GQA Qualifications

Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment

Qualification Number 601/2322/9
Candidate Qualification Workbook

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GQA Centre name  
 
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• This workbook is to be completed by the candidate in conjunction with the Level 1 Health and Safety in
Construction presentation

• To be awarded the qualification the candidate needs to achieve a pass mark of 85% or above.

• Please answer all questions as fully as possible; it is important to read the questions fully before
answering them.

• The candidate is required to sign at the top of each page in the space provided
Section One - Know the principles of risk assessment for maintaining and improving health and safety at
work.
1.1 What is the purpose of the following 2 documents which are used for health and safety on a construction
site?

Written Risk Assessment Document :

 The risk assessment helps workers and employer find the potential hazards and dangers on a construction site to keep workers
and pedestrians safe.
 When workers carry out risk assessments, they prevent accidents from happening in the future because they can find all the
dangerous situations from the construction site.
 Health and safety risk assessments are good at finding hazards in order to have fewer accidents on site.
 Health and safety risk assessment is used to identify hazards and dangers on site. All staff and pedestrians must be safe and
risk assessments help to prevent accidents.
 With the help of risk assessments, workers find all the potential hazards and help them remember the risks and dangers
throughout the work day.
 the risk assessment helps workers find all the dangerous situations from the construction site to work in a safe environment.
 Risk assessment identifies all the potential hazards from the construction site. It helps keep the number of accidents down.
Health & safety regulations say all workers must do risk assessment for their own protection.
Written Task Method Statement :

 The method statement is in place to ensure that everybody knows how to do their work. It’s the plan of how to move materials, the route
for the vehicles and all the other activity from the construction site.

 The method statement is the plan of all the activity, containing the measures and the things workers must do on the construction site –
this plan must be followed by everybody.

 It's the plan of all work from site. All the workers must respect this plan for their own safety.

 The plan made for the work and activity on site is a method statement. It helps workers remember what they must do and how to do the
work.

 By reading the method statement, workers know what to do because it’s the plan of all the work from that construction site.

 the method statement is made to have a plan for how work develops on the construction site so everybody is safe while doing their job.

 It has all the procedures for all the work on site to make sure there are no accidents or delays.
1.2 For each of the documents below, list one health and safety regulation for each which says an employer
needs to provide them for their employees?

Risk Assessment Document :

 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - The work environment must not hold any dangers for the construction worker.
 Workplace health safety and welfare regulations 1992 – All companies must make sure there are clean facilities on site, clean toilets, first aid
facilities and places where the workers can eat.
 Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999 - Every employer must assess all the risks to which the workers are exposed to make
sure the site is safe for all workers.
 Work at Height Regulations 2005 – It states that risk assessments must be carried out every time before working at height.
 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation 2002 – Workers must carry out a risk assessment to identify all the hazards that can take
place when handling a certain hazardous substance and the control measures that are needed.
 Manual Handling Operation Regulations 2002 – Workers must assess all the hazards that can happen during manual handling and what
measures they can take so that the work is done correctly.
 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2002 – It says what kind of risk assessments are needed to see if asbestos is present on site in any form if there
are any suspicions.
 Personal Protective Equipment 2002 – Workers must inspect their PPE before starting work to make sure they are protected at all times.
 Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998 – There are clear risk assessments needed if there’s a possibility that lead is present on site.
Method Statement :

• The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 recommends construction companies to have method statements on site.
1.3 Give 3 common causes of deaths on a construction site

 accidents with vehicles
 wall collapsing
 being caught between pieces of equipment 
 having inhaled fibres and particles of
chemicals or dusts
 collisions with vehicles
 hit by tools
 airborne fibres  having strokes or heart attacks from big
effort
 being hit by dropped tools or materials
 work accidents while being drunk or doing
trips, slips and falls
drugs
 working with asbestos
 electrocution
 wrong moves when loading trucks
 catching fire from handling flammable
materials
 being hit by moving vehicles

 falling from height  being hit by dropped heavy objects

  drunk driving
being hit by parts of equipment
1.4 Give 3 common causes of injuries on a construction site ( these must be different to the answers given in
1.3 above)

 falls and slips or trips  overheating from extremely hot weather

 manual handling with no PPE

 incorrect manual handling
 burns
 drunk driving on site
 anxiety
 heat strokes
 fires and explosions
 exposure to fumes, chemicals and dusts
 workers dropping dangerous substances on their own body
 strain injuries in muscles and nerves
 being hit by falling objects
 breathing problems from hard physical work
 accidents with equipment
 deafness from working around loud tools and machinery

 inhaling toxic substances

 stress

 repetitive motion

 hypothermia

 being overworked
 1.5 If a construction site was not a very safe place to work and had a high level of accidents with people
getting hurt, list 3 things which might happen to the site and/or organization if they are not reduced or
stopped?
1. • workers avoid the company
• workers take time free from work
• workers lose money
• workers continue to become injured from lack of safety measures
• many people have financial hardship because they lose their job
• the company can be prosecuted by the injured workers
• site managers and supervisors lose their jobs if they didn’t take control measures

2. • there’s a high risk for accidents

• the company loses credibility and it can be sued
• the company loses money
• work on site is delayed from the lack of work force
• accidents never stop and workers leave
• the work on the construction site is done in a hurry and in a poor manner out of fear accidents can happen
• the quality of the construction work is low and the company is fined

3. • the government must pay more money on sick leave for the injured workers
• the company can close down and all workers lose their jobs
• the company has bad reputation
• there’s bad publicity for the company
• the employer and the government must pay money on sick leave for the workers and financial compensation for their physical
and emotional injuries
• the company must pay the workers for their injuries and there’s a risk the construction work stops if the company runs out of
money
• the injured workers may not fully recover and may have to change their working field.
1.6 In your own words can you explain what the following health and safety terms mean?

