I will be giving out Safety Interview Questions and Answers as many as possible. These questions are not generated by HSEWatch, they are a compilation of interview questions from diverse sources.
The aim is to keep you equipped with likely questions you may encounter in an interview and probable answers for the questions.
So let’s go:
Safety Interview Questions
Q. What is the Safety?
Safety is free from risk and danger (The word safety derives from the Latin word “SALVUS,‟ meaning uninjured and healthy),
Q. What are the responsibilities of a Safety Officer?
The HSE Officer acts in an advisory capacity to the management and supervision with regard to Health and Safety Environment.
He is to monitor and ensure that the activities are being performed within the acceptable safety norms.
Helping supervisors to identify the hazardous and unsafe conditions and ensuring rectifications.
Conducting toolbox meeting, Supervisors safety meeting, conducting training in various topics, conducting safety incentive program, conducting safety auditing/inspection.
Taking disciplinary action against the violations. Conducting risk assessment and JSA, pre-task meeting, and all other project-related safety requirements.
Keep a track record of all incidents at the site.
He is to investigate hazards and dangerous occurrences, examine the cause of the accident, carry out safety inspections on site, and determine what remedial steps/actions have been undertaken.
Q. What is a ‘Permit to Work’ Procedure / Work Permit System?
The „Permit to Work‟ (PTW) Procedure is a formal written system that utilizes a document to control the work by means of potential hazards identification and risk assessment. The work permit is also a means of communication among various supervisors or their respective teams belonging to the operation, maintenance, controlling teams, and contract personnel, who are involved in work preparation and/or its execution.
Q. Explain the Types of Work permits normally used in the oil & gas industry?
Types of Work Permits: 5 Types of Work Permits
- Hot Work Permit (red)
- Cold Work Permit (green)
- Radiography Permit (yellow)
- Vehicle/mobile plant entry work permit
- Confined Space Entry Permit
(a) Hot Work Permit:
A document that specifies precautions, identifies hazards, and controls all work that is not hot and radiographic.
(b) Hot Work Permit:
A document that specifies precautions, identifies hazards, and controls all work involving actual naked flames, sparks, or that has the potential for creating sparks or heat.
(c) Radiography Work Permit:
A document that specifies precautions, identifies hazards, and controls all work involving radiography in nature.
(d) Vehicle / Mobile Plant Entry Permit:
A document that specifies precautions, identifies hazards, and controls all work involving entry of a vehicle or mobile plant into a hazardous area.
(e) Confined Space Entry Permit:
A document that specifies precautions, identifies hazards, and controls all work involving entry to an enclosure, which has limited means of entry or exit, not designed for continuous occupancy.
Q. Explain Each Work Permit’s Validity. (as per KOC)
Hot / Cold / Radiography Permit:
Valid for a maximum duration of seven consecutive days from the date of issue, subject to renewal by the permit issuer.
Note: Validity Period for Cold or Hot work permit in Non-Hazardous area can be extended for a maximum of one month with approval from the concerned Team Leader.
Confined Space Entry Permit:
Valid for one continuous work shift or part thereof; however, the permit is to be renewed / re-endorsed in case of crew change, transfer of responsibility, work suspension, or as recorded in the permit.
Vehicle / Mobile Plant Entry Permit:
Valid for one continuous work shift for Vehicle entry, whereas for Mobile Plant Entry, it is valid for a maximum of 7 consecutive working days from the date of issue, subject to renewal by the Permit Issuer.
Q. What is e-WP (Electronic Work Permit)? (as per KOC)
Electronic Work Permit (e-WP) is a web-based solution through the KOC intranet to manage electronically the authorization process of non-routine activities which are carried out in KOC business as per the Permit to Work Procedure (KOC.SA.004).
Q. What is the Excavation? And types of excavation?
Any man-made cavity, cut, trench, or depression on the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
Types of Excavation:
Manual Excavation: The excavation without using any powered equipment.
Mechanical Excavation: The excavation work using any electrical or mechanical equipment.
Q. Enlist precautions to be taken before taken to and during excavation work?
No excavation work in the KOC area without clearance of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
No mechanical excavation closer than 5 meters to any hydrocarbon-carrying pipeline.
No mechanical excavation closer than 3 meters to a non-hydrocarbon carrying pipeline, cable, or services.
