100 Essential HSE Interview Questions and Answers
- What is Safety?
Answer: Safety is a condition that provides freedom from hazards, risks, accidents, injuries, property damage, or even death.
- What is an Accident?
Answer: An accident is an unexpected or unplanned event that may or may not result in injury, damage, loss, or death.
- What is Injury?
Answer: Injury is a harmful condition sustained by the body as a result of an accident.
- What is a Hazard?
Answer: A hazard is an inherent property of a substance or situation that has the potential to cause loss or damage to people, property, or the environment.
- What is Risk?
Answer: Risk is the probability of the occurrence of harm or damage resulting from a hazard.
- What is an Incident?
Answer: An incident is an event that deviates from the intended sequence of operations and may lead to accidents or unsafe conditions.
- What is Safety Policy?
Answer: A safety policy is a company’s formal commitment to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
- What is Safety Audit?
Answer: Safety audit is the process of identifying unsafe conditions and acts in a workplace and recommending improvements. It can be a walkthrough, intermediate, or comprehensive audit.
- What is a Safety Tag?
Answer: A safety tag is a card or paper tag displaying safety instructions or warnings to alert employees about hazards.
- What is a Safety Programme?
Answer: A safety programme is a set of methods such as engineering controls, education, enforcement, enthusiasm, and example to prevent accidents.
- What is Attitude?
Answer: Attitude refers to a person’s continuous behavior; good attitudes promote safe actions.
- What is Emergency Planning?
Answer: Emergency planning involves measures to control accidents, safeguard people, and communicate information during emergencies.
- What is a Work Permit System?
Answer: It is a written document issued by the area in charge, granting permission to perform a specific job.
- What is Work at Height?
Answer: Any work performed above 2 meters from ground level is considered work at height.
- What is Confined Space?
Answer: A confined space is a small, enclosed area with limited entry and exit, where comfortable work is difficult.
- What is Excavation?
Answer: Excavation is digging a hole or tunnel in the ground by hand or machine.
- What is Scaffolding?
Answer: Scaffolding is a temporary platform used to support workers and materials safely at construction sites.
- What is Welding?
Answer: Welding is the process of joining metals using electrical or gas heat.
- What is Gas Cutting?
Answer: Gas cutting is cutting metal using oxygen and combustible gases.
- What is Sand Blasting?
Answer: Sand blasting is the process of removing rust, dust, and dirt from surfaces using compressed air.
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- What is Painting?
Answer: Painting is the process applied after sandblasting to protect or decorate a surface.
- What is LEL (Lower Explosive Limit)?
Answer: The minimum concentration of vapor, gas, or dust in air below which a flame cannot propagate.
- What is UEL (Upper Explosive Limit)?
Answer: The maximum concentration of vapor, gas, or dust in air above which a flame cannot propagate.
- What is Manual Handling?
Answer: Manual handling is the process of lifting, carrying, or stacking materials by hand.
- What is Housekeeping?
Answer: Housekeeping means maintaining cleanliness and orderly arrangement of tools, equipment, and work areas.
- What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
Answer: PPE consists of equipment like helmets, gloves, goggles, and boots that protect individuals from hazards.
- What is Grinding?
Answer: Grinding is using a portable machine with a rotating wheel guard to smooth or cut materials safely.
- What is a Crane?
Answer: A crane is a tall machine used to move heavy objects suspended from a projecting arm with a hook.
- What is a Forklift Truck?
Answer: A forklift truck is a vehicle designed to lift and move heavy loads.
- What is JSA (Job Safety Analysis)?
Answer: JSA is a procedure to identify hazards in a job and develop controls to prevent accidents.
- What are the Duties of a Safety Officer?
Answer: Duties include preparing toolbox talks, accident reports, safety checklists, arranging training, conducting inspections, and organizing safety events.
- What are the Duties of a Supervisor?
Answer: Supervisors instruct workers on safe methods, maintain discipline, supply materials and PPE, control quality, conduct safety meetings, and investigate accidents.
- What are the Precautions for Welding?
Answer: Remove combustible materials, use fireproof mats, wear PPE, ensure proper grounding, keep area dry, use fire screens, keep extinguishers nearby, and avoid welding in unsafe conditions.
- What are the Precautions for Gas Cutting?
Answer: Keep fire extinguisher and fire watch nearby, remove combustibles, use PPE, avoid confined spaces, secure hoses, install flashback arrestors, and maintain ventilation.
