CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)

Which Act places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees at work?

• AThe Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• BThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• CThe Work at Height Regulations 2005
• DThe Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, what duty is placed on employees (including operatives a supervisor manages)?

• ATo provide their own personal protective equipment
• BTo take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by th…
• CTo carry out their own statutory excavation inspections
• DTo write the site's risk assessments and method statements

Section 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states that no person shall do what?

• AWork more than 48 hours in a week
• BIntentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests o…
• CEnter a site without a CSCS card
• DOperate plant without a high-risk work licence

In health and safety law, what does the term 'so far as is reasonably practicable' require a supervisor to do?

• AEliminate every conceivable risk regardless of cost
• BBalance the level of risk against the time, trouble, cost and effort needed to control it
• COnly act once an accident has already occurred
• DApply controls only if the workforce requests them

Which two enforcement notices can an HSE inspector issue when they find a serious health and safety failing on a construction site?

• ACaution notice and penalty notice
• BImprovement notice and prohibition notice
• CClosure notice and demolition notice
• DWarning notice and final notice

A site supervisor's role in health and safety is best described as which of the following?

• ATo take over the legal duties of the employer so the company carries no liability
• BTo monitor and supervise the workforce, implement safe systems of work, and feed informat…
• CTo carry out all risk assessments alone without any management input
• DTo act only as a first-aider and emergency contact

Which regulations specifically require employers to assess risks, appoint competent persons and provide health and safety information and training to employees?

• AThe Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• BThe Construction (Head Protection) Regulations
• CThe Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• DThe Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

Which of the following is an example of a 'moral' reason for managing health and safety on site, as opposed to a legal or financial one?

• AAvoiding an HSE prosecution and fine
• BPreventing pain, suffering and injury to workers and their families
• CReducing insurance premiums and sick-pay costs
• DAvoiding a prohibition notice that stops the job

If an operative refuses to follow a safe system of work after being instructed by their supervisor, what is the most appropriate first action?

• AIgnore it because the operative is responsible for their own safety
• BStop the unsafe activity, re-explain the requirement and the reason, and escalate to mana…
• CImmediately dismiss the operative from site without warning
• DCarry on and note it in the accident book

What does the term 'competent person' mean in construction health and safety?

• AAnyone who holds a valid CSCS card
• BSomeone with sufficient training, knowledge, experience and ability to carry out the task…
• CThe most senior person on site by job title
• DAny operative over the age of 21

A 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment carried out before a task should primarily do which of the following?

• AList every accident that has ever happened in the industry
• BIdentify the significant hazards, who might be harmed and how, and the control measures n…
• CBe written only after the work has finished
• DBe kept secret from the workforce

In a risk assessment, what is the difference between a 'hazard' and a 'risk'?

• AThey mean exactly the same thing
• BA hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm; a risk is the likelihood of that h…
• CA hazard is always more serious than a risk
• DA risk only exists once an accident has happened

What does the abbreviation RAMS stand for in construction site supervision?

• ARisk Avoidance and Monitoring System
• BRisk Assessment and Method Statement
• CReporting of Accidents and Major Situations
• DRequired Access and Material Schedule

What is the main purpose of a method statement on a construction site?

• ATo record the names of everyone who has been on site
• BTo describe, step by step, the safe sequence of work and the control measures to be used…
• CTo list the financial cost of the project
• DTo replace the need for a risk assessment

Which is the correct order of the five steps of risk assessment as set out by the HSE?

• ARecord findings; identify hazards; review; decide controls; decide who is harmed
• BIdentify the hazards; decide who might be harmed and how; evaluate the risks and decide o…
• CIssue PPE; brief the team; start work; record findings; review
• DDecide controls; identify hazards; start work; review; record

A task is going ahead but conditions have changed since the written risk assessment — heavy rain has made an access route slippery. What should the supervisor carry out?

