Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment 2014 Specification

Transcription

1 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment 2014 Specification Version 1 For assessments in 2014 Accredited by the Qualifications Regulators at Level 2 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework Qualification Accreditation Number: 501/0713/6

2 Publishing Policy for Specifications Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) Specifications are published on 1 September each year to allow centres adequate time to prepare for the delivery of the qualification from 1 January the following year. For all British Safety Council specifications, the electronic version on the British Safety Council website is definitive in the case of any difference between it and a previously printed version. The electronic version on the website is updated if any significant changes are made during the lifetime of a specification. All significant changes to a specification are side barred, irrespective of whether they are changes to the subject content, the assessment or the administrative arrangements. The exceptions are presentational changes or correction of typographical errors. Side bars are used to indicate any changes from the previous version only; side bars in Version 3 indicate changes from Version 2, but not changes from Version 1. Centres and candidates are advised to check that this printed version of the specification is the latest version by visiting Acknowledgements This specification has been developed in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. The British Safety Council recognises and values all those who contribute their time and expertise to the development of its specifications. Version 1 published on 1 September 2013 Qualifications Department British Safety Council 70 Chancellors Road London W6 9RS Telephone: Facsimile: qualifications@britsafe.org Website: British Safety Council

3 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) Contents The British Safety Council 4 The Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment 5 Relationship to National Occupational Standards 5 Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria 6 Credit 6 Entry Requirements 7 Arrangements for Learning 7 Arrangements for Assessment 7 Language of Assessment 7 Authentication 7 Online Assessment Task 8 Marking Scheme 11 Reasonable Adjustments 12 Special Consideration 12 Malpractice 12 Marking, Awarding and Reporting of Results 12 Result Enquiries and Appeals 13 3

4 The British Safety Council Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) The British Safety Council is one of the world s leading advocates of workplace health and safety. Our vision is that no-one should be injured or made ill at work. We are a leading charity and everything we do is for public benefit. We currently use the surplus from our revenue generating activities to provide free health and safety e-learning courses to employees of our member organisations. We are a government-regulated awarding body and, as such, must comply with a wide range of conditions set by the regulator so that rigour and consistency in the awarding of qualifications is maintained. The British Safety Council is the only UK awarding body to offer a complete suite of health and safety qualifications from Entry Level to Level 6 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework. BSC Entry Level Award in Workplace Hazard Awareness BSC Level 1 Award in Health and Safety at Work BSC Level 2 Award in Supervising Staff Safely BSC Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment BSC Level 2 Award in COSHH Risk Assessment BSC Level 2 Award in DSE Risk Assessment BSC Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment BSC Level 2 Award in Manual Handling Risk Assessment BSC Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health BSC Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Specification development is guided by steering committees comprising representatives from professional bodies, standard setting bodies, enforcement bodies, employers and trade unions. Through focus groups, the British Safety Council further consults with employers and approved centres. Specifications are then developed with the help of independent chartered health and safety practitioners. Assessments are marked by independent examiners. 4

5 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) The Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment Each year people die or are seriously injured as a result of fires at work. In addition to the tragic loss of life and personal suffering experienced by family and friends, fire costs UK businesses millions of pounds, from damage to property, loss of business, fines, compensation claims and increased insurance premiums. It can be the end for small businesses. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsibility for fire risk assessment in any workplace lies with the responsible person' and they will be held accountable. The Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment aims to provide the responsible person with knowledge and understanding of the fire risk assessment process and the skills required to undertake a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. The specification is based on the Health and Safety Executive s guidance on fire risk assessment and has been accredited by the Qualifications Regulators at Level 2 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework. The online assessment task relates directly to the candidate s workplace and tests the application of learning in a practical context. While the Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment is a stand-alone qualification, it allows for lateral progression to other British Safety Council Level 2 qualifications covering specific risk assessments in COSHH, DSE and Manual Handling, and vertical progression to the Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health. Relationship to National Occupational Standards The content of the Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment has been mapped to the Units HSS1 and HSS6 of the National Occupational Standards for Health and Safety. 5

