CITB Managers Site Management Responsibilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A site manager is reviewing a subcontractor's safe systems of work. They find that the RAMS does not address a specific hazard associated with the task. The site manager should:
- Add their own risk assessment to cover the gap and allow work to proceed
- Refuse to allow the work to start and require the subcontractor to revise their RAMS to include the missing hazard and appropriate controls before work commences (Correct answer)
- Allow the work if the subcontractor has a good safety record
- Note the gap but allow the work as long as the subcontractor is supervised
Correct answer: Refuse to allow the work to start and require the subcontractor to revise their RAMS to include the missing hazard and appropriate controls before work commences
An incomplete RAMS is an incomplete safe system of work. The site manager must not allow the work to start with inadequate documentation. The subcontractor must identify the missing hazard, assess the risk, specify controls, brief the workers, and have the revised RAMS approved.
Question 2: What is the site manager's responsibility when they discover a worker on their site who does not hold the required CSCS card for their role?
- Allow the worker to continue working until they obtain a card
- Stop the worker from undertaking the work for which a valid card is required until an appropriate card is obtained or verified — but assess whether they are genuinely competent through other means (Correct answer)
- Immediately remove the worker from site permanently
- Issue a verbal warning and proceed
Correct answer: Stop the worker from undertaking the work for which a valid card is required until an appropriate card is obtained or verified — but assess whether they are genuinely competent through other means
A CSCS card demonstrates that the holder has the required health and safety awareness and the appropriate qualifications for their role. While not a legal requirement in itself, it is a widely adopted industry standard. A worker without the relevant card should not be allowed to undertake the work until their competence is verified.
Question 3: Which of the following describes the concept of 'health and safety culture' on a construction site?
- The number of safety signs displayed on site
- The shared values, beliefs, and behaviours of all individuals that determine how health and safety is managed — a positive culture means everyone is committed to working safely, reports concerns without fear, and takes personal responsibility (Correct answer)
- The size of the health and safety team
- The number of RIDDOR reports submitted annually
Correct answer: The shared values, beliefs, and behaviours of all individuals that determine how health and safety is managed — a positive culture means everyone is committed to working safely, reports concerns without fear, and takes personal responsibility
Health and safety culture is the collective attitudes, values, and behaviours of the organisation's people. A positive culture is characterised by: leadership commitment, worker engagement, a blame-free reporting environment, and active management of risk at all levels.
Question 4: A site manager is responsible for ensuring that all contractors on site have appropriate insurance. Which type of insurance is legally required for all employers in the UK?
- Public liability insurance
- Employers' liability insurance (minimum £5 million) — required under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 (Correct answer)
- Professional indemnity insurance
- All-risks construction insurance
Correct answer: Employers' liability insurance (minimum £5 million) — required under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, all employers (with certain exceptions) must hold employers' liability insurance for a minimum of £5 million. The certificate must be displayed or available for inspection. Failure to hold it is a criminal offence.
Question 5: When managing multiple subcontractors on site, the principal contractor must ensure that their activities are coordinated to prevent:
- Unnecessary delays to the programme
- Conflicting activities that create hazards for each other — such as one contractor working below another's work area, or hot work near a confined space entry (Correct answer)
- Workers from different subcontractors socialising during breaks
- Duplication of procurement activities
Correct answer: Conflicting activities that create hazards for each other — such as one contractor working below another's work area, or hot work near a confined space entry
Simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) involving multiple subcontractors must be identified and managed: working below others (falling objects), hot work near flammable materials or confined space entries, and excavation near overhead services are examples of conflicts that must be proactively managed through the CPP and daily coordination.
Question 6: A site manager must ensure that all plant and equipment operators hold the relevant Certificate of Competency. What scheme covers crane operators?
- IPAF
- The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) — which issues cards for a range of plant types including cranes, excavators, and MEWPs (Correct answer)
- CISRS
- CSCS
Correct 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.
CITB Managers Site Management Responsibilities 3
A site manager is reviewing a subcontractor's safe systems of work.
They find that the RAMS does not address a specific hazard associated with the task.
The site manager should: