CSCS Ireland COSHH and Accident Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is asbestos and why is it particularly dangerous on Irish construction sites involving older buildings?
- A naturally occurring fibrous mineral used extensively in building materials before 2000 — inhalation of fibres causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer (Correct answer)
- A type of insulation that causes skin irritation only
- A mould that grows on damp concrete
- A chemical used in waterproofing that is now banned
Correct answer: A naturally occurring fibrous mineral used extensively in building materials before 2000 — inhalation of fibres causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer
Asbestos was widely used in Irish buildings before the 1990s in roof sheets, insulation, floor tiles, and pipe lagging. Disturbing it releases invisible fibres that cause fatal and incurable diseases decades after exposure.
Question 2: What must happen if asbestos-containing materials are suspected during construction work on an older building in Ireland?
- Stop all work immediately, do not disturb the material, inform the supervisor, and arrange for a licensed asbestos survey or removal (Correct answer)
- Continue carefully and wear a dust mask
- Wet the material down and remove it quickly to minimise exposure
- Report it to the HSA before taking any action
Correct answer: Stop all work immediately, do not disturb the material, inform the supervisor, and arrange for a licensed asbestos survey or removal
When asbestos is suspected, work must stop immediately. The material must not be disturbed. Licensed asbestos removal contractors must be engaged for any disturbance or removal. This is a legal requirement under Irish asbestos regulations.
Question 3: What is the primary route of entry for hazardous substances into the body on a construction site?
- Inhalation — breathing in dusts, fumes, vapours, or gases is the most common route (Correct answer)
- Ingestion — swallowing substances
- Skin absorption only
- All routes are equally common
Correct answer: Inhalation — breathing in dusts, fumes, vapours, or gases is the most common route
Inhalation is the primary and most common route by which hazardous substances enter the body on construction sites. Dusts (silica, wood, cement, asbestos), welding fumes, solvents, and gases can all be inhaled.
Question 4: What is an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) in the context of hazardous substances?
- The maximum concentration of a substance in workplace air that most workers can be exposed to without adverse health effects (Correct answer)
- The maximum weight of a hazardous substance allowed on site
- The legal limit for the number of workers in a chemical storage area
- The minimum distance from a chemical storage area
Correct answer: The maximum concentration of a substance in workplace air that most workers can be exposed to without adverse health effects
An OEL specifies the airborne concentration of a substance, averaged over a time period (e.g. 8-hour TWA), above which health effects are likely. Employers must control exposure below this level.
Question 5: What does a near miss incident on a construction site represent?
- An unplanned event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so (Correct answer)
- An accident where someone was injured but not seriously
- A minor injury that did not require first aid
- A close call with a vehicle that caused property damage only
Correct answer: An unplanned event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so
A near miss is an event that could have caused harm but did not. Near misses are valuable warning signals that must be reported and investigated — they indicate that a serious accident is possible if conditions are not changed.
Question 6: How should a first aid kit on an Irish construction site be maintained?
- Inspected regularly, restocked after every use, contents kept in date, and managed by a named responsible person (Correct answer)
- Restocked only at the start of each project
- Checked once a year during the annual safety audit
- Workers are responsible for checking their own kit
Correct answer: Inspected regularly, restocked after every use, contents kept in date, and managed by a named responsible person
First aid kits must be regularly inspected, restocked after use, and items checked for expiry. A named responsible person should manage the kit and ensure contents are always complete and in date.
CSCS Ireland COSHH and Accident Reporting 2
What is asbestos and why is it particularly dangerous on Irish construction sites involving older buildings?