- What are the Precautions for Sandblasting?
Answer: Use properly installed compressed air systems, wear fresh air hoods, maintain good housekeeping, keep fire extinguishers nearby, and avoid sandblasting on live tanks.
- What are the Precautions for Painting?
Answer: Remove flammable materials, wear protective clothing, use respirators, ensure ventilation, provide washing facilities, and apply barrier creams.
- What are the Hazards in Welding?
Answer: Hazards include eye injuries, burns, electrical shock, arc radiation, heat, fumes, poisonous gases, fire, explosions, noise, and flying sparks.
- What are the Hazards and Injuries in Manual Handling?
Answer: Injuries include cuts, burns, foot injuries, slipped discs, strains, sprains, hernias, wounds, and fractures.
- What are the Causes of Accidents in Manual Handling?
Answer: Causes include improper lifting, carrying heavy loads, poor grip, lack of PPE, lifting oily or irregular objects, and poor physical condition.
- What Precautions are Needed to Avoid Accidents in Manual Handling?
Answer: Maintain safe distance, remove sharp edges, wear PPE, seek assistance for heavy loads, keep pathways clear, use mechanical aids, and modify tasks.
- What are Tips for Manual Handling?
Answer: Plan your lift, clear the path, move close to the load, secure your grip, keep your head upright, maintain spine curves, lift with legs and body weight, and avoid twisting.
- What are the Causes of Accidents in Mechanical Handling?
Answer: Causes include wire rope or chain failure, load slipping, load swinging, and loads hitting people.
- What are the Accidents Caused by Poor Housekeeping?
Answer: Accidents include falling objects, slips on greasy floors, falls into uncovered pits, poor lighting injuries, and fires from faulty wiring.
- What are the Advantages of Good Housekeeping?
Answer: Reduces accidents, prevents property damage, improves morale, increases productivity, makes the workplace presentable, conserves energy, satisfies visitors, and reduces supervisor burden.
- How to Care for and Maintain Hand Tools?
Answer: Keep tools clean and free from corrosion, oil metal parts lightly, remove burrs, store unused tools separately, inspect regularly, and never use tools without handles.
- How to Prevent Accidents with Power Tools?
Answer: Wear safety glasses or face shields, store tools properly, use guards, avoid cable hazards, ensure proper earthing, avoid horseplay, and maintain tools.
- What are the Causes of Accidents with Hand Tools?
Answer: Causes include wrong tool use, defective tools, using the wrong tool for the job, improper carrying, and unsafe storage.
- What Precautions are Necessary in Electrical Work?
Answer: Follow electrical standards, use competent persons, ensure proper earthing, keep cables insulated, maintain good housekeeping, have fire protection, use rubber gloves and boots, and avoid working on live circuits.
- What are the Hazards in Construction?
Answer: Hazards include falls, falling objects, excavation collapse, electrical shock, fires, burns, lung problems, snake bites, poisonous gases, and eye injuries.
- What are the Causes of Accidents in Construction?
Answer: Causes include equipment failure, falls from height, electrical shocks, poor lighting, worker fatigue, unsafe work methods, soil collapse, lack of safety equipment, and working without safety belts.
Q51. What are general safety precautions in construction?
Ans:
- Adequate first aid equipment should be kept ready
- Adequate fire fighting equipment should be available
- All general electrical rules should be followed
- Suitable lighting arrangements should be provided for night work
- Workmen at height should wear safety belts
- Workmen handling cement should be provided with goggles, rubber gloves, rubber boots, and nose masks
- The moving parts of grinding machines at the construction site should be covered with guards
- Excavated material should not be kept near the edge of excavation
- For short duration work, red flags must be hoisted; for longer duration, red banners must be stretched
- Defective tools should not be used
- Workers should not carry tools in their hands while climbing ladders
- Excavation should be guarded with suitable fencing
Q52. How to erect scaffolding?
Ans:
- Erected on level, firm ground
- Done by trained/skilled personnel
- Constructed using metal pipes and wooden boards
- Designed and built with sound materials
- Not erected on loose earth
- Clamps should be securely fixed
- Proper bracing is necessary
- Sole plates must be placed at the base of vertical pipes
Q53. What are the safety precautions for scaffolding?
