ECS-HSE Revision Guide copy

Question 1

What do the letters CDM stand for?

Answer 1

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations

The CDM Regulations impose duties to manage construction projects, ensure physical safeguards are provided to prevent danger during such projects and that adequate welfare facilities are provided.

Question 2

Identify one method of enforcing regulations that are available to the Health and Safety Executive.

Answer 2

Improvement Notice

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

The work that is subject to the notice must cease

The work activity covered by a prohibition notice must cease, until the identified danger is removed.

Question 4

Health and Safety Executive Inspector can?

Answer 4

Visit at any time

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

Question 5

Prohibition Notice means:

Answer 5

The work must stop immediately

The work activity covered by the prohibition notice must cease, until the identified danger is removed.

Question 6

In what circumstances can an HSE Improvement Notice be issued?

Answer 6

If there is a breach of legal requirements

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

Question 7

What is an Improvement Notice?

Answer 7

A notice issued by an HSE/local authority Inspector to enforce compliance with health and safety legislation

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

Question 8

If a Health and Safety Executive Inspector issues a Prohibition Notice, this means that:

Answer 8

Specific work activities, highlighted on the notice, must stop

Prohibition notices are intended to stop activities which can cause serious injury.

Question 9

Employers are required to provide information to their employees on their health and safety rights and responsibilities by:

Answer 9

Displaying a poster or giving them leaflets approved by the HSE

This is a requirement of the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (as amended).

Question 10

Who is responsible for signing a Company Safety Policy?

Answer 10

Managing Director

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires the most senior member of management to sign the health and safety policy statement.

Question 11

Which one of the following must be in a company’s written Health and Safety Policy?

Answer 11

Organisation and arrangements in force for carrying out the health and safety policy

This is a specific requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Question 12

Employers have to produce a written Health and Safety Policy statement when:

Answer 12

They employ five people or more

This is a specific requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Question 13

Companies employing five or more people must have a written Health and Safety Policy because:

Answer 13

The HSAWA 1974 requires it

Question 14

What do the letters HSE stand for?

Answer 14

Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive was established under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Question 15

The Health and Safety Executive is:

Answer 15

The regulatory body for the promotion of health and safety at work

The Health and Safety Executive is part of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Question 16

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to provide what for their employees?

Answer 16

A safe place of work

This is a specific requirement of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Question 17

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any regulations made under the Act are:

Answer 17

Legally binding

The requirements of health and safety law are mandatory and failure to follow them can lead to prosecution.

Question 18

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which of the following have a duty to work safely?

Answer 18

All people at work

Employers, employees and the self-employed all have duties to work safely under the Act.

Question 19

What is the MAXIMUM penalty that a Higher Court can currently impose for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act?

Answer 19

Unlimited fine and two years’ imprisonment

A Lower Court can impose a fine of up to £20,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment for certain offences. The potential fine in a Higher Court, however, is unlimited and the term of imprisonment can be up to 2 years.

Question 20

What do the letters ACOP stand for?

Answer 20

Approved Code of Practice

An ACOP is a code of practice approved by the Health and Safety Executive (or the Health and Safety Commission prior to April 2008).

Question 21

Where should you look for official advice on health and safety matters?

Answer 21

Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive

The HSE is the UK enforcing body and its guidance can be regarded as ‘official’.

Question 22

Regulations that govern health and safety on construction sites:

Answer 22

Are mandatory (that is, compulsory)

The requirements of health and safety law are mandatory, and failure to follow them can lead to prosecutions.

Question 23

Which of the following statements is correct?

Answer 23

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

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

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Your employer

The responsibility for management of health and safety at work rests with the employer.

Question 25

Which of the following is correct for risk assessment?

Answer 25

Must always be done ## Footnote There is a legal requirement for all work to be suitably risk assessed.

Question 26

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

Answer 26

The likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will occur ## Footnote Hazard and risk are not the same. Risk reflects the chance of being harmed by a hazard.

Question 27

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

Answer 27

A competent person ## Footnote A risk assessment must be conducted by a 'competent person'.

Question 28

What is a HAZARD?

Answer 28

Something with the potential to cause harm ## Footnote Examples of hazards include: a drum of acid, breeze blocks on an elevated plank; cables running across a floor.

Question 29

What must be done before any work begins?

Answer 29

Assessment of risk ## Footnote This is a legal requirement of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

Question 30

Complete the following sentence: A risk assessment:

Answer 30

Is a means of analysing what might go wrong ## Footnote Risk assessment involves a careful review of what can cause harm and the practical measures to be taken to reduce the risk of harm.

Question 31

Why would your supervisor ask you to read the method statement and risk assessment before you start your next job?

Answer 31

The documents contain information on how to carry out the job in a safe manner ## Footnote The supervisor must, by law, keep workers advised of significant risks, and control measures.

Question 32

What do the blue and white health and safety signs tell you?

Answer 32

Things you must do ## Footnote Blue and white signs show a 'mandatory' requirement.

Question 33

What colours are emergency exit signs?

Answer 33

Green and white ## Footnote The colours are prescribed in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations.

Question 34

What is the main colour on a safety sign stating that you must NOT do something?

Answer 34

Red ## Footnote Prohibitory signs are round and feature a black pictogram on a white background with red edging and diagonal line.

Question 35

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a warning, for example 'Fork-lift trucks operating'?

Answer 35

Yellow and black ## Footnote Warning signs are triangular and feature a black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging.

Question 36

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a prohibited activity, for example 'No access for pedestrians'?

Answer 36

Red, black and white ## Footnote Prohibitory signs are round and feature a black pictogram on a white background with red edging and diagonal line.

Question 37

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a mandatory activity, for example 'Safety helmets must be worn'?

Answer 37

Blue and white ## Footnote Mandatory signs are round and feature a white pictogram on a blue background.

Question 38

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require the colour coding of safety signs. What colours are used on a sign indicating a safe condition, for example First Aid kit?

Answer 38

Green and white ## Footnote Emergency escape and first-aid signs are rectangular or square and feature a white pictogram on a green background.

Question 39

Why should regular inspections of the workplace take place?

Answer 39

To check whether the working environment is safe ## Footnote The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require that routine inspections of workplaces are carried out to ensure that preventative and protective measures are in place and effective.

Question 40

How can you help to prevent accidents?

Answer 40

Report any unsafe conditions ## Footnote

Question 41

What is the purpose of routine inspections in the workplace?

Answer 41

To ensure that preventative and protective measures are in place and effective ## Footnote This is mandated by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

Question 42

Which option helps to prevent accidents in the workplace?

Answer 42

Report any unsafe conditions ## Footnote Action to improve safety can only be taken if the risk is known about.

Question 43

True or False: Employees have a duty of care to other employees.

Answer 43

True ## Footnote This emphasizes the responsibility of employees to ensure a safe working environment.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: Routine inspections are required to check whether the working environment is _______.

Answer 44

safe

Question 45

What should you know to help prevent accidents?

Answer 45

How to get help quickly and where the first-aid kit is kept ## Footnote While knowing these are helpful, the most crucial action is to report unsafe conditions.

Question 46

What is the correct action to take if unsafe conditions are observed?

Answer 46

Report them ## Footnote This is essential for taking action to improve safety.

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a reason for routine inspections? A. To check whether the working environment is safe B. To check that all employees are present C. To check that everyone is doing their job D. To prepare for a visit from an HSE Inspector

Answer 47

B. To check that all employees are present ## Footnote The primary focus of inspections is on safety measures.