Workplace Accident :

 a non-controlled event where goods were destroyed and workers were injured.

 event that ends with injury or destructions.

 incident that wasn’t planned and resulted in destruction of tools or equipment or in injuries to people.

 a sudden event where goods were damaged or people were injured.

 it’s an event that happened without warning and something was damaged or a worker got hurt.

 it is a non-controlled event that ended with damages or injuries.

 an unplanned incident from site that had as result damaged goods or injured people.
Workplace Near Miss :

 an incident that had the possibility of resulting in destruction of tools and equipment or in injuries to people, but everything ended
alright.

 an incident that had the possibility to end with injuries or destructions, but eventually there were no incidents in the end.

 something that happened and nearly hurt a person or nearly damaged goods or materials.

 a sudden event that had the possibility to end in damaged tools and equipment or injured people.

 something that happened suddenly and almost hurt someone or damaged something, but it didn’t.

 an incident that had the possibility of resulting in destruction of tools and equipment or in injuries to people, but it was fine.

 an unplanned incident that could have ended with damages or injuries, but everything turned out well.
Construction Hazard :

 it’s an event that is able to cause injury or damage.

 situation on site that has the possibility to injure a worker.

 potential source of harm for a person or source of damage to goods or equipment.

 it’s a sudden event that can bring injuries or cause damages.

 a situation that has the potential to end with injuries or damages.

 it’s a situation that can cause injuries or damages on the construction site.

 a situation or an event from the construction site that is capable of bringing damages and injuries.
Construction Risk :

 risk is the possibility that a person may be harmed.

 it’s possibility for hazard to injure workers and damage tools or equipment.

 how likely it is for hazard to bring damages or cause injuries.

 the possibility that a person may be injured or goods may be damaged

 how high the possibility is for hazard to bring harm or cause damages

 risk is the possibility that a person may be injured or equipment or tools may be damaged

 how possible it is for hazard to end with injuries or damages

Competent person :

 the worker who knows his job well, who is trained and experienced.

 a qualified person who has skills, knowledge, experience and training to do his job very well.

 the employee who knows how to do his job, who is qualified, skilled and experienced.

 the worker who is trained, experienced and able to train other workers for his type of job.

 the worker who has the training, the experience and the skills that are needed for his job.

 someone on site who was trained for a certain job that he is doing really well and who is able to solve all the problems related to his job.

 a person who is trained, experienced and qualified for their job.

 1.7 Give an example of a health and safety risk and hazard for each of the areas listed below?
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a
construction site
Resources, such as  leftovers from workers’ food are left
barriers, canteens, PPE in canteens instead of inside the
garbage bins
 not inspecting PPE before starting
work
 missing barriers
 not wearing correct PPE when using
pneumatic tools
 garbage left in toilets.
 barriers installed by untrained
workers
 garbage is thrown in facilities
 
What is the main risk from the hazard on
a construction site?
 rodents and insects infest the site
and spread disease
 worker can suffer all sorts of injuries
if the PPE is faulty
 vehicles can be involved accidents
 workers can suffer from hand arm
vibration syndrome
 the toilets become clogged and the
remains contaminate the site
making the workers sick
 there can be chaos and accidents on
site
 it clogs pipes and drains and the
facilities can’t be used anymore
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a
construction site
Equipment being used  not inspecting the lifting aids
to carry out the work before starting work
 scaffolding erected by untrained
workers
 faulty lifting equipment
 tools left outside in the rain
 rusty chains on the platform used
for working at height
 signs and indicators are missing
 scaffold tower fitted incorrectly by
a drunk worker
 
What is the main risk from the hazard on
a construction site?
 if they are faulty, the worker can
drop the load and damage it or he
can be injured
 the scaffolding can collapse and
injure workers
 it can injure the worker
 rust can damage and break them
 the chains can snap and break and
the platform can fall with workers
on it
 there’s chaos
 it can fall to the ground and kill the
workers
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a
construction site
Obstructions that could  ice or snow weren’t cleaned before
be found on walkways or starting work
on vehicle routes  cans of chemical substances used
on walkways are left there
  tools left on walkways

 heavy machinery left in the middle
of the roadway
 stacks of materials left on walkways
 loads are left on roads when the
shift is over
 equipment is left on the walkway
 
What is the main risk from the hazard on
a construction site?
 they can be slipping hazards for
workers and vehicles can make
accidents
 workers can have respiratory
problems from chemicals
 they can be tripping hazards
 it delays the work on site because
other vehicles can’t pass
 workers can’t pass easily and there
are delays
 They delay the work start for the
next day
 Workers are late with work as they
can’t pass.
Area Possible hazard that might happen on
a construction site
Storage areas where  stacks of pipes left on site
materials are stored  stacks of glass are left
unsupervised in open air
 chemicals left in heat outside
 flammable materials are left
around site
 solvents left on scaffolding
 tools were left outside in the rain
 paint cans were forgotten in open
air
 
 
What is the main risk from the hazard
on a construction site?
 they can block the emergency exit
and workers can’t save themselves
in case of accident
 they can crack and break from the
wind, the rain or the hail
 they can explode
 they can catch fire from sun heat
 they can cause respiratory
problems to workers nearby
 the tools become rusty and
damaged
the paint becomes dry and it can’t

be used anymore
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a
construction site
Services which may be  a utility cable can become tangled
buried below ground or with the moving cup of a bulldozer
overhead  electric cables are left at ground
surface unburied
 water pipes are not buried on time
 gas pipes are left at ground surface
 sewage pipes are dug out
 water pipes are hit by excavator
 cables are hit with a sharp tool by
someone working at height
 
 
What is the main risk from the hazard on
a construction site?
 The utility service is interrupted and
the construction company is being
held responsible.
 If workers step on them, they can
cause electric shock.
 They can become rusty from rain
and they can crack open
 They can explode if they are hit by
mistake
 They can be hit and they can flood
the site with waste water
Water can flood the site and delay

all the work.
 The worker can be electrocuted
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a What is the main risk from the hazard
construction site on a construction site?

