NEBOSH CC Construction Health Risk Management 2

Question 1

Asbestos is still present in many buildings being refurbished or demolished. What types of asbestos work require a licence from the HSE?

Accepted Answer

Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating, and asbestos insulating board (unless meeting exemption conditions)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Carried out a COSHH assessment, provided LEV or RPE with assigned protection factor, health surveillance, and training on isocyanate risks

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the concentration of a substance or its metabolite in a worker's blood, urine, or breath to assess actual body uptake

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected rat urine; workers in excavations, drains, and waterways are most at risk

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Task, Individual, Load, and Environment

Answer

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.

NEBOSH Construction Certificate Practice Test

NEBOSH Construction Certificate Practice Test

NEBOSH CC Construction Health Risk Management 2