NVQ Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction) Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. Describe the correct kinetic lifting technique.

   Plan the lift; position feet shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly forward; bend the knees (not the back) keeping the back straight; get a firm grip; keep the load close to the body; lift smoothly using the leg muscles; avoid twisting — turn the feet instead; and keep the head up.

2. What is the HSE guideline maximum weight for lifting a load held close to the body at waist height for a man and for a woman?

   Approximately $25\ \text{kg}$ for a man and $16\ \text{kg}$ for a woman when the load is held close to the body at waist height; the guideline figure reduces as the load moves away from the body or above/below waist height.

3. What does HAVS stand for and what causes it?

   Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome — damage to the blood vessels, nerves and joints of the hands and arms caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools (e.g. breakers, grinders, cut-off saws). Symptoms include vibration white finger, tingling and loss of grip.

4. Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, what are the hand-arm vibration Exposure Action Value (EAV) and Exposure Limit Value (ELV)?

   The EAV is $2.5\ \text{m/s}^2$ $A(8)$ (daily action value at which controls are required) and the ELV is $5\ \text{m/s}^2$ $A(8)$ (the daily limit that must not be exceeded).

5. Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, what are the lower and upper Exposure Action Values for daily noise?

   Lower EAV is $80\ \text{dB(A)}$ (hearing protection made available) and Upper EAV is $85\ \text{dB(A)}$ (hearing protection must be worn and zones marked). The Exposure Limit Value is $87\ \text{dB(A)}$, taking account of protection.

6. At what daily noise exposure must an employer provide hearing protection, and at what level must it be worn?

   At the lower EAV of $80\ \text{dB(A)}$ hearing protection must be made available on request; at the upper EAV of $85\ \text{dB(A)}$ its use becomes mandatory and hearing protection zones must be designated.

7. Which regulations govern working at height, and how is 'work at height' defined?

   The Work at Height Regulations 2005. Work at height is work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury — including at or below ground level (e.g. near an excavation).

8. What is the hierarchy for managing work at height under the 2005 Regulations?

   Avoid work at height where possible; Prevent falls using a safe place of work or collective protection (e.g. guard rails, scaffolds, MEWPs); and Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall using collective measures (e.g. nets, airbags) before personal protection (e.g. harnesses).

9. What are the minimum requirements for a guard rail/edge protection on a working platform?

   A main guard rail at least $950\ \text{mm}$ above the edge, an intermediate guard rail so that the unprotected gap is no more than $470\ \text{mm}$, and toe boards to prevent materials falling.

10. Why is 110V equipment preferred over 230V on UK construction sites?

    110V site equipment is supplied via a centre-tapped transformer so the maximum voltage to earth is only $55\ \text{V}$, greatly reducing the severity of electric shock if a fault occurs, making it much safer than mains 230V.

11. What colour are 110V and 230V site plugs/connectors, by convention?

    110V connectors are yellow and 230V connectors are blue (400V three-phase is red), following the standard colour coding for site electrical equipment.

12. What is the function of a residual current device (RCD) on site electrics?

    An RCD detects an imbalance between live and neutral currents (such as current leaking to earth through a person) and rapidly disconnects the supply, protecting against fatal electric shock. It typically trips at a residual current of $30\ \text{mA}$.

13. What three elements make up the 'fire triangle'?

    Heat (ignition source), Fuel and Oxygen. Removing any one of the three extinguishes the fire.

14. List the UK classes of fire (A to F) and the type of fuel each involves.

    Class A: solids (wood, paper); Class B: flammable liquids; Class C: flammable gases; Class D: metals; Class E (informal): electrical equipment; Class F: cooking oils and fats.

15. Match the common fire extinguisher types to their colour bands and main use.

    Water (red label) — Class A; Foam (cream) — Class A and B; CO2 (black) — electrical and Class B; Dry powder (blue) — multi-purpose A, B, C and electrical; Wet chemical (yellow) — Class F (cooking oils).

16. Which extinguisher must NOT be used on live electrical fires, and which is suitable?

    Water and foam extinguishers must not be used on live electrical equipment because they conduct electricity. CO2 (and dry powder) extinguishers are suitable for electrical fires.

17. Under first aid regulations, what is the role of an 'appointed person' versus a 'first aider'?

    An appointed person takes charge in an emergency (calling the emergency services and looking after first-aid equipment) but is not trained to give first aid. A first aider holds a valid certificate (e.g. First Aid at Work) and is trained to administer first aid.

18. What does the primary survey acronym DRABC stand for in accident response?

    Danger (check the scene is safe), Response (check if casualty responds), Airway (open and clear), Breathing (check for normal breathing), and Circulation/CPR (start chest compressions if not breathing).

19. What information should be recorded in the accident book after a workplace injury?

    The date, time and place of the accident; the injured person's details; the name of the person filling it in; details of how the accident happened; and the nature of the injury — kept in line with data protection.

20. What is the purpose of a site fire/emergency evacuation procedure and assembly point?

    To ensure everyone leaves the site safely and quickly by a known route when an alarm sounds, gathering at a designated assembly point so a roll call/headcount can confirm all persons are accounted for.

21. At what depth does an excavation generally require support or battering, and why?

    There is no absolute safe depth — even shallow trenches can kill, but support, battering or stepping of sides is generally required for excavations over about $1.2\ \text{m}$ deep to prevent collapse, as a cubic metre of soil can weigh over $1{,}500\ \text{kg}$.

22. What precautions reduce the risk of collapse and falls when working in or near excavations?

    Support the sides (timber/proprietary shoring) or batter them back; keep spoil, plant and materials at least the trench depth away from the edge; provide barriers and crossing points; inspect daily and after events that could affect stability; and provide safe access (e.g. ladders).

23. What is a confined space, and name a key hazard associated with it.

    A confined space is a substantially enclosed space (e.g. tank, manhole, deep trench, sewer) where there is a foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous conditions. Key hazards include lack of oxygen, toxic or flammable gases, and the risk of being overcome and unable to escape.

24. Before breaking ground, how should the location of underground services be identified?

    Obtain and study utility service drawings/plans, use a cable avoidance tool (CAT) and signal generator (genny) to locate buried cables and pipes, mark their positions, and then hand-dig trial holes to confirm before using mechanical excavation.

What this deck covers

Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction flashcards FAQ