Waste left over from  plastic wraps or plastic bags are
work carried out left around site
 Rubbish is left on driveway by
workers
 Workers leave materials on site
after work
 Boxes are left outside when the
shift is over
 Polystyrene is left outside
 Materials were left outside
everywhere
 Empty boxes left on scaffolding
 They become dangerous for the
environment
 Vehicles can make accidents
 They can be destroyed by the bad
weather
 They can be taken by wind
everywhere and make a mess or
provoke accidents in the streets
 It can be taken by wind and block
vents because it’s very light
 They are tripping hazards.
 They can be taken by wind and fall
on pedestrians
Area Possible hazard that might happen on a
construction site
Work activities being carried  Workers are loading trucks and the area isn’t
out on the site secured with signposts, cones or safeguards
 I work near a moving plant and I come too
close, but I forget to tell the operator
 Workers throw rubbish from roof and don’t
put signs or chutes.
 Worker is in a hurry and doesn’t wait for a
competent person to put signs and
safeguards correctly, so he puts them himself
 No use of banksman when there’s a heavy
plant moving on site
 No signs or indicators were placed during the
digging activity
 The worker who is moving a load to storage
doesn’t respect the route from the method
statement
What is the main risk from the hazard on a
construction site?
 Other workers and vehicles can go inside that
area and become injured or cause damages
 The moving plant can hit me and I become
injured.
 Rubbish falls on the ground and injures other
workers
 Chaos will happen, work is delayed and there
can be accidents.
 There can be serios accidents ending with
damages and injuries.
 Somebody can fall in a hole.
 He can be hit by a vehicle.
1.8 If you had an accident on site or a near-miss, why is it important you report it to someone?

 If they are reported, other accidents and near misses don’t happen again in the future and the workers are safe.

 To not have the such accidents happen again on site.

 The manager can take action and make plans so accidents never happen again.

 To take control measures so to not have other accidents happen again on site and all workers, pedestrians, tools, materials and
vehicles to be safe.

 To take control measures in order to not have similar accidents happen on site in the future.

 To make sure all accidents are recorded and investigated and to keep similar accidents from happening in the future.

 If all accidents are reported, the manager can decide what safety measures he can take in the future so other accidents don’t take
place and all workers and pedestrians are safe.
1.9 If you had an accident or near-miss on a construction site who would you need to report it to?

 to the supervisor

 to the site health and safety representative

1.10 If you had an accident or near-miss on a construction site who should complete the written accident
report?

 I’m the person who must complete the accident report. If I am too injured from the accident, someone else can do it for me.

 The worker who was involved in the accident must write the report. Another person is allowed to do this only if the worker isn’t able
to.

 The report must be done by the worker who had the accident or by somebody else if that worker was severely injured and can’t write
the report.

 If the injured worker can’t write the report, he can be helped by another worker who can write it for him.

 The worker or the workers who were involved in the accident must write the report.

 If I had an accident on site, I should make a report and someone else can make it if I am unconscious or injured.

 Accident reports must be written by the workers who suffered the accident or by other people if the workers aren’t capable because
of their injuries.
1.11 Why do you need to carry out a visual (Dynamic) risk assessment at the start of the day and during the
time you are carrying out work on a construction site?

 It’s for everybody’s health and safety. Visual assessments for tools, materials, work area and equipment are made to protect people
on site and to find and report hazards.

 Visual risk assessments help find all hazards that can put me and all the other workers in danger. The site is a safe place for workers
when the risk assessments have been carried out correctly.

 To make the working area a safe place with no injuries and damages.

 I must see if it’s a safe area of work so I don’t become injured and tools, materials or equipment to not be damaged.

 Workers must carry out visual risk assessments because it’s the best way to find all the dangerous situations and all the hazards from
the construction site.

 Visual risk assessments are being carried out for the health and safety of the workers. Visual assessments indicate the tools, the
materials, the working area and the equipment are safe for use and no life is in danger during the working activity.

 Workers are safe when they work if they make sure all tools, equipment and PPE are in good working order and the only way to see
everything is alright in the working space is through the visual risk assessment they must carry out.

VISUAL
Section Two- Know the importance of safe manual handling in the workplace
2.1 When you are moving tools, materials and equipment on site using manual handling, why is it important
that you do this safely?

 When we move materials on site, we must use safe handling techniques in order to not suffer any injuries and to not damage the
load.

 If workers use safe handling techniques, they protect the load and aren’t injured.

 Because I must make sure to not be injured and the materials to not be damaged.

 If workers follow all the safe handling techniques, they aren’t injured and the load isn’t damaged.

 If workers use safe manual handling, they stay safe and unharmed and the load is undamaged.

 Many injuries and damages are caused by unsafe manual handling which means safe manual handling saves lives and keeps all the
loads safe and intact.

 It is important to use the safe handling techniques so the worker stays healthy and his load is not damaged.
2.2 If you were carrying out manual handling in an unsafe way list 3 potential injuries that you could get?

 Skin cuts  Sprained elbows  Fractures

 Shoulder pain  Limping  Slipped disc

 Bruises  Broken bones  Neck pain

 Hernia  Pinched nerves  Muscle tears

 Twisted ligaments  Muscle soreness  Arm numbness

 Foot swelling  Twisted knee  Groin pain

 Headaches  Heel pain  Ankle sprains

2.3 If you were carrying out manual handling in an unsafe way list 3 ways it could affect your long-term health
and cause you health problems

1. • Slipped disc
• Ruptured disc
• Inflamed joints
• Arthritis

2. • Nerve damage
• Blood vessel damage
• Twisted ligaments
• Torn ligaments

3. • Stress
• Anxiety
• Hernia
• Ruptured disc
 2.4 If you had to carry out manual handling as part of your job, state what actions you need to take to comply
with manual handling regulations?

