Revision Guide

FOR THE

Construction Skills
Certification Scheme
(CSCS)
Health & Safety Test
(NEW VERSION)

A. Introduction:

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This guide is designed to help candidates to prepare for the Construction
Industry Training Board (CITB)‟s Health & Safety Test, the “theory” element of
getting a CSCS card.

The CSCS card is rapidly becoming as necessary as a hard hat to gain access
to a building site.

B. The Test:

The Health and Safety test is similar to the Driving Test “Theory Test”. It is a
“multiple choice” test – that is, you will be presented with a question and offered
four or five possible answers and you will need to choose which answer is
correct. (Some questions may have more than one correct answer, but if this is
the case the question will tell you how many answers you should give).

The test is taken using a computer but you do not need to be a computer expert
to take the test. The test starts with an introduction and a chance to do a few
practice questions before the test proper.

Most tests allow 45 minutes to answer 50 questions. There is a minimum

number of “core” and other questions that you must get correct to pass the test
– like the driving test the standard is high and you will need to get about 45
questions correct.

The test will cover 16 topics, all of which are covered in this Guide. The test
itself is now split into TWO sections “Scenarios” and “Knowledge”. There are 12
questions on the Scenario section and 38 in the Knowledge section.

This Guide is NOT intended to cover any of the specialist topics (these are only
taken if you are taking a higher level test). You will notice that some issues
come up in more than one section (for instance “Weil‟s Disease”)

When attempting your test you should always think SAFETY; answer how
things SHOULD happen (not how you may have seen them happening); and
generally you should also ask or report concerns to your line
manager/supervisor or site manager not to other workers or other people‟s
supervisors.

This Guide should be used alongside the “All the questions from the CITB
Health & Safety Test” book (the current up to date version is GT100/12).

1. THE SCENARIO QUESTIONS

The first 12 questions will test your knowledge on what to do in certain

situations in the construction industry.
Generally:

 Follow the sequence of Report to a Site Manager/Obtain a Site

Induction/Start work.

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  Always report safety concerns to your supervisor or the site manager.
 Always follow safety procedures and Method Statements.
 Always use safe methods of working and safety equipment.

The Video “Setting out” (on the CSCS disc) will help you in answering the
Scenario questions.

2. THE KNOWLEDGE TOPICS

Section A: “Legal and management”

01 “General Responsibilities”

TIPS:
 The “Health & Safety at Work Act” places a legal duty on everyone on
site for Health & Safety and requires your employer and you to make
sure your workplace is safe. This includes making sure the site is tidy
and that waste etc is put in the correct area

 The site manager is normally responsible for managing Health & Safety
on a site

 Your employer must have a “Health & Safety Policy” that tells you how
health & safety is managed by your company and it is important that you
know what it says

 A “Risk Assessment” has to be written for most tasks on a building site

to show you how to do a job safely; it is not your responsibility to write
them

 You should be told of the Risk Assessment, be given a “Method

Statement” and other information to keep you safe during a “Site
Induction” before you start work. You should make sure that you
understand the induction and ask questions if you do not. If you have
any concerns or if you cannot do the job as the method statement
requires you to do, you should raise this with your supervisor at any time

 Equipment can have a “Prohibition Notice” given to it – this means that it

is unsafe and must not be used. If a whole site has a prohibition notice
you must stop work immediately

 Some jobs will need a “Permit to Work” and you will not be allowed to
start until one has been issued. It allows certain work to be carried out
under controlled conditions

 Health & Safety inspectors may visit the site you are working on. You
should continue to work normally. If s/he issues you with an
“Improvement Notice” this means you are working in an unsafe way and
you must change how you are working

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  Environmental incidents (spills of chemicals etc) should be reported to
your supervisor as soon as possible

WORDS:
Health & Safety Act the law making everyone in the
workplace responsible for health and
safety.
Health & Safety Policy a document that tells you how, and
who in your company manages
health & safety
Risk Assessment tells you how to do a job safely
Method Statement tells you in detail how to do a
particular job and should include the
material needed, the level of training
and competency needed, and the
correct way to undertake the task.
Site Induction information given to you before you
start work on a new site
Prohibition Notice notice applied to a piece of
equipment or a whole site declaring
it unsafe to use or work on.
Permit to work notice to allow certain work under
controlled conditions
Improvement Notice notice issued by a Health & Safety
inspector to require you to change
your work methods to make them
safer
Environmental Incident a chemical spill etc.
Toolbox Talk a short safety training session
Hazard anything that could harm you.
02 “Accident Reporting and Recording”

TIPS

 All accidents and “near misses” should be recorded in the site “Accident
Book” by the injured person (or the person witnessing a near miss).
Details of the incident and personal details should be recorded. This is a
legal requirement.

