ECS Health & Safety Questions/Answers

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Passing an ECS Health and Safety Assessment is ↔ Compulsory ↔ prior to submitting an application for an ECS card,

ELECTROTECHNICAL CERTIFICATION SCHEME

HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT ,

The assessment will be made up from questions covering ten topics. The numbers of questions that will be used from each topic are:

General Health and Safety at Work................................ 5

Manual Handling Operations........................................ ... 4

Reporting Accidents......................................... ............... 3

Personal Protective Equipment at Work .........................4

Health and Hygiene........................................... ..............3

Fire and Emergency......................................... ............... 4

Work at Height .................................................. .............. 5

Work Equipment .................................................. ...........4

Special Site Hazards........................................... ............ 3

Electrotechnical.................................. ............................. 5

1. General Health & Safety

You should have a basic understanding of:

 

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General Health and Safety at Work :

Question 1.1

What do the letters CDM stand for ? *

A: Control of Demolition and Management Regulations

B: Control of Dangerous Materials Regulations

C: Construction (Demolition Management) Regulations

D: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations

Right Answer: D ←←←

Question 1.2

Identify one method of enforcing regulations that are available to the Health and Safety Executive:? *

A: Health Notice

B: Improvement Notice

C: Obstruction Notice

D: Increasing insurance premiums

Right Answer: B ←←←

Question 1.3

What happens if a Prohibition Notice is issued by an Inspector of the local authority or the HSE ? *

A: The work in hand can be completed, but no new work started

B: The work can continue if adequate safety precautions are put in place

C: The work that is subject to the notice must cease D: The work can continue, provided a risk assessment is carried out

Right Answer: C ←←←

Question 1.4

A Health and Safety Executive Inspector can? *

A: Only visit if they have made an appointment

B: Visit at any time

C: Only visit if accompanied by the principal contractor

D: Only visit to interview the site manager

Right Answer: B

Inspectors have a range of powers, including the right to visit premises at any time.

Question 1.5

A Prohibition Notice means: ? *

A: When you finish the work you must not start again

B: The work must stop immediately

C: Work is to stop for that day only

D: Work may continue until the end of the day

Right Answer: B

Question 1.6

In what circumstances can an HSE Improvement Notice be issued ?

A: If there is a breach of legal requirements

B: By warrant through the police

C: Only between Monday and Friday on site

D: Through the prosecution office

Right Answer: A

Improvement notices require action to achieve standards which meet health and safety law

Question 1.7

What is an

 

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Question 1.23

Which of the following statements is correct?

A: The duty for health and safety falls only on the employer

B: All employees must take reasonable care, not only to protect themselves but also their colleagues

C: Employees have no responsibility for Health and Safety on site

D: Only the client is responsible for safety on site

Right Answer: B

This is a legal requirement under Section 7 of the Health& Safety at Work Act.

Question 1.24

Who of the following would you expect to be responsible for managing health and safety on site ?

A: Foreman

B: Your employer

C: Main sub-contractor

D: HSE Inspector

Right Answer: B

The responsibility for management of Health and Safety Act at Work rests with the employer.

Question 1.25

Which of the following is correct for risk assessment?

A: It is a good idea but not essential

B: Only required to be done for hazardous work

C: Must always be done

D: Only required on major jobs

Right Answer: C

There is a legal requirement for all work to be suitably risk assessed.

Question 1.26

In the context of a risk assessment, what do you understand by the term risk?

A: An unsafe act or condition

B: Something with the potential to cause injury

C: Any work activity that can be described as dangerous

D: The likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will occur

Right Answer: D

Hazard and risk are not the same. Risk reflects the chance of being harmed by a hazard

Question 1.27

Who would you expect to carry out a risk assessment on your working site?

A: The site planning supervisor

B: A visiting HSE Inspector

C: The construction project designer

D: A competent person

Right Answer: D

A risk assessment must be conducted by a 'competent person

 

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D: That an employee should try and lift as much as they are able to

Right Answer: C

This and other guidance appears in the regulations, and HSE

 

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Question 3.4

Under RIDDOR, which one of the following must be reported?