Area Actions you need to take

   
Moving and storing any  It is very important to use the manual handling equipment, clear the
materials on the route, check the storage space and follow the rules to not become injured
construction site  use a safe system of work, clean environment, storage place checked as
instructed, carry out risk assessment
 Risk assessment, make sure the walkway is clean and use correct storage
place for materials.
 make risk assessments, verify the storage space, clean the route, ask help,
report problems.
 clean the work area, use a safe system of work and don’t forget about the
risk assessment.
 Workers must carry out risk assessments, check the load and the storage
area and report problems.
 I must keep the work area clean, store materials as instructed, carry out a
risk assessment, read the method statement
 
 
 
 Area Actions you need to take
   
Carrying any manual  carry out risk assessment, report actions that are not safe to supervisors, follow
handling activities in your the lifting technique correctly
job  make risk assessment, use correct lifting equipment and notice and report
unsafe situations
  risk assessment, use PPE and report hazards

 make risk assessment and follow the instructions from the method statement
about the PPE and the route.
 use PPE to lift the load correctly if its heavy, carry out risk assessment and
report dangers.
 Carrying out a risk assessment, wearing correct PPE, reporting problems,
deciding to use lifting aids if the load is too heavy.
 
 
 
 
 Area Actions you need to take
   
Using manual handling  When I use mechanical aids for moving and lifting materials, I must be sure that
aids to move materials the persons using it are trained and competent. I must inspect the equipment
around the construction before use and carry out risk assessment.
site  check if the lifting aids are safe and working, check if the person doing the lifting
is trained and do risk assessment
  carry out risk assessment, use lifting aids in a correct way, inspect aids and check

if the operator has training.
 carry out risk assessment, inspect the aids and report problems.
 use a lifting aid, inspect it and have training.
 I must check the aids, use only the lifting aids from site and report problems if I
encounter any problems.
 The lifting aids must be inspected, the PPE is mandatory, I must be trained in
operating the lifting aids.
 
2.5 If you had to move boxes of materials from your stores to where you are working on the site say how
would you do this safely?

 I should plan the route, check the storage space, carry out risk assessment, use PPE

 carry out risk assessment, check the load, clear the area, check the place of storage, ask help if the boxes are very heavy and check
the training of the person who does the lifting

 risk assessment, check the load, ask help if the load is heavy, check the storage space, follow the lifting moves from guidelines and
move the load.

 workers must carry out risk assessment, check the boxes, clean the route, check the storage area, ask for help and make sure the
person who lifts has training.

 Carry out risk assessment, check the load, check training of the worker, clear the work area and ask help from workers or use lifting
aids if the load is heavy.

 A risk assessment must be carried out, a safe system of work is necessary, PPE must be used, the lifting technique must be correct
(bend the knees and keep the load close to the body).

 I must plan the route, carry out risk assessment, make sure the storage space is clean, keep the boxes close, bend the knees and try
to not twist the back in order to avoid any injuries.
2.6 When you are moving materials and equipment on a site why should you use the safety equipment and
PPE that has been provided?

 The equipment is used for safety to keep materials and machines safe from damage.

 To stay safe from accidents, to make sure no other worker is injured, to make the job easier

 To not hurt myself, to not damage the materials or the equipment and to not hurt other workers.

 The safety equipment and the PPE are needed to stay safe from accidents, to keep the materials undamaged, not to injure
colleagues or pedestrians and to make the job easy and fast.

 Safety equipment helps workers not to get hurt and not to brake materials and machinery. PPE protects the workers.

 The equipment is used to keep all materials and equipment safe from damage and the worker safe from injuries.

 The safety equipment is used to keep the workers, materials and equipment safe from all injuries and damages.
2.7 If you had to move heavy materials around the construction site to where you are working, list 3 different
manual handling lifting equipment you could use

shelf trolley lifting hooks

load restraints eyebolts scissor lift
pallets roller conveyor platform truck
3 stair trolley hydraulic stacker pullies
spreader beam sack truck high lift pallet truck
suction lifter cords bord trolley
slings brick handles ramps
vacuum lift for panels
2.8 Before carrying out any manual handling activity such as moving heavy boxes to your place of work, what
documentation do you think you should refer to, so you do it safely?

The worker must read the method statement and The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, but he must also be familiar with a
process named TILEO which must be followed when carrying out risk assessments.
TILEO is short for: Task – Individual – Load-Environment – Other Factors.
These are the 5 parts of the process that must be considered during the manual handling activity.
2.9 If you were going to move some boxes to where you were working and you felt you could not do this
safely what action would you take?

 Report problems to supervisor or site manager.

 Make risk assessment, make report to supervisor.

 After carrying out the risk assessment, I would report the situation to my supervisor.

 I must report the unsafe situation to a manager.

 Write report to the supervisor or the manager.

 I would make a report for the manager.

 A report must be sent to the site manager in such a situation.

Section Three- Know the importance of working safely at height in the workplace
3.1 When working on a construction site what does the term “Working at Height” mean ?

 Working at height means worker is in a place working somewhere from where he can fall and become harmed: scaffolding, edge of a
hole, crane, ground level.

 Working at height is when worker is working in a place from where he can fall and receive injuries.

 Working at height means worker is doing his duty somewhere from where he can fall and become injured like scaffolding or roof or a
ladder and even ground level.

 Work at height means work in any place where there is risk to fall and be injured.

 To work at heights means to work in any place from where we can fall and become hurt or even die.

 To work at height is to work in any place, scaffolding, ladder, roof or the edge of a hole or a trench, from where the workers can fall
and become injured.

 It’s working at height in all the places from where there is a risk of falling and becoming injured even if the worker is doing his job on
the ground floor.
3.2 If you had to carry out any working at height on a construction site, what actions would you be responsible
for to carry out?

 Working at height regulations say builders must carry out risk assessment, they must use safe systems of work and PPE. They must
report any dangerous activities on site.

 To report any unsafe conditions, to follow risk assessment and to use safe systems of work, safety equipment and PPE.

 To report all hazards, to carry out risk assessment and to use safe systems of work (safety equipment and PPE).

 Carry out risk assessment, wear PPE, report problems, inspect access equipment.

 To report all hazards, to do risk assessment and to use safe systems of work (safety equipment and PPE).

 Working at height regulations state all workers must carry out a risk assessment, they must wear PPE, inspect the equipment and they
must have training for this type of work on the construction site. They must report all problems in order to stay safe and be able to do
their job.

