What this section covers: Confined spaces, Lifting operations, Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), Excavator quick hitches and signallers, Demolition, Gas, LPG and carbon monoxide, Hot work and fire risk, Work over or near water.
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Question 1What makes a space a 'confined space' for health and safety purposes?
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Answer: B — It is enclosed and there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions, such as a lack of oxygen.
HSE defines a confined space as any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions, for example lack of oxygen. Size alone does not decide it.
Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG258: Confined spaces - a brief guide to working safely (source)
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Question 2Why should you never try to 'sweeten' the air in a confined space with oxygen?
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Answer: D — Extra oxygen greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion.
HSE's confined spaces leaflet says never try to sweeten the air in a confined space with oxygen, as this can greatly increase the risk of a fire or explosion. Ventilation with fresh air and air testing are used instead.
Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG258: Confined spaces - a brief guide to working safely (source)
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Question 3What is the purpose of a permit-to-work for entry into a confined space?
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Answer: A — To make a formal check that everything in the safe system of work is in place before anyone enters.
HSE says a permit-to-work ensures a formal check that all the elements of a safe system of work are in place before people enter or work in the confined space, and communicates this between management, supervisors and workers.
Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG258: Confined spaces - a brief guide to working safely (source)
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Question 4Which of these is a main cause of death and serious injury when using MEWPs?
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Answer: C — The operator becoming trapped between the basket and a fixed structure.
HSE lists entrapment (the operator trapped between the basket and a fixed structure, sometimes against the controls), overturning, falling from the basket and collision as the main causes of fatal and serious MEWP injuries.
Checked against: HSE: Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) (source)
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Question 5If there is still a risk of falling from a MEWP platform, what does HSE say should be used?
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Answer: C — A harness with a short work restraint lanyard secured to the manufacturer's anchor point in the basket.
HSE says that if a fall risk remains, a harness with a short work restraint lanyard must be secured to a suitable manufacturer-provided anchorage point in the basket, to stop the wearer getting into a position where they could fall.
Checked against: HSE: Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) (source)
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Question 6Why should someone on the ground know how to operate a MEWP's ground controls?
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Answer: A — So they can carry out the rescue plan and bring the platform down in an emergency.
HSE says there must be a plan for rescuing someone from a MEWP that is practised, and someone on the ground should know what to do in an emergency and how to operate the machine's ground controls.
Checked against: HSE: Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) (source)
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Question 7Who must plan lifting operations on a construction site?
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Answer: D — A competent person.
HSE says all lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely, and that crane operators, slingers and those directing lifts must be trained and competent.
Checked against: HSE: Lifting operations (source)
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Question 8Without an examination scheme, how often must lifting accessories such as slings be thoroughly examined?
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Answer: B — At least every 6 months.
HSE's guide to thorough examination says accessories for lifting must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months, or in line with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.
Checked against: HSE leaflet INDG422: Thorough examination of lifting equipment (source)
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Question 9Why is a leak of LPG especially dangerous in drains, trenches and basements?
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Answer: A — LPG is heavier than air, so it settles and can build up in low spots.
HSE explains that LPG is flammable and heavier than air, so it settles and may accumulate in low spots such as drains and basements, where it could cause a fire, explosion or suffocation.
Checked against: HSE: About LPG (source)
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Question 10Which of these can be early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
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Answer: C — Headaches, drowsiness, breathlessness and nausea.
HSE says early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include drowsiness, headaches, breathlessness and nausea, and can be confused with food poisoning, flu or tiredness. Carbon monoxide can kill quickly without warning.
Checked against: HSE: Construction hazardous substances - Carbon monoxide (source)
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