• ANothing, because the original risk assessment still applies
• BA dynamic risk assessment to reassess the new conditions and adjust controls before conti…
• CA RIDDOR report
• DA COSHH assessment only

When briefing operatives on a method statement before a task, what should the supervisor confirm?

• AThat operatives have signed in for payroll
• BThat operatives understand the safe sequence, the hazards, the controls and their individ…
• CThat the weather forecast is favourable for the whole week
• DThat only the most experienced operative has read it

Which document gives general guidance and findings for a task that involves work with a hazardous substance such as cement, dust or solvents?

• AA COSHH assessment
• BA LOLER thorough examination report
• CA PUWER inspection sheet
• DA scaffold handover certificate

A permit to work system is most appropriate for which type of activity?

• ARoutine, low-risk sweeping of a walkway
• BHigh-risk or non-routine work such as confined space entry, hot works or work near live s…
• CDelivering a toolbox talk
• DRecording the daily site attendance

How often should a risk assessment for an ongoing activity be reviewed?

• AOnly once, when the project starts
• BWhenever there is a significant change to the work, equipment, people or conditions, or f…
• CEvery five years to match the certificate validity
• DNever, once it has been signed

What is the main purpose of a site induction for a worker arriving on a construction site for the first time?

• ATo collect the worker's bank details
• BTo make the worker aware of the site rules, hazards, emergency arrangements, welfare faci…
• CTo test the worker's manual handling technique
• DTo issue the worker's wages

What is a 'toolbox talk' on a construction site?

• AA formal two-day accredited training course
• BA short, focused safety briefing on a specific topic delivered to the work team, usually…
• CA written legal contract between contractor and client
• DAn inventory check of the tools in the site store

Which of the following makes a toolbox talk most effective?

• AReading a long legal document word for word for an hour
• BKeeping it short and focused on one relevant topic, encouraging questions, and relating i…
• CDelivering it only to the supervisors and not the operatives
• DGiving it in technical jargon that few workers understand

A worker for whom English is not a first language is being inducted. What is the best approach for the supervisor to take?

• AAssume they will pick it up from watching others
• BUse clear simple language, visual aids and, where needed, translation or an interpreter,…
• CSkip the induction to save time
• DGive them the longest written document available

Which of the following is the best example of effective two-way communication on site?

• APinning a notice on the canteen wall and assuming everyone has read it
• BA supervisor briefing the team, then inviting questions and acting on the concerns raised
• CSending a single email at the start of the project
• DTelling only the foreman and expecting it to filter down

Why is recording attendance at a toolbox talk or induction important for a supervisor?

• AIt is needed to claim overtime
• BIt provides evidence that information and instruction were given, which supports the safe…
• CIt is required for the worker's tax records
• DIt has no real purpose

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, work at height is defined as work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could do what?

• ABecome tired
• BFall a distance liable to cause personal injury
• CFall only from above two metres
• DDamage tools

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the FIRST thing that should be considered when planning work at height?

• AWhich harness to issue
• BWhether the work at height can be avoided altogether
• CHow many ladders are available
• DWhich scaffold company to use

When preventing falls from height, why is collective protection (such as guard rails or a working platform) generally preferred over personal protection (such as a harness)?

• AIt is always cheaper
• BIt protects everyone in the area without relying on each individual using it correctly
• CHarnesses are illegal on construction sites
• DIt removes the need for any planning

A mobile tower scaffold is being used. Who should be allowed to erect, alter or dismantle it?

• AAny operative who is free at the time
• BA competent, trained person (for example PASMA-trained for the tower type)
• COnly the site manager
• DThe youngest member of the team

A worker is found using a ladder to carry out drilling work for a full day at height. What is the main concern with this?

• ALadders are banned from all construction sites
• BLadders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration work; sustained work needs a mor…
• CLadders can only be used indoors
• DThe ladder must be painted yellow

Before a worker uses a scaffold, what should confirm that it is safe and complete for use?

