SSSTS Supervisory Responsibilities under CDM 2015 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a pre-start briefing conducted by a site supervisor?
- To communicate the day's tasks, hazards, control measures and any changes to the safe system of work before work begins (Correct answer)
- To complete the site induction for new workers
- To brief workers on the commercial progress of the project
- To conduct a random drug and alcohol test
Correct answer: To communicate the day's tasks, hazards, control measures and any changes to the safe system of work before work begins
A pre-start briefing (sometimes called a 'start of shift' brief or toolbox talk) ensures all workers understand the tasks for the day, the hazards involved, the control measures in place, and any changes to the method statement or site conditions.
Question 2: Under CDM 2015, who is responsible for monitoring the health and safety performance of workers on the construction site?
- The Principal Contractor (through supervisors and managers) (Correct answer)
- The Health and Safety Executive
- The Principal Designer
- The Client
Correct answer: The Principal Contractor (through supervisors and managers)
The Principal Contractor is responsible for monitoring health and safety performance on site. Site supervisors carry out this monitoring on the Principal Contractor's behalf, conducting inspections, observing work activities and addressing deficiencies.
Question 3: When a site supervisor identifies a significant health and safety hazard they cannot control themselves, what should they do?
- Stop the work, prevent access to the area, and escalate the matter to senior management immediately (Correct answer)
- Continue work and document the hazard for later review
- Issue a verbal warning to the workers involved
- Contact the HSE directly without informing management
Correct answer: Stop the work, prevent access to the area, and escalate the matter to senior management immediately
Where a supervisor identifies a hazard beyond their authority or capability to control, they must stop the work to prevent injury and escalate to their manager. This ensures the appropriate resources and expertise are brought to bear on the problem promptly.
Question 4: What does a site supervisor need to confirm before a new contractor starts work in their area?
- That the contractor has received site induction, holds relevant qualifications, has read the relevant method statement and has appropriate equipment (Correct answer)
- That the contractor has paid their trade union subscription
- That the contractor has agreed to work at reduced rates
- That the contractor is registered with the HSE
Correct answer: That the contractor has received site induction, holds relevant qualifications, has read the relevant method statement and has appropriate equipment
Before a new contractor starts work, the supervisor must confirm they have been inducted to the site, are competent for the tasks to be performed, have read and understood the relevant method statement, and have the right tools, equipment and PPE.
Question 5: What is a supervisor's responsibility regarding workers who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Remove them from site immediately in accordance with the site's fitness-for-work policy (Correct answer)
- Issue a verbal warning and continue monitoring them
- Allow them to continue if the work is low-risk
- Report them to the HSE directly
Correct answer: Remove them from site immediately in accordance with the site's fitness-for-work policy
A supervisor has a duty to remove any worker who appears unfit for work, including those suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The site's fitness-for-work policy must be followed, and the worker must not be allowed to work until deemed fit.
Question 6: Under CDM 2015, what does 'monitoring' mean as a supervisory function?
- Actively observing work activities, inspecting conditions and comparing against the planned safe system to identify gaps (Correct answer)
- Completing daily diary entries
- Reviewing CCTV footage at the end of each day
- Only conducting formal weekly inspections
Correct answer: Actively observing work activities, inspecting conditions and comparing against the planned safe system to identify gaps
Monitoring involves actively watching how work is performed, inspecting physical conditions (such as scaffolding, excavations and plant), and comparing what is observed against the agreed safe system of work to identify deviations before they cause harm.
SSSTS Supervisory Responsibilities under CDM 2015 2
What is the purpose of a pre-start briefing conducted by a site supervisor?