 The legal responsibilities are to carry out risk assessments, use safe systems of work, report problems, inspect equipment and wear
PPE.
 3.3 If you had to carry out a job working at height what are the possible hazards and risks for each of the
following activities?
Area Possible hazard around when working
at height
Dropping any of your  Tools or rubbish fall on walkways
tools or materials or on driveways
 When dropped, material falls on
plant or vehicles.
 Tools or materials fall on the work
from the ground.
 Tools fall on another worker.
 The tools can fall on pedestrians
 The tools can land on the electric
cables.
 The materials fall with high speed
from really big height.
 
 
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 Someone can trip by the materials
or the tools can fall on vehicles
which can make accident.
 Plant and vehicles can make
accidents, become damaged or
injure workers
 The work is damaged and must be
redone which means delays and
bigger costs.
 He suffers injuries.
 The tools can hit the pedestrian
and cause him injuries.
 Electricity can be cut off in the
neighbourhood and the company
pays for the damages.
 They become destroyed and can’t
be used anymore.
Area Possible hazard around when working at
height
 You are carrying out work  The ladder can fall from my weight
on an unstable ladder  There is a missing step on the ladder.
 A ladder that is unstable can fall on
  the workers’ job in progress from the
ground.
 The ladder loses balance and moves
 An unstable ladder can balance from
side to side with tools on its steps.
 The ladder is weak
 The steps of the ladder are cracked.
 
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 I fall with the ladder and I become
injured
 The worker can fall to the ground
trying to put his foot on the missing
step.
 The ladder can destroy the work in
progress.
 The worker from the ladder can fall
and be injured.
 The tools fall on people who can be
injured.
It can break with the worker, throw

him to the ground and harm him
 The worker who steps on the ladder
will fall and become injured.
Area Possible hazard around when working
at height
You are working near  The power cable can be touched
overhead power cables with a tool
 Overhead power cables can tangle
  with tools or scaffolding tower.
 Cables can be stuck on scaffolding
bars.
 worker can cut power cable when
he works at height
 Workers can strike by mistake the
cables overhead.
 The tools become stuck in the
cables
 I can touch the cable with my hand
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 The worker can die electrocuted
 They can electrocute workers.
 The cables can be ripped and there
can be a power outage.
 Electricity is cut on site and in the
neighbourhood and the
construction company is being held
responsible
 The cables can snap, break and
bring damages to buildings nearby.
 It can make the worker hit the
ground as he tries to detangle
them and he can become seriously
injured.
 I can be electrocuted.
Area Possible hazard around when working What the main risk from this hazard might be?
at height
You are carrying out work    
on a fragile roof
 I can fall through a fragile roof  I can become injured from the fall.
 Shingles and tiles can slip from  They can’t be reused which means bigger
the roof costs because they must be replaced.
 Workers use hot bitumen on a  The bitumen can leek through the cracks
weak roof and burn workers from the ground.
 Roof lights break from the  Glass shards fall on workers below.
weight of the tools and the  The roof can collapse injuring workers.
workers  The worker falls and he can be injured.
 A fragile roof can break under  
workers’ weight.
 The tiles can slip and bring the
worker down to the ground.
 
 
 
 
Area Possible hazard around when
working at height
You are carrying out  
work on scaffolding
outside of a building  There aren’t any protective
toes.
   When the weather is bad and
the workers decide not to wear
PPE.
 There are missing steps on the
scaffolding.
 Guardrails are damaged.
 Protective rails are weak and
moving.
 Using the equipment for other
purposes, other types of work.
 There are unprotected edges
and openings.
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 
 I can fall and become injured.
 Workers can be thrown off the
scaffold tower, fall on the
ground and be injured or die.
 The workers can trip and fall
 The workers can fall.
 This situation makes the work
difficult because people work
with fear of falling.
 The equipment can be
damaged or it can block and
put the worker’s life in danger.
 The workers are at a risk of
falling.
Area Possible hazard around when working
at height
You are working in an
internal void such as a
The lift shaft can be blocked or it
lift shaft or service shaft 
can fall down
 Workers use strong adhesives in
the confined space.
 There are many people in the
small space.
 Many tools are left on the floor.
 The lift cables can be frail and
loose.
 Some of the workers are
untrained.
 There are many people around
when one worker is welding.
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 
 I can be injured from the speed of
the fall.
 Workers can become intoxicated
from the vapours.
 They can drop tools from the lack
of space and injure themselves or
others.
 The workers can trip and fall in
void.
 The lift can fall to the ground and
injure the workers.
 They can fall inside the lift shaft.
 They can be burned by sparkles
from welding.
Area Possible hazard around when working
at height
You are using tools and  Using damaged equipment.
equipment to carry out  Tools aren’t inspected because
your work workers aren’t trained.
 Worker is not trained to use that
equipment.
 Tools and equipment are dirty.
 Worker thinks job is too easy and
he doesn’t need the equipment.
 Worker uses his own tools instead
of using the tools provided by the
construction company.
 I am not trained to use the
equipment.
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 I can be injured by the equipment.
 They can be faulty and hurt the
workers.
 He can damage it.
 They don’t function correctly and
can put me in danger.
 He can be injured.
 His own tools may not be good for
the job and he can’t work well and
fast.
 I make mistakes that can damage
the equipment or put my life in
danger.
Area Possible hazard around when
working at height
The area you are  The area is not clean
working in when  The area at height is not
working at height inspected before work and
protection bars are missing.
 It’s filled with snow from the bad
weather.
 The area doesn’t have all
protection rails.
 The platform has a lot of ice
which wasn’t cleaned.
 The area has unprotected
openings.
 The platform I work on is old
and rusty.
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 I can trip and fall with mess
around.
 Workers can fall and become
injured from that height.
 Workers can slip and fall.
 Workers can fall, be injured or
die.
 Workers can slip and fall on ice
and even break a leg, missing
work.
 I can trip and fall through the
opening.
 The platform floor can crack
open or the chains can break
and I can fall.
Area Possible hazard around when
working at height
You are working near  There are untrained people.
other people at height  There are too many workers on
the platform.
 One worker smells like alcohol.
 Not all workers were PPE.
 Many people in a small space.
 Not all the workers are trained
to work at height.
 Another worker is sick from
being at big height.
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
 People drop tools or can fall
from height
 The workers can be too heavy
for the platform which can break
and fall, injuring or killing the
workers.
 He can fall and put all lives in
danger if he’s drunk.
 Their life is in danger.
 They can push each other and
fall.
 Untrained workers can put the
life of the other workers in
danger.
 He can fall if he feels dizzy or he
can try to lean on other workers
putting them at risk.
3.4 If you had to carry out any working at height on a construction site, what actions can be taken by you and
your employer to ensure it is safe?