 It is important to report all accidents or near misses so that the details

can be recorded, because some incidents may have to be reported to
the Health & Safety Executive and to ensure that lessons are learnt to
stop them happening again. You should record all accidents resulting in
an injury in the Accident Book. You should record the date and time of
the accident, the injuries sustained and your home address.

 Accidents Books will be kept safely by your employer and never

destroyed.

 If you are a witness to an accident you should give as full an account as

possible

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  Accidents are most likely to happen to a worker when they first start on a
site and the most common accident is falling from a height

 Everyone should be responsible for keeping a site tidy to help prevent

accidents

 Site inductions are the time when you should learn about health and
safety rules but Toolbox Talks, Method Statements, site noticeboards
and Risk Assessments will all give you information to make you safer.

 If you feel that another worker is affecting your safety you should stop
work and raise this with your supervisor immediately

 “Weil‟s Disease” can be caught on sites from rat‟s urine; anyone

catching the disease will need to tell their employer as it has to be
reported to the Health & Safety Executive

Words:
Accident Book Book for recording all injuries and
near misses
Near Miss An incident where someone could
have been injured
Weil’s Disease A serious disease that can be caught
from rat‟s urine or contaminated
water (pronounced Viel‟s)
Assembly Point Where you should go to if there is an
emergency or a drill.

03 “Emergency Procedures and First Aid”

TIPS

 A first aider is not able to give medicines without authorisation. This

includes things like headache tablets. Medicines and pain killers should
not be found in a first aid box

 Whenever an injury occurs on site, you should always find a qualified

first aider to deal with the situation. In the absence of a first aider, you
should contact the emergency services immediately. Generally the best
course of action on finding an injured person is to make sure that you
are in no danger, do not move the patient, and then get help

 To be a first aider you must attend a first aid course

 The best thing to do when somebody gets a particle in their eye is to

hold the eye open and flush with clean water. Eye wash bottles should
be available on any site where people could get particles in their eye(s)

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  The best way to deal with splinters deep under the skin is to make sure
the person gets first aid

 If someone collapses with stomach pain, or falls and is knocked

unconscious, or looses feeling in any part of their body, you should
always send for medical assistance. You should also wait with the
person until medical help arrives and not move them unless they are in
danger

 If a nail sticks into somebody‟s foot, do not pull out the nail since this is
slowing down the bleeding

 It is essential that you attend the site induction as this is where you will
get information about emergency assembly points and telephone
numbers. This information is also available on site notice boards

 If a person burns their hand the best thing would be to put the hand in
cold water

 When working alone on a remote site, the employee must be given a

small first aid kit. If a first aid kit is incomplete or empty, the person
responsible for it should be informed. Your employer is responsible for
providing first aid kits

 If somebody is working at depth and the excavation collapses, you

should shout a warning to others in the area

 In any on-site emergency you should follow all site emergency

procedures

 In the event of somebody coming in contact with a live cable, the best
thing to do is switch off the power and call for help

 See also the “Signs” section at the end of this guide.

Words:

Excavation Trench or hole in the ground

Section B: “Health and Welfare”

04 “Health and Welfare”

TIPS

 Wiel‟s Disease (Leptospirosis) can be carried by rats and cows and is

more likely to be caught near wet ground, waterways and sewers. Its
early signs can be confused with „flu

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  Rats can be discouraged by workers not leaving food scraps around

 The use of illegal drugs and alcohol are a danger to everyone on site

 The cleaning of hands is important, particularly before eating. Soap and

water should be used as other cleaners such as white spirit, etc. remove
protective oils from the skin

 Barrier creams should not be relied upon on their own as they allow
some chemicals through to the skin; rather, they should be applied at the
start of work if used. Protective gloves will prevent skin disease
(occupational dermatitis). Exposure to engine oil and mineral oils can
cause skin problems.