• AA verbal assurance from another worker
• BA current scaffold inspection record (and a 'scafftag' or handover status) showing it has…
• CThe fact that it looks finished
• DNothing — scaffolds never need inspection

What is the primary purpose of toe boards and brick guards on a working scaffold platform?

• ATo improve the appearance of the scaffold
• BTo prevent tools, materials or debris from falling onto people below
• CTo act as a step to climb higher
• DTo carry electrical cables

A fragile roof (for example old asbestos cement sheeting or rooflights) must be worked on. What is the correct control approach?

• AWalk carefully across the sheets and hope they hold
• BTreat the surface as fragile, use staging/crawling boards, edge protection and fall arres…
• CRemove all edge protection to allow easier access
• DAllow only untrained workers up to test the surface

What is the recommended safe angle for a leaning ladder to give a stable footing?

• AA ratio of 1 unit out to every 2 units up (about 63 degrees)
• BA ratio of 1 unit out to every 4 units up (about 75 degrees)
• CA ratio of 1 unit out to every 1 unit up (45 degrees)
• DFlat against the wall at 90 degrees

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, who is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the construction phase to ensure it is carried out without risks to health or safety?

• AThe client
• BThe principal contractor
• CThe principal designer
• DThe HSE inspector

Under CDM 2015, which duty holder plans, manages and monitors the pre-construction (design) phase and co-ordinates health and safety in design?

• AThe principal designer
• BThe principal contractor
• CThe site supervisor
• DThe site operatives

Under CDM 2015, what document sets out the health and safety arrangements, site rules and specific control measures for managing the construction phase?

• AThe health and safety file
• BThe construction phase plan
• CThe COSHH register
• DThe accident book

Under CDM 2015, what is the client's main responsibility on a construction project?

• ATo carry out all the physical building work
• BTo make suitable arrangements for managing the project, allocate sufficient time and reso…
• CTo personally supervise every operative
• DTo act as the HSE inspector

Under CDM 2015, when must the HSE be notified of a construction project (form F10)?

• AFor every project, however small
• BWhen the work is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers…
• COnly when an accident occurs
• DNever — notification was abolished

An excavation more than approximately 1.2 metres deep that workers must enter typically requires what to prevent collapse?

• ANo special precautions at any depth
• BSuitable support such as shoring/trench boxes or battering back the sides to a safe angle…
• COnly a warning sign at the top
• DFilling it with water

How often must an excavation that people work in be inspected by a competent person?

• AOnce a month
• BAt the start of every shift before work begins, and again after any event likely to affec…
• COnly when it is first dug
• DOnly after an accident

Before digging an excavation, what must be done to manage the risk of striking buried services such as electricity cables and gas pipes?

• ADig quickly and hope nothing is there
• BUse service drawings, a cable avoidance tool (CAT) and signal generator, and safe digging…
• COnly check for services if a smell of gas is noticed
• DAssume all services are at least three metres deep

What is the definition of a 'confined space' under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997?

• AAny room smaller than 10 square metres
• BA substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed space where there is a foreseeable…
• CAny outdoor area on a busy site
• DOnly purpose-built underground bunkers

Under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, what is the FIRST control principle when work in a confined space is being considered?

• AIssue breathing apparatus to everyone
• BAvoid entry into the confined space if the work can reasonably be done another way
• CSend the most junior worker in first
• DSeal the entrance once work begins

Why must emergency and rescue arrangements be in place BEFORE anyone enters a confined space?

• ABecause the law requires a fire drill weekly
• BBecause a person can be overcome quickly, and many fatalities are untrained rescuers who…
• CBecause it speeds up the work
• DIt is not actually necessary

Spoil (excavated material) and heavy plant should be kept how, relative to the edge of an open excavation?

• AStacked right against the edge to save space
• BSet back a safe distance from the edge to avoid surcharging the sides and causing collapse
• CPlaced inside the excavation with the workers
• DIt does not matter where they go