CSCS General Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does COSHH stand for in the context of construction safety?
- Control of Site Safety and Health Hazards
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Correct answer)
- Code of Standards for Site Health and Hygiene
- Certificate of Safe Substance Handling
Correct answer: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, the regulations governing exposure to hazardous substances at work.
Question 2: Which hand signal should a banksman use to instruct a crane operator to lower a load?
- Thumbs up with arm extended
- Both palms facing down, moving downward (Correct answer)
- Rotating one hand above the head
- Crossed arms above the head
Correct answer: Both palms facing down, moving downward
The standard banksman signal for lowering a load is both palms facing down and moving downward.
Question 3: What is the minimum width of a safe pedestrian walkway on a construction site?
- 450mm
- 675mm (Correct answer)
- 1200mm
- 2000mm
Correct answer: 675mm
Pedestrian routes on construction sites should be at least 675mm wide to allow safe passage.
Question 4: What type of fire extinguisher is SAFE to use on electrical equipment fires?
- Water extinguisher
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Foam extinguisher
- Wet chemical extinguisher
Correct answer: CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguisher
CO2 extinguishers are non-conductive and are safe to use on fires involving live electrical equipment.
Question 5: Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, what is the FIRST option to consider when handling loads?
- Provide workers with manual handling training
- Avoid the need for manual handling altogether if reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Issue all workers with back support belts
- Reduce the weight of each individual load
Correct answer: Avoid the need for manual handling altogether if reasonably practicable
The hierarchy requires avoiding manual handling entirely where possible before considering other risk reduction measures.
Question 6: What does a YELLOW and BLACK striped marking on site typically indicate?
- Safe pedestrian walking route
- Area of physical hazard to avoid or be cautious around (Correct answer)
- Location of first aid equipment
- Direction to the site office
Correct answer: Area of physical hazard to avoid or be cautious around
Yellow and black striped markings are used to highlight physical hazards such as steps, low beams, or restricted areas.
Question 7: Which document gives a worker permission to carry out high-risk work in a controlled manner?
- A method statement
- A permit to work (Correct answer)
- A risk assessment
- A COSHH assessment
Correct answer: A permit to work
A permit to work is a formal document authorizing specific high-risk activities under defined safety conditions.
CSCS General Safety 3
What does COSHH stand for in the context of construction safety?