Understanding Responsibilities
24 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 24 free IOSH Managing Safely practice questions on Understanding Responsibilities, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Understanding Responsibilities: example questions & answers
12 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise all 24 Understanding Responsibilities questions free in the browser, with instant feedback on every answer.
What is the primary piece of UK health and safety legislation?
- AManagement of Health and Safety Regulations 1999
- BControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
- CHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974✓
- DDisability Discrimination Act
Answer: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main UK legislation establishing the framework and duties for health and safety.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, what is the employer's primary duty?
- ATo provide free training
- BTo ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees✓
- CTo eliminate all risks
- DTo reduce accidents by half annually
Answer: Section 2 of HSWA 1974 requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their employees.
What is the scope of an employer's duty under HSWA 1974?
- AOnly employees on site
- BEmployees and anyone affected by the work✓
- COnly full-time employees
- DOnly employees with contracts
Answer: Employers have duties to employees and anyone else who might be affected by the work, including visitors, contractors, and the public.
What is the duty of an employee under HSWA 1974?
- ATo manage all health and safety
- BTo take reasonable care and cooperate with the employer✓
- CNone; only employers have duties
- DTo report to the HSE
Answer: Section 7 of HSWA 1974 requires employees to take reasonable care and cooperate with the employer to achieve health and safety.
What does 'so far as is reasonably practicable' mean in legal terms?
- ANothing more needs to be done
- BProportionate balancing of risk against measures to control it✓
- CIt is impossible to satisfy
- DOnly low-cost measures are required
Answer: 'Reasonably practicable' means weighing the risk against the cost and effort of control measures. Higher risks justify greater cost and effort.
What is the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 intended to do?
- AReplace the Health and Safety at Work Act
- BProvide detailed management requirements under HSWA 1974✓
- CApply only to manufacturing
- DExempt small businesses
Answer: The MHSR 1999 were made under HSWA 1974 to require specific management approaches including risk assessment, controls, and monitoring.
Who is responsible for health and safety in an organization?
- AOnly the safety manager
- BOnly senior management
- CEveryone, with clear lines of accountability✓
- DOnly employees
Answer: Health and safety is everyone's responsibility with clear accountability. Managers, supervisors, and employees all have specific duties.
What is the role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)?
- ATo conduct risk assessments for all businesses
- BInspect workplaces, investigate accidents, and enforce health and safety law✓
- CTo employ all health and safety staff
- DTo provide all safety training
Answer: The HSE is the regulator that inspects workplaces, investigates serious accidents and incidents, and enforces health and safety law.
What is a competent person in health and safety?
- AAnyone with a degree
- BSomeone with sufficient knowledge, training, experience, and instruction✓
- COnly a qualified engineer
- DSomeone who has passed one exam
Answer: A competent person has adequate knowledge, training, experience, and instruction to perform tasks safely and understand associated hazards.
Who has responsibility for identifying competent persons in the workplace?
- AThe HSE
- BThe manager or employer✓
- CThe individual alone
- DExternal consultants only
Answer: The employer or manager is responsible for identifying or ensuring competency of those assigned to perform health and safety tasks.
What can the HSE do when enforcing health and safety law?
- AOnly provide advice
- BIssue inspection notices and enforcement notices
- CProsecute individuals and organizations
- DAll of the above✓
Answer: The HSE has powers to inspect, issue notices, and prosecute organizations and individuals for serious breaches of health and safety law.
What is an Improvement Notice?
- AA congratulations letter
- BA notice requiring specific improvements within a set timeframe✓
- CAn instruction to close the business
- DA warning with no deadline
Answer: An Improvement Notice requires an organization to remedy specified breaches of health and safety law within a set period (typically 15-21 days).