GE707Official PublicationGT 100/12

Health, safety and environm

ent test For operatives and specialists

G

T 100/12

9 781857 513431

ISBN 978-1-85751-343-1

CITB-ConstructionSkills

Health, safety and environment testFor operatives and specialists

Official

Publication

RRP £10.95

www.cskills.orgCITB-ConstructionSkills, CIC and CITB Northern Ireland are working as ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Construction. (CITB-ConstructionSkills Registered Charity Number 264289)

All the questions and answers for tests taken from April 2012

The CITB-ConstructionSkills’ Health, safety and environment test forms a key part of the requirement to obtain a construction industry competency card. The test continues to be a vital tool in helping the industry to improve its health, safety and environmental standards.

This revision book contains everything you need to know to book, prepare for and sit the Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists including:

• allthequestionsandanswers

• thenewknowledgequestionsonrespiratoryrisksandtheenvironment

• thetranscriptfromtheSetting out film that supports the new behavioural case studies.

There are now specialist tests in the following areas:

• supervisory

• demolition

• plumbingorgas

• highwayworks

• specialistworkatheight

• liftsandescalators

• tunnelling

• heating,ventilation,airconditioningandrefrigeration(HVACR).

ThereisalsoarevisionDVDavailable,whichoffersthechancetoworkthroughthewhole question bank, watch the film and complete simulated tests.

There are separate publications that support the Health, safety and environment test for managers and professionals so please ensure that you are revising for the right test.

For more information on the test, to book a test or to buy publications contact:

@ www.cskills.org/hsandetest

0344 994 4488.

C M

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Non-print 1

Non-print 2JOB LOCATION:

PRINERGY 3

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Introduction Foreword 1About the test 2Preparing for a test 4Booking a test 6Taking a test 8

A Legal and management

01 General responsibilities 1202 Accident reporting and recording 1703 Emergency procedures and first aid 22

B Health and welfare 04 Health and welfare 2805 Respiratory risks 3206 Noise and vibration 3607 Hazardous substances 40

C General safety 08 Personal protective equipment 4609 Electrical safety and hand-held tools and equipment 5010 Safety signs and signals 5611 Site transport safety 6012 Fire prevention and control 64

D High risk activities 13 Manual handling 7014 Working at height 7415 Excavations and confined spaces 79

E Environment

16 Environmental awareness and waste control 86

Co

nten

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Introduction

Published by CITB-ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH

© Construction Industry Training Board 2000

The Construction Industry Training Board otherwise known as CITB-ConstructionSkills and ConstructionSkills is a registered charity (Charity number: 264289)

First published 2000

Revised 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012

Reprinted February 2012

ISBN: 978-1-85751-343-1

CITB-ConstructionSkills has made every effort to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate. Its content should be used as guidance material and not as a replacement for current regulations or existing standards.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing from CITB-ConstructionSkills.

CSK-GT100-Op-Intro.indd 1 17/02/2012 17:37

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F Specialist activities 17 Supervisory 9218 Demolition 10719 Plumbing or gas 11520 Highway works 12621 Specialist work at height 13522 Lifts and escalators 14423 Tunnelling 15324 HVACR – Heating and plumbing services (HAPS) 16925 HVACR – Pipefitting/welding (PFW) 17826 HVACR – Ductwork (DUCT) 18727 HVACR – Refrigeration and air conditioning (RAAC) 19628 HVACR – Services and facilities maintenance (SAF) 205

Further information Preparing for the case studies – Setting out 217Acknowledgements 223

Foreword

Construction is an exciting industry. There is constant change as work progresses to completion. We all recognise that a healthy and safe workforce is critical to the success of the industry, and it is essential that standards are not compromised.

Sadly, each year the construction industry accounts for more than a quarter of the UK’s work-related fatal accidents. Over 4,500 workers die from the long-term effects of breathing in hazardous construction dusts and there are more than 4,000 major injuries.

Many of these can be avoided by improving workers’ hazard and risk awareness, through effective leadership and worker involvement, by providing the right tools and equipment, and a continued commitment to a fully trained and competent workforce.

The CITB-ConstructionSkills’ Health, safety and environment test plays an important role in helping to achieve this. It is a key part of obtaining a competency card. The test continues to be a vital tool in helping the industry to improve its health, safety and environmental standards.

To this end, we have been consulting with industry and have refreshed the question bank and introduced new elements to the test structure. There are now behavioural case studies based on the core principles of the industry’s free film Setting out. The film explores what employers and sites must do for workers, and how workers need to behave and react to constantly changing site conditions.

A dedicated set of respiratory risk questions have been created to help improve awareness and to promote the necessary controls. It is widely recognised that management of health risks by industry has not improved at the same rate as improvements in the management of safety risks.

Managing the environment goes hand in hand with health and safety. Therefore new questions have been introduced to help everyone understand some basic environmental responsibilities.

CITB-ConstructionSkills is committed to continual improvement of delivery methods for specialist training and qualifications. We are constantly working on behalf of the industry, with the Government, Environment Agency and the HSE to drive forward improved standards.

