Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card Working Safely on Site in Practice Syllabus

Who is permitted to erect, alter or dismantle a scaffold?

Only competent, trained scaffolders (e.g. CISRS-qualified). Other workers must not modify, move ties or remove components from a scaffold.

What is a mobile access tower and a key rule for moving it?

A mobile access tower is a free-standing, wheeled tower scaffold (often aluminium/proprietary, e.g. PASMA-erected). Key rule: NEVER move a tower with people, tools or materials on it; reduce height if needed, check for overhead obstructions/power lines, and lock the castors once positioned.

What does MEWP stand for and give two common types.

Mobile Elevating Work Platform. Common types: scissor lift (vertical movement) and boom/cherry picker (articulated or telescopic, providing horizontal outreach).

Why must a harness with a short restraint lanyard be worn in a boom-type MEWP (cherry picker)?

To prevent the operator being catapulted or thrown out of the basket if the boom is jolted, struck, or moves suddenly. The lanyard is attached to the designated anchor point inside the basket - it is fall restraint/arrest, not for climbing out.

What is the difference between fall restraint and fall arrest?

Fall restraint physically prevents a person from reaching a position where they could fall (e.g. a short fixed lanyard keeping you back from an edge). Fall arrest stops a person AFTER they have fallen and limits the fall distance/forces (e.g. a harness with shock-absorbing lanyard and an anchor).

What is edge protection and what are its typical components?

Edge protection is collective fall prevention fitted to open edges. Typical components: a main (top) guardrail at least 950 mm above the edge, an intermediate guardrail (gap no greater than 470 mm between rails), and a toe board to stop materials/feet slipping off.

What is a fragile surface and give two examples found on roofs.

A fragile surface is one that cannot safely bear the weight of a person and any load. Examples: fibre-cement/asbestos cement roofing sheets, rooflights/skylights, corroded metal sheets, glass and liner panels. Many roof deaths involve falls through fragile materials and rooflights.

What precautions are required when working on or near fragile roof surfaces?

Identify and clearly mark fragile areas; provide proper access (crawling boards/staging spreading the load); use guardrails and covers over rooflights; install safety nets or fall-arrest as a backup; display warning signs; and ensure work is planned and supervised by competent people.

What does LOLER stand for and what does it cover?

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It covers any equipment used for lifting or lowering loads (including people), requiring lifting operations to be properly planned by a competent person, supervised, and carried out safely, with equipment being strong, stable and suitably marked with its Safe Working Load.

What is the thorough examination requirement under LOLER for lifting equipment?

Lifting equipment must undergo thorough examination by a competent person: at least every 6 months for equipment used to lift people or for lifting accessories, every 12 months for other lifting equipment, and after exceptional circumstances/installation. Records must be kept.

What does SWL mean on lifting equipment and why must it never be exceeded?

SWL = Safe Working Load: the maximum load the equipment is certified to lift safely. Exceeding it risks structural failure, equipment overturning, dropped loads and serious injury. The SWL must be clearly marked and never exceeded.

What is an exclusion zone around mobile plant and why is it used?

An exclusion zone is a clearly defined, barriered area around operating plant (e.g. an excavator's slewing radius) that pedestrians and other workers must not enter. It prevents people being struck, crushed or trapped by the machine or its moving parts/load.

What is a banksman (signaller) and why is one needed for mobile plant?

A banksman is a trained person who directs the movement of plant/vehicles using agreed standard hand signals, especially where the operator's visibility is restricted (e.g. reversing). They keep pedestrians clear and guide the operator safely. Only one designated banksman should signal at a time.

Give three standard banksman hand signals.

Examples: 'Stop' - arms extended, palms forward (or one arm raised); 'Raise the load' - one arm pointing up with hand circling; 'Lower the load' - arm extended down with hand circling; 'This far/distance' - hands indicating the gap. Signals follow a recognised standard set known by operator and banksman.

At what depth must precautions to prevent collapse of an excavation be considered?

There is no minimum 'safe' depth - even shallow trenches can collapse and kill. A risk assessment is required; supports or battering/benching are commonly needed once a trench is around 1.2 m or where the ground/conditions warrant. Every excavation that could collapse must be supported, battered or shored.

Name three methods of preventing the collapse of an excavation's sides.

1) Battering or benching (cutting back the sides to a safe angle/steps). 2) Shoring/trench support (timber, trench boxes, hydraulic struts, sheet piling). 3) Using proprietary trench support systems. Spoil and plant must also be kept back from the edge.