 Asbestos, bird droppings and silica dust can cause lung disease. If you
find pigeon droppings/nests in your work area you should stop work and
report this to your supervisor

 Tetanus can be caught from contaminated land or water through an

open cut in your skin

 Long term exposure to dust can cause “occupational asthma”

 Employers should provide a minimum of hot & cold water, soap and a
way to dry your hands; plus a covered rest area with tables and chairs
and a means of heating water. If these are not available, or they are
dirty, or not working you should raise this with your supervisor or the site
manager

 If you are prescribed any medication by your doctor it is important to

check if it will make you drowsy or unsafe to work – if so you should not
go to work whilst on the medication

Words:

Barrier Cream Cream designed to protect hands

from dirt but will not protect you from
all chemicals
Occupational Dermatitis Skin disease caught at work from
exposure to harmful chemicals
Occupational Asthma Lung disease that can be caused at
work through long term exposure to
dust
Tetanus Blood disease caught from
contaminated soil or water

05 “Respiratory Risks”

TIPS

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  Extraction units used on power tools should be the correct type, filters
should be clear and working, and the power tool itself should be used
correctly.
 Always use the correct protective equipment when handling chemicals or
creating dust; and make sure that it is the correct type, that it fits
correctly and that it works.

 Danger from dust is worst in confined spaces such as small rooms.

 When cleaning up dust you should dampen the floor, ensure plenty of
ventilation and use a dust mask.

 Water reservoirs for dust control should always be topped up and the
flow should be adjusted correctly.

 It is important to stop dust getting into the air as dust is harmful to health.

 Asbestos, bird droppings and silica dust can all cause lung disease.

 Most construction workers suffer long term health issues or death from
breathing in hazardous substances.

 Solvents in paints etc. can cause headaches, dizziness and sickness;

lung problems; and effects on other parts of your body.

06 “Noise and Vibration”

TIPS

 Noise can permanently damage your hearing over a long period of time
and cause temporary damage in a short amount of time. Early signs of
hearing damage are ringing in the ears and temporary deafness. It can
cause headaches and hearing loss

 An indication that noise levels are too high is when you have to shout to
be heard by someone who is 2 metres away

 Wearing protection (ear plugs or ear defenders) will protect your hearing
– always make sure they fit properly (roll them up, insert as far as you
can while pulling the top of your ear up to open the ear canal) and are
not damaged. Ear protection must always be worn in “ear protection
zones”

 If other workers are using noisy equipment and you do not have
protection, leave the area until you have ear protection

 Vibration can cause a disabling injury that cannot be cured

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  Early signs of “vibration white finger” are the temporary loss of feeling
and tingling in the fingers and the fingertips turning white. Report any
possible signs early

 You are less likely to suffer “hand-arm vibration” if you are warm and dry;
the risk can also be reduced by not gripping the tool too tightly and by
using equipment in short spells. It can cause damaged blood vessels
and nerves in fingers and hands

 If you have to use a vibrating tool you should have the risk assessment
explained to you and the safest way to use such tools by your supervisor

Words:
Ear Defenders Ear protectors
Vibration White Finger Potentially incurable injuries caused
by unsafe use of vibrating tools –
signs include tingling and loss of
feeling in fingers and whitened finger
tips.
Ear Protection Zone Area where ear protection must
always be worn.

07 “Hazardous Substances”

TIPS

 COSHH regulations deal with the safe use of hazardous or harmful

substances. A COSHH assessment, which tells you how a substance
might cause harm and how to protect against it, should be explained by
your supervisor

 All asbestos types are hazardous to health, although asbestos does not
cause skin disease. If you find asbestos you should stop work and warn
others.

 Only those with training and competence in non-licensable asbestos

work should work with asbestos cement.

 Breathing in asbestos can cause lung disease, asbestosis and

mesothelioma.

 After asbestos silica dust causes most disease and death amongst
construction workers.

 Asbestos can be found in any building (residential or industrial) built or

refurbished before 2000. It can only be accurately identified in a
laboratory.