If we all work together to support a fully competent and qualified workforce, we can have a huge impact on our industry – making it a safer and healthier place to work.

James Wates CBE

Chairman CITB-ConstructionSkills

Co

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CSK-GT100-Op-Intro.indd 2 17/02/2012 17:37

13 Manual handling 70

14 Working at height 74

15 Excavations and confined spaces 79

High risk activitiesD

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High risk activitiesD

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14.1

Which type of accident kills most construction workers?

A Falling from height

B Contact with electricity

C Being run over by site transport

D Being hit by a falling object

14.2

If you store materials on a working platform, which statement is correct?

A Materials can be stored unsecured above the guard-rail height

B Materials must be stored so they can’t fall and the platform must be able to take their weight

C Materials can be stored anywhere, even if they pose a trip hazard or block the walkway

D Materials do not need to be secured if they are going to be there for less than an hour

14.3

Working at height is:

A 1.2 m above the ground or higher

B 2 m above the ground or higher

C any height that would cause an injury if you fell

D 3 m above the ground or higher

14.4

Which of the following is NOT true when using podium steps?

A The ‘wheels’ must be locked before you get on to them

B Podiums can easily topple if you over reach sideways

C Podiums are safe and can’t topple over

D Podiums are work equipment and must be inspected every seven days

14.5

A ladder should not be painted because:

A the paint will make it slippery to use

B the paint may hide any damaged parts

C the paint could damage the metal parts of the ladder

D it will need regular re-painting

14.6

How many people should be on a ladder at the same time?

A One

B Two

C One on each section of an extension ladder

D Three, if it is long enough

14.7

You find a ladder that is damaged. What should you do?

A Don’t use it and make sure that others know about the damage

B Don’t use it and report the damage at the end of your shift

C Try and mend the damage

D Use the ladder if you can avoid the damaged part

14.8

When using a ladder what should the slope or angle of the ladder be?

A 45°

B 60°

C 75°

D 85°

14.9

Who should check a ladder before it is used?

A The person who is going to use it

B A supervisor

C The site safety officer

D The manufacturer

Answers: 14.7 = A 14.8 = C 14.9 = A 14.10 = A 14.11 = D 14.12 = AAnswers: 14.1 = A 14.2 = B 14.3 = C 14.4 = C 14.5 = B 14.6 = A

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High risk activities D

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14.4

Which of the following is NOT true when using podium steps?

A The ‘wheels’ must be locked before you get on to them

B Podiums can easily topple if you over reach sideways

C Podiums are safe and can’t topple over

D Podiums are work equipment and must be inspected every seven days

14.5

A ladder should not be painted because:

A the paint will make it slippery to use

B the paint may hide any damaged parts

C the paint could damage the metal parts of the ladder

D it will need regular re-painting

14.6

How many people should be on a ladder at the same time?

A One

B Two

C One on each section of an extension ladder

D Three, if it is long enough

14.7

You find a ladder that is damaged. What should you do?

A Don’t use it and make sure that others know about the damage

B Don’t use it and report the damage at the end of your shift

C Try and mend the damage

D Use the ladder if you can avoid the damaged part

14.8

When using a ladder what should the slope or angle of the ladder be?

A 45°

B 60°

C 75°

D 85°

14.9

Who should check a ladder before it is used?

A The person who is going to use it

B A supervisor

C The site safety officer

D The manufacturer

14.10

What is the best way to make sure that a ladder is secure and won’t slip?

A Tie it at the top

B Ask someone to stand with their foot on the bottom rung

C Tie it at the bottom

D Wedge the bottom of the ladder with blocks of wood

14.11

When could you use a ladder as a place of work?

A If it is long enough

B If you can find a ladder to use

C If other people do not need to use it for access

D If you are doing light work for a short time

14.12

When you climb a ladder you must:

A have three points of contact with the ladder at all times

B have two points of contact with the ladder at all times

C use a safety harness

D have two people on the ladder at all times

Answers: 14.7 = A 14.8 = C 14.9 = A 14.10 = A 14.11 = D 14.12 = AAnswers: 14.1 = A 14.2 = B 14.3 = C 14.4 = C 14.5 = B 14.6 = A

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14.13

You need to use a ladder to get to a scaffold platform. Which of these statements is true?

A It must be tied and extend five rungs above the platform

B All broken rungs must be clearly marked

C It must be wedged at the bottom to stop it slipping

D Two people must be on the ladder at all times

14.14

You need to use a mobile tower scaffold. The wheel brakes do not work. What should you do?

A Use some wood to wedge the wheels and stop them moving

B Do not use the tower

C Only use the tower if the floor is level

D Get someone to hold the tower while you use it

14.15

You need to reach the working platform of a mobile tower scaffold. What is the right way to do this?

A Climb up the tower frame on the outside of the tower

B Lean a ladder against the tower and climb up that

C Climb up the ladder built into the tower

D Climb up the outside of the diagonal bracing

14.16

A mobile tower scaffold must NOT be used on:

A soft or uneven ground

B a paved patio

C an asphalt road

D a smooth concrete path

14.17

When working in a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) where should you attach your harnesses lanyard?

