CSCS Study Guide 2026

RPE stands for Respiratory Protective Equipment, which includes disposable masks, half-face and full-face respirators, powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Under CDM Regulations 2015, physical measures such as stop blocks (to prevent vehicles overrunning the edge), substantial guardrails, and the use of banksmen for vehicle manoeuvring near excavations are required. Signage must warn of the excavation, and adequate lighting must be provided during hours of darkness. Tape alone is not a sufficient barrier.

Smoking and asbestos exposure have a synergistic (multiplicative) effect on lung cancer risk. While asbestos exposure alone increases lung cancer risk by approximately 5 times and smoking alone by approximately 10 times, the combined exposure increases the risk by up to 50 times. This is why health surveillance programmes for asbestos workers strongly advise smoking cessation.

Construction vibration is controlled by: the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (vibration can constitute a statutory nuisance); BS 5228-2:2009+A1:2014 (provides guidance on vibration prediction, measurement, and control); planning conditions (often set vibration limits at sensitive receptors); and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (for work affecting adjoining properties). Continuous vibration monitoring at nearby properties is often required, with trigger and stop limits.

Manual handling risk assessments should be reviewed when there is a significant change in the task, load, working conditions, or personnel, when an incident occurs, or when the assessment is no longer considered valid.

Daily noise exposure is measured using calibrated sound level meters (for task-based measurements) or personal noise dosimeters (worn by the worker throughout the shift). Measurements must be carried out by a competent person and the equipment must be properly calibrated.