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  Bitumen, epoxy resins & solvents can all cause skin problems

 You should be able to tell if a chemical is harmful or hazardous by the

symbol on the container label. If you find an unlabelled chemical on site,
you must store it in a safe place and report it immediately. Your
supervisor must tell you what is in its COSHH assessment if you are
working with any hazardous chemicals. Do not smell, taste or dispose of
any material you think might be hazardous.

 Hazardous waste should always be disposed of in accordance with the

site rules, if you are unsure of these you should ask your supervisor.

 Wet cement, mortar and concrete can cause burns and dermatitis.

 When doing unlicensed work on asbestos containing materials you

should wear disposable type 5 overalls, respiratory protection and
laceless footwear.

 See also the “Signs” section at the end of this guide.

Words:

Bitumens Flammable mixture of hydrocarbons and other

substances, occurring naturally or obtained by
distillation from coal or petroleum that are a
component of asphalt and tar and are used for
surfacing roads and for waterproofing
COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Hazardous Capable of causing harm
Asbestosis Lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos
Mesothelioma Lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos
Sensitiser Means that the packaged material may cause
allergies or allergic reactions.

Section C: General Safety

06: “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)”

TIPS:

 Head protection must be worn at all times on site unless you are in a
safe area, like the site office. It should be worn square on the head (and
not back to front) to prevent it falling off

 Your employer is required to provide, and pay for, any PPE that you
might need whilst working on site.

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  Protective head gear must be worn at all times on site; should not be
tampered with or adapted; and should be replaced immediately if
dropped from height onto a hard surface.

 Wet weather gear should be provided to prevent muscle strains.

 Safety boots must be worn on site at all times, those with a protective
mid sole will protect from nails etc puncturing the underside of the foot.

 Protective eye wear should be worn in all instances where there is risk of
injury to the eyes. Impact resistant goggles should be worn in areas
where there is a high risk of flying material or tools such as air guns,
grinders, cartridge tools or cut off saws.

 Different types of protective gloves protect against different hazards.

They may not totally protect you against the danger they are designed to
prevent.

 If working with hazardous substances or materials on site, you should

not commence work until you have been issued with the correct
protective equipment. Your employer is also responsible for instructing
you on the correct use of all PPE.

 Never wear protective equipment until you have been trained to use it.

 You will know if extra PPE is required to do your job because it will be in
the Risk Assessment or Method Statement

Words:

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

Respiratory Protective Equipment Equipment to protect the user from
hazardous fumes (not a dust mask)

09: “Electrical Safety and Hand held tools and equipment”

TIPS

 The recommended safe on-site voltage for electrical equipment is

110 volts because it is less likely to kill you. The power cable and
connector for a 110 volt tool should be yellow.

 Electrical tools should be checked every time that you use them, if it
develops a fault stop using it, disconnect it and check it. If in doubt do
not use it again and make sure that others cannot use it.

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 See also the “Signs” section at the end of this guide.

 When using extension leads always unroll the whole of the cable.
Always check it for damage before use, do not use a damaged cable
and make sure others cannot use it.

 If you are running a cable across a vehicle path cover it with a

protection ramp with sings warning of the ramp. The best way to
protect an extension cable in other situations is to run it above head
height.

 Battery powered tools are safer than mains powered tools as they will
not give you an electric shock.

 Residual Current Devices (RCD) protect you from potential electric

shocks and should be tested before using any connected tools by
using its test button.

 Air powered tools are the safest to use in waterlogged conditions.

 The Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) label on a piece of electrical

equipment will show that it has been tested and when it is next due
for a safety test.

 Only trained and competent people should use hand or power tools.
All tools should be appropriate for the job and tested before work
begins. Items such as cartridge operated tools can be as dangerous
as a gun in untrained hands

 All tools should be checked before use – broken tools should not be
used but replaced. Check that cables, switches and guards work
properly.

 Only adjust power tools when they are turned off and disconnected;
do not use them if their safety guards are missing or broken. Tools
with rotating blades should be adjusted so that the minimum of the
blade is exposed to do the job.

 Safety guards stop fragments flying into the air and stop the user
coming into contact with the blade.

 Only those who are trained and competent should use power tools.