6 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria The qualification comprises one mandatory unit (Fire Risk Assessment T/602/1425). The learning outcomes state what a candidate will be expected to know, understand or be able to do and the assessment criteria describe the requirements that a candidate is expected to meet to demonstrate a learning outcome has been achieved. Learning Outcome (the learner will...) 1. Understand the importance of fire risk assessments 2. Understand the principles of controlling the risks from fire Assessment criteria (the learner can... ) Outline the reasons for conducting fire risk assessments Outline the main legislation relating to fire risk assessments Identify the main fire hazards in the workplace List fire prevention and protection arrangements 3. Understand how a fire risk assessment is undertaken Describe the stages of a fire risk assessment Outline the circumstances in which a fire risk assessment should be reviewed Credit Successful achievement of the learning outcomes for the above unit will earn a candidate two credits. 6

7 Entry Requirements Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) There are no formal entry requirements for the Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment. However, it is expected that candidates will have a level of literacy adequate to cope with the assessment. It is recommended that candidates first complete the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety at Work, which provides a solid grounding in basic health and safety knowledge and a useful springboard for study leading to the Level 2 Award. Candidates may enter direct with the British Safety Council or be entered by an approved centre. Arrangements for Learning Candidates may either self-study or undertake a programme of study with an approved centre. Arrangements for Assessment Candidates and centres book and pay for their assessments online via the British Safety Council website. They are granted access to an online qualifications system where the assessment task is completed online. Candidates may visit the online system as many times as they like, adding to their answers and saving their work as they go. Once the candidate submits their work for marking, they can no longer edit their answers. There is no deadline for submissions. Completed assessment tasks are marked online by independent examiners. As soon as an examiner has marked a task the candidate or course provider receives an inviting them to access the system and view their result online. Results are issued within 20 working days and certificates follow by post within 10 working days. Language of Assessment The online assessment task is presented in English and candidates must respond in English. Candidates for whom English is a second language are advised that their reading and writing skills should be equivalent to at least Level 4 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test for Non-Native Speakers of English. Information on this language testing service is available on the IELTS website ( Authentication The completed task must be entirely the candidate s own work. Candidates are responsible for identifying a senior work colleague, normally their line manager, to authenticate their work. This individual must provide contact details to the British Safety Council to permit checks to be made. These contact details should be entered at the start of the online assessment task. Plagiarism is a serious form of malpractice, and candidates found guilty of it will be disqualified from this and other British Safety Council qualifications. At the same time, it represents a lost opportunity for the candidate s organisation to benefit directly from the work undertaken to complete assessment tasks. Line managers, or individuals authenticating candidates work, are expected to make checks to ensure that the work is indeed the candidate s own. 7

8 Online Assessment Task Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) The online assessment task comprises a series of questions which test the assessment criteria on page 6 of this specification. The questions are marked using the marking scheme on page 11 of this specification. The maximum mark is 18 and candidates are required to achieve 12 marks in order to gain the qualification. A specimen assessment task is provided below. The boxes in the online system expand to accept the candidate s answer. Before starting their assessment task, candidates are advised to read the marking scheme and the Principal Examiner s report, both of which are available to download, free of charge, on the online system. 1. Briefly describe the workplace in which you carried out your fire risk assessment. 2. Briefly explain why you carried out the fire risk assessment. 3. Briefly describe how you carried out the fire risk assessment (information gathered, people consulted, etc). 4. Identify FOUR different fire hazards that are present in your workplace. Fire hazard (that could cause a fire to start) Identify THREE groups of people who may be at risk from fire in your workplace and identify their location. Group of people at risk Location of people at risk Identify ONE fire hazard from (4) above and describe the situation or event that could cause a fire to start. Fire hazard Situation or event leading to fire Explain the way(s) in which the fire could spread through the workplace 8