A: Accidents where the injured person wishes to make a claim

B: Fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes

C: All

 

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Question 3.28

Could making an entry in the accident book help you if you later make a claim for compensation?

A: Only if it is a serious injury

B: No

C: Only in the event of a fatality

D: Yes

Right Answer: D

This is laid down in Social Security

Question 1.7 Question 1.13 ↔↔↔ ( General Health and Safety at Work

Question1.14 , Question 1.20 ↔↔↔ ( General Health and Safety at Work

Question 1.21, Question 1.40 ↔↔↔ ( General Health and Safety at Work

Question 2.1, Question 2.27 ↔↔↔ ( Manual Handling Operations

Question 3.1, Question 3.32 ↔↔↔ ( Reporting Accidents

Question 3.26

Which of the following MUST be recorded in an accident book?

A: Your National Insurance number

B: Your date of birth

C: Your occupation

D: Your phone number

Right Answer: C

The information to be entered in an accident book (BI510) includes when and where the accident happened,

the name, address and occupation of the person who had the accident and details of how the accident happened

and the injuries suffered.

Question 3.27

Which of the following can you learn from an accident?

A: A combination of human error and mechanical failure always causes injury

B: Ideas on how you would prevent it happening again

C: That mechanical failures are most dangerous

D: How human error is always a cause

Right Answer: B

An accident investigation should not only assess the cause, but also howsimilar accidents can be prevented in the future.

Question 3.28

Could making an entry in the accident book help you if you later make a claim for compensation?

A: Only if it is a serious injury

B: No

C: Only in the event of a fatality

D: Yes

Right Answer: D

This is laid down in Social Security Legislation

Question 3.29

Why is it important to report

 

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Question 4.14

When an employee has been issued with eye protection, what are their duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations?

A: To ensure that they are the right type of protector

B: Not to loan the equipment to other operatives

C: To use the protection in accordance with training and instruction

D: To pay for replacement of lost eye protection

Right Answer: C

Regulation 10(2) requires that every employee shall use any PPE in accordance with the training and instruction received.

Question 4.15

When should you wear safety footwear on site?

A: Only when working on scaffolds

B: When there is a risk of a foot injury

C: Only when working outdoors

D: Only if the site conditions are wet

Right Answer: B

Suitable safety footwear should be worn if there is a risk of injury from objects falling onto the foot or sharp objects,

such as nails, penetrating the sole.

Question 4.16

With regard to the use of personal protective equipment(PPE), which one of the following statements is true?

A: If you do not use the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided you will probably not come to any harm

B: Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects only the user from the dangers present

C: Personal protective equipment (PPE) need only be provided if it is not too expensive

D: Personal protective equipment (PPE) need only be used if it is available be used if it is available

Right Answer: B

PPE is there to protect the individual. Wearing PPE does not protect other people nearby.

Question 4.17

Which of the following statements is TRUE when an employer issues personal protective equipment (PPE)?

A: The employer can charge you for the full cost of it

B: The employer cannot charge you for it

C: The employer can charge you for up to half the cost of it

D: The employer can only charge you for it if you lose or damage it

Right Answer: B

Employers cannot charge for PPE such as hard hats, gloves, required by law (and the bulk of PPE is required by law).

↔↔ ( you must use a pair of gloves , for handling truking lids bloody sharp ) you cannot clam if you do not use gloves )

Question 4.18

Which one of the following must apply to any hard hat provided?

A: It is CE - marked

B: It is less than 5 years old

C: It is less than 1 year old

D: It is less than 2 years old

Right Answer: A

All PPE should be CE

 

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Question 5.12

If you have been handling lead, how is it most likely to get into your blood stream?

A: By not wearing safety goggles

B: By not reporting the matter to the HSE

C: By not using the correct safety footwear

D: By not washing your hands before eating

Right Answer: D

The route into the body is ingestion, normally from lead contamination on the hands.

Question 5.13

The number of toilets provided on site depends on:

A: The type of work being completed

B: The ratio of male and female workers on site

C: The duration of the work on site

D: The number of personnel on site

Right Answer: D

Guidance on the provision of welfare facilities is given in HSE publication

 

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Question 7.4

How many people should be working on a ladder at one time?

