This document provides guidance on common command words used in questions for health and safety exams. It outlines what each command word is testing and what is expected in an answer. Some of the command words discussed are identify, outline, describe, explain, and give. For each word, the document explains how to answer questions using that command word and provides an example question and answer.

1. COMMAND WORDS
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2. I D E NT I FY
O UT L I N E
D E S C R I B E
E X P L A I N
G IV E
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3. • Always underline command and key words
• Stick to the command word
• Reuse the words of the question in your answer
• Write clearly
• Have a time plan (including check) and stick it
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4. • To give reference to an item, which could be its name or title
• Normally a word or phrase will be sufficient, provided the reference
is clear
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5. Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
Identify the main
routes of entry in
the body
(GC 2.7 – Chemical and biological health
hazards and risk control)
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6. • To indicate the principal features or different parts of
• An exhaustive description is not required
• What is sought is a brief summary of the major aspects of whatever
is stated in the question
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7. Fibres: threads or filaments
Dusts: solid airborne particles slightly heavier than air
Fumes: very small metallic or solid particles condensed
from the gaseous state
Liquid: free flowing fluid, substances at a temperature
between freezing and boiling points
Mists: small liquid droplets finely dispersed in a vapour
Vapours: substances closer to their boiling temperature
in a gaseous form
Gases: substances present at a temperature above their
boiling point
Outline the forms
of chemical agents
(GC 2.7 – Chemical and biological health
hazards and risk control)
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8. • To give a detailed written account of the distinctive features of a
subject.
• The account should be factual, without any attempt to explain
• When describing a subject (or object) a test of sufficient detail would
be that another person would be able to visualise what you are
describing
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9. The hearing system contains 3 parts:
• The outer ear (visible): an ear canal
conducts to the ear drum (tympanic
membrane)
• The middle ear (internal, fluid filled
chamber) which contains 3 ossicles (the
hammer, the anvil & the stirrup) in touch
with the oval window
• The inner ear or the cochlea (internal,
fluid filled chamber) with hair cells in
touch with the auditory nerve which
conducts to the brain.
Describe the
hearing system
(GC 2.8 – Physical and psychological health
hazards and risk control)
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10. • To provide an understanding
• To make an idea or relationship clear
• This command word is testing the candidate’s ability to know or
understand why or how something happens
• Is often associated with the words how or why
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11. • A fixed-guard (FG) is simple, always
in position and difficult to remove
contrary to the self-adjustable guard
(AG).
• Moreover, while a FG is almost
maintenance free, the AG requires
regular checks and maintenance.
• And, especially, a AG allows access
to small parts of the danger zone
while a FG provides total enclosure
of the hazard.
Explain why a fixed-
guard is a better
choice than a self-
adjustable guard
(GC 2.4 – Work equipment hazards and risk
control)
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12. • To provide short, factual answers
• Normally a single word, phrase or sentence will be sufficient
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13. Entanglement
Electric shock
Hand-arm vibration
Eye injury
Give 4 examples of
hazards with an
electric drill
(GC 2.4 – Work equipment hazards and risk
control)
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14. Books
• Introduction to health and safety at
work for the NEBOSH National
General Certificate in Occupational
Health and Safety - 6th edition - Phil
HUGHES MBE and Ed FERRET -
ISBN: 978-0-415-72308-4
• Health and safety at work revision
guide for the NEBOSH National
General Certificate in Occupational
Health and Safety - 3rd edition - Ed
FERRET - ISBN: 978-1-138-91672-2
Others
• Guide to the NEBOSH National
General Certificate in Occupational
Health and Safety - version 2 -
November 2014 – NEBOSH
• Guidance on command words used in
learning outcomes and question papers
– Certificate qualifications – version 3 –
December 2015 - NEBOSH
• National General Certificate E-
learning Unit 2 (2014) - British Safety
Council
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