Comment réussir l'examen NEBOSH ICC : stratégies spécifiques à la construction

How to Pass the NEBOSH ICC: A Construction Professional's Guide

NEBOSH does not publish an official global pass rate for the ICC, but construction-specific preparation puts you in a strong position to pass.

Understanding the ICC Assessment

The ICC is assessed through a single integrated digital assessment:

The CI1 assessment combines scenario-based questions with a practical risk assessment element, completed online within the window NEBOSH sets.

CI1: The Digital Assessment

CI1 is an open book, scenario-based digital assessment focused on construction health and safety.

What to Expect

• 24-hour access window with approximately 4 hours of active work
• Scenario-based questions set on a construction site
• Construction-specific hazards: working at height, excavations, demolition, mobile plant
• Management questions: contractor management, CDM principles, safety planning

10 Tips for CI1

1. Know the Construction Regulations inside out

South African learners should be familiar with the 2014 Construction Regulations under OHSA. Key areas:

• Regulation 5: Health and Safety Specifications
• Regulation 6: Health and Safety Plans
• Regulation 7: Competent Persons
• Regulation 9: Fall protection
• Regulation 11: Structures and excavations

2. Master working at height

This is the #1 topic in ICC exams. Be able to discuss:

• Hierarchy of controls for fall prevention
• Scaffold types, inspection requirements, and competent persons
• Edge protection specifications
• Harness and fall arrest systems
• Roof work, ladder safety, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)

3. Understand excavation safety thoroughly

A common exam scenario. Know:

• Ground condition assessment methods
• Shoring, battering, and stepping techniques
• Underground service identification
• Access and egress requirements
• Water ingress management

4. Learn mobile plant and vehicle management

Cover:

• Segregation of pedestrians and vehicles
• Banksman/signaller roles and competence
• Crane operations: planning, inspection, exclusion zones
• Forklift operations on construction sites
• Traffic management plans

5. Study demolition operations

Know the sequence:

• Pre-demolition survey requirements
• Asbestos identification and management
• Method statements for different demolition techniques
• Exclusion zones and public protection
• Structural stability during progressive demolition

6. Use construction-specific examples

When answering questions, reference real construction scenarios:

• "A banksman should be positioned where the crane operator can maintain visual contact"
• "Scaffold should be inspected by a competent person after adverse weather"
• "Excavations deeper than 1.5m require shoring or battering"

7. Don't forget fire safety on construction sites

Construction sites have unique fire risks:

• Hot work permits and fire watches
• Temporary storage of flammable materials
• LPG storage and use
• Temporary electrical installations
• Emergency access for fire services

8. Cover welfare and site organisation

Examiners test this regularly:

• Welfare facilities (toilets, washing, rest areas, drinking water)
• Site security and hoarding
• Housekeeping and material storage
• First aid arrangements
• Emergency procedures

9. Reference legislation and standards

Demonstrate knowledge of:

• The OHS Act and Construction Regulations
• Relevant SANS standards
• International standards (ILO, ISO)
• Codes of practice for specific operations

10. Manage your time carefully

• Read the entire scenario before answering any questions
• Allocate time proportional to marks available
• Don't write everything you know — answer what's asked
• Use bullet points and headings for clarity
• Leave time to review your answers

Practical Risk Assessment Component

The CI1 assessment includes an integrated practical element where you conduct a risk assessment of a real or simulated construction site. This is similar in concept to the IGC's GIC2, but construction-specific and completed within the same 48-hour assessment window.

Choosing Your Site

• Ideally, assess an active construction site — this gives you the richest variety of hazards
• If no construction site is available, workshops, maintenance areas, or renovation projects can work
• The site must have construction-related hazards (not just general office hazards)

Construction Hazards to Look For

Walk your site systematically and look for hazards in these categories:

Working at Height:

• Unprotected edges, open holes, incomplete scaffolding
• Improper ladder use, damaged access equipment
• Missing harness attachment points

Excavations:

• Unsupported excavation walls
• No edge protection around open excavations
• Spoil heaps too close to excavation edges
• Missing access ladders

Mobile Plant:

• Pedestrian/vehicle interface without segregation
• Uninspected lifting equipment
• Missing banksmen during reversing operations

Structural:

• Temporary works without design verification
• Overloaded scaffolds or platforms
• Unstable stacked materials

Health Hazards:

• Dust from cutting, drilling, or demolition
• Noise from power tools and plant
• Vibration from hand-held tools
• Manual handling of heavy construction materials
• Chemical exposure (cement, solvents, coatings)

Fire & Electrical:

• Hot work near combustibles
• Temporary electrical supplies without RCD protection
• LPG cylinders stored incorrectly

Welfare:

• Inadequate toilet and washing facilities
• No rest area or drinking water
• Missing first aid provision

Writing Your Risk Assessment Report

Follow the same principles as GIC2 but with construction focus:

1. Introduction: Describe the site, phase of construction, number of workers, trades on site
2. Hazard identification: Minimum 10 construction-specific hazards with photographic evidence
3. Risk evaluation: Use a likelihood × severity matrix with construction-relevant justifications
4. Control measures: Follow the hierarchy of controls with construction-specific solutions

Example control recommendation: *"Install scaffold toe boards (150mm minimum height) and mid-rails on all working platforms above 2m. The principal contractor's scaffold supervisor to inspect and tag all scaffolds before use each morning. Estimated cost: R2,500 for materials. Timeframe: immediate."*

Common Reasons ICC Candidates Fail

• Answers too generic — treating it like a general safety exam instead of construction-specific
• Insufficient depth on working at height — the single most examined topic
• Hazards not construction-related — identifying office hazards on a construction site assessment
• Ignoring contractor management — a core ICC topic that candidates overlook
• Poor time management — spending too long on early questions

Study Resources

• NEBOSH ICC syllabus guide and learner guide
• Construction Regulations 2014 (full text)
• HSE guidance: Managing Health and Safety in Construction (CDM)
• CIDB guidelines for construction safety
• Your own site experience and observations

OHS Compliance Group ICC Preparation

Our 2-week intensive ICC course includes:

• Experienced construction tutors with real site backgrounds
• Practice exams with construction-specific scenarios
• Practical assessment workshop with guided site assessment practice
• Exam preparation and tutor support across our NEBOSH qualifications
• Locations: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban

Enrol in NEBOSH ICC or speak to our team about exam preparation.

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References

1. NEBOSH (2026). *ICC Assessment Guidance*. nebosh.org.uk
2. Republic of South Africa (2014). *Construction Regulations, 2014*. labour.gov.za
3. CIDB (2025). *Construction Health and Safety Best Practice*. cidb.org.za