NEBOSH CC Construction Health Risk Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Asbestos is still present in many buildings being refurbished or demolished. What types of asbestos work require a licence from the HSE?
- Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating, and asbestos insulating board (unless meeting exemption conditions) (Correct answer)
- All work that encounters asbestos of any type
- Only work with blue asbestos (crocidolite)
- No licence is ever required for asbestos work
Correct answer: Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating, and asbestos insulating board (unless meeting exemption conditions)
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a licence from HSE is required for work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating, and asbestos insulating board (AIB), unless the work meets specific exemption conditions (short duration, low disturbance). Work with asbestos cement and textured coatings is non-licensable but still requires compliance with the regulations.
Question 2: A construction worker develops occupational asthma from exposure to isocyanates in two-pack spray paints. Under UK health and safety law, what should the employer have done to prevent this?
- Carried out a COSHH assessment, provided LEV or RPE with assigned protection factor, health surveillance, and training on isocyanate risks (Correct answer)
- Nothing — occupational asthma cannot be prevented
- Provided a basic dust mask
- Ensured the worker was not allergic before employment
Correct answer: Carried out a COSHH assessment, provided LEV or RPE with assigned protection factor, health surveillance, and training on isocyanate risks
Isocyanates are a leading cause of occupational asthma. Under COSHH, the employer must assess the risk, consider elimination or substitution (e.g., brush application instead of spraying), provide engineering controls (LEV, spray booths), supply suitable RPE with adequate assigned protection factor, implement health surveillance, and provide information and training.
Question 3: What does the term 'biological monitoring' mean in the context of occupational health on construction sites?
- Measuring the concentration of a substance or its metabolite in a worker's blood, urine, or breath to assess actual body uptake (Correct answer)
- Monitoring for insects and rodents on site
- Checking the biological safety of drinking water
- Counting the number of sick days taken by workers
Correct answer: Measuring the concentration of a substance or its metabolite in a worker's blood, urine, or breath to assess actual body uptake
Biological monitoring measures how much of a hazardous substance has actually been absorbed by the body, regardless of the route of exposure. For example, blood lead levels for lead exposure, urine chromium for hexavalent chromium exposure, or urinary metabolites for isocyanate exposure. This complements air monitoring and health surveillance.
Question 4: Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) is a risk on construction sites. How is it transmitted and what workers are most at risk?
- Transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected rat urine; workers in excavations, drains, and waterways are most at risk (Correct answer)
- Transmitted by airborne droplets; office workers are most at risk
- Transmitted by skin contact with cement; bricklayers are most at risk
- Transmitted by insect bites; workers in rural areas only
Correct answer: Transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected rat urine; workers in excavations, drains, and waterways are most at risk
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria found in rat urine. It enters through cuts, abrasions, or mucous membranes following contact with contaminated water or soil. Construction workers in excavations, drainage work, and near waterways are at highest risk. Controls include covering cuts, washing hands, wearing gloves, and not eating or drinking near contaminated areas.
Question 5: What are the key elements of a manual handling risk assessment on a construction site using the TILE acronym?
- Task, Individual, Load, and Environment (Correct answer)
- Time, Inspection, Lifting, and Equipment
- Training, Insurance, Legislation, and Enforcement
- Temperature, Illumination, Layout, and Ergonomics
Correct answer: Task, Individual, Load, and Environment
TILE is the framework for manual handling assessment: Task (does it involve twisting, stooping, reaching?), Individual (does the worker have any health conditions affecting capability?), Load (is it heavy, bulky, unstable, difficult to grip?), and Environment (are there space constraints, uneven floors, temperature extremes?). Each element must be assessed and controls applied.
Question 6: Mental health is increasingly recognised as a significant issue in the UK construction industry. What workplace factors contribute to poor mental health among construction workers?
- Long working hours, job insecurity, time away from family, demanding physical work, bullying culture, and financial pressures (Correct answer)
- Construction workers do not experience mental health issues
- Only office-based construction staff are affected
- Mental health is a personal issue unrelated to work
Correct answer: Long working hours, job insecurity, time away from family, demanding physical work, bullying culture, and financial pressures
The UK construction industry has disproportionately high rates of mental ill health and suicide. Contributing factors include long and irregular hours, job insecurity (especially for self-employed workers), time away from home, physically demanding work, a culture that discourages discussing mental health, and financial pressures from subcontracting chains. Employers have a duty to assess psychosocial risks.
NEBOSH CC Construction Health Risk Management 2
Asbestos is still present in many buildings being refurbished or demolished.
What types of asbestos work require a licence from the HSE?