A: One on each section of an extension ladder

B: One

C: Two

D: Three if it is long enough

Right Answer: B

Only one person should be working on a ladder, although another person may be footing it, for extra stability.

Question 7.5

Ladders should be set at a slope of approximately:

A: 1 out for every 3 up

B: 4 out for every 1 up

C: 1 out for every 1 up

D: 1 out for every 4 up

Right Answer: D

Question 7.6

Why should aluminium ladders be kept away from wet lime or cement?

A: It will stain your clothes

B: The ladder may become statically charged

C: It may corrode the ladder

D: It will stain the aluminium

Right Answer: C

Aluminium can corrode in certain situations, notably if in prolonged contact with lime or cement.

Question 7.7

Before being used, a ladder should be inspected:

A: by the foreman

B: by the user

C: by the manufacturer

D: by the Safety Officer

Right Answer: B

The user needs to be satisfied that the ladder is in a safe condition before using it.

Question 7.8

Ladders should be:

A: in good condition

B: tied or footed

C: tied or footed AND at the right angle AND in

good condition

D: at the right angle

Right Answer: C

All the measures listed are required to reduce the risk of falls.

Question 7.9

A ladder giving access to a scaffold can generally be safely used, provided that:

A: the foot of the ladder is firmly wedged

B: it does not move when you climb up it

C: any broken rungs are clearly marked

D: it is tied and extends at least 1 metre above the

platform

Right Answer: D

Access ladders should extend at least 1 metre above the landing point to provide a safe handhold.

Question 7.10

What is the ideal angle for a ladder against a wall and floor?

A: One metre up for every metre out from the wall

B: One metre up for every two metres out from the wall

C: Two metres up for every metre out from the wall

D: Four metres up for every metre out from the wall

Right Answer: D

The correct angle for a ladder is 75 degrees, which an be judged using the angle indicator marked on the stiles

of some ladders or using the 1 in 4 rule.

Question 7.11

The rung of a wooden ladder has started to split, what should you do?

A: Do not use it, tell your supervisor

B: Cut the bad bit out

C: Tape it up

D: Jump on it to see if it holds your weight

Right Answer: A

It is essential that supervisors are aware of faulty or damaged equipment.

Question 7.12

Ladders should not be painted because:

A: regular repainting will be necessary

B: the paint will make them slippery to use

C: the paint may not be suitable on metal parts of

the ladder

D: the paint may cover a defect or damaged part

of the ladder

Right Answer: D

Question 7.13

When can you work from a ladder?

A: For short periods and then only if it is safe to do so

B: When it is long enough

C: When it is available

D: When not being used for access

Right Answer: A

Ladders are primarily means of access, not workplaces. They can be worked from, but only if the use of other,

more suitable, work equipment is not appropriate and the task is of low risk and of short duration.

Question 7.14

When working above public areas, what should be considered?

A: Preventing complaints from the public

B: The danger of falling materials

C: Keeping the job going

D: Keeping the areas open to the public

Right Answer: B

There is a significant risk to the public from falling materials, if this is not considered before and during work.

Question 7.15

A scaffold tower must be erected by:?

A: A trained and competent person

B: The hire company who supply it

C: The site foreman

D: Senior site staff

Right Answer: A

There are a number of organizations that provide training for the safe erection and use of tower scaffolds.

Question 7.16

What is the minimum height of the top guard-rail of a scaffold above the edge from which someone is liable to fall?

A: 470mm

B: 910mm

C: 950mm

D: 2 metres

Right Answer: C

This is a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Question 7.17

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require a working platform used for construction work and from which a person could fall 2 metres or more to be inspected:

A: After an accident

B: Every day

C: Before first use and then every seven days afterwards

D: Weekly

Right Answer: C

This is a requirement to reduce the risk of falls from height. In addition, an inspection is required each time

that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardize the safety of the work equipment (e.g. high winds) have occurred.

Question 7.18

On a mobile elevating work platform, what should you attach your safety harness to?