a) Actions your employer can take

• The employer must make sure the working at height area is safely protected with safeguards, barriers or nets. They must have a plan in
case of an emergency (a fire or an accident). They must provide safe PPE for every worker and suitable access equipment. All risk
assessments must be taken seriously and safety measures must be taken to keep all workers safe.
• Must provide correct training, safe PPE, proper access equipment. Must make sure all safety measures meet the regulations.
• He must make sure the workers have everything they need to work at height: PPE, access equipment, method statements. He must
read the risk assessments and take safety measures.

b) Actions you can take

• Work at height only if it’s necessary, inspect all PPE and access equipment, put signs for working at height, carry out risk assessment.
• Workers must carry out risk assessment before work, report the problem and the materials must be put in correct storage. They must
only keep the materials they need.
• Respect all the regulations from training, use all PPE provided by the company, report problems to stay safe at all times.
3.5 What is the name of the main health and safety regulation you need to follow when carrying out working
at height?

• The Work at Height Regulations 2005

Section Four – Know the risks to health within a construction environment
4.1 List the 4 main substance groups named in the COSHH Regulations that can be hazardous to your health
and give an example of each type

Substance group Example substance

   

 vapours  solvent vapour, paint adhesives

 gases
 CO2 carbon dioxide, oxy acetylene used in
welding, exhaust gases, chlorine

   

 dusts  cement, wood dust, metal dust, stone dust,

rubber, sanding
 mists  resulted from spray applications
 
   
 solvents, cleaning chemicals, adhesives
 chemicals welding fumes, hot rubber, galvanising fumes,

 fumes from cutting metal
   
 4.2 Name five of the most common risks to a person’s health that may be present on a construction site

 noisy equipment leads to deafness  working with cement leads to

dermatitis
 breathing in fumes from chemicals and
solvents leads to asthma
 bacteria that reach the bloodstream
 silica dust leads to silicosis through open wounds leads to tetanus

 sunburns from working in extreme

 working with asbestos leads to cancer
heat leads to skin cancer
 rat infested facilities on site lead to
 working long hours leads to stress
leptospirosis

 the constant use of pneumatic tools

leads to hand arm vibration syndrome
4.3 Give a potential hazard and risk that could be present if a construction worker had been taking drugs or
had been drinking before coming to work
Area Possible hazard
Taking drugs before  He has a slow reaction time
coming to work on site  They are tired and sleepy
 He lost ability to see risks
 Such a worker can be dirty and
smelly
 They don’t work well
 Being very agitated and nervous
 A worker who is drugged is unable to
focus on his work.
 
What the main risk from this hazard
might be
 He can’t fix a problem quickly during
work and the damage can become
permanent
 They can fall asleep at height and fall
 They can climb the scaffold and not
wear PPE
 Nobody wants to work with him.
 They make mistakes which must be
fixed and they are fired.
 They can start arguments or threaten
their colleagues.
 He doesn’t work and loses his job.
Area Possible hazard
Drinking before coming  He can’t concentrate
to work on site  They easily forget things
 Their mood is affected
  He feels very confident

   They miss work
 A drunk person is dizzy and can
barely walk.
 He trips and falls very often.
What the main risk from this hazard
might be
 He can take materials to the wrong
storage
 They forget to inspect equipment
before work and they are injured
 He’s angry and starts fights with
other workers
 He works without PPE and he can be
injured
 They lose money and their job
 If his work is at height, he can fall
and die.
 If he falls in front of a moving
vehicle, he can be hit.
4.4 If you had to store material that could be dangerous on a construction site why it is important that you
store them correctly?

 The chemicals can contaminate the environment if their storage is not done correctly and they can give
workers breathing and eye problems. Workers must avoid fires and explosions so everything that can lead
to that must be taken in correct storage.

 Mixing substances if containers leek can make explosions and fires and many materials can contaminate
environment if they are left on site instead of being taken to storage.

 We must avoid explosions (some substances can explode from heat or if they come in contact together)
and contamination of environment (if containers leek or if there is smoke in case of fire) and we must make
sure people don’t make contact with dangerous substances.

 The chemicals can contaminate the environment if they are outside and leek on the ground and they can
give workers respiratory problems. Some chemicals can react with each other and make explosions and
fires, so they must all be stored correctly.

 If chemicals and materials are not put in correct storage, they can affect the soil, make explosions and fires
and affect workers’ health.

 If chemicals and materials are not taken into their correct storage area, the environment can be affected
and there can be explosions and fires because some chemicals react together and explode.

 All materials and chemicals must stay in storage in order to avoid explosion and the contamination of the
environment and to keep people away from all the dangerous substances.
4.5 Why is it important that you take care of your own personal hygiene and welfare when you are working on
a construction site?

 Washing keeps people healthy. Not washing hands after contact with chemicals can make workers sick.
Dirty, contaminated hands and overalls bring dust at home and the families also become sick.

 To avoid illness. We must clean hands before we eat so we don’t swallow any particles or substances we
have on our hands from working and we should change clothes before we leave the site so we don’t
contaminate other people.

 When workers don’t wash, they bring germs and bacteria at home and their loved ones can become sick.
The workers themselves can become sick if they swallow dusts from site through their food.

 Not washing hands before eating or before coming home means germs are spreading to other people and
making everybody sick. Workers must wash their hands before every meal and they must change their
clothes before going home if they want to stay healthy.

 Workers must wash hands and change clothes because they work with dangerous materials and substances
and particles can be swallowed which makes them sick. They can bring all the dangerous substances at
home on their clothes and harm their families.

