SMSTS Health and Welfare 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, what is the daily hand-arm vibration exposure action value (EAV) that requires employers to introduce control measures?
- 2.5 m/s² (Correct answer)
- 5.0 m/s²
- 7.5 m/s²
- 1.0 m/s²
Correct answer: 2.5 m/s²
The daily exposure action value for hand-arm vibration is 2.5 m/s², at which point employers must introduce technical and organisational measures to reduce vibration exposure.
Question 2: Which welfare facility must be available on all construction sites regardless of size or duration of work?
- Drinking water (Correct answer)
- Canteen facilities
- Shower facilities
- Changing rooms with secure lockers
Correct answer: Drinking water
Drinking water must be available on all construction sites regardless of size or duration, as it is the most fundamental welfare requirement for protecting workers' health.
Question 3: When a worker's daily noise exposure reaches the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), what must the employer do?
- Make hearing protection mandatory and implement measures to reduce noise at source (Correct answer)
- Provide information about hearing protection and make it available on request
- Suspend all noisy work immediately until noise levels are permanently reduced
- Report the exposure level to the Health and Safety Executive within 24 hours
Correct answer: Make hearing protection mandatory and implement measures to reduce noise at source
At the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), hearing protection must be mandatory and employers must implement a noise control programme to reduce exposure at source.
Question 4: What is occupational dermatitis in the context of construction work?
- Skin inflammation caused by contact with hazardous substances or wet work conditions (Correct answer)
- A respiratory condition caused by prolonged dust inhalation on site
- A musculoskeletal disorder from repetitive hand movements
- A fungal infection acquired from working in waterlogged ground
Correct answer: Skin inflammation caused by contact with hazardous substances or wet work conditions
Occupational dermatitis is inflammation of the skin caused by contact with substances such as wet cement, solvents, adhesives, or prolonged wet work — all common on construction sites.
Question 5: Under RIDDOR, for how long must accident and incident records be retained?
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 7 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 3 years
Under RIDDOR, accident records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years from the date of the entry, aligning with the limitation period for personal injury claims.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of pre-employment health surveillance for construction workers?
- To establish a baseline health record so that work-related health changes can be identified over time (Correct answer)
- To exclude workers with pre-existing conditions from employment on site
- To satisfy insurance requirements before workers begin on site
- To demonstrate compliance with RIDDOR reporting obligations
Correct answer: To establish a baseline health record so that work-related health changes can be identified over time
Pre-employment health surveillance establishes a baseline so that any deterioration in a worker's health over time can be identified and linked to occupational exposures before serious harm occurs.
Question 7: Which specific schedule within CDM 2015 sets out the welfare facility requirements for construction sites?
- Schedule 2 (Correct answer)
- Schedule 1
- Schedule 3
- Schedule 4
Correct answer: Schedule 2
Schedule 2 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 sets out the required welfare facilities for construction sites, replacing the previous 1996 welfare regulations.
SMSTS Health and Welfare 2
Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, what is the daily hand-arm vibration exposure action value (EAV) that requires employers to introduce control measures?