A: A secure anchorage point inside the platform

B: A strong part of the structure you are working on

C: The boom of the machine

D: A nearby pipe or scaffold

Right Answer: A

The priority is to stay within the platform (which is the safest place), and in any event you cannot be sure of the

strength of other fixtures.

Question 7.19

You have been asked to operate a cherry-picker (mobile elevated work platform) when it is very windy.

What should your FIRST consideration be?

A: Wear a safety harness and clip it to the structure that you are working on

B: Does the wind-speed make it unsafe to use the machine

C: Wear extra layer of clothing to keep warm

D: Tie all light-weighted objects to the hand-rails of the basket

Right Answer: B

The priority in safety is eliminating risk at source - in this case by not working in dangerous conditions - rather

then trying to stay safe by using protective equipment.

Question 7.20

If you have to work at height and it is not possible to erect a scaffold, or use any other type of working platform or mobile elevating work platform, then you should:

A: work without fall protection, provided you have a mate with you

B: wear a harness and lanyard at all times

C: work without fall protection, provided the weather is not too windy

D: work without fall protection at all times when no one else is about

Right Answer: B

The harness will greatly reduce the likelihood of injury if you fall.

Question 7.21

When working on a roof that has fragile, clear-plastic panels, what is the best way of preventing falls through the panels?

A: Make sure that everyone is told where the panels are and to avoid treading on them

B: Cover the fragile panels with a strong material and secure the covers to stop them being dislodged

C: Remove the panels carefully to leave an open space.

D: It shouldn

 

[m4tty]

Question 7.23

Half the deaths on construction sites are caused by which one of the following?

A: Falls from heights

B: Electrical misuse

C: Working in trenches/confined spaces

D: Misuse of plant and machinery

Right Answer: A

This is shown by HSE statistics.

Question 7.24

What should you do if your work activity requires you to wear a full body safety harness and one is not available?

A: Make a harness from items found on site

B: Carry on working and hope that everything will be alright

C: Borrow a harness from a colleague

D: Stop work immediately and tell your supervisor that you do not have the correct PPE

Right Answer: D

Always advise the supervisor if you do not have the correct PPE.

Question 7.25

Under what circumstances do the Work at Height Regulations permit a stepladder to be used on site?

A: Never

 

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Question 7.20

If you have to work at height and it is not possible to erect a scaffold, or use any other type of working platform or mobile elevating work platform, then you should:

A: work without fall protection, provided you have a mate with you

B: wear a harness and lanyard at all times

C: work without fall protection, provided the weather is not too windy

D: work without fall protection at all times when no one else is about

Right Answer: B

The harness will greatly reduce the likelihood of injury if you fall.

Question 7.21

When working on a roof that has fragile, clear-plastic panels, what is the best way of preventing falls through the panels?

A: Make sure that everyone is told where the panels are and to avoid treading on them

B: Cover the fragile panels with a strong material and secure the covers to stop them being dislodged

C: Remove the panels carefully to leave an open space.

D: It shouldn

 

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Question 8.9

When should visual checks of portable hand-held equipment be made by the user?

A: When a replacement is needed

B: Monthly

C: Weekly

D: Each time it is used

Right Answer: D

Question 8.10

What precaution should you take before adjusting an electrical tool?

A: Check the lead is not twisted or knotted

B: Wear safety footwear with steel toecaps

C: Disconnect from the power source

D: Wear the correct personal protective equipment

Right Answer: C

Do not adjust tools which could still be live, or operate.

Question 8.11

An electric drill is to be used. Before use, who should carry out a check on the tool?

A: Storeman

B: Electrician

C: Foreman

D: User

Right Answer: D

The user needs to be satisfied that the tool has no obvious defect, before use.

Question 8.12

What action should you take if an electric drill cuts out while you are using it?

A: Shake it about a bit

B: Put it back into the tool box

C: Switch the power off and on

D: Remove it from use and tell your supervisor

Right Answer: D

The drill may be faulty. If so, tell your supervisor and remove the drill from service.