Ans:
- Wooden boards should not be painted or have cracks
- Check for rust in pipes/clamps
- Use good quality clamps
- Board thickness should be 3.4 cm with no bending
- Structure should be rigid and well-supported
- Use sound materials only
- Wooden planks must not have joints
- Vertical poles should not exceed 6 feet without support
- Chains or ropes must be used for suspended scaffolds
- Never throw materials from height
- Use safety harness while working above 6 feet
- Proper tying arrangement is necessary
Q54. What control measures are necessary in confined space?
Ans:
- Enter with airline BA sets
- Use 24V flameproof hand lamps
- A hole watch to be kept near the manhole
- Keep fire fighting equipment ready
- Gas test to check oxygen level
- Provide blowers
- No smoking inside confined space
- Use ropes and harnesses
- Clean the space before entry
- Use non-sparking tools if flammable vapors are present
Q55. What are safety rules when using ladders?
Ans:
- Footwear should not be greasy, oily, or muddy and must grip the rungs
- Face the ladder and hold with both hands when climbing or descending
- Carry light tools in pockets or shoulder bag
- Always hold with at least one hand; use safety belt if both hands needed
- Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top
- Step ladders must be fully opened and divider locked
- Do not use metal ladders near electrical equipment
- Ladders should be placed on firm ground at a 75° angle
- Defective ladders must be marked “Do Not Use”
- Do not place ladders on boxes or drums
- Rubber protection on ladder ends is necessary
Q56. What are safety rules for handling oxygen cylinders?
Ans:
- Keep away from combustible materials
- Do not handle with greasy hands or gloves
- Do not test fittings with oil-based soap
- Store away from combustible gas cylinders
- Keep top cover in place when not in use
- Do not use cylinders as rollers
- Oxygen should not be used for ventilating confined spaces
Q57. What are safety rules when using compressed air?
Ans:
- Only authorized persons should use compressed air
- Do not clean body or clothes with compressed air
- Do not place air hoses across passageways
- Do not test air leaks with hands
- Wear safety shoes when using air tools
- Tools should be shut off when not in use
Q58. What are precautions in handling compressed gas cylinders?
Ans:
- Do not drag or drop cylinders
- Store in dry, ventilated areas
- Do not lift with chains or slings
- Keep caps on when not in use
- Keep away from heat sources
- Acetylene cylinders must be stored vertically
- Separate full and empty cylinders
- Leaky cylinders should be moved to open space and gas safely released
Q59. How to store gas cylinders?
Ans:
- Store in a safe, dry, and ventilated area
- Oxygen cylinders stored horizontally; acetylene vertically
- Secure standing cylinders
- Keep flammable gas 50 ft away from buildings
- Do not store oxygen near flammable gases
- Mark empty cylinders as “MT” and check for damage
- Do not use cylinders as supports
Q60. Give a brief note about cranes and lifting equipment (LE).
Ans:
- Only authorized and competent personnel should operate cranes
- Use correct slings for lifting
- Equipment must be certified and marked with SWL
- Do not exceed SWL
- Pad slings/cables over sharp edges
- Check ground condition and use outriggers
- Guard all moving parts
- Do not use uncertified equipment
- Inspect slings by third-party
- Do not stand/work under suspended loads
- Place outriggers on firm ground
- Use guide ropes for controlling swing
- Do not operate cranes in high winds
- Avoid lifting over live equipment
- Perform regular maintenance as per manufacturer’s guidelines
Q61. Give a brief note about forklift trucks.
Ans:
- Check brakes, lift, tilt, and tires
- Check load stability before moving
- Do not leave engine running unattended
- Do not park in passageways
- Do not drive with greasy/wet hands
- Drive at safe speed, slow down at turns
- Forks should be 6 inches above ground when empty
- Do not operate in gaseous areas
- Operate in reverse if vision is blocked
- Do not carry loose items on forks
- No one should go under elevated loads
- Warn coworkers when stacking/removing materials
- Exhaust pipe must have flame arrestor
- Lower forks when not in use
- Stay alert always
Q62. Describe grinding safety rules.
Ans:
- Use correct wheel for the machine
- Always use wheel guard
- Avoid mixing grinding and welding cables
- Protect all cables from damage
- Wear face shield with helmet
- Never use fractured wheels
- Avoid over-tightening
- Ensure all guards are in position before use
- Wheel speed must match machine speed
- Only skilled personnel should handle grinding
- Perform wheel testing
Q63. What are vehicle and plant safety rules?
