Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion are forms of cheating and are not acceptable in any form of a
student’s work. You can avoid plagiarism by giving appropriate references when you use
some other people’s ideas, words or pictures (including diagrams). Refer to the American
Psychological Association (APA) Manual if you need reminding about quoting and
referencing. You can avoid collusion by ensuring that your submission is based on your
own individual effort.
The electronic submission of your assignment will be screened through a plagiarism
detecting software.
Answer all questions. (Total 100 marks)
This end of course assessment aims to gauge your ability to:
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Illustrate understanding of the importance of legal compliance and duty of care in a
complex organization
Evaluate the safety and health management system of the company systematically, with
continual communication to promote ownership
Establish and implement an internal audit plan to improve the system
Develop an Audit Plan
Conduct an audit with a team of auditors with specific knowledge in chemical,
biological and radiation.
Question 1
Background:
A local University has a Safety Management System (SMS) in place in accordance to all
the elements of OSHAS 18001 Management system framework requirement.
Whilst the University does not want to be OSHAS 18001 certified, it has plans to be the
Singapore BizSAFE Star. This is a business advantage when securing research funds from
MNCs and the government as well as working with industrial collaborators. Above all, it
defines a duty of care on the part of the University’s senior management.
The risk profile
The safety risk profile of a university is very diverse, ranging from processes and
substances used, including the wastes produced.
In terms of safety, the highest risks are a) fire and b) release of either chemicals or
biological agents as airborne substance causing widespread risks. Physical hazards such as
slips, trips and fall do exist but tends to be minor in terms of severity of accidents.
Emerging issues also include the use of radioactive material and material with potential
health risks such as carcinogens.
The structure
The University is divided into 9 faculties and departments depending on either teaching or
administrative portfolios.
The faculty to be audited is Faculty of Xepris consisting of:
Faculty academia:
20
Administrative Staff: 20
Research staff:
50
(50% government funded and 50% industrial
funding)
Research students:
50 (5 year PhD)
Research students:
20 (1.5 year Masters)
Main areas of research:
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Addition manufacturing methods using 3D printing with Class 4 lasers, including
prototype development.
Effective delivery of medicine using nanotechnology.
Development of new super strong light weight polymer structures that will change the
way building materials are used with tremendous benefit to third world countries.
Note: Medicine (poisons), laser (non-ionisation radiation), ultrafine metal powders (new
material), metal structures (mechanical), chemicals (toxic, polymers, nano materials) are
used. Chemicals used may have occupational diseases possibilities.
Most testing and experiments are done either within the laboratories of the faculty or with
other faculties.
Legal compliance and procedures
SMS developed to be applied to the whole university as well as schools’ rules, policies,
procedures and processes are available.
Legislations applicable
Acts and its subsidiary legislations applicable are:
• Workplace Safety and Health Act
• Environmental Protection and Management Act
• Fire Safety Act
• Radiation Protection Act
• Environmental Public Health Act
• Arms and Explosive Act
• Poison Act
• Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act
• Biological And Toxin Act
• Public Utilities Act
Typical Acts like WICA, Employment Act, Smoking (Prohibition in certain places) Act, etc,
are also applicable.
The Task:
You have been appointed as an external auditor to conduct an internal audit of the SMS to
determine its effectiveness in the Faculty of Xepris. The aims of the audit are the following:
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To ensure that SMS elements and activities conform to planned arrangements of
OSHAS 18001 and are controlled and implemented effectively.
Compliance with relevant legislative requirements.
Identification of areas for improvement, leading to progressively better safety
management
Preparation for a planned BizSafe Star audit and rectify any shortcomings for the Star
certification and registration with the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC),
Singapore.
You are to liaise with the University representative, Prof Lokhard, in matters relating to the
audit.
Assumptions:
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Some lapses in licences are noted and not renewed on time, especially explosive
precursor licence (from Singapore Police Force) and hazardous substances licence
(NEA).
Training online is set up. Procedures are in place. Most researchers are deemed
competent and have obtained at least an undergraduate honours degree in their
disciplines overseas, mainly from Singapore, Malaysia, China, India and Eastern
Europe countries.
Many old equipment are kept as these may be used in future research.
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You will need three days (on site) due to the diversity and complexity of the labs.
For this purpose, you are to:
(a)
Formulate an audit plan proposal for the client, including areas to be visited.
(You can assume there are five labs in each area of research.)
(10 marks)
(b)
Examine the major risks and associated risks to be reviewed. Apply the relevant
auditing tools to devise an appropriate audit schedule to assess these risks. Include
relevant checklists of interviews, site visits and documents to be inspected. From your
checklist, evaluate FIVE (5) items your auditors have to gather evidence to show if the
controls are adequate for the risks highlighted.
(40 marks)
(c)
Plan and define audit protocols and responsibilities for the audit team (area
assigned and audit process).
(10 marks)
(d)
Select THREE (3) other auditors appropriate for this assignment. Discuss the
rational or criteria for their selection. (Use fictitious names of auditors.)
(5 marks)
(e)
Prepare communication plans within the audit and the client.
(5 marks)
(f)
Illustrate how Xepris can attain BizSafe STAR (SS506 parts 1 and 2). Include
some proposed timeline in your proposal.
(10 marks)
(g)
Prepare a report. You must also plan what has to be written in the event that the
auditors cannot find any non-conformance issues based on the audit conducted this
time.
(10 marks)
Additional 10 marks will be awarded for the clarity of report such that the client will accept
the proposed audit plan.
Requirements
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Content Page;
Submission of Report:
Part 1: An audit proposal to Prof Lokhard (of not more than 2000 words) incorporating
the of items a) to f); and
Part 2: A audit report for item g) (of about 1000 words) based on the risk profile given
i.e. fire, release of airborne substances, physical risk, and handling of hazardous
substances.
References/ Annexes/ Attachments (if necessary).
As senior management is hard pressed for time, the report must be concise, illustrating
the key issues, resources and benefits