 Disc cutters provide a hazard from flying fragments, dust and noise.
Wet cutting and dust extractors can reduce these risks

 Chain saws pose a particular risk as they are noisy, they have no
safety guards and are heavy to use

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  If used correctly, a laser level should pose no health hazards to users
and workers nearby

 Cold chisels with burred or “mushroom” heads pose a risk as they

can shatter or send fragments into the air

 Air powered tools do not pose an electrical risk

 Running abrasive wheels at faster than the recommended speeds

poses a risk of the wheel bursting

Words:
Safety guard Device fitted to many tools that stop
fragments flying into the air and stop
the user from coming into contact
with blades etc.
Residual Current Device (RCD) Safety cut off device to protect you
from electric shocks
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Obligatory system for test portable
electrical equipment – labels
equipment to show that it has been
tested and when the next test date is
due.

10 “Safety Signs and Signals”

TIPS

 Blue signs are MANDATORY (you must do something)

 Red Signs are PROHIBITORY (you must NOT do something)

 Green Signs are INFORMATION

 Yellow signs show HAZARDS

 Fire exit signs are always coloured green and white

 You must not agree to assist in the signalling of site vehicles if you
are not qualified to do so. Under such circumstances, you must
politely refuse and let the person know you are not qualified to offer
such assistance

 Only trained and competent site workers should provide signalling

assistance to site vehicles

 See also the “Signs” section at the end of this guide (VITAL for this
section)

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11: “Site Transport Safety”

TIPS

 Only competent and authorised workers should operate plant equipment,

even if asked to do so by a supervisor

 Plant/site vehicles should not carry passengers unless designed to do so

 If you have concerns about plant machinery operating near you, you
should stop work and speak to your supervisor or the plant supervisor
immediately. These concerns can include speeding, diesel spillage or
general vehicle/plant maintenance

 You should avoid operating plant (including raised loads) and plant
compounds and keep to pedestrian routes when moving around a site.
Plant should only use pedestrian routes when pedestrians are excluded.
Pedestrian routes should be separated by barriers

 Unless you are a trained signaller you should not direct plant

 Plant is at its most dangerous when reversing as the driver is less likely
to be able to see you, or for example when walking between a 360 crane
and a nearby wall.

 You should be told of site traffic rules at your site induction

12: “Fire Prevention and Control”

TIPS

 Care should be taken, when working in a fire escape route, that tools
and equipment do not obstruct the emergency exit(s)
 Fire precautions are in place to ensure everyone reaches safety in the
event of a fire.
 When a fire alarm sounds you should proceed to the Fire Assembly
Point
 The nozzles on carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers become very
cold and can “burn” when used

 A “Hot Work Permit” allows you to carry out work that could potentially
start a fire, such as operating an angle grinder, soldering etc. If
operating under a hot permit you will be expected to have a fire
extinguisher close by and to inspect the area for signs of fire when
finishing work

 All fires need heat, fuel and oxygen to burn

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  Poor housekeeping and build-up of waste; and poor control of hot
working (welding, soldering, grinding etc.) are the two main causes of
fires on sites.

 If you discover a fire, raise the alarm immediately. If you hear a fire
alarm proceed to the fire assembly point immediately – you should be
informed of the locations of the assembly points during site induction

 “Frost” on the valve of a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder means

that the valve is leaking

 See also the “Signs” and Fire Extinguisher sections at the end of this
guide. (VITAL for this section)

Words:

Hot Work Permit Permit to allow you to carry out work

that poses a risk of starting a fire
Assembly Point Agreed location where all site staff
should gather if a fire alarm is
sounded.

Section D: High Risk Activities

13: “Manual Handling”

TIPS:

 When trying to lift a heavy load always find out how heavy it actually is. If
possible, divide heavy loads into smaller lots or use a safe trolley etc. If
this is not possible do not move it until you have found a safe method.

 You should always decide if you are able to lift something or if it is too
heavy for you. If you are asked to move a heavy load your employer
should undertake a risk assessment before you attempt it

 When lifting a load, always think about the size, condition, weight and
whether it has handholds

 When lifting, stand with your feet slightly apart, knees bent, and back
straight

 Using a wheelbarrow or trolley is still manual handling – if a wheelbarrow

or trolley breaks whilst being used find an alternative means to move the
load; do not use broken equipment

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  If you have a previous injury that might stop you lifting heavy loads
inform your supervisor. A back support will not reduce the risk of further
injury. You are most likely to injure your back when lifting or carrying

 If you have to twist or turn your body when lifting a load it means that the
weight you can lift is less than usual.

