CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'RPE' stand for on a construction site?
- Registered Professional Engineer
- Respiratory Protective Equipment (Correct answer)
- Risk Prevention Equipment
- Required Personal Equipment
Correct answer: Respiratory Protective Equipment
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).
Question 2: What should a worker do if their PPE is damaged or defective?
- Continue using it until the end of the shift
- Stop using it immediately, report the defect, and obtain replacement PPE before continuing work (Correct answer)
- Repair it themselves with tape
- Keep using it if the damage is minor
Correct answer: Stop using it immediately, report the defect, and obtain replacement PPE before continuing work
A worker must stop using damaged or defective PPE immediately, report the defect to their supervisor, and obtain suitable replacement PPE before continuing the task. Using damaged PPE could provide a false sense of security.
Question 3: What type of gloves should be worn when handling cement on a construction site?
- Cotton gloves
- Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile or PVC) that prevent skin contact with wet cement (Correct answer)
- Leather gloves
- No gloves are needed for cement
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile or PVC) that prevent skin contact with wet cement
Wet cement is highly alkaline (pH 12-13) and causes serious chemical burns and dermatitis. Chemical-resistant gloves made of nitrile or PVC must be worn to prevent skin contact. Leather and cotton gloves absorb moisture and make burns worse.
Question 4: What is the purpose of high-visibility clothing on a construction site?
- To identify the worker's employer
- To make the worker visible to operators of vehicles and plant, reducing the risk of being struck (Correct answer)
- To keep the worker warm
- To comply with fashion requirements
Correct answer: To make the worker visible to operators of vehicles and plant, reducing the risk of being struck
High-visibility clothing ensures workers are seen by operators of vehicles, plant, and equipment, reducing the risk of struck-by incidents. BS EN ISO 20471 specifies three classes of high-visibility clothing.
Question 5: What standard must safety spectacles meet for use on UK construction sites?
- Any optical standard
- BS EN 166 or its replacement BS EN ISO 16321 (Correct answer)
- ISO 9001
- BS 7671
Correct answer: BS EN 166 or its replacement BS EN ISO 16321
Safety spectacles for construction use must meet BS EN 166 (Personal eye protection — Specifications) or its successor BS EN ISO 16321. They must be marked with the relevant impact grade and optical class.
Question 6: What must workers be trained on regarding PPE?
- Only how to put it on
- How to use, fit, adjust, maintain, store, and inspect PPE, and its limitations (Correct answer)
- Only when to wear it
- Training is not required for PPE
Correct answer: How to use, fit, adjust, maintain, store, and inspect PPE, and its limitations
Training must cover: why the PPE is needed, how to use and fit it correctly, how to adjust it for a proper fit, maintenance and storage requirements, how to inspect it before use, its limitations, and when it needs replacing.
CSCS Personal Protective Equipment 4
What does the term 'RPE' stand for on a construction site?