Examination Statistics

The following article appears in the May 2007 edition of our Newsletter.  Click here to print off a pdf version.
 
A Statistical Report on the Faculty's qualifications
 
We have looked at the numbers of candidates taking each of our qualifications in 2006 and made a comparison with the figures from 2005, to provide a statistical report for your information.
 
Occupational Hygiene (OH) Modules
 
Module


Subject

 
No. Candidates
Passed
Failed
2005
2006
2005
2006
M101
Health effects of hazardous substances
15
34
23
19
M102
Measurement of hazardous substances (including risk assessment)
42
36
29
20
M103
Control of hazardous substances
23
27
11
15
M104
Noise and an Introduction to vibration
25
46
13
25
M201
Thermal environment and non-ionising radiation
2
8
12
20
M202
External environment
0
0
6
5
M203
Ergonomics essentials (including Manual Handling and DSE)
64
54
14
15
M302
Measurement & assessment of noise in the workplace
2
1
1
1
M304
COSHH
2
14
2
20
S301
Asbestos and other fibres
166
117
72
36
Totals
341
337
183
179
 
The numbers taking the OH modules have remained relatively stable, but this hides some fluctuations within individual subject modules.  The numbers taking S301, M203, and M102 dropped, but the numbers taking M101, M103, M104, M201 and M304 all increased in 2006, with significant increases in M104 and M304. Overall, there has been a 27% increase in candidates for non-asbestos modules, and a 55% drop in candidates for S301, in 2006 compared with 2005. The pass rate has remained stable, at 65%.
 
Proficiency Modules
 
Module

Subject

No. Candidates
Passed
Failed
2005
2006
2005
2006
P401
Identification of asbestos in bulk samples (PLM)
286
175
36
58
P402
Buildings surveys and bulk sampling for asbestos
2017
930
93
86
P403
Asbestos fibre counting (PCM)
227
350
28
190
P404
Air sampling and clearance testing of asbestos
273
333
25
171
P405
Management of asbestos in buildings
686
346
54
70
P406
Supervision and management of the safe removal and disposal of asbestos
4
94
1
8
P601
Initial appraisal and thorough examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation systems
3
35
2
12
P701
Management and assessment of exposure to hand-arm vibration
0
0
0
0
Total
2900
2263
239
595
 
There has been a 10% drop in the overall number of candidates taking the Proficiency Modules, but again this masks some much larger differences between the two years within the individual modules.  P402 in particular, but also P405 and P401, have seen candidate numbers decline considerably in 2006, whilst P403 and P404 have seen significant increases in numbers.  The overall pass rate decreased from 92% in 2005 to 79% in 2006.
 
 
 
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
No. of candidates awarded P402
54
352
761
1399
1794
2017
930
Other Asbestos Proficiency Modules
88
214
447
754
1295
1476
1298
 
 Orals
 
 

 

Year

No. Candidates

Diploma
Certificate
Certificate of Competence in Asbestos
Other Certificates of Competence
Pass
Fail
Pass
Fail
Pass
Fail
Pass
Fail
 
2005
3
2
18
0
67
55
2
0
1x Ergonomics
1x Noise &Vibration
2006
4
3
13
3
70
64
1
0
1x Noise and Vibration
 
The number of candidates for the Diploma and Certificate orals has remained relatively stable; the pass rate for the latter has fallen to 81%, but as it was 100% in 2005 it was always likely to drop.  The number taking the Certificate of Competence in Asbestos has increased by 10% in 2006, whilst the pass rate has fallen, from 55% to 52%. Candidate numbers for other Certificates of Competence remain low.