 Dusts, particles and hazardous substances can make workers sick if they are ingested. Workers must wash
their hands and they must change their clothes before they leave the site if they want to stay healthy.
4.6 If you were exposed to asbestos dust and powder over a period of time while carrying out your work, give
3 examples of how this might affect your health
 Without wearing a correct mask, the
worker can become sick with
mesothelioma.
 Inhaling asbestos fibres can make the
worker sick with mesothelioma 20 or 30
years later.
 Being exposed repeatedly can cause lung
cancer in time.
 Breathing without proper mask can lead in
time to scarred lungs – asbestosis.
 Not using correct PPE with long exposure
to asbestos leads to scarring of the lungs
and lung cancer.
 Small particles of asbestos reach the
respiratory system which leads to
asbestosis.
 Not wearing a respirator when working
with asbestos leads to asthma.
 I can become sick with asbestosis if
asbestos fibres go in my lungs.
 Working with asbestos with no PPE can
cause thickening of the lungs.
 Inhaling asbestos fibres leads to asbestosis.
 Heavy exposure to asbestos can thicken
the pleura and make breathing harder.
 Working with asbestos without mask can
cause lung cancer.
 Breathing in silica dust can be a cause for
mesothelioma.
 Lung cancer can appear after working a
long time with asbestos.
 I can have skin problems and deformed
fingernails if I don’t wear gloves around
asbestos.
 Breathing air with asbestos fibres can lead
to asbestosis many years later.
 Thickening of the lining of the lungs
appears after being heavy exposed to
asbestos.
 Skin and body parts exposed to asbestos
because the worker doesn’t wear PPE
means asbestos particles can get through
his skin and into his body and, later in life,
he can have cancer.
 If the fine lungs cells are damaged by
inhaling asbestos dust, the worker can
suffer from thickening of the pleura.
 If the skin is exposed to asbestos, the
workers can suffer from dermatitis,
deformed fingernails or skin cancer.
4.7 State 2 types of materials which might contain asbestos which can be found in buildings

 asbestos felt  block insulation  roofing sealant

 roof shingles  pipe wrap  window putty

 ceiling tiles  wall panels  electrical shielding

 roofing tar  acoustic ceilings  thermal pipe insulation

 wire insulation  pipe lagging  adhesives

 ebonized panels  flooring glue  duct tape

 furnaces  cable wrap  valves

4.8 If you had to work with dangerous and toxic substances in your job, give 3 types of PPE you would wear to
keep you safe and free from injury or ill health

 safety goggles

 protective gloves

 face shield

 long boots

 overalls

 respirator with P3 filter

Section Five- Know the importance of working safely around plant and equipment
5.1 State the 5 main types of injury that could be caused by moving plant, moving machinery and moving
equipment on a construction site

1. • There can be an impact between the plant and the worker if he comes in contact
with a moving plant by going too close without warning the driver.
• Through contact if a worker touches hot parts of the plant in an attempt to
inspect them, he can become burnt.
• By impact with a moving plant if I don’t respect the road signs because I can be hit
by the plant.

2. • By entrapment if the machinery wasn’t checked before work because it can block
and trap the worker between its moving parts.
• A worker can be injured through entanglement if the operator doesn’t have the
necessary training and he wears large clothes that become caught on a moving
part of the machinery.
• The workers’ health is at risk because of ejection of small particles from a moving
machinery like a stone cutter that can go into the workers’ eyes and blind them.

3. • Metal chisel can be ejected from a jack hammer that can injure the workers
nearby and make them blind.
• Workers can be injured by impact of materials that can fall from a plant if they
weren’t secured correctly and they can crush the worker or workers underneath.
• An operator can lose control of a machinery with powerful moving parts that can
injure him or other workers if there’s an impact between them and the moving
parts.
4. • A sharp edge of a moving machinery can cut the worker when he comes in contact with it.
• A moving jack hammer can send out metal chisels that can injure other people when ejected, blinding those who
are close by.
• Using force to unstuck a piece of equipment can trap the worker between two parts, the entrapment injuring him.

5. • When a worker has contact with exposed electrical wiring in a moving equipment, he can be electrocuted.
• A worker can be crushed between a plant and the wall of a building if the required distance isn’t respected which
means the worker has injuries from the impact.
• Somebody can be hit by the dangling arm of a machinery and suffer severe injuries from the impact.
5.2 Give a potential hazard and risk that could be around when there is moving plant, machinery or equipment
around where you are working?
Area Possible hazard
Moving plant •  A speeding plant overturns while
falling into a trench.
 
• A plant tips over while lifting an
  extremely heavy load.
 
• The cup of an excavator moves
  around.
  • A fork lift truck driver drives into
another machinery.
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
• The plant can hit and kill other
workers during this event as well as
its own driver.
Workers can be hit and crushed by
•
the plant.
• A worker nearby can be injured if he
is hit.
• The load from the fork lift truck can
fall on another worker and kill him.
Area Possible hazard
Moving machinery • Workers don’t respect the correct
distance from a moving machinery.
  The machinery has rotating parts.
•
  There are many noisy pieces of
•
  machinery on site.
  • There are parts from moving
machinery that are burning hot.
 
• A machinery has parts that are
strongly vibrating from motion.
What the main risk from this hazard
might be?
•  They can be hit by small pieces of
materials.
• The operator risks having his fingers
caught in the machinery.
• Workers can develop hearing
problems or deafness.
• If workers touch them, they receive
serious burns.
• The worker can be injured from the
vibrations or he can feel his arms
numb.
Area Possible hazard What the main risk from this hazard
might be?

     
Moving equipment • There are sparks around from using •  The sparks can start fires on site.
equipment for welding or grinding.
  • The worker can have his fingers
• A moving equipment with rotating trapped between those parts.
  parts is a hazard.
• He can develop eye damage or
  PPE like eye protection is missing blindness.
•
  when the worker is welding.
• The worker can be injured or a fire
  • Missing safety gear from equipment can start from the sparks.
like saws turns it into a hazard.
 
