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Operatives and Specialists – Manual Handling (2024)

Construction Test > Operatives and Specialists – Manual Handling (2024)

You need to answer at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly to pass the Manual Handling Test for Operatives and Specialists. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!

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List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. Which THREE of the following count as manual handling? Give THREE answers
A Hammering
B Lifting a load
C Pushing
D Repeated twisting
E Signalling
Correct Answer: B Lifting a load, C Pushing, D Repeated twisting
Explanation: Manual handling covers any way the body is used to move a load.
2. Why is safe manual handling in the workplace so important? Give ONE answer
A It helps employees work faster
B It helps improve on-site efficiency
C It helps reduce the risk of injury for workers
D it helps reduce damage to materials
Correct Answer: C It helps reduce the risk of injury for workers
Explanation: Safe manual handling procedures are crucial for safeguarding the health of workers.
3. How can you tell if you are developing back injury from manual handling? Give ONE answer
A It may not be immediately obvious
B You will develop a twinge in your back
C You will feel a burning sensation across the shoulder blades
D You will find it difficult to stand up
Correct Answer: A It may not be immediately obvious
Explanation: Back injuries from manual handling can develop over time, and may not be immediately obvious.
4. Which part of your body may be affected by injuries sustained through manual handling? Give ONE answer
A Ankles
B Any part of your body
C Back
D Neck
Correct Answer: B Any part of your body
Explanation: Manual handling can affect any part of your body.
5. Which of the following conditions is NOT caused by manual handling? Give ONE answer
A Back injury
B Cancer
C Hernia
D Rupture
Correct Answer: B Cancer
Explanation: Various injuries can result from manual handling, but diseases are uncommon.
6. What is ONE thing you can do outside of work to help protect yourself from manual handling injuries? Give ONE answer
A Have a carbohydrate-rich diet
B Sleep on your side
C Wear a neck brace
D Work on cultivating good posture
Correct Answer: D Work on cultivating good posture
Explanation: Good posture at all times will help protect you against injury.
7. Which of the following statements is TRUE about manual handling injuries? Give ONE answer
A They are easily remedied through physical therapy
B They are unlikely to be severe
C They are unlikely to disrupt your ability to work
D They can last the rest of your life
Correct Answer: D They can last the rest of your life
Explanation: Injuries from manual handling will frequently stay with you for years, and often for the rest of your life.
8. If manual load handling poses a risk to workers, what must be in place? Give ONE answer
A A safe system of work
B An emergency procedure
C Health surveillance
D Manual handling aids
Correct Answer: A A safe system of work
Explanation: A safe system of work must be introduced where manual handling of loads poses a health risk to employees.
9. Materials are being unloaded from a truck on one side of the site for use on the other side. What TWO questions should be asked first? Give TWO answers
A Can more workers be assigned to this task?
B Can the truck be moved closer?
C Can workers avoid moving this material manually?
D Is this the most cost-efficient strategy?
E Will this create insurance liability issues?
Correct Answer: B Can the truck be moved closer?, C Can workers avoid moving this material manually?
Explanation: Where possible, reduce the distance a load must be moved - or eliminate the need for manual handling entirely.
10. Which TWO of the following factors must be taken into account when choosing workers for manual handling? Give TWO answers
A Their age
B Their availability
C Their pay grade
D Their race
E Their stature
Correct Answer: A Their age, E Their stature
Explanation: The correct workers must be chosen for manual handling. This must take into account their physical suitability for the task.
11. Which TWO of the following factors will affect a safe system of work for manual handling? Give TWO answers
A If the load is dispensable
B If the load is expensive
C If the load is greasy
D If the load is hazardous
E If the load is urgently needed
Correct Answer: C If the load is greasy, D If the load is hazardous
Explanation: A safe system of work is designed to protect the safety of workers, not the cost or efficiency of a project.
12. Which THREE of the following load properties must you know before lifting it? Give THREE answers
A Centre of gravity
B Density
C Handholds
D Price
E Serial number
F Weight
Correct Answer: A Centre of gravity, C Handholds, F Weight
Explanation: A load's weight and centre of gravity, and where it can be gripped, are all crucial properties you must know in order to safely lift it.
13. Whilst handling a heavy load across site, you unexpectedly come across a staircase. What has gone wrong? Give ONE answer
A Nothing, you are expected to navigate hazards on your route
B The safe system of work did not clearly account for and communicate all hazards on your route
C You are entitled to compensation
D You did not ask the right questions during the briefing
Correct Answer: B The safe system of work did not clearly account for and communicate all hazards on your route
Explanation: The safe system of work should identify and communicate any unavoidable hazards you might face whilst manual handling.
14. The acronym TILE is an easy way of ensuring all aspects of a safe system of work for manual handling have been covered. What does it stand for? Give ONE answer
A Task, individual, length, execution
B Task, individual, load, environment
C Time, insurance, leverage, ease
D Trip hazards, individual, length, emergency procedure
Correct Answer: B Task, individual, load, environment
Explanation: Task, individual, load, and environment are the main aspects that a safe system of work for manual handling must take into account.
15. Why might rainy weather affect your ability to manually handle materials safely? Give TWO answers
A Fatigue may set in more quickly
B It will not affect manual handling tasks
C The ground will be slippery
D There may be less light
E You may have to work alone
Correct Answer: C The ground will be slippery, D There may be less light