For any excavation deeper than 1m, the ladder must be positioned projecting a minimum of 1m above the edge of the excavation.
Ladders shall be provided every 7.5 meters (25 feet) of lateral travel in the trench.
Ladders shall be securely supported at the bottom as well as at the top. Excavated material shall be placed 1m from the edge of the excavation for a depth up to 1.2m.
(Accordingly, placement of excavated material shall be increased in proportion to the depth of excavation.)
Heavy equipment, machinery shall be kept at least 3 meters away from the edge. Any walkway across a trench shall have a platform with handrails. All trenches shall have a barrier (such as fixed guardrails) and reflective warning notices displayed. Flashing lights are mandatory during poor visibility. Access to plant, equipment, and emergency services must not be obstructed by the trenches.
No mechanical excavation is allowed inside the existing KOC facilities (Gathering Center, Booster Station, water injection and handling facilities, etc.)
Q. What is a confined space?
Any enclosure having a limited means of entry & exit, and it is not designed for continuous occupancy.
There will be a presence of any hazardous substances, such as flammable and toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, hot or humid atmosphere, or any combination of these.
Examples: Process vessels, Tanks, Bins, Stacks, Large pipe, Duct, Pits & trenches, etc.
Any excavation with a depth of more than 1.2 meters.
Q. What are the Confined Space Hazards?
A confined space may have one or a combination of the following hazards:
- Oxygen deficiency
- Presence of flammable, combustible or pyrophoric materials (HC, Sludge, etc.)* Presence of toxic gases, corrosive or hazardous materials (H2S, Co, NH3, etc.) * Poor illumination, Ventilation & Communication.
- High temperature and humidity.
- Limited entry & exit / Restricted access.
- Restricted movement inside.
- Falling / Tripping hazards
- Presence of reactive or self-igniting material.
- Hazard due to electricity or moving machinery.
- Hazard due to pressurized fluid.
- Hazard due to the nature of work carried out inside a confined space.
Q. What is Flash Point (FP)?
Minimum temperature at which a flammable mixture of gas or vapor in air will momentarily flash when a source of ignition (spark) is introduced.
Q. What is Auto Ignition Temperature (AIT)?
Minimum temperature required to initiate self-sustained combustion of a solid, liquid, or gas in the absence of a source of ignition.
Q. What are LEL/LFL and UEL/UFL?
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): or (Lower Flammable Limit)
Minimum concentration of vapor or gas in air that will burn when a source of ignition (spark) is introduced.
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): or (Upper Flammable Limit)
Maximum vapor/gas to air concentration above which flame propagation will not occur, i.e., the mixture is “too rich” to burn.
Note-1: Flammable Gas Detectors (Meters) measure % LEL; hence, actual LEL means 100% of the full-scale reading of the meter. Below LEL (100% of meter reading), a mixture is “too lean” to burn.
Note-2: LEL of airborne combustible dust: If the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less, it is considered at LEL (ex., Sulfur or coke).
Q. What are the Hazards Associated with Electricity?
Hazards:
- Inadequate wiring.
- Exposed electrical parts
- Wire with bad insulation.
- Undergrounded electrical systems and tools.
- Overloaded circuits
- Damaged power tools and equipment.
- Using the wrong PPE and tools
- Overhead Powerlines.
Q. What are Unsafe Acts & Unsafe Conditions?
Unsafe Acts: Working without safety precautions or the act that can create accidents.
OR
It is a violation of an accepted safety procedure which could have permitted to occurrence of an accident.
Example: Working at height without any fall protection.
Unsafe Conditions: The place where the hazard is hiding.
OR
It is a physical condition that could have permitted to occurrence of an accident.
Example: Working inside the deep trench without slopping or shoring.
Q. What is the JSA?
- JSA stands for Job Safety Analysis.
- It is to be completed before the start of any new job.
- It clearly defines the specific job, equipment, and tools to be used, specific hazards of the job, and preventive measures to be taken.
- It is to be signed by all concerned to confirm that everyone involved does know about the job and how to do it in a safe way.
List of Other Safety Interview Questions
- HSE Interview Questions
- HSE Interview Question 1
- HSE Interview Question 2
- HSE Interview Question 3
- HSE Interview Question 4
- HSE Interview Question 5
- HSE Interview Question 6
- HSE Interview Question 7
- HSE Interview Question 8
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