SSSTS Supervisory Responsibilities under CDM 2015 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a site induction for new workers from a supervisory perspective?
- To ensure every worker receives the critical health and safety information they need to work safely on that specific site before starting work (Correct answer)
- To make new workers feel welcome
- To introduce workers to the site manager only
- To provide payroll and HR information
Correct answer: To ensure every worker receives the critical health and safety information they need to work safely on that specific site before starting work
Site induction ensures every person arriving on site for the first time receives the key health and safety information specific to that project: site rules, emergency procedures, hazards, welfare facilities, reporting lines and contact details.
Question 2: What health and safety information should a supervisor provide during a site induction?
- Emergency procedures, site rules, significant hazards and controls, welfare facilities, PPE requirements and reporting procedures (Correct answer)
- Only the location of the canteen
- Commercial programme and project value
- Health and safety legislation in full detail
Correct answer: Emergency procedures, site rules, significant hazards and controls, welfare facilities, PPE requirements and reporting procedures
Induction content must cover: emergency procedures (fire, first aid, evacuation), site rules, significant hazards identified in the CPP, control measures, welfare facilities, PPE requirements, accident/near-miss reporting, and key contacts.
Question 3: Under CDM 2015, what is a supervisor's duty regarding young workers (under 18)?
- Ensure a specific risk assessment is carried out for young workers, considering their inexperience, and that they receive additional supervision and instruction (Correct answer)
- Young workers can be treated identically to experienced adult workers
- Young workers are prohibited from all construction sites
- Young workers require no additional precautions if supervised by an experienced worker
Correct answer: Ensure a specific risk assessment is carried out for young workers, considering their inexperience, and that they receive additional supervision and instruction
Young workers require a specific risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Their immaturity and inexperience mean they may not recognise hazards. Additional supervision, instruction and monitoring are required.
Question 4: What is a site supervisor's role in emergency procedures?
- Ensure workers in their area know the emergency procedures and that arrangements are maintained — raising the alarm, evacuation, first aid (Correct answer)
- Performing first aid treatment on all casualties
- Calling the emergency services on behalf of the site
- Investigating the cause of the emergency personally
Correct answer: Ensure workers in their area know the emergency procedures and that arrangements are maintained — raising the alarm, evacuation, first aid
Supervisors must ensure workers know what to do in an emergency (fire, injury, dangerous incident), that emergency equipment is accessible and that arrangements such as evacuation routes are kept clear and known to all.
Question 5: Who has the authority to issue instructions to workers on a construction site regarding health and safety?
- The Principal Contractor and their supervisors, including site supervisors appointed by them (Correct answer)
- Only the HSE inspector
- Only the Client
- Only the worker's direct employer
Correct answer: The Principal Contractor and their supervisors, including site supervisors appointed by them
The Principal Contractor has overall authority to manage health and safety on the construction site under CDM 2015. This authority is delegated to supervisors. Workers (including subcontractors) must comply with the site rules and instructions of the Principal Contractor's management team.
Question 6: What is the significance of 'competence' in the context of a site supervisor's role?
- Supervisors must be competent (have sufficient training, knowledge and experience) to manage the specific risks in their area of supervision (Correct answer)
- Competence is only relevant for designers under CDM 2015
- Competence is assessed only at the time of appointment and need not be maintained
- Any experienced worker can supervise any type of work regardless of technical knowledge
Correct answer: Supervisors must be competent (have sufficient training, knowledge and experience) to manage the specific risks in their area of supervision
Supervisors must have the competence — appropriate training, knowledge and experience — to manage the health and safety risks of the specific activities they supervise. A supervisor of scaffolding, for example, needs to understand scaffolding hazards and controls.
SSSTS Supervisory Responsibilities under CDM 2015 3
What is the purpose of a site induction for new workers from a supervisory perspective?