11.2 Paper 2: Site Visit Practice, the Site Assessment and the Online HIRARC Presentation

Paper 2 at a glance

You must pass both parts. If you fail one, you repeat only that part (Section 11.1). Paper 2A is held on the same day and at the same venue as Paper 1. Paper 2B runs online over the next three days.

The format document describes Part A only as a 30-minute site assessment. Follow the briefing NIOSH gives on the day. The best preparation is the site visit in Part 6 of the course, and practising the inspection method below on your own site.

Part A: inspecting a site systematically

An assessor wants to see that you can find the hazards that matter, judge how serious they are, and recommend practical controls. Walk the site in a fixed order so you miss nothing:

Look at people as well as conditions. Note unsafe acts, such as a worker unclipped at an edge or someone standing under a load. Note unsafe conditions, such as a missing guardrail or a damaged plug. Note good practice too: assessors credit balanced observation.

Recording findings

Write each finding as a complete line that someone could act on:

The ratings use the HIRARC 2008 matrix (Section 2.3): 15 to 25 is High, 5 to 12 is Medium, and 1 to 4 is Low. Life-threatening findings come first. An SSS stops work where there is imminent danger and reports to the principal contractor.

Part B: the presentation rules (guideline version 1.4)

Choose a topic

Repeat candidates must update their slides on the same topic they presented before.

What the slides must contain

1. a safety briefing related to the topic
2. an introduction to the topic
3. the objectives of the presentation
4. risk management: HIRARC, presented thoroughly, covering both safety and health aspects, with reference to DOSH's HIRARC Guidelines 2008
5. a conclusion
6. references

The slides must be in Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 or later, neat, readable by the assessment panel, and display clearly when projected or shared. They must be your own work.

The online session

• Use a laptop or desktop computer only.
• Sit somewhere you will not be disturbed, and be alone throughout.
• The session runs on Zoom, or another application the LPKKKP examination centre specifies.
• Be ready 30 minutes before the time on your examination slip.

Presentation (10 minutes):

Questions and answers (10 minutes): one signal starts the session and two signals end it. Write down any suggestions or corrections the panel gives.

Familiarisation: candidates are encouraged to attend the Paper 2B familiarisation session held for each examination session. Dates are sent through the SSS examination Telegram channel, whose link is sent by SMS.

Integrity: assessors may fail a candidate for copying or plagiarism. Examination misconduct is dealt with by the SSS Competency Committee and the LPKKKP, and can lead to suspension from the examination for up to two years.

The marking scheme

The HIRARC and the Q&A together carry 40% of the marks. The legal and SSS-role elements add another 18. A polished deck with a weak HIRARC will not pass easily.

Building a 10-minute deck

Rehearse with a timer until you finish at about nine and a half minutes. Speak to the panel, not the slides. Keep text large and tables simple.

Legal references by topic (current law only)

For every topic, also cite OSHA section 18B (risk assessment) and CDM regulation 39 (the SSS appointment). Never cite BOWEC 1986 or the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 as current law. The panel will treat it as out of date.

Handling the questions

The panel tests understanding, not memory of your slides. Typical questions:

• "Why did you rate this risk as High?"
• "What would you do first if…?"
• "Which regulation requires…?"
• "Who is responsible for…?"
• "What is the SSS's role if the contractor refuses?"

Answer briefly and directly. Link your answer to the hierarchy of control and the law. If you do not know, say how you would find out, for example from the manufacturer's manual, the temporary works designer or DOSH guidance. Note the panel's suggestions as the guideline requires.

Scenario: a presentation that lost marks

A candidate presenting crane lifting spends six minutes on crane types and photographs. Their HIRARC is a single slide listing "falling load, use PPE". They cite BOWEC as the governing regulations and run out of time before the conclusion.

To fix this:

• Spend most of the time on a step-by-step HIRARC: set-up, rigging, lifting, landing and de-rigging.
• Cover health hazards as well, such as heat and noise for the signaller.
• Cite the Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness Regulations 2024 and CDM 2024.
• Show how the SSS checks the lift plan, certificates and exclusion zone.
• Finish on time.