or experience. Failure to ensure that all candidates are up to the expected standard or capable of this level of study will result in poor outcomes even for able candidates, who will be held back from developing subject knowledge while the basics are being covered. Training deliveryTrainers should recognise that candidates have individual needs and plan to meet the needs of both able candidates as well as of those who require additional support.If a trainer has used a pre-course assessment and identified weaknesses, it may be possible to prioritise specific learning areas and to consider methods of reinforcing the training through case studies, group activities and site visits. Trainers are reminded that the duration for delivering the qualification stated in the training literature is a minimum requirement, which assumes that candidates are fully able to undertake the assessment activities and have a good command of written communication. The learning needs of candidates should be assessed carefully and taken into account, and it may be necessary to spend longer on areas of difficulty.Ideally, training sessions should be approximately 30% trainer-focused and 70% candidate focused. There are a range of methods to encourage active participation, including buzz groups, case studies, role play, mind maps, games and quizzes.Candidates will be expected to have a rounded appreciation of health and safety and will need to supplement the material covered in the training sessions.They should be encouraged and given the opportunity to read around the subject, for example reading other health and safety material such as HSE publications, journals, magazines, prosecution reports and textbooks. Trainers might provide reading lists and webpage references in order to encourage such further study. It would be useful for candidates to subscribe to the free HSE newsletter service.It is imperative that trainers liaise and consult with candidates throughout the training programme in order to understand any difficulties they are experiencing and to establish whether these can be addressed to enable candidates to meet the requirements or whether a decision needs to be made not to continue with the training or assessment at that stage. If candidates have limited CIEH Annual Moderators Report 20122013 CIEH Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplaceexperience of sitting examinations or completing controlled assignments, centres should defer the assessment process rather than risk losing the confidence of candidates or their employers.The ability of candidates to express themselves in writing varies significantly, and it may be necessary to provide assistance with written communication skills. Trainers should help candidates to understand the principles of health and safety by examining other workplace practices outside their own organisation, for example transport systems, construction sites or large retailers.While the onus is on candidates to research the taught topics, trainers must ensure that they keep up to date with legislative/technical changes and changes in professional practice, and that this is reflected in training materials and course delivery.Preparation for assessmentTrainers must guide candidates in their preparation for the two assessments and ensure they fully appreciate the requirements of both the examination paper and the controlled assignment.Some candidates may not have experienced a formal assessment for some time, and accordingly trainers should allow candidates to practise their examination technique as part of the training programme. Trainers need to make more use of the sample controlled assignments and sample examination questions available from the CIEH. Should trainers wish to compile their own bank of mock questions, the syllabus will provide a useful guide.It is recommended that candidates sit a timed mock examination. This will help candidates not only to assess their progress and level of knowledge, but also to familiarise themselves with the format, level and timings of the paper.If this is not possible, short written exercises in groups with constructive feedback from the trainer might be another way to increase confidence. When candidates are required to resit the examination and/or controlled assignment, trainers should consider carefully the level of support required. Presentation of scriptsTrainers should ensure that scripts are secured with staples or treasury tags; do not use plastic sleeves for each page of text, as this slows down the moderation process.Customer ServicesChartered Institute of Environmental Health Chadwick Court, 15 Hatfields, London SE1 8DJTelephone 020 7827 5800(Option 1) Email customerservices@cieh.org Web www.cieh.org/training