 If you can‟t see where you are going when you lift something, you must
get someone to help you carry it so that you can see safely

 If a load needs two of you to lift it, it is best to ask a work colleague who
is about the same size and strength as you to help you

 You will only be able to safely lift a lighter weight when you are sitting
than when you are standing.

 If you are lifting a weight from above your head it will be more difficult to
keep your back straight, it will be more difficult to control and you will put
extra stress on your arms and back

 Whether you are lifting or carrying on the level or on slopes, always

assess whether you can carry it safely and always use your employer‟s
equipment or safe methods.

14: “Working at Height”

TIPS:

 Falls from height kill most construction workers.

 Only competent and authorised people should erect, dismantle, alter
and/or fit scaffolding

 Crossing a fragile/unsafe roof should only be done using crawling

boards. Falling through fragile roof panels can be prevented by covering
them with something that will take the weight of a person. Roof edges
should be protected by guard rails and toe boards.

 Ladders are not supposed to be painted because the paint might prevent
the user from seeing any damaged parts. If you find a damaged ladder
you should make sure you don‟t use it. You are also required to make
sure that other colleagues on site know that the ladder is damaged.
Before use, a ladder should always be checked by the person who
intends to use it

 There should never be more than 1 (one) person on a ladder at any

time, and there should always be 3 points of contact between you and
the ladder when climbing

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  When using a ladder to reach a work platform, the slope or angle of the
ladder should always be 75o, it should be tied at the top to make sure
that it is secure and does not slip, and it should extend about 5 rungs
above the working platform

 Podium steps should not be used if their wheel brakes do not work,
wheel brakes should be applied when in use, they should be inspected
regularly and can topple if misused.

 In order to stop materials falling over the toe board when stacking them
on a scaffold platform, brick guards should always be fitted. Brick guards
are also used to protect people below the scaffold from falling tools and
materials

 Where Materials are stored on working platforms they must not be able
to fall and the platform must be able to take their weight.

 When working at height and above water, the two pieces of personal
protective clothing (PPE) that must be used are „Harness & Lanyard‟ and
a „Life Jacket‟

 You can only use a ladder as a place of work if you are doing light work
for short periods of time

 If you need to work at height and it is not possible to install an edge

protection or soft landing system, it is essential that you wear a harness
and lanyard and then fix this to an anchor point

 If you need to use mobile equipment and the brakes do not work, then
the equipment is not to be used.

 Storing equipment on a working platform means that you must make

sure the materials are secure for all weather types, be sure that the
platform can take the weight of the materials, and ensure that the
material does not make the platform unsafe for others

 The only way to climb up a mobile tower is to use the climbing ladder
built into it. The mobile tower scaffold should never be used on soft or
uneven ground

 “Working at height” can be any height that could cause an injury by

falling from that height

 See also the “Signs” section at the end of this guide (Fragile roof sign)

Words:

Harness Worn around the body for support

Lanyard Rope attached to the harness and

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 some other secure point, acting as a
support in the event of a fall

15: “Excavations and Confined Spaces”

TIPS

 All excavations must be inspected by a competent worker before work

starts. They must be supported if there is any risk of the sides falling in,
and guard rails to prevent people falling into the trench should be
present. If there is any sign of movement of the supports the excavation
should be evacuated immediately

 Access to excavations should be via ladders

 Yellow marker tape in excavations indicates buried services; when

digging near buried services (the safest way to locate them is using trial
holes) a spade or shovel should be used. If services are damaged work
should stop immediately and the damage should be reported

 If you feel unwell in an excavation or you feel it is threatened by nearby

plant etc, you should evacuate immediately

 Air quality in a confined space should be tested with a meter before work
commences and a “top man” should be used whose job is to start the
rescue plan if needed. You should not work in a confined place if there is
no top man, a rescue team or a rescue plan

 Gases are a serious risk in confined spaces; toxic/flammable gases and

a lack of oxygen all pose risks. Methane gas in particular can explode or
catch fire and reduce oxygen to dangerous levels. A smell of “bad eggs”
shows that hydrogen sulphide is present. If you are in a confined space
and the gas alarm sounds you should evacuate immediately

 Working in a confined space usually requires a risk assessment, a

method statement and a permit to work. If the permit to work runs out
before the work is finished you should stop working until the permit is re-
issued

 Reduced oxygen may result in unconsciousness.

