CSCS Working at Height 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under CDM 2015, who has overall responsibility for planning and managing health and safety during the construction phase?
- The designer
- The client
- The principal contractor (Correct answer)
- The CDM coordinator
Correct answer: The principal contractor
Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor has overall responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring, and coordinating health and safety during the construction phase. The client appoints the principal contractor.
Question 2: When using a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), what must the operator hold?
- A CSCS card only
- A valid IPAF licence or equivalent training certification (Correct answer)
- A driving licence
- No specific qualification is required
Correct answer: A valid IPAF licence or equivalent training certification
Operators of MEWPs should hold a valid IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) licence or equivalent recognised training certification. This ensures they are competent to operate the equipment safely.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a rescue plan when working at height?
- To satisfy insurance requirements
- To ensure prompt rescue if a worker falls and is suspended in a harness (Correct answer)
- To record all workers on site
- To plan the work schedule
Correct answer: To ensure prompt rescue if a worker falls and is suspended in a harness
A rescue plan ensures that if a worker falls and is left suspended in a harness, they can be rescued promptly. Suspension trauma can be life-threatening within minutes, so a pre-planned rescue procedure is essential.
Question 4: What is the maximum recommended wind speed at which work at height should normally be stopped?
- 40 mph
- 23 mph (Force 6) (Correct answer)
- 17 mph
- 50 mph
Correct answer: 23 mph (Force 6)
HSE guidance recommends that work at height should generally be stopped when wind speeds reach 23 mph (Force 6 on the Beaufort scale), though this may vary depending on the specific task and equipment being used.
Question 5: Which regulation requires that guard rails on a scaffold platform are at a specific height?
- COSHH Regulations 2002
- Work at Height Regulations 2005 (Correct answer)
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- RIDDOR 2013
Correct answer: Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (Schedule 2) specify that guard rails must be at least 950mm above the platform edge. They must also include intermediate guard rails or toe boards to prevent falls of persons and materials.
Question 6: What type of safety net complies with BS EN 1263 for use on UK construction sites?
- Any fishing net
- A personnel safety net tested and certified to BS EN 1263 (Correct answer)
- A debris net only
- A cargo net
Correct answer: A personnel safety net tested and certified to BS EN 1263
Safety nets used to arrest falls on UK construction sites must comply with BS EN 1263, which specifies requirements for materials, mesh size, energy absorption, and installation. They must be tested and certified.
CSCS Working at Height 2
Under CDM 2015, who has overall responsibility for planning and managing health and safety during the construction phase?