CPCS Working Near Services & Site Hazards

Question 1

Before excavating or operating plant near underground services, what must be done?

Accepted Answer

Obtain service drawings, use CAT scanning, and establish exclusion zones around identified services

Answer

Only use CAT scanning — drawings are not reliable

Answer

Start carefully and stop if anything is struck

Answer

Underground services are the main contractor's responsibility only

Question 2

What colour represents a gas pipe in UK underground service identification?

Accepted Answer

Yellow

Answer

Blue

Answer

Red

Answer

Black

Question 3

What should an operator do immediately if underground plant strikes a gas pipe?

Accepted Answer

Stop the plant, evacuate the area, call the gas emergency number (0800 111 999), and keep people away

Answer

Continue working and report at the end of the day

Answer

Attempt to identify the pipe type before taking action

Answer

Cover the pipe and inform the site manager only

Question 4

What does a CAT scan detect and what are its limitations?

Accepted Answer

It detects metallic and live electrical cables but may miss non-metallic pipes — must be used alongside service drawings

Answer

CAT scanning detects all underground utilities without exception

Answer

CAT scanning replaces the need for service drawings

Answer

It detects only gas pipes and electrical cables

Question 5

What colour represents electrical services (high voltage) in the UK underground colour coding?

Accepted Answer

Red

Answer

Yellow

Answer

Blue

Answer

Green

Question 6

What is an exclusion zone in the context of working near overhead power lines?

Accepted Answer

A safe distance zone around overhead lines within which plant must not pass without authorisation

Answer

A zone only relevant to cranes over 50 tonnes

Answer

A zone that can be entered with the site manager's verbal permission

Answer

An exclusion zone is only required for 11 kV and above