 The main cause of death in excavations is inadequate emergency plans

and equipment.

 If sludge is present in a confined space you should ensure that you have
the correct protective equipment and that you have had the right training.
Sludge can pose risks by releasing toxic gases, slips and trips, and the
release of flammable gases

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  An unusual or strange smell when digging can indicate that the soil may
be contaminated

Words:

Rescue Plan Plan to ensure the safe evacuation

of workers from a confined space in
the case of an incident
Top Man Worker outside of a confined space
whose role is to put the rescue plan
into practice if an incident occurs
Methane Gas Flammable gas
Hydrogen Sulphide Hazardous gas recognisable by its
smell of “bad eggs”
Respiratory Protective Equipment Safety equipment to protect the
lungs (breathing equipment)

Section: E “Environment

16 “Environmental awareness and waste control”

TIPS

 It is everyone‟s legal responsibility to protect the environment on building

sites; both individuals and companies can be prosecuted for breaking
environmental laws; and it is illegal to transport waste without a licence.

 It is illegal to disturb or destroy the habitats of protected species. Bird

nests etc. should be left undisturbed and reported to your supervisor.

 You should find out procedures on how to dispose of waste and

hazardous materials including oil, florescent tubes etc., and follow those
procedures.

 Oil that has soaked into the soil should be removed, along with the
contaminated soil to a hazardous waste container.

 You should always try to minimise dust by dampening down, using dust
extractors etc.

 If there is a spillage from plant, notify the site manager, contain the
spillage and switch off the plant.

 Materials hazardous to the environment should be disposed of safely.

 “Sustainability” relates to saving, re-using and recycling materials, saving

energy and protecting the environment.

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  Throwing away good materials, not recycling, doing things such as
leaving engines running etc does not help sustainability.

 Recycling materials saves energy on making new materials. It also

reduces waste and items going to landfill. Separating materials helps
recycling. Always check to see if “rubbish can be re-used or recycled.

Words:

Sustainability Reducing the impact on the

environment by reducing waste and
pollution
Recycling Re-using materials by processing
them
Re-using Re-using materials by making use of
them directly
Environmental Protection Protecting the ground and air on
sites

Signs Section:
Fire Fighting Equipment RED Signs

Call point for raising Hose reel

the alarm

Fire point where you

will find fire extinguishers

Hazardous Chemicals RED DIAMOND Signs

Harmful Irritant

Hazardous to the Toxic

environment

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 Gasses under
Longer term health pressure
hazards

Types of Fire Extinguishers Identified by Label Colour

Water to be used on Foam to be used on

wood, paper and fabric fires, not to be wood, paper, fabric and flammable liquid
used on electrical and flammable liquid fires, not to be used on electrical fires –
fires – RED Label Cream Label

Carbon Dioxide Dry Powder to be used

(CO2) Gas to be used on wood, on flammable liquid, gas and electrical
paper, fabric, flammable liquid, gas and fires – Blue Label
electrical fires – Black Label

Prohibition RED Signs - You Must NOT do something

No pedestrians No Smoking

No escape route

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HAZARD YELLOW/Black Signs – Beware Danger

Danger (General) Fork lift operating

Fire Risk/Flammable Explosive

Corrosive Toxic

Electric shock risk Danger of electrocution

Radiation risk Fragile roof

Laser beams Trip hazard

Mind your head Noise

Slippery surface
Hazard

Mandatory BLUE Signs – You MUST DO something

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 Look out Safety harness
must be worn

Hard hat must Eye protection

be worn must be worn

Work Boots Safety gloves

must be worn must be worn

Hi-Vis jackets
must be worn

Site GREEN Signs – Safe Place/Condition

Assembly Point

Wash your hands First Aid

Emergency Eye Emergency Shower

Wash

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Combination Hazard Signs

Other Signs
This is the UN's
Globally
Harmonized
System sign for
carcinogens,
mutagens,
teratogens,
respiratory
Sign for asbestos
sensitizers and substances with
waste, raw asbestos and
target organ toxicity.
asbestos products

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