Occupational health: CSCS practice questions

Answer: B — 85 dB(A).

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones at 85 dB(A). At 80 dB(A) they must assess the risk and give information and training.

Checked against: HSE: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (source)

Answer: D — Eliminate the noisy process or substitute a quieter one.

HSE says eliminating noisy processes or substituting less noisy ones are the best ways of dealing with noise. Hearing protection is a last resort and must not be relied on alone.

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

Answer: D — Tingling and numbness in the fingers.

HSE lists tingling and numbness in the fingers, loss of strength in the hands and fingers going white then red and painful as effects of HAVS. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is linked to noise, and itchy red skin to dermatitis.

Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG175: Hand-arm vibration at work (source)

Answer: B — No, although ordinary gloves are useful for keeping hands warm.

HSE says anti-vibration gloves are not an effective measure against hand-arm vibration. Normal gloves help keep hands warm in cold weather, which is useful, but no glove protects against vibration from hand-held tools.

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

Answer: C — It is highly alkaline, with a pH of 12 to 13.

HSE explains that wet cement can cause severe burns because it is highly alkaline (pH 12-13). A serious burn or ulcer can develop quickly if cement is trapped against the skin, for example inside a boot or glove.

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

Answer: A — 15 to 60 years.

HSE says asbestos-related diseases will not affect you immediately, as it can take 15 to 60 years for symptoms to develop. The effect is cumulative, so every exposure adds to the risk.

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

Answer: B — From the urine of infected rats, for example when contaminated water gets into cuts or the mouth or eyes.

HSE says Weil's disease is contracted from infected rat urine; the bacteria enter through cuts and scratches or the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes. Cover cuts, wear gloves, wash hands and eat away from the work area.

Checked against: HSE: Leptospirosis / Weil's disease from rats (source)

Answer: A — In the safety data sheet from the supplier.

HSE's COSHH leaflet explains that when a product is dangerous for supply, the supplier must provide a safety data sheet, which gives information on health risks and emergency situations.

Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG136: Working with substances hazardous to health (COSHH) (source)

Answer: D — Stubble and beards stop the mask sealing against the face, so dusty air leaks in around the edges.

HSE says tight-fitting masks rely on a good seal with the face, and stubble and beards make a good seal impossible. Where there is a good reason for a beard, RPE that does not rely on a tight fit can be used.

Checked against: HSE: RPE fit testing basics (source)

Answer: C — FFP3.

HSE says the two performance types to ask for with construction dust are FFP2 and FFP3, and that FFP3 is the most advisable for work that creates high dust levels or involves silica or wood dust. The mask must also be face-fit tested.

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