SMSTS Risk Assessment and Mitigation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing the likelihood of harm in a risk assessment matrix, which of the following BEST describes a 'probable' event?
- An event likely to occur at some point during the project (Correct answer)
- An event that has never occurred on any similar site
- An event that only occurs once in a decade industry-wide
- An event requiring multiple simultaneous failures to happen
Correct answer: An event likely to occur at some point during the project
A 'probable' likelihood rating indicates the event is reasonably expected to occur given the nature and duration of the work.
Question 2: Under CDM 2015, who is responsible for ensuring a pre-construction information pack is provided to designers and contractors?
- The client (Correct answer)
- The principal designer
- The principal contractor
- The HSE
Correct answer: The client
CDM 2015 Regulation 4 places the duty on the client to ensure pre-construction information is provided to all relevant duty holders.
Question 3: A work at height task presents a risk of falling objects onto workers below. Which control measure should be implemented FIRST?
- Establish an exclusion zone beneath the work area (Correct answer)
- Issue hard hats to all workers below
- Ask workers to stay alert for falling objects
- Post a warning sign at the site entrance
Correct answer: Establish an exclusion zone beneath the work area
An exclusion zone eliminates exposure by preventing workers from entering the drop zone, which is higher in the control hierarchy than PPE.
Question 4: What is the key difference between a 'hazard' and a 'risk' in the context of a site risk assessment?
- A hazard is a source of potential harm; a risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring (Correct answer)
- A hazard is always controllable; a risk is always uncontrollable
- A hazard requires immediate action; a risk can be monitored over time
- A hazard is identified by workers; a risk is identified by supervisors
Correct answer: A hazard is a source of potential harm; a risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring
Hazard refers to the thing or condition that can cause harm, while risk combines the probability and consequence of that harm occurring.
Question 5: During a risk assessment review, a site manager identifies that a previously recorded control measure is no longer effective. What is the correct response?
- Implement revised controls and update the risk assessment record immediately (Correct answer)
- Continue work and log the issue for the next scheduled review
- Report the matter to the HSE before taking further action
- Increase PPE provision as a temporary compensatory measure
Correct answer: Implement revised controls and update the risk assessment record immediately
Risk assessments must be updated whenever circumstances change and new controls implemented without delay to maintain worker safety.
Question 6: Which of the following situations would trigger the need for a review of an existing risk assessment under MHSWR 1999?
- A significant change in the nature of the work or introduction of new plant (Correct answer)
- Completion of a one-month period since the last assessment
- A change in the site manager on shift
- Workers requesting to see the assessment documents
Correct answer: A significant change in the nature of the work or introduction of new plant
Regulation 3 requires risk assessments to be reviewed whenever there is a reason to suspect they are no longer valid, including changes to work scope or equipment.
Question 7: When conducting a dynamic risk assessment on site, what is the primary advantage over a pre-planned static assessment?
- It allows immediate response to unforeseen hazards as conditions change in real time (Correct answer)
- It removes the need for formal written documentation
- It is only required for tasks carried out by specialist subcontractors
- It transfers legal responsibility to the individual worker performing the task
Correct answer: It allows immediate response to unforeseen hazards as conditions change in real time
Dynamic risk assessment enables workers and supervisors to identify and respond to new or changed hazards that were not present when the original assessment was prepared.
SMSTS Risk Assessment and Mitigation 3
When assessing the likelihood of harm in a risk assessment matrix, which of the following BEST describes a 'probable' event?