 
 
 
5.3 If you are working near plant, machinery and equipment, why is it important that there are safeguards in
place between you and them?

 Safeguards protect workers and pedestrians. They keep everybody away from the areas of the site where there is work in progress or
from other places of the site that can be hazards.

 Safeguards keep away workers and pedestrians from moving plants, machinery and equipment. Vehicles on site can accident people if
they come close.

 To protect materials, equipment, plant and work from being damaged and to keep all workers and pedestrians safe from injuries.

 Safeguards separate the area where machinery works from the area where there are other workers or pedestrians so they aren’t hit by
the machinery.

 Safeguards are used to protect all the people on site, it does not allow access to dangerous parts of the site.

 They are necessary to keep away and protect all the workers and the pedestrians from the dangerous zones where machinery is working.

 Safeguards protect workers and pedestrians from moving plants, machinery and equipment. They keep people away from danger.
Vehicles can hit and injure people if they enter those areas.
5.4 If you are approaching someone who is using plant, machinery or equipment why is it important you keep
a safe distance away from them until they have seen you?

 Workers must keep their distance from plants and equipment because the operator must have time to see them. The moving parts of the
equipment can hit other workers. They are allowed to go close to the plant only if the operator sees them.

 Workers can only go near the moving vehicles if the operators can see them because they can be hit by a moving part of the plant, of the
heavy equipment or by small parts.

 The moving part of a vehicle or an equipment can hit other workers if the operator doesn’t see them so the workers always must wait to be
seen.

 Because he can hit us with the plant or with a moving part of the plant if we go close and not tell him we are there.

 It’s important because the moving part of a vehicle or equipment can hit other workers if the operator doesn’t see them. Other people are
allowed to come close only when the operator shows them he knows they are there.

 It’s important to let the driver know you’re there because the moving vehicles can hit people easily. No one is allowed to come close
without making sure he was seen by the driver.

 The plant and all the moving machinery from site have parts that are moving and they can hit workers if they come close. The plant
operator must see the workers before they can go near the plant so everybody is safe.
5.5 If you were using plant, machinery or equipment how can having a method statement in place help to
keep you and other people safe?

 With method statement, the managers have the plan for moving vehicles on site. Instructions from the method statement say the
operator of the vehicle must be trained, must know all the indicators and speed limit signs and must have help from traffic marshal. If all
instructions are followed, everyone is safe and uninjured.

 The method statement shows all the rules for the workers. They know the route of the plant, the procedures they must follow to go near a
working plant, they know they can ask a banksman for help when they need a guide.

 A method statement shows the safety equipment that must be used, who can move the plant, the risks of moving it and how to move the
plant. The vehicle is moved only by a trained operator, respects speed limits, safety signs and works with a banksman.

 The method statement shows where the plant and vehicles can go on site and what workers, drivers and operators must do. It’s plan of the
activity, the resources and the people who can do every job.

 Instructions from the method statement say the operator of the vehicle must be trained, must know all signs and speed limit and must
work together with a traffic marshal.

 With the help of the method statement, we know who is allowed to use a mobile plant, when we need a banksman to be present, the
places that need safeguards and signs, the speed limit of all moving vehicles.

 The method statement gives instructions about who can move the plant, the risks of moving it, how to move the plant, the use of a traffic
marshal, the signs and the routes. It plans every activity from the construction site and it help keep everyone safe.
 5.6 If you were working around or near plant, machinery or equipment, give 3 things that the construction site
or the person using it could be in place to either remove or control the risks that might be present

 Keep distance from all machinery until the

operator can see you.
 Only competent persons must instal safeguards
and place barriers.
 Respect storage spaces and don’t let materials
or equipment on driveways, report if you see
any.
 Only trained workers must be allowed to
operate plant, equipment and machinery.
 Do risk assessment, report problems, put safety 
guards.
 Work together with a traffic marshal.
 Make a report if untrained workers are trying to
drive a plant or to operate the equipment.
 Place signs and indicators for all moving
machinery.
 Make report if the plant driver or equipment
operator smells like alcohol or looks intoxicated.
 Make sure all drivers and operators are trained.
 Always check the equipment, machinery and
plant before starting work.
Make sure the operator sees you before you go
near the plant.
 Make sure safeguards, signs and indicators are
in place.
 Don’t let pedestrians enter the dangerous areas,
explain that they must respect all the
instructions from signs and indicators.
 Follow all the indications from the method
statement.
 Use traffic marshals every time heavy
machinery must move on site to avoid all
accidents.
 Follow rules when fixing engines and machinery
so nobody is hurt.
 Make sure there are never obstructions on the
road so there aren’t any delays and accidents.
 Follow the method statement, only let trained
workers operate plant and equipment.
 During winter time, clean all the ice and the
snow from the roadway before starting work.
 Don’t let anyone who looks intoxicated go near
heavy plant and machinery.
5.7 From the description given, identify the type of safety sign it is and give an example of each of the types of
sign that can be seen where plant, machinery or equipment are being used

Description of Sign Type of sign Provide an example for each type of sign

They are blue and white in
colour and either have words or
pictures on them
 
• Mandatory signs • High visibility clothes must be worn in
the area.
 
• Foot protection must be worn.
• All workers must wear eye protection in
  the area.
• A hard hat is mandatory on site.
Description of Sign
They are yellow and black and
have images or words on them
Type of sign Provide an example for each type of sign
• Warning signs  
• Mobile plant is working in the area.
• Construction work in progress.
• Look out for overhead loads.
• Hazardous chemicals are stored in this
area.
Description of Sign
They can be red and white or
red, black and white in colour
and either has words or
pictures on them
 
 
Type of sign Provide an example for each type of sign
• Prohibition signs • Only trained workers can operate
equipment.
 
• Unauthorized entry on site is forbidden.
• No pedestrian access.
• Do not remove guards.
Description of Sign Type of sign Provide an example for each type of sign

     
They are green and white in • Safe condition signs • Fire exit
colour and have images or
words on them • Eyewash station

  • First aid

  • Handwash facility

  • Emergency shower