PPE and Fire Safety Flashcards

What should workers do during a fire evacuation on a construction site?

Answer: Proceed immediately to the designated assembly point and do not re-enter until given the all-clear

On hearing the fire alarm, workers must evacuate immediately to the assembly point. Collecting belongings or searching for others delays evacuation and can prove fatal. Re-entry is only permitted when authorised by a competent person.

What is the purpose of an assembly point on a construction site?

Answer: A designated safe area where all workers gather after evacuation so that a headcount can be taken

The assembly point is a pre-designated area away from the building where workers gather after evacuation. A roll call or headcount confirms everyone is safe and helps identify anyone who may be trapped.

What type of hearing protection is typically used in noisy areas of a construction site?

Answer: Ear defenders (earmuffs) or disposable foam earplugs rated with a suitable SNR value

Hearing protection must be rated for the noise levels on site using the Single Number Rating (SNR). Disposable foam earplugs and over-ear defenders are the two main types, selected based on the level of noise attenuation required.

When must safety gloves be worn on a construction site?

Answer: When handling sharp, rough, hot, or chemically hazardous materials where hand injury risk exists

Gloves must be selected and worn based on the specific hand hazards — cut resistance for sharp materials, thermal protection for hot work, chemical resistance for COSHH substances. The correct glove for the task must be selected.

What is the function of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) on a construction site?

Answer: To protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous dusts, fumes, vapours, or gases

RPE protects workers from breathing in harmful airborne substances including silica dust, wood dust, asbestos fibres, welding fumes, and chemical vapours. The correct type must be selected based on the specific hazard.

What is the danger of wearing damaged or poorly fitting PPE on a construction site?

Answer: It may fail to provide the intended protection, leaving the worker exposed to the hazard

Damaged or ill-fitting PPE can fail to provide the protection it was designed to give. For example, a hard hat with a cracked shell, a harness with worn stitching, or a dust mask that does not seal to the face will not protect the wearer.