Mixed Deck — All CITB MANAGERS Topics Flashcards

What is 'human factors' in the context of accident investigation?

Answer: The study of how psychological, social, and organisational factors influence human behaviour and performance — and how these contribute to accidents. Examples include fatigue, complacency, communication failures, and pressure to cut corners

Human factors encompass the individual (physical and psychological capability, fatigue, motivation), the job (task demands, environment, procedures), and the organisation (leadership, culture, communication). Addressing human factors in investigation prevents recurrence at a deeper level than just technical fixes.

When should a method statement for a high-risk activity be submitted to the principal contractor?

Answer: Before the activity commences, giving the principal contractor sufficient time to review and approve it

Method statements for high-risk activities must be submitted and approved by the principal contractor (or their representative) before the work begins. This allows for review, modification if needed, and confirmation that the proposed approach is consistent with the CPP.

A RAMS document includes a risk assessment and a method statement. What does RAMS stand for?

Answer: Risk Assessment and Method Statement

RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. The two documents are often produced together as a RAMS package, covering both the identified risks and the specific method by which the work will be controlled and carried out safely.

A risk assessment for a demolition project must include assessment of which specific hazard?

Answer: Structural instability — the risk that the structure or parts of it may collapse unexpectedly during demolition

Structural instability during demolition is one of the highest-risk hazards. Removing structural elements can cause unexpected progressive collapse. A pre-demolition structural survey must inform the risk assessment and method statement for the demolition sequence.

A site manager must ensure that all plant and equipment operators hold the relevant Certificate of Competency. What scheme covers crane operators?

Answer: The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) — which issues cards for a range of plant types including cranes, excavators, and MEWPs

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) provides red (trained operator) and blue (competent operator) cards for a wide range of plant including cranes, excavators, bulldozers, and tower cranes. Site managers should check that operators hold the relevant CPCS card for the plant they are operating.

The CDM 2015 duty to 'plan, manage, monitor and coordinate' during the pre-construction phase applies specifically to:

Answer: The principal designer

Regulation 11 of CDM 2015 places the duty to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase specifically on the principal designer.

Why must vegetation clearance on construction sites be timed carefully?

Answer: The nesting season for wild birds (broadly March to August) means clearance during this period risks disturbing active nests, which is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

All wild bird species and their active nests are protected by law. Clearance of vegetation, hedgerows, and trees during the nesting season (broadly March–August) must be preceded by a nesting bird check. If active nests are found, work must stop until the young have fledged.

What is a 'site waste management plan' (SWMP) and what must it record?

Answer: A document that identifies the types and quantities of waste the project will generate, the intended management route for each (reuse, recycle, dispose), the waste carrier details, and the actual disposal records — used to demonstrate duty of care compliance

A SWMP (voluntarily best practice in England since the 2012 revocation of the mandatory requirement for projects over £300,000) records: waste types and estimated quantities, management routes (reuse, recycle, dispose), carrier registration numbers, disposal facility addresses, and actual waste records. It demonstrates active duty-of-care management.

What is the current UK control limit for asbestos exposure under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Answer: 0.1 fibres per cm³ over a 4-hour period

The control limit for asbestos is 0.1 fibres per cm³ of air averaged over a continuous 4-hour period. This applies to all types of asbestos. It is a maximum concentration that must not be exceeded, not a 'safe' level — there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.

How often must a scaffold on a construction site be inspected under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: At intervals not exceeding 7 days

Regulation 12(3) requires scaffolds to be inspected at intervals not exceeding 7 days. Additional inspections are required after any event likely to have affected stability or strength, such as adverse weather or accidental damage.

A manager is reviewing a risk assessment completed by a subcontractor. The assessment uses generic, vague language such as 'take care' and 'use common sense'. This is:

Answer: Inadequate — risk assessments must specify actual controls, not vague aspirations, so that workers know exactly what to do

Vague language such as 'take care' or 'be careful' provides no actionable guidance to workers. Risk assessments must specify the actual controls to be implemented (e.g., 'erect edge protection before any work begins', 'use a MEWP rather than a ladder for this task').

What action must a principal contractor take if they discover a significant health and safety risk that was not identified in the pre-construction phase?

Answer: Stop the work if necessary, assess the risk, implement controls, and update the Construction Phase Plan

When new significant risks emerge during construction, the principal contractor must stop work if required to ensure safety, assess and implement controls, update the CPP to reflect the new risk, and communicate the change to relevant parties.

What does 'residual risk' mean in the context of a risk assessment?

Answer: The risk that remains after all reasonably practicable controls have been implemented

Residual risk is the level of risk remaining after all reasonably practicable controls have been implemented. If residual risk is still unacceptably high, additional controls must be introduced before work can proceed.

When is it appropriate to bypass or override a permit to work requirement?

Answer: Never — permits must not be bypassed, regardless of urgency or instruction. Emergency situations have their own emergency procedures which are separate from PTW systems

Permit to work systems must never be bypassed. Emergency procedures are separate from PTW systems and are used in genuine emergencies. Even under pressure, bypassing a PTW creates the conditions for a catastrophic incident.

What is the significance of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Health, Safety and Environment test for managers?

Answer: It demonstrates baseline health and safety knowledge required for site management roles and is required for CSCS card applications at manager and supervisor level

The CITB HSE test for Managers and Professionals demonstrates that the individual has the required baseline health and safety knowledge for their role. It is required as part of the CSCS card application process for management and supervisory roles in construction.

A confined space permit requires that an atmospheric test be carried out before entry. Who should carry out this test?

Answer: A competent person trained in atmospheric testing equipment and the interpretation of results, with the appropriate calibrated equipment

Atmospheric testing must be carried out by a competent person with calibrated, appropriate gas monitoring equipment and the training to interpret results. Results must confirm oxygen levels are safe (18–22%) and that toxic and flammable gases are below threshold levels.

A near-miss investigation on a construction site reveals that the same hazard has caused three near-misses in the past month. What does this indicate?

Answer: The existing controls for this hazard are insufficient and there is a high probability of a serious injury if immediate corrective action is not taken

Multiple near-misses involving the same hazard are a strong signal that existing controls are failing. Statistically, the more near-misses that occur, the higher the probability of a serious injury. Immediate review and enhancement of controls is required — not just awareness training.

A construction manager needs to dispose of fluorescent light tubes removed during a refurbishment project. How should these be classified and disposed of?

Answer: As hazardous waste due to mercury content — they must be handled, stored and disposed of through a hazardous waste route

Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, a hazardous substance. They are classified as hazardous waste under the List of Wastes (EWC code 20 01 21*). They must be stored safely to prevent breakage, collected by a licensed hazardous waste carrier, and accompanied by a consignment note. Specialist recycling facilities recover the mercury and glass.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, can a worker be prosecuted for their own unsafe acts?

Answer: Yes — Section 7 of HSWA 1974 imposes duties on employees, and employees can be prosecuted and fined or imprisoned for breaches

Section 7 of the HSWA 1974 imposes duties on employees to take reasonable care and cooperate with their employer. Employees (including managers and directors) can be prosecuted under Section 7 and, if convicted, can face fines or imprisonment.

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, what is the correct hierarchy for managing manual handling risks?

Answer: Avoid hazardous manual handling, then assess remaining operations, then reduce the risk of injury so far as reasonably practicable

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 establish a clear hierarchy: first avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as reasonably practicable, then assess any remaining hazardous operations, and finally reduce the risk of injury from those operations to the lowest level reasonably practicable.