Free ECS Health and Safety Guidelines Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why would your supervisor ask you to read the method statement and risk assessment before you start your next job?
- As someone has taken the time and trouble to write them, you might as well read them
- He thinks you have got nothing better to do
- He wouldn't, he thinks they are a waste of time
- They contain information on how to carry out the job in a safe manner (Correct answer)
Correct answer: They contain information on how to carry out the job in a safe manner
Explanation: <br> The supervisor must, by law, keep workers advised of significant risks and control measures.
Question 2: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the color coding of safety signs. What colors are used on a sign indicating a safe condition, for example, "First Aid kit"?
- Blue and white
- Green and white (Correct answer)
- Red, black and white
- Yellow and black
Correct answer: Green and white
Explanation: <br> Emergency escape and first-aid signs are rectangular or square and feature a white pictogram on a green background.
Question 3: Regulations that govern health and safety on construction sites:
- Apply only to inexperienced workers
- Apply only to large companies
- Are mandatory (that is, compulsory) (Correct answer)
- Do not apply during 'out of hours' working
Correct answer: Are mandatory (that is, compulsory)
Explanation: <br> The requirements of health and safety law are mandatory, and failure to follow them can lead to prosecutions.
Question 4: If a Health and Safety Executive Inspector issues a "Prohibition Notice", this means that:
- Specific work activities, highlighted on the notice, must stop (Correct answer)
- The HSE must supervise all work from then on
- The HSE must supervise the work covered by the notice
- The Site Manager can choose whether or not to ignore the notice
Correct answer: Specific work activities, highlighted on the notice, must stop
Explanation: <br> Prohibition notices are intended to Stop activities which can cause serious injury.
Question 5: What must your employer do if the daily personal noise exposure is at or exceeds 85 db(A)?
- Issue hearing protection to those exposed and ensure that it is worn (Correct answer)
- Provide hearing protection to those employees who ask for it
- Report it to the Health and Safety Executive
- Tell employees to buy their own hearing protection
Correct answer: Issue hearing protection to those exposed and ensure that it is worn
Explanation: <br> This is an interim measure under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 when the daily personal noise exposure is at or exceeds the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A). Exposure should subsequently be reduced by implementing organizational or technical measures.
Question 6: When an employee has been issued with eye protection, what are their duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations?
- Not to loan the equipment to other operatives
- To ensure that they are the right type of protector
- To pay for the replacement of lost eye protection
- To use the protection in accordance with training and instruction (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To use the protection in accordance with training and instruction
Explanation: <br> Regulation 10(2) requires that every employee shall use any PPE in accordance with the training and instruction received.
Question 7: When a person is injured at work, who should enter the details in the accident book?
- The injured person or anyone acting for them (Correct answer)
- The injured person's supervisor
- The site manager or engineer
- The site safety manager
Correct answer: The injured person or anyone acting for them
Explanation: <br> This is the procedure for recording accidents internally in the accident book(BI 510).
Question 8: What is the MAXIMUM weight that an individual may lift?
- 15kg provided that it is a compact load
- 35kg provided that it has no sharp edges
- The weight they can lift comfortably (Correct answer)
- Whatever the supervisor instructs
Correct answer: The weight they can lift comfortably
Explanation: <br> There are no strict weight limits - the priority is to avoid injury.
Question 9: You have to enter a manhole in which you believe there could be toxic gases. You have not been provided with any Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). What should you do?
- Just get on with the job, and accept the risks
- Look into the manhole to see if you can see any harmful gases
- Sniff the atmosphere in the manhole to see if you can smell harmful gases
- Tell your supervisor that you will need RPE, and if necessary, training in confined space working (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Tell your supervisor that you will need RPE, and if necessary, training in confined space working
Explanation:<br> An employer must provide all necessary personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment when an employee is required to enter a confined space. This is one of the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
Question 10: When working alone:
- Don't bother anyone if you have a problem, always sort it out yourself
- Make sure someone responsible knows where you are (Correct answer)
- Wear headphones, it will make the day go more quickly
- You can do away with protective equipment
Correct answer: Make sure someone responsible knows where you are
Explanation: <br> Employees should adhere to safe working arrangements put in place by their employer. When working alone, such arrangements should include informing a responsible person of your location periodically.
Question 11: What is the ideal angle for a ladder against a wall and floor?
- Four metres up for every metre out from the wall (Correct answer)
- One metre up for every metre out from the wall
- One metre up for every two metres out from the wall
- Two metres up for every metre out from the wall
Correct answer: Four metres up for every metre out from the wall
Explanation: <br> The correct angle for a ladder is 75 degrees, which can be judged using the angle indicator marked on the stiles of some ladders or using the 1 in 4 rule.
Why would your supervisor ask you to read the method statement and risk assessment before you start your next job?