Question 8.13

If an electric drill gives off blue smoke from the motor, you should:

A: pour water over it

B: use a CO2 extinguisher

C: switch it off and report it

D: stop work for 30 minutes

Right Answer: C

Defective electric hand tools must not be used. Stop what you are doing and inform your supervisor.

Question 8.14

How often should user (visual) checks be carried out on portable electrical equipment?

A: Every time you use it

B: Every day

C: Once a week

D: At least once a year

Right Answer: A

All items of portable electrical equipment should be visually checked for safety by the user before being put into use.

Question 8.15

What is considered to be the maximum nominal voltage for portable hand-held tools on construction sites?

A: 110 volts

B: 150 volts

C: 230 volts

D: 400 volts

Right Answer: A

110 volt reduced low voltage supplies with the centre point earthed limit the voltage to earth to 55 volts for

single-phase supplies or 63.5 volts for three-phase supplies. This effectively eliminates the risk of danger

from electric shock from exposed-conductive-parts.

Question 8.16

What is the maximum nominal voltage for portable hand-held tools on site?

A: 12 volts

B: 24 volts

C: 110 volts

D: 230 volts

Right Answer: C

110 volt reduced low voltage supplies with the centre point earthed limit the voltage to earth to 55 volts for

single-phase supplies or 63.5 volts for three-phase supplies. This effectively eliminates the risk of danger

supplies. This effectively eliminates the risk of danger from electric shock from exposed-conductive-parts.

Question 8.17

What is considered to be the MAXIMUM nominal voltage for portable hand-held tools on construction sites?

A: 55 volts centre point earthed

B: 110 volts centre point earthed

C: 400 volts centre point earthed

D: 230 volts centre point earthed

Right Answer: B

110 volt reduced low voltage supplies with the centre point earthed limit the voltage to earth to 55 volts for

single-phase supplies or 63.5 volts for three-phase supplies. This effectively eliminates the risk of danger

from electric shock from exposed-conductive-parts.

Question 8.18

What is the recommended MAXIMUM voltage for portable handlamps when working in confined or damp locations?

A: 50 volts

B: 110 volts

C: 230 volts

D: 400 volts

Right Answer: A

Where the environment is damp, or restricting and conductive, the magnitude of any electric shock will be higher than under normal conditions. Handlamps in such locations should therefore be supplied from a SELV (separated extra-low voltage) system, i.e. having a maximum voltage of 50 volts and which is electrically separated from earth.

Question 8.19

What is the recommended MAXIMUM voltage for general use of portable handlamps and portable handheld tools on a construction site?

A: 25 volts

B: 50 volts

C: 110 volts

D: 230 volts

Right Answer C:

Any voltage above 110 volts is more likely to cause you injury from an electric shock.

Question 8.20

What is most commonly used to reduce 230 volts to110 volts on site?

A: Residual current device

B: Transformer

C: Circuit breaker

D: Step-down generator

Right Answer: B

A transformer, usually coloured yellow, will transform 230 volts (mains voltage) down to a relatively safe 110 volts.

Question 8.21

When using an extension cable reel, which of the following statements is correct?

A: Leave as much as possible coiled up on the reel

B: Uncoil it fully every time

C: Do not exceed the reeled or unreeled rating as appropriate

D: Only uncoil what you need

Right Answer: C

The rating of a partially unreeled extension cable is much lower than when fully unreeled. Overheating of the cable

will occur if the rating is exceeded. Care should also be taken to prevent extension cables becoming a tripping hazard.

Question 8.22

If an extension cable is to be run across a site road, what action should you take?

A: Throw wooden boards over it

B: Place a rubber protection ramp over it and put up a sign stating

 

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Question 9.8

You have to enter a manhole in which you know there are toxic gases. You have all the PPE but there does

not appear to be a rescue plan in place. What should you do?

A: Just get on and do the job, it will probably be alright

B: Plan to carry out the job in short bursts

C: Do not enter the manhole until a rescue plan and rescue equipment are in place

D: Ask your mate to stand-by at the top of the manhole with a length of rope

Right Answer: C

A rescue plan must be in place before anyone enters a confined space. This is one of the requirements of the

Confined Spaces Regulations 1997

Question 9.9

You have to enter a manhole in which you believe there could be toxic gases. You have not been provided with

any Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). What should you do?

