STRUCTURE AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Workplace –
Wherever possible, you are expected to base your assignment on your own workplace. It is your responsibility to arrange an alternative workplace if your own is unavailable or unsuitable. It is not acceptable to complete an assignment about a fictitious workplace.
Assessment of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Practices –
You are required to assess the existing occupational health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices of an organization or part of an organization, preferably your own workplace. Restrict the scope of your assignment to ensure it remains manageable. Focus on a department, branch, sector, process, or element of the HSE management system.
Your assessment should take into account both observable and underlying indicators, including workforce perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about health, safety, and environmental sustainability. Collect data from both primary and secondary sources. You may use ready-made survey tools or devise your own, such as questionnaires or structured interviews.
Analyze the data to draw conclusions about the HSE practices of the organization.
Strategy for Improving HSE Practices –
Based on your findings, prepare a strategy to improve the HSE practices of the organization.
Business Case –
Prepare a business case to secure senior management commitment to allocate resources for implementing your strategy. The assignment report should be presented in seven parts:
Part 1 – Executive Summary –
Provide an executive summary of no more than one side of A4, summarizing the subject, improvements identified, resources required, and potential benefits.
Part 2 – Introduction –
Briefly set out the background, aim, and scope of the assignment. Describe the workplace and activities relevant to the assignment.
Part 3 – Assessment of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental
Practices (approximately 12,00 to 15,00 words) –
Describe the observed and underlying indicators. Clearly describe the methodology used for assessing workforce perceptions.
Evaluate the methodology used.
Report the findings in a suitable format and analyze the data.
Explain the limitations of the data/results.
Conclude with a description of the current practices and identify priorities for action.
Part 4 – Strategy for Improving HSE Practices (approximately 12,00 to 15,00
words) –
Outline the aim and objectives of the strategy.
Propose actions based on the assessment.
Detail the implementation plan, including timescales and responsibilities.
Describe how success will be monitored.
Part 5 – Business Case (approximately 12,00 to 15,00 words) –
Clearly describe the requirement for resources.
Include a cost-benefit analysis, considering both financial and non-financial aspects.
Reference relevant HSE legislation.
Present a logical and persuasive argument for resource allocation.
Part 6 – Bibliography –
Include a comprehensive bibliography, citing all sources referenced, with cross references to the text or footnotes.
Part 7 – Appendices –
Provide a contents page for appendices, cross-referenced to the text or footnotes in the report
PRESENTATION AND STYLE OF THE REPORT:
Length: Approximately 3000 – 3500 words, excluding the bibliography and appendices.
Font: Arial, size 11, with 1.5 line spacing.
Style: Formal, clear, and technically accurate. Avoid unnecessary jargon.
Proofread to eliminate errors.
CHECKLIST FOR COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT:
Contents page: Are all sections listed with page numbers?
Introduction: Is the aim clear? Is the workplace described adequately? Is the scope/focus clear?
Assessment of Practices: Are indicators described? Is the methodology explained and evaluated? Are findings reported and analyzed? Are priorities for action identified?
Strategy for Improvement: Are aims and objectives clear? Are proposals for action stated? Is there an implementation plan and monitoring plan?
Business Case: Are resource requirements clear? Is there a cost-benefit analysis? Is relevant legislation referenced? Is the case persuasive?
Bibliography: Are all sources referenced correctly? Is cross-referencing clear?
Style and Structure: Is the report well-presented with logical structure and clear style? Is the document in the required format?
Executive Summary: Is it included at the beginning? Does it fit on one side of A4 and summarize the key points?
Cover Sheet: Is the cover sheet completed? Is the declaration signed? Are verifier details included?
AUTHENTICATION OF AUTHORSHIP:
All work must be your own, with clear acknowledgment of sources. Plagiarism is considered cheating and will lead to disqualification. Complete the electronic cover sheet to confirm the assignment is your own work and have it verified by your line manager or another responsible adult.
ASSIGNMENT MARKING CRITERIA:
Executive Summary: Fully meets requirements.
Assessment of Practices: Comprehensive report of indicators, methodology, findings, and conclusions.
Strategy for Improvement: Clear aims, proposals for action, implementation plan, and monitoring methodology.
Business Case: Well-defined resource requirements, thorough cost-benefit analysis, relevant legislative references, and persuasive argumentation.