CSCS Environmental Awareness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'biodiversity' mean on a construction site?
- The variety of plant and animal species present in an area (Correct answer)
- The number of workers on site
- The range of building materials used
- The diversity of construction techniques employed
Correct answer: The variety of plant and animal species present in an area
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species — plants, animals, insects — found in a given area, which construction activity can harm.
Question 2: Which of the following is a legal requirement under the Environmental Protection Act regarding waste on a construction site?
- Waste must be stored safely and disposed of by a licensed carrier (Correct answer)
- All waste must be burned on site to reduce volume
- Waste can be left on site if covered by tarpaulin
- Only hazardous waste needs a licensed carrier
Correct answer: Waste must be stored safely and disposed of by a licensed carrier
The Environmental Protection Act requires all construction waste to be stored safely and removed by a registered/licensed waste carrier.
Question 3: What is a 'duty of care' in relation to waste on construction sites?
- The legal responsibility to ensure waste is handled and disposed of correctly (Correct answer)
- A voluntary pledge to recycle at least half of all waste
- The obligation to record how many workers handle waste each day
- A requirement to weigh waste before it leaves the site
Correct answer: The legal responsibility to ensure waste is handled and disposed of correctly
Duty of care is a legal obligation on waste producers to ensure their waste is stored, transported, and disposed of responsibly.
Question 4: Which document must accompany hazardous waste when it is transported from a construction site?
- A consignment note (Correct answer)
- A site induction form
- A risk assessment
- A delivery receipt
Correct answer: A consignment note
Hazardous waste must travel with a consignment note that details the type, quantity, and destination of the waste.
Question 5: What is the most effective way to protect a nearby watercourse from site runoff?
- Install silt fences or sediment traps between the site and the watercourse (Correct answer)
- Direct all runoff into the site drainage system without treatment
- Pour concrete barriers along the entire site perimeter
- Apply chemical dispersants to any muddy water before it leaves the site
Correct answer: Install silt fences or sediment traps between the site and the watercourse
Silt fences and sediment traps intercept polluted runoff before it can reach a watercourse, preventing silt and contaminant entry.
Question 6: What should you do if you discover an unmarked drum of liquid chemical buried on a construction site?
- Stop work, cordon off the area, and report it to your supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Open the drum carefully to identify the contents
- Move the drum to a safe area away from the excavation
- Continue working and report it at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Stop work, cordon off the area, and report it to your supervisor immediately
Unknown chemicals could be hazardous; stopping work and reporting immediately prevents exposure and environmental contamination.
Question 7: Which noise control measure is most effective at protecting people near a construction site?
- Erecting acoustic barriers or hoarding around noisy operations (Correct answer)
- Asking workers to operate machinery more slowly
- Scheduling all work for night-time hours
- Painting machinery with sound-absorbing paint
Correct answer: Erecting acoustic barriers or hoarding around noisy operations
Acoustic barriers physically block noise propagation to nearby sensitive receptors such as homes and schools.
CSCS Environmental Awareness 2
What does the term 'biodiversity' mean on a construction site?