Question that I can't answer...

steveyk · Post by **steveyk** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 4:55 pm

I had a test recently and although I passed there is one question I couldn't answer and even now I am not sure of the answer for it. I wondered if anyone else can answer it. This test was referring to construction health and safety.

Which of the following provides the least level of protection for employees moving around in the workplace:

a) Ensuring that surfaces are dry

b) Marking steps and kerbs with black and yellow marking tape

c) Level and even surfaces

d) Providing safe passages

If you can venture a guess and tell me why that would certainly cure my frustration with this specific question for which I have no answer because all are worth while in my view.

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 7:07 pm

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum, where was this test from?

There is one answer that stands out for me but I am reluctant to share in case it's from a national qualification.

Regards

Steve

Post by **Alexis** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 9:55 pm

Hi Steveyk.

A very warm welcome to HSfB. Good to have you join us.

I am with Steve on this one.

Could you let us know if this is part of an assessment set by your provider before we give our opinion please?

All, as you say, are of course important, but look again at which one would perhaps cover all aspects.

Steve M wrote: ↑Fri Nov 16, 2018 7:07 pm Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum, where was this test from?

There is one answer that stands out for me but I am reluctant to share in case it's from a national qualification.

Regards

Steve

Post by **bernicarey** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:58 pm

It reads to me very much like, and is in the format of, a CSCS Test Question.

But in general terms, the question is
'Which of the following provides the least level of protection'

So I do feel your uncertainty, as the safest thing is easy, but the least safe is a bit more problematic.

steveyk · Post by **steveyk** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 12:17 pm

Steve M wrote: ↑Fri Nov 16, 2018 7:07 pm Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum, where was this test from?

There is one answer that stands out for me but I am reluctant to share in case it's from a national qualification.

Regards

Steve

Sure, it was from a pre attendance test for a provider before I could attend my first practical week. It wasn't a CSCS test in fact I am doing mock CSCS tests right now and they are much easier than this pre attendance test. It's possible that it's not a pre attendance test and it's a CSCS test but they don't tell the students maybe but as I said this test was much harder than all the mock tests I have done for the CSCS tests I have done so far (which I also passed). They did say that I would have to review the HSG150 (Health and Safety in construction) and Essentials of Health and Safety at Work to pass the test. I have decided what the answer is now however and I don't really need the help. It's one of many difficult questions in this test.

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 12:30 pm

Thanks for getting back to us.

I think it is fantastic that you want to know the answer after the event despite having passed, congratulations on passing btw.

It may sound that we are not being very helpful but we do need to be careful about giving the answers to specific entry tests, this could reduce the purpose of the test.

However, would you like to share your answer and thinking behind it so we can share our thoughts with you?

Cheers
Steve

steveyk · Post by **steveyk** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:26 pm

Steve M wrote: ↑Sat Nov 17, 2018 12:30 pm Thanks for getting back to us.

I think it is fantastic that you want to know the answer after the event despite having passed, congratulations on passing btw.

It may sound that we are not being very helpful but we do need to be careful about giving the answers to specific entry tests, this could reduce the purpose of the test.

However, would you like to share your answer and thinking behind it so we can share our thoughts with you?

Cheers
Steve

Sure I put it in a spoiler just in case somebody doesn't want to read it.

Well originally I was thinking about slips and trips in both sections of the study material and I cannot remember reading about marking the kerbs with yellow and black tape in that section but I did read about marking the kerb with black and yellow tape somewhere. So I thought that I have to find out where I read about marking the kerb and that's when I found it. It had everything listed in the answers in a section called "Moving around the site" in the "Essentials of Health and Safety at Work" but everything that isn't marking the kerbs was listed as "Must have" and marking the kerb was listed as "think about".

Edit: spoiler tags don't work here sorry.

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 7:04 pm

My thoughts were

a) Ensuring that surfaces are dry
This would have been my choice, in a building, this would be highly important but on a building site not so, or near impossible due to weather, PPE such as boots can be a control measure to reduce risk.

b) Marking steps and kerbs with black and yellow marking tape
This would be my priority, steps and kerbs can involve considerable height, the consequences of a fall could be considerable.

c) Level and even surfaces
Although desirable is this really achievable? with kerbs, and raised ironwork and utility access

d) Providing safe passages
Not sure what this means, what passages, if it should read "safe passage" then access and egress is important to gain access to the site and increased hazards area.

Bear in mind Construction is not my specialist subject, there may be an emphasis on other hazards than the logistics industry which I work in.

steveyk · Post by **steveyk** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:26 am

I originally thought a) too but at the same time saw the merit in all the options. I mean how are you going to keep a construction site dry right? It was this that I changed my mind (attachment included). It's from Essentials of Health and Safety at Work from HSE

LittleNell83 · Post by **LittleNell83** » Mon Nov 26, 2018 3:02 pm

Is this not your hierarchy of controls?

The markings is a lower level than the other steps to prevent an accident: These all eliminate the hazard:

a) Ensuring that surfaces are dry

c) Level and even surfaces

d) Providing safe passages

Whereas

b) Marking steps and kerbs with black and yellow marking tape

is a lower level of control as it is related to behaviour and signage. It doesn't remove or reduce the hazard but instead it warns of the hazard.

Where possible and is reasonably practicable in terms of costs (not just financial), a, c and d should be implemented first to eliminate the risk.