Ans:
- Security vehicle pass is mandatory
- Drivers must have valid license
- Do not carry passengers on forklifts
- Follow all traffic and speed rules inside plant
- Ensure vehicles are roadworthy
- Do not leave parked vehicles with keys in ignition
Q64. What precautions should be taken during excavation?
Ans:
- Proper barricading of excavation area
- Use signboards, lights, and flags
- Prevent heavy vehicles from approaching edges
- Use PPE like helmets, shoes
- Keep excavated soil at least 5 feet away
- Slope sides to safe angle
- Use hand excavation near underground pipes/cables
- Cut from top to bottom
- Provide ladder for trenches deeper than 4 feet
- Use safety belts when working on slopes over 10 feet
Q65. What are the advantages of Job Safety Analysis (JSA)?
Ans:
- Identifies hazards and prevents accidents
- Helps develop safe work methods and conditions
- Assesses training needs
- Aids in inspection planning
- a) Name of operation
- b) Operation description
- c) Hazards involved
- d) Required precautions
Q66. What is a Toolbox Talk?
Ans:
- Discuss job-related safety aspects
- Identify job hazards/risks
- Discuss control/preventive measures
- Check adequacy and condition of PPE
- Reinforce safety rules and procedures
- Emphasize safe work methods
Q67. Describe different types of hazards.
Ans:
- Mechanical – Unprotected machine parts
- Chemical – Toxic gases, vapors, fumes
- Electrical – Poor insulation or wiring
- Fire – Chemical reactions, electrical arcs
- Radiation – Infrared, UV, bright lights
- Pollution – Water and noise pollution
Q68. What is inspection?
Ans:
Inspection identifies hazards using a checklist prepared by knowledgeable personnel
Q69. Who conducts plant safety inspections?
Ans:
- Safety officers
- Line management
- Senior management
- Supervisors
- Maintenance engineers
- Workers
- Safety committee
- Statutory authorities
Q70. How many types of inspections are there?
Ans:
- Continuous – by operators
- Periodical – for equipment and storage
- Intermittent – surprise checks by safety personnel
- Statutory – legal inspections (cranes, ropes)
- Special – accident investigations, new building, lighting, PPE
Q71. What is safety management?
Ans:
It is the act and science of setting, planning, implementing, and reviewing safety objectives of an organization
Q72. What is accident investigation?
Ans:
It is the process of identifying root causes of an accident to prevent recurrence
Q73. What is accident statistics?
Ans:
Maintenance of records and analysis of accident details
Q74. How to investigate an accident?
Ans:
- Record name, age, designation, address
- Location and type of hazard
- Time, date, and shift
- Identify root causes
- Suggest corrective actions
- Focus on fact finding, not fault finding
Q75. How to report an accident?
Ans:
- Date and time
- Activity
- What happened
- Who was involved
- What went wrong
- Root cause
- Corrective action
- Report signed by Safety Officer, Safety In-Charge, Project Manager
Q76. What is accident prevention?
Ans: Accident prevention may be defined as an integrated programme directed to control unsafe mechanical or physical conditions.
Q77. Role of management in industrial safety?
Ans:
- A written safety policy should be issued by the management.
- The policy must address safety towards men, material, and machines.
- It should be circulated among top, middle, and lower-level employees.
- Management meetings should emphasize safety initiatives.
- Safety inspections (every 3 months) and safety audits (annually) should be arranged.
Q78. Give a brief note about safety policy.
Ans:
- The health and safety of employees is a prime concern.
- The company must follow the policy in letter and spirit.
- Strict compliance with acts, laws, and regulations is necessary.
- Health and safety training must be imparted to all employees.
- The company should adopt its own safety standards where applicable laws are not available.
Q79. Safety in the use of hand trucks?
Ans:
- Inspect the truck.
- Grease the axles well.
- Operators must wear safety shoes.
- Load should be balanced and must not stress the axle.
- Hard carts should not exceed the width of the truck.
- Push the cart, don’t pull it.
- Do not park trucks in walkways.
Q80. How many types of safety?
Ans:
There are three types of safety:
a. Plant safety
b. Workers’ safety
c. Consumer safety
Q81. Human factors causing accidents?
Ans:
- Carelessness
- Horseplay
- Rushing production
- Poor housekeeping
- Rushing during breaks
- Worry and lack of attention
- Alcohol and drug use
- Lack of skill or experience
- Not using PPE
Q82. How many steps in safety?
Ans:
- Policy
- Implementation
- Compliance with Factory Act
- Safe working conditions
Q83. Write causes of accidents.