What are the main hazards associated with excavations?

Collapse/burial of the sides; striking underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms); people/vehicles falling in; flooding/water ingress; build-up of fumes/lack of oxygen (asphyxiation); undermining nearby structures; and spoil/materials falling onto workers.

How should underground services be located before digging?

Obtain and check up-to-date service drawings; use a cable/service locator (CAT scanner) and signal generator (genny) to trace services; mark their positions; then dig trial holes by hand and dig carefully, assuming live services are present until proven otherwise.

What colour identifies an electricity cable, and why is hand-digging used near services?

Electricity cables are typically black or red and may be protected by yellow/red marker tape and tiles. Hand-digging (using insulated tools and careful excavation) near located services avoids striking and damaging them, which could cause electrocution, explosion or flooding.

Why is reversing a key risk in vehicle movements on site, and how is it controlled?

Reversing causes many struck-by deaths because the driver's view is restricted. Controls: minimise reversing with one-way systems and turning areas; use designated reversing zones with banksmen; fit reversing alarms, mirrors and cameras; and keep pedestrians segregated from manoeuvring areas.

What is the recommended approach to reduce reversing accidents on site?

Design the site so reversing is eliminated or minimised - use one-way traffic systems and drive-through/turning circles. Where reversing is unavoidable, provide trained banksmen, clearly marked exclusion areas, and ensure vehicles have working reversing aids.

What is the action level for noise at which hearing protection must be made available, and the level at which it becomes mandatory (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005)?

Lower Exposure Action Value: a daily/weekly average of $80\,\text{dB(A)}$ (and peak $135\,\text{dB(C)}$) - hearing protection must be made available. Upper Exposure Action Value: $85\,\text{dB(A)}$ (peak $137\,\text{dB(C)}$) - controls required and hearing protection use is mandatory in marked hearing-protection zones.

What is the exposure limit value for noise that must not be exceeded (at the ear)?

$87\,\text{dB(A)}$ daily/weekly average and a peak of $140\,\text{dB(C)}$, measured taking account of hearing protection. This is the level the worker must not actually be exposed to.

What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and what causes it?

HAVS is permanent damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hands and arms caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools and equipment (e.g. breakers, grinders, drills, needle guns). Symptoms include tingling, numbness, blanching ('white finger'), and loss of grip/dexterity. It is irreversible but preventable.

What are the EAV and ELV for hand-arm vibration under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?

Exposure Action Value (EAV) = $2.5\,\text{m/s}^{2}$ A(8); Exposure Limit Value (ELV) = $5\,\text{m/s}^{2}$ A(8), both as a daily exposure normalised to 8 hours. At the EAV you must introduce controls; the ELV must not be exceeded.

Name three ways to reduce the risk of HAVS on site.

Any three: use low-vibration tools and keep them well maintained; limit trigger/exposure time and rotate tasks; keep hands warm and dry and avoid tight gripping; provide health surveillance; and select the right tool for the job to reduce work duration.

What are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and what manual-handling factors increase the risk?

MSDs are injuries to muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and the back (including back pain and repetitive strain injuries). Risk factors (per the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 - assess the TILE/LITE: Task, Individual, Load, Environment): heavy/awkward loads, repetitive movements, twisting, stooping, poor posture and lack of mechanical aids.

What does ergonomics aim to achieve in reducing MSDs on site?

Ergonomics fits the task and equipment to the worker rather than forcing the worker to adapt. It reduces MSD risk by improving working heights/postures, using mechanical handling aids, reducing repetition and load, and organising tasks to avoid awkward, twisting or sustained movements.

Why are mental health, stress and fatigue important safety issues on a construction site?

Construction has high rates of stress and suicide; poor mental health, stress and fatigue reduce concentration, slow reactions, and increase the likelihood of mistakes and accidents. Recognising signs, encouraging open conversation, managing workload/hours, and signposting support (e.g. mental health first aiders, helplines) protect both wellbeing and safety.

What is the site policy concern regarding drugs, alcohol and fitness for work, and why?

Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs judgement, coordination, reaction time and balance, making workers a danger to themselves and others, especially around plant, height and tools. Most sites operate a zero-tolerance/'fit for work' policy, may carry out testing, and a worker who is unfit (including through fatigue, illness or medication) must not work.