P405 Written Practical Examination

Additional Information for Tutors

The P405 written practical exam is based on section 5 of the P405 syllabus, shown below:

Educational Objectives

Candidates should be able to convert survey data into a building management action

plan, carry out a thorough appraisal of contractor documentation and methods, and

appreciate the pressures and demands on various parties during an asbestos removal

project.

5.1 Pre-start and post remediation Inspections (20%)

5.1.1 Understand how to carry out inspections of an enclosure and hygiene unit both prior toworks and post remediation.

5.1.2 This should include smoke testing, checks on paperwork and method statements.

5.2 Role Playing (10%)

5.2.1 Understand the roles played by the various parties including the client, contractor’s

contract manager and supervisor, HSE Inspector/EHO, analyst and TU representative,

etc.

5.3 Method Statement (40%)

5.3.1 Be able to assess the components of method statements that have been submitted by acontractor for a project.

5.3.2 Be able to offer appropriate advice.

5.4 Survey and Action Plan (30%)

5.4.1 Be able to convert survey data into an action plan.

5.4.2 This must include detailed understanding of the principles and application of material

and priority assessments.

The exam papers are clearly structured into the four sections, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. The number of questions per section varies but the number of marks available for each section closely matches the weighting, shown in brackets. So, around 20% of the total marks are for section 5.1, 10% for 5.2 etc. The pass mark is 60% for the whole paper, candidates do not need to pass each section.

For section 5.1 Pre-start and post remediation Inspections the questions are generally based on photographs of enclosures, negative pressure units and hygiene units and candidates are typically asked to:

  • list items, areas and control measures to check and inspect,
  • list concerns raised by the scenes shown in the photographs.

Candidates are expected to know how to conduct a smoke test.

Section 5.2 Role Playing is a shorter section. The photographs show scenes that are clearly problematic, such as the way that contractors are working or the condition in which they have left the site. Candidates are typically asked to list the actions they would take, including who they would notify.

5.3 Method Statement is the longest section. Candidates are typically asked about the content of method statements (plans of work), and most importantly to identify deficiencies and omissions with extracts of plans of work which are reproduced in the exam paper. On occasion, candidates may also be asked to identify alternative ways of managing the project.

In 5.4 Survey and Action Plan candidates are required to undertake material and priority assessments in line with HSE guidelines, based on photographs of parts of buildings, and usually to list appropriate action to remedy the situation. The HSE material and priority assessment tables are reproduced in the exam paper so the candidates just need to fill in the appropriate numbers.

In our experience, some candidates struggle because of poor exam technique. They spend too long on the early questions, trying to get full marks, and run out of time. This is a real problem, especially if they are strong on material and priority assessments but don't have time to complete the questions at the end of the paper. Advice to all candidates which should be included in their briefing needs to include:

Read questions carefully before answering the questions and then only answer the question.

  • Avoid getting bogged down unnecessarily in the earlier questions;
  • Refer to course notes and other references only when necessary to help answer questions, such as using HSE material and priority assessment algorithms. The algorithms will be needed but candidates are unlikely to find full answers to questions in reference materials and should not waste time looking.
  • Prioritise on questions that can be readily answered before tackling more challenging ones; the examination papers are structured to follow section 5 of the respective syllabuses so candidates can easily find all questions relating to each sub-section.

In terms of the last bullet-point, we would recommend that candidates take a couple of minutes to look through the paper before they start answering the questions. They can then answer the questions they find easiest which will help them to accumulate marks and hopefully give them confidence to tackle other questions.

Good exam technique is very important. Many candidates are successfully completing the P405 paper and gaining good marks. Therefore an adequate pre-briefing using the advice, above, should reduce the risk of poor exam technique.