Ans:
Direct cause: Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
Indirect causes:
- Lack of knowledge or skill
- Improper attitude
- Physical or mental deficiency
Q84. Give some examples about unsafe acts.
Ans:
- Operating equipment without authority
- Failure to warn
- Operating at unsafe speeds
- Not using PPE
- Using hands instead of tools
- Unsafe stacking
- Improper posture
- Working on moving equipment
- Wearing loose clothes near machines
- Working at heights without safety belt
Q85. Give some examples about unsafe conditions.
Ans:
- Unguarded machines
- Poor lighting
- Narrow roads
- Improper stacking
- Oil spills
- Poor ventilation
- Defective construction
- Faulty tools and equipment
- Unsafe procedures
- Poor housekeeping
Q86. Write about accident sequence.
Ans:
An injury occurs due to an accident. An accident results from unsafe acts or unsafe conditions, which in turn stem from human error caused by environmental factors, lack of skills, or poor attitude.
Q87. Write a brief about classification of fire.
Ans:
- Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, rubber
- Class B: Oil, grease, paint, petrol
- Class C: Gases like acetylene, methane
- Class D: Metals like sodium, magnesium
- Class E: Electrical fires
Q88. Write uses of extinguisher for purpose.
Ans:
- Water type – Class A fires only
- Foam type – Class B fires
- CO₂ – Class C fires
- DCP – Class C, D, or E fires
Q89. What precautions are necessary for fire protection?
Ans:
- Proper layout of roads and passages
- Properly placed doors and windows
- No smoking or matches allowed
- Keep cylinders away from flammable substances
- Use appropriate containers for flammable liquids
- Ensure fire equipment availability
- Regular inspection and maintenance of fire equipment
- Train enough personnel in firefighting
Q90. Precaution for burn person?
Ans:
- Roll on the ground if clothes catch fire
- No lotions on burns
- Rinse chemical burns with water
- Use sterile dressings
- Treat shock with weak tea or coffee
- Send to hospital in major cases
Q91. Factory Act highlights?
Ans:
- Sec. 6 – Factory registration
- Sec. 11 – Cleanliness
- Sec. 13 – Ventilation and temperature
- Sec. 17 – Lighting
- Sec. 18, 19 – Water and sanitation
- Sec. 23 – Protection for young workers
- Sec. 28 – Hoists and lifts
- Sec. 29 – Lifting equipment
- Sec. 35 – Eye protection
- Sec. 36 – Fume protection
- Sec. 36(A) – Electric light safety
- Sec. 38 – Fire protection
- Sec. 40(A) – Building maintenance
- Sec. 40(B) – Safety officer duties
- Sec. 45 – First aid boxes
- Sec. 111 – Worker responsibilities
Q92. Personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Ans:
- Head: Hard hats (aluminum, plastic, fiberglass)
- Face/Eyes: Safety glasses, welding goggles
- Hands: Gloves (leather, rubber, PVC)
- Feet: Safety shoes, gumboots
- Body: Aprons, coveralls, hoods
- Hearing: Ear muffs (30–135 dB), Ear plugs (115–120 dB)
Q93. What is safety management?
Ans:
Safety management is the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of safety efforts to achieve safety objectives in an organization.
Q94. What are the objectives of safety management?
Ans:
- Worker and staff protection during accidents
- Healthy working environment
- Welfare facilities
- Continuous improvement in safety
Q95. How many types of PPE?
Ans:
Two types:
- Respiratory PPE:
- Air supplied: Breathing apparatus
- Air purified: Gas masks, dust respirators
- Non-respiratory PPE: Helmets, gloves, goggles, etc.
Q96. How many types of work permit?
Ans:
- Cold work permit
- Hot work permit (includes normal, blanket, and delegated types)
Q97. What is a blanket permit?
Ans:
A blanket permit covers multiple jobs at a safe location under a single permit.
Q98. What is a delegated work permit?
Ans:
A delegated permit allows work in controlled areas (e.g., fabrication yards); valid for up to 30 days.
Q99. How many types of accidents?
Ans:
- Near miss
- No lost time (reported within 48 hrs)
- Lost time (reported after 48 hrs)
- Fatal accidents
Q100. Heinrich accident ratio?
Ans:
- Major injury
- Minor injury
- No injury
Bird accident ratio:
- Serious injury
- Minor injury
- Property damage
- No visible injury
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