Explanation: Wet ground and low light are two factors that will affect the safety of manual handling tasks.
16. You need to pick one other person to help you lift a heavy material. Who would be a good choice? Give ONE answer
A Someone of a similar build and stature
B Someone of similar age
C Someone stronger than you
D Someone who is available to help
Correct Answer: A Someone of a similar build and stature
Explanation: Someone of a similar size and stature will help ensure the weight of the load is evenly distributed.
17. Who should lead during team lifting? Give ONE answer
A Everybody collectively
B Just one person
C Someone who is not lifting
D Whoever is tallest
Correct Answer: B Just one person
Explanation: One person should lead and clearly instruct during a team lift.
18. You are asked to help out on a team lifting. What TWO conditions must apply for you to accept? Give TWO answers
A You must be of a similar stature to the rest of the team
B You must be on a break
C You must be stronger than the rest of the tea
D You must be trained in team lifting
E You must be wearing PPE
Correct Answer: A You must be of a similar stature to the rest of the team, D You must be trained in team lifting
Explanation: All people taking part in team lifting must be trained in it, as well as of a similar stature.
19. Which of the following is advisable when lifting a heavy material? Give ONE answer
A Your arms and biceps should be doing most of the work
B Your back should be doing most of the work
C Your legs and thighs should be doing most of the work
Correct Answer: C Your legs and thighs should be doing most of the work
Explanation: Let your legs carry the work when lifting.
20. What should you do with your spine when manually handling? Give ONE answer
A Keep it as straight as possible for balance
B Keep it bent so the load remains near the floor
C Keep it slightly twisted to evenly distribute the load
D Try to keep it naturally curved to avoid strain
Correct Answer: D Try to keep it naturally curved to avoid strain
Explanation: Always try keep your spine at a natural curvature.
21. You are storing a heavy load in an empty shelving unit. Which height should you store it at? Give ONE answer
A Floor level
B Knee height
C Shoulder height
D Waist height
Correct Answer: D Waist height
Explanation: Storing heavy loads at waist height will make them easier to pick up and put down.
22. You sustained a neck sprain playing sport outside of work. Now you have been asked to help unload a vehicle. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Continue with the task
B Inform your supervisor of the injury
C Nothing - unloading puts strain on your back, not your neck
D Wear a neck brace and start work
Correct Answer: B Inform your supervisor of the injury
Explanation: Always let your supervisor or manager know about any past or new injuries that may affect your ability to work without further injury.
23. You are lifting bricks up to a platform, and are positioned such that you need to twist your body. What does this mean? Give ONE answer
A This will help you lift heavier loads than you can normally
B You must make sure your feet are stably planted
C You will need to lift lighter loads than you would normally
D You will need to wear an abdominal brace
Correct Answer: C You will need to lift lighter loads than you would normally
Explanation: A twisting movement puts more strain on your back. You must lift lighter loads when you are twisting.
24. What does wearing an abdominal brace mean for your risk of injury? Give ONE answer
A You drastically reduce your risk of injury
B You eliminate your risk of injury
C You increase your risk of injury
D Your risk of injury can still be the same
Correct Answer: D Your risk of injury can still be the same
Explanation: Wearing an abdominal brace does not necessarily reduce your risk of injury.
25. Before using a wheelbarrow to help you lift a load, what TWO things must you check? Give ONE answer
A That a wheelbarrow is the correct manual handling aid to use
B That it is colour-coded for manual handling
C That it is not new, so it will not matter if it becomes damaged
D That you are trained in how to correctly use one
Correct Answer: A That a wheelbarrow is the correct manual handling aid to use, D That you are trained in how to correctly use one
Explanation: You must check that any manual handling aid is correctly suited to a task, and that you are trained to use it.
26. You are lifting a beam that is weighted more heavily on one side. How should you carry it? Give ONE answer
A Cradle one arm over the beam
B Keep the heavy side facing away from you
C Keep the heavy side facing you
D Rock it back and forth to alternate where the pressure falls
Correct Answer: C Keep the heavy side facing you
Explanation: Always carry unevenly weighted loads with the heavier side facing you.
27. When should lifting aids be used? Give ONE answer
A When the load is a hazardous material
B When there are not enough workers on hand to handle the load manually
C When there is reduced visibility
D Whenever possible, to reduce the risk of injury
Correct Answer: D Whenever possible, to reduce the risk of injury
Explanation: Lifting aids should be used whenever possible.
28. When using a brick hoist, do manual handling rules still apply? Give ONE answer
A No - using brick hoists eliminates the need for manual handling
B Yes - brick hoists aid, but do not eliminate, the need for manual handling
Correct Answer: B Yes - brick hoists aid, but do not eliminate, the need for manual handling
Explanation: Brick hoists are a manual handling aid. Manual handling procedures must still be followed.
29. Whilst transporting materials across site, a wheel begins to start locking on your sack truck. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Carry the materials manually
B Continue using the sack truck unless the wheel fully breaks
C Find an alternative way to transport the materials
D Make two trips using the sack truck at half capacity
Correct Answer: C Find an alternative way to transport the materials
Explanation: Do not use faulty manual handling aids - but still avoid manual handling whenever possible.
30. You will be lifting a heavy load. Who must help plan out a safe system of work? Give TWO answers
A All workers in the area
B The Health and Safety Executive
C You
D Your supervisor
Correct Answer: C You, D Your supervisor
Explanation: You and your supervisor (or employer) must be involved in the planning.