CSCS mock test

Answer: B — To take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by what they do or fail to do.

Section 7 of the Act requires every employee to take reasonable care for themselves and for other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions, and to co-operate with their employer. Safety is shared: it is not only the manager's job, but you are not responsible for everyone on site either.

Checked against: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 7 (source)

Answer: D — Ask for the site induction before starting work, because every worker must receive a site-specific induction.

HSE guidance says every site worker must be given a suitable, site-specific induction that highlights the particular risks and control measures on that site. Without it you do not know the site's hazards, emergency arrangements or rules.

Checked against: HSE: Site rules and induction (source)

Answer: A — Surface water drains discharge directly to the environment, such as streams and rivers.

Government pollution guidance explains that surface water drains discharge directly to the environment, so oil entering them can pollute a watercourse. Stop the leak if it is safe to do so, use the spill kit and report it straight away.

Checked against: GOV.UK: Pollution prevention for businesses (source)

Answer: C — Washing facilities with clean hot and cold, or warm, running water, soap and a means of drying.

Schedule 2 of CDM 2015 requires suitable washing facilities with hot and cold, or warm, water, soap and towels or another means of drying. Showers are only required if the nature of the work or health reasons make them necessary.

Checked against: CDM 2015, Schedule 2: minimum welfare facilities (source)

Answer: C — Stop work immediately, keep people out of the area and report it to whoever is in charge.

HSE's asbestos essentials sheet EM1 says that if you discover material you believe to be asbestos you must stop work immediately, put up a warning sign, make sure nobody enters the area and report it to whoever is in charge so it can be checked.

Checked against: HSE Asbestos essentials sheet EM1: What to do if you discover or accidentally disturb asbestos (source)

Answer: A — The noise may be at a level that could damage your hearing.

HSE says that if you have to raise your voice to hold a normal conversation at about 2 metres apart, for at least part of the day, noise levels on site may be high enough to damage health.

Checked against: HSE: Construction FAQ - Noise (source)

Answer: D — Close to your waist for as long as possible, with the heaviest side next to your body.

HSE's good handling technique advice is to keep the load close to the waist for as long as possible while lifting, with the heaviest side next to the body. Holding a load away from the body greatly increases the strain on the back.

Checked against: HSE: Manual handling at work - Good handling technique (source)

Answer: B — Very fine dust, too fine to see in normal light, created when cutting or drilling materials such as concrete, bricks and mortar.

Silica is found in most rocks, sand and clay, and in bricks, tiles, concrete and mortar. Cutting, drilling and grinding them creates fine dust that can get deep into the lungs and cause lung cancer, silicosis and COPD.

Checked against: HSE: Cancer and construction - Silica (source)

Answer: A — It is a mandatory sign: you must do something, such as wear protective equipment.

HSE's safety signs guidance says mandatory signs are round with a white pictogram on a blue background, and require specific behaviour such as wearing protective equipment.

Checked against: HSE L64 (third edition): Safety signs and signals (source)

Answer: C — Carbon dioxide (CO2).

HSE's general fire safety guidance lists water extinguishers for wood, paper and cloth, dry powder or foam for flammable liquids, and carbon dioxide (CO2) for electrical fires. Water conducts electricity and must not be used on live electrical equipment.

Checked against: HSE: General fire safety (construction) (source)

Answer: B — Last, because it is the least effective control.

HSE says PPE should be the last resort. The order is elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and then PPE, with elimination the most effective.

Checked against: HSE: Managing risk using PPE - hierarchy of controls (source)

Answer: D — Stop using it and get a replacement, because damaged head protection should be thrown away.

HSE says head protection must be in good condition and that if it is damaged you should throw it away. A cracked helmet may not protect you from the next impact.

Checked against: HSE: Construction FAQ - Personal protective equipment (source)

Answer: D — Whether working at height can be avoided, for example by doing as much of the work as possible from the ground.

HSE's step-by-step approach is to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable, then prevent falls using a safe place or the right equipment, and only then minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG401: Working at height - a brief guide (source)

Answer: B — As fragile, until a competent person has confirmed that it is not.

HSE says all roofs should be treated as fragile until a competent person confirms they are not, and non-reinforced fibre-cement sheets are likely to be fragile. Precautions are needed however short the job.

Checked against: HSE: Fragile surfaces (source)

Answer: C — At the start of each working shift, and after any event that may have affected its strength or stability.

HSE says a competent person must inspect excavation supports or battering at the start of the working shift and after any event that may affect stability, such as a fall of rock or earth. No work should take place until it is safe.

Checked against: HSE: Excavations (source)

Answer: A — About 75°, which is one unit out at the base for every four units up.

HSE's ladder guidance recommends the 1-in-4 rule: one space or unit out for every four up, which gives a 75° angle, the safest position to work from.

Checked against: HSE: Safe use of ladders and stepladders - Types of ladder and using them safely (source)

Answer: B — Raise the alarm and follow the emergency rescue plan; do not go in unless you are trained and equipped for rescue.

HSE warns that people killed in confined spaces include those who try to rescue others without proper training and equipment. Rescuers must be trained, fit, equipped with things like breathing apparatus and lifelines, and protected against the cause of the emergency.

Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG258: Confined spaces - a brief guide to working safely (source)

Answer: A — The carbon monoxide in its exhaust is so dangerous that it can kill.

HSE's confined spaces leaflet warns that carbon monoxide in the exhaust from petrol-fuelled engines is so dangerous that use of such equipment in confined spaces should never be allowed.

Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG258: Confined spaces - a brief guide to working safely (source)

Answer: D — Extend and chock the outriggers, using spreader plates if the manual requires them.

HSE's MEWP guidance says outriggers must be extended and chocked before raising the platform, and spreader plates may be necessary. The MEWP should be used on firm, level ground to prevent overturning.

Checked against: HSE: Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) (source)

Answer: C — Stop immediately.

HSE's advice on keeping signallers safe includes telling drivers that if they cannot see the signaller they should stop immediately, and agreeing on the use of standard signals.

Checked against: HSE: Construction FAQ - Banksmen and signallers (source)