Health and Safety

Question 1

What is the purpose of a risk assessment?

Answer 1

A: To identify hazards and put measures in place to reduce or eliminate risks.

Question 2

Who is responsible for your health and safety at work?

Answer 2

A: Everyone, including you and your employer.

Question 3

Why should you report accidents or near-misses?

Answer 3

A: To prevent them from happening again in the future.

Question 4

What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

Answer 4

A: It is the main legislation covering workplace health and safety in the UK.

Question 5

What are the five steps of a risk assessment?

Answer 5

A: Identify hazards, assess who might be harmed, evaluate the risks, implement controls, and review regularly.

Question 6

What is a COSHH assessment used for?

Answer 6

A: To manage and control risks associated with hazardous substances.

Question 7

What does RIDDOR stand for?

Answer 7

A: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

Question 8

Why is regular training important for health and safety?

Answer 8

A: To ensure employees are aware of risks and know how to work safely.

Question 9

What should you do if you suspect a fire?

Answer 9

A: Raise the alarm, follow the fire evacuation procedure, and leave the building safely.

Question 10

What Are the CDM Regulations?

Answer 10

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) are UK regulations aimed at improving health, safety, and welfare during construction projects. They apply to all construction work, including new builds, refurbishments, demolitions, and maintenance. The main objectives of CDM are to:

1. Ensure safety is considered from the start to the finish of a project.
2. Identify, eliminate, or control risks during design and construction stages.
3. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for health and safety management.

Question 11

Key Duty Holders under CDM 2015:

Answer 11

1. Client: Ensures health and safety are considered throughout the project.
2. Principal Designer: Coordinates health and safety during the design phase.
3. Principal Contractor: Manages health and safety during the construction phase.
4. Contractors: Ensure safe practices on-site.
5. Workers: Take care of their own safety and others around them.

Question 12

What does a Principle designer and contractor have to produce?

Answer 12

Principal Designer Pre-Construction Information, Health and Safety File (development), Design Risk Assessments (if any)

Principal Contractor Construction Phase Plan, Risk Assessments and Method Statements, Induction Records, Safety Reports

Question 13

Tell me about the RICS Surveying Safety guidance note

Answer 13

Gives guidance on health and safety management

For example Site visits and inspections -
I would inform the contractor I am visiting site,
I would wear the correct PP&E
Attend site inductions
Sign in and out of the register

Question 14

What colour is your CSCS card?

Answer 14

Academically qualified person - silver

Question 15

What is the purpose of Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992

Answer 15

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 were introduced to ensure the safety and health of workers by providing guidelines for the proper use and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. These regulations were updated in 2022 to extend responsibilities to all workers, including those on casual and zero-hours contracts.

1. Protecting Workers:
   Ensure that employees are adequately protected from workplace risks that cannot be controlled by other means.
   PPE acts as a last line of defense against hazards such as falling objects, chemical splashes, noise, or respiratory risks.
2. Legal Responsibility:
   Require employers to provide suitable PPE free of charge to their employees when it is necessary for health and safety.
   Establish clear guidelines for when and how PPE should be used.
3. Risk Mitigation:
   Protect against specific workplace hazards that could result in injuries, illnesses, or long-term ha

Question 16

What are the key personal safety risks when working on-site?

Answer 16

The main risks include slips, trips, falls, exposure to hazardous materials, falling objects, and accidents involving machinery. Proper PPE, site awareness, and adherence to risk assessments help mitigate these risks.

Question 17

What precautions should be taken for personal safety in an office environment?

Answer 17

Ergonomic workstations, proper lighting, fire safety procedures, trip hazard awareness, and mental well-being considerations are essential for office safety.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974?

Answer 18

The HSWA 1974 sets out the duties of employers, employees, and others to ensure a safe working environment, including risk assessments, training, and providing safety equipment.

Question 19

What legal requirement must an employer follow regarding risk assessments?

Answer 19

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must conduct risk assessments, identify hazards, and implement control measures to protect employees and the public.

Question 20

Can you name a key health and safety regulation relevant to construction?

Answer 20

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015 ensure that health and safety risks are managed throughout a project, with specific roles assigned to duty holders such as the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.

The Principal Designer is appointed by the client and is responsible for managing health and safety during the pre-construction phase (design stage).

The Principal Contractor is appointed by the client to manage health and safety during the construction phase.

Question 21

How can poor design impact health and safety during construction?

Answer 21

Poor design can lead to unsafe working conditions, such as inadequate access for maintenance, excessive manual handling, or increased fall risks due to unsafe roof designs.

Question 22

What are the main health and safety risks in building maintenance?

Answer 22

Risks include working at height, exposure to asbestos, electrical hazards, and slips and falls. Proper training and risk assessments are critical to mitigating these risks.

Question 23

What health and safety training must employers provide to new staff?

Answer 23

Employers must provide induction training covering fire safety, emergency procedures, risk assessments, manual handling, and PPE usage. Additional training may be required depending on job-specific risks.

Question 24

How often should health and safety training be refreshed?

Answer 24

Training should be ongoing and refreshed periodically, especially when regulations change, new risks emerge, or an employee’s role changes. Annual refresher training is recommended for high-risk environments.

Question 25

What formal health and safety qualifications have you obtained, and how have they influenced your work?

Answer 25

have obtained [mention qualification, e.g., CITB Site Safety Plus, NEBOSH General Certificate, SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme), or First Aid at Work]. These qualifications have improved my understanding of risk assessment, emergency procedures, and regulatory compliance, allowing me to contribute more effectively to site safety.

Question 26

Why is it important for professionals in your industry to obtain formal health and safety training?

Answer 26

Formal training ensures that professionals understand legal obligations, industry best practices, and site-specific risks. It also helps reduce workplace accidents and ensures compliance with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant regulations.

Question 27

Can you describe your role in complying with CDM Regulations 2015 on a project?

Answer 27

I have assisted in ensuring compliance with CDM 2015 by supporting the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor in identifying hazards, reviewing the Construction Phase Plan, and ensuring risk mitigation strategies are in place.

Question 28

What responsibilities have you taken under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002?

Answer 28

I have reviewed COSHH assessments for hazardous materials on-site, ensured proper storage and handling procedures were followed, and conducted toolbox talks to educate workers on controlling exposure to substances such as asbestos and silica dust.

Question 29

Have you been involved in a health and safety audit? What was your role?

Answer 29

Yes, I participated in a site health and safety audit by assisting with inspections, documenting hazards, and ensuring compliance with risk control measures. I reviewed site safety records, checked PPE compliance, and provided feedback to improve safety culture.

Question 30

What common issues have you identified during health and safety reviews, and how were they addressed?

Answer 30

Some common issues include lack of PPE compliance, poor housekeeping, inadequate risk assessments, and failure to follow safe work procedures. These were addressed through corrective action plans, additional training, and enhanced supervision to enforce compliance.

Question 31

What key health and safety elements do you review in a contractor’s tender submission?

Answer 31

A robust Health and Safety Policy A clear Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) Evidence of previous safety performance and accident records A competent health and safety team with required certifications Compliance with CDM 2015 and relevant legislation

Question 32

How do you promote a strong health and safety culture within a project team?

Answer 32

I promote safety through toolbox talks, regular site inspections, encouraging open reporting of hazards, and ensuring management leads by example.

Question 33

How do you ensure subcontractors comply with health and safety regulations?

Answer 33

I verify their health and safety documentation, conduct site inductions, and monitor their adherence to RAMS and PPE requirements.