9 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) 7. Based on fire prevention principles give a brief outline of your estimate of the likelihood of a fire starting in this situation and give your reasoning. H M L Reasoning (justification): 8. Identify any further action that is needed to prevent a fire from starting in the situation outlined in (6) above 9. With regard to Detection and Warning Systems in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 10. With regard to Means of Escape in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 11. With regard to Fire Fighting arrangements in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 12. With regard to Maintenance and Testing of Equipment in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 9

10 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) 13. With regard to Emergency Procedures and Arrangements in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 14. With regard to Fire Safety Training in your workplace: a) briefly describe the existing arrangements b) briefly outline how adequate these arrangements are c) briefly outline any recommendations for improvement. Existing arrangements How adequate? 15. Outline when and in what circumstances you would review this risk assessment. 10

11 Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) Marking Scheme Rationale Methodology Hazard, how it might cause harm and to whom Description of existing arrangements Evaluation of existing arrangements for improvement Clear description of workplace. Clear rationale for risk assessment. Clear description of a range of appropriate techniques. Hazard and potential for fire clearly identified. All persons at risk clearly identified. Arrangements clearly described. A good attempt at evaluating arrangements. A good range of appropriate recommendations. Adequate description of workplace. Adequate rationale for risk assessment. Adequate description of one or more appropriate techniques. Hazard and potential for fire identified. Most persons at risk identified. Arrangements adequately described. Some attempt at evaluating arrangements. A range of appropriate recommendations. Limited description of workplace. Limited rationale for risk assessment. Limited description of techniques which may not always be appropriate. Hazard or potential for fire not clearly identified. Insufficient persons identified or unclear. Arrangements inadequately described. Little attempt at evaluating arrangements. Few appropriate recommendations. No description of workplace, or no rationale for risk assessment. No description of techniques or wholly inappropriate techniques. No hazard identified or no attempt to identify potential for fire. No persons or wrong persons identified. Arrangements not described. No attempt at evaluating arrangements. No appropriate recommendatio ns. 11

12 Reasonable Adjustments Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) When necessary, the British Safety Council approves reasonable adjustments for candidates with particular requirements to enable them to have access to fair assessment and to demonstrate achievement. Candidates may require reasonable adjustments for a number of reasons including a permanent or temporary disability or medical condition. Reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that candidates receive recognition of their achievement without compromising the equity, validity and reliability of the assessment. They are not concessions to make assessment easier for candidates, nor advantages to give candidates a head start. The Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be found at Special Consideration Special consideration involves procedures that may result in an adjustment to the marks of candidates who have not been able to demonstrate attainment because of exceptional circumstances during the examination itself. The Special Consideration Policy can be found at Malpractice The fairness of the assessment process depends upon all parties acting in good faith and adhering to the highest professional standards of conduct. Any evidence of deviation from such standards may lead to disqualification of candidates and/or withdrawal of centre approval. In the event of proven malpractice, the British Safety Council may notify the qualifications regulators and other awarding organisations. The Malpractice Policy can be found at Marking, Awarding and Reporting of Results Assessment tasks for the Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment are externally marked by examiners appointed and trained by the British Safety Council. Rigorous standardisation procedures, including regular examiner meetings, ensure that all examiners apply the marking scheme in exactly the same way and that all tasks are marked to the same standard. The pass mark is 12 out of 18. Candidates results are reported as pass or fail. A pass grade reflects the fact that the candidate has met the assessment criteria on page 6 of this specification. Results are issued online within 20 working days of the candidate submitting their completed task. Certificates follow by post within 10 working days. The regulators logos on the qualification certificate indicate that the qualification is accredited in England and Wales. Candidates wishing to resubmit their assessment task must make a new booking. 12

13 Result Enquiries and Appeals Level 2 Award in Fire Risk Assessment: 2014 Specification (Version 1) The British Safety Council endorses the right of individuals to enquire about their result and to appeal against the outcome of that enquiry. Procedures are in place to ensure that result enquiries and appeals are dealt with thoroughly and fairly. A result enquiry or an appeal can result in a grade being confirmed, raised or lowered. Where a grade is changed, the new grade will replace the original grade, whether it is higher or lower. The Result Enquiries and Appeals Policy can be found at 13