A: Tell your supervisor that you will need RPE, and if necessary, training in confined space working

B: Sniff the atmosphere in the manhole to see if you can smell harmful gases

C: Look into the manhole to see if you can see any harmful gases

D: Just get on with the job, and accept the risks

Right Answer: A

An employer must provide all necessary personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment when an employee is required to enter a confined space. This is one of the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.

Question 9.10

While digging a trench, you uncover a length of yellow marker tape at a depth of about 150mm. What does the presence of the marker tape mean?

A: The area has a high water-table and precautions must be taken to prevent an in-rush of water

B: There is a buried electrical cable and further excavation must be carried out with care

C: There is contaminated soil below the level of the marker tape and all excavation must stop

D: The excavation has reached a depth where the sides must now be supported

Right Answer: B

The coloured tape indicates that there are buried services below the route of the tape.

Question 9.11

A Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T.) and a

 

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Question 10.15

A portable electric generator on site has two power outlets, 110 volts and 230 volts. What colour would the

110 volt outlet be?

A: Black

B: Yellow

C: Red

D: Blue

Right Answer: B

Yellow is the usual colour of cables, socket outlets, plugs, transformers etc which are used with a 110 volt supply.

Question 10.16

What colour power outlet on a portable generator would supply 110 volts?

A: Black

B: Blue

C: Red

D: Yellow

Right Answer: D

Yellow is the usual colour of cables, socket outlets, plugs, transformers etc which are used with a 110 volt supply.

Question 10.17

What action should you take if a workmate gets an electric shock?

A: Phone the electricity board immediately

B: Dial 999 and ask for the fire brigade

C: Cut off the power and call for help

D: Try to pull them to safety

Right Answer: C

If you can switch the power off, the electric hazard will be removed. First aid assistance will then

probably be required. Do not touch someone who is still in contact with live electrical cables as you

could also receive an electric shock.

Question 10.18

A residual current device is designed to operate in the event of one of the following:

A: overload

B: earth fault

C: lightning strike on the supply

D: short-circuit

Right Answer: B

An RCD provides supplementary protection against direct contact of persons or livestock with live parts and reduces

the risk of electric shock.

Question 10.19

Electrical installations on construction sites should be periodically inspected and tested:

A: every 3 months

B: every year

C: every 6 months

D: every month

Right Answer: A

3 monthly inspections of construction site installations are recommended in IEE Guidance Note 3.

Question 10.20

The maximum AC voltage which the human body can withstand without long term physiological effects in dry conditions is:

A: 110 volts

B: 230 volts

C: 50 volts

D: 400 volts

Right Answer: C

Regarded as a non-fatal voltage level.

Question 10.21

Which of the following statements is true with regard to the dangers of electricity?

A: Electricity is perfectly safe so long as you wear cotton gloves

B: Electricity is only dangerous if you are not wearing wellington boots

C: Electricity is only dangerous in wet weather

D: Electricity is dangerous at any time because you cannot tell by looking at a cable whether or not it is live

Right Answer: D

The features which make electricity so dangerous are that you cannot see, hear or smell it. It can give you a very

unpleasant surprise. Always assume that cables are live.

Question 10.22

What is the most serious effect that electric shock can have if you come into contact with a live part?

A: The electric current can cause a slight tingling in the fingers

B: The electric current can cause burn marks on the fingers

C: The electric current can cause the heart to stop, resulting in death

D: The electric current can cause the finger muscles to twitch

Right Answer: C

Contact with live electrical parts can be fatal. If you do not know otherwise, always assume that electrical parts are live.

Question 10.23

Your job involves you working near to hanging electrical cables which have bare ends. What should you do?

A: Touch the cables to see if they are live

B: Carry on working, as there shouldn

 

[Lurch]

Could have just linked the PDF.

http://www.jib.org.uk/publications/ecs031v7.pdf

 

[a1]

Oouch. Thanks for that though Matty.

They would be great in the "Download Section".