A To the control box

B To a point on the structure or building you are working on

C To the MEWP handrail

D To the designated anchor point within the platform or basket

14.18

If you have to work at height in a cherry picker over or near to deep water, which following item of personal protective equipment (PPE) must you be wearing?

A Wellington boots

B Life jacket

C Full face respirator

D Full body harness

14.19

It is safe to cross a fragile roof if you:

A walk along the line of bolts

B can see fragile roof signs

C don’t walk on any plastic panels

D use crawling boards with handrails

14.20

You are working on a flat roof. What is the best way to stop yourself falling over the edge?

A Put a large warning sign at the edge of the roof

B Ask someone to watch you and shout when you get too close to the edge

C Protect the edge with a guard-rail and toe-board

D Use red and white tape to mark the edge

Answers: 14.18 = B 14.19 = D 14.20 = C 14.21 = B 14.22 = C 14.23 = CAnswers: 14.13 = A 14.14 = B 14.15 = C 14.16 = A 14.17 = D

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High risk activities D

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14.15

You need to reach the working platform of a mobile tower scaffold. What is the right way to do this?

A Climb up the tower frame on the outside of the tower

B Lean a ladder against the tower and climb up that

C Climb up the ladder built into the tower

D Climb up the outside of the diagonal bracing

14.16

A mobile tower scaffold must NOT be used on:

A soft or uneven ground

B a paved patio

C an asphalt road

D a smooth concrete path

14.17

When working in a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) where should you attach your harnesses lanyard?

A To the control box

B To a point on the structure or building you are working on

C To the MEWP handrail

D To the designated anchor point within the platform or basket

14.18

If you have to work at height in a cherry picker over or near to deep water, which following item of personal protective equipment (PPE) must you be wearing?

A Wellington boots

B Life jacket

C Full face respirator

D Full body harness

14.19

It is safe to cross a fragile roof if you:

A walk along the line of bolts

B can see fragile roof signs

C don’t walk on any plastic panels

D use crawling boards with handrails

14.20

You are working on a flat roof. What is the best way to stop yourself falling over the edge?

A Put a large warning sign at the edge of the roof

B Ask someone to watch you and shout when you get too close to the edge

C Protect the edge with a guard-rail and toe-board

D Use red and white tape to mark the edge

14.21

What is the best way to stop people falling through voids, holes or fragile roof panels?

A Tell everyone where the dangerous areas are

B Secure in place covers that can take the weight of a person and add warning signage

C Cover them with netting

D Mark the areas with red and white tape

14.22

What does this sign mean?

A Load-bearing roof. OK to stand on surface but not any rooflights

B Fragile roof. Take care when walking on roof surface

C Fragile roof. Do not stand directly on roof but use fall protection measures

D Load-bearing roof. Surface can be slippery when wet

14.23

Who should erect, dismantle or alter a tube and fitting scaffold?

A Anyone who thinks they can do it

B Anyone who has the right tools

C Anyone who is trained, competent and authorised

D Anyone who is a project manager

Answers: 14.18 = B 14.19 = D 14.20 = C 14.21 = B 14.22 = C 14.23 = CAnswers: 14.13 = A 14.14 = B 14.15 = C 14.16 = A 14.17 = D

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14.24

You need to stack materials on a working platform. What is the best way to stop them falling over the toe-board?

A Fit brick guards or netting to the edge

B Put a warning sign on the stack

C Build the stack so that it leans away from the edge

D Cover the stack with polythene

14.25

A scaffold guard-rail must be removed to allow you to carry out a survey. You are not a scaffolder. Can you remove the guard-rail?

A Yes, if you put it back as soon as you have finished

B Yes, if you put it back before you leave site

C No, only a scaffolder can remove the guard-rail but you can put it back

D No, only a scaffolder can remove the guard-rail and put it back

14.26

Tools and materials can easily fall from a scaffold platform. What is the best way to protect the people below?

A Make sure they are wearing safety helmets

B Tell them you will be working above them

C Use brick guards to stop any items falling below

D Tell the people below to stop work and clear the area

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15.1

What is the safest way to get into a deep excavation?

A Climb down a secured ladder

B Use the buried services as steps

C Climb down the shoring

D Go down in an excavator bucket

15.2

You are in a deep trench. A lorry backs up to the trench and the engine is left running. What should you do?

A Put on ear defenders to cut out the engine noise

B Ignore the problem, the lorry will soon drive away

C See if there is a toxic gas meter in the trench

D Get out of the trench quickly

15.3

You are in a deep trench and start to feel dizzy. What should you do?

A Get out, let your head clear and then go back in again

B Carry on working and hope that the feeling will go away

C Make sure that you and any others get out quickly and report it

D Sit down in the trench and take a rest

Answers: 15.1 = A 15.2 = D 15.3 = C 15.4 = B 15.5 = D 15.6 = A, EAnswers: 14.24 = A 14.25 = D 14.26 = C

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