SMSTS Course Structure & Content 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which SMSTS module specifically addresses the management of subcontractors on site?
- Environmental management
- Occupational health
- Site management and supervision (Correct answer)
- Fire safety
Correct answer: Site management and supervision
The site management and supervision module covers coordinating and managing subcontractors and their activities.
Question 2: What document must a site manager produce to demonstrate compliance with CDM 2015 principal contractor duties?
- Method statement
- Construction phase plan (Correct answer)
- Pre-qualification questionnaire
- Site induction register
Correct answer: Construction phase plan
The construction phase plan is the key document required under CDM 2015 for principal contractors.
Question 3: In the SMSTS course, 'proximity hazards' typically refer to which scenario?
- Workers standing too close to machinery
- Construction activity near occupied premises or the public (Correct answer)
- Overlapping shift patterns causing confusion
- Storing materials adjacent to welfare facilities
Correct answer: Construction activity near occupied premises or the public
Proximity hazards in SMSTS relate to risks from construction work near the public, roads, or occupied buildings.
Question 4: Which topic within the SMSTS course covers noise, vibration, and dust controls?
- Fire prevention
- Occupational health and hygiene (Correct answer)
- Manual handling
- Electrical safety
Correct answer: Occupational health and hygiene
Occupational health and hygiene covers controls for noise, vibration, dust, and other health hazards.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a site induction covered in SMSTS training?
- To satisfy insurance requirements before workers start
- To inform all workers of site-specific hazards, rules, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- To allocate PPE and tools to new starters
- To complete HR paperwork for new employees
Correct answer: To inform all workers of site-specific hazards, rules, and emergency procedures
Site inductions ensure all workers understand site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and site rules before starting work.
Question 6: Under the SMSTS curriculum, which hierarchy of control should a site manager apply when assessing risks?
- Eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate, PPE (Correct answer)
- Identify, report, isolate, control, review
- Plan, do, check, act
- Avoid, reduce, transfer, accept
Correct answer: Eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate, PPE
The hierarchy of control — elimination through to PPE — is the framework taught in SMSTS for managing workplace risks.
Question 7: Which SMSTS module addresses environmental management and sustainability on construction sites?
- CDM and legal duties
- Environmental management and sustainability (Correct answer)
- Temporary works
- Traffic management
Correct answer: Environmental management and sustainability
Environmental management and sustainability is a dedicated SMSTS module covering waste, pollution, and ecological impact.
SMSTS Course Structure & Content 3
Which SMSTS module specifically addresses the management of subcontractors on site?