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Operatives and Specialists – Personal Protective Equipment (2023)

Construction Test > Operatives and Specialists – Personal Protective Equipment (2023)

You need to answer at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly to pass the Personal Protective Equipment 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. What is personal protective equipment (PPE)? Give ONE answer
A Clothing and equipment designed to protect you from the elements
B Clothing and equipment designed to serve as hazard protection
C Ear protectors used for noisy areas
D Protective casings designed for hand-held tools
Correct Answer: B Clothing and equipment designed to serve as hazard protection
Explanation: PPE is a cover-all term applied to any clothing or equipment designed to shield you from hazards.
2. Your employer must always provide PPE where it is required. True or false? Give ONE answer
A False - Your employer may ask you to provide it yourself if you are a temporary hire
B True - your employer must always provide it if required
Correct Answer: B True - your employer must always provide it if required
Explanation: Your employer is legally obliged to provide PPE where necessary.
3. You are told a face mask must be worn on site. Where should you source this? Give ONE answer
A From a certified manufacturer
B Your employer cannot require this
C Your employer must source it, but may take the costs from your wages
D Your employer should provide it free of charge
Correct Answer: D Your employer should provide it free of charge
Explanation: Your employer must provide all PPE free of charge to their employees.
4. The fresh air pump in your excavation stops working. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Only remain in the excavation for short periods of time so the air can replenish
B Report this to the site manager, but continue working if the risk seems low
C Source suitable RPE and continue working
D Stop work and report the broken pump so it can be repaired
Correct Answer: D Stop work and report the broken pump so it can be repaired
Explanation: You should wait until the pump is repaired and the safe system of work can continue. PPE should only be used as a last resort.
5. Your half mask respirator is broken, but your job must be urgently completed. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Continue work if the mask is still effective at reduced capacity
B Fix it yourself, and continue work
C Stop work until you have a functioning half mask respirator
D Take turns sharing a colleague's respirator
Correct Answer: C Stop work until you have a functioning half mask respirator
Explanation: You must never work without fully functioning PPE if it is required. This must be provided by your employer.
6. What is good practice when it comes to looking after your PPE? Give ONE answer
A Ensure it remains clean, and inspect it regularly
B Nothing specific - its condition is the responsibility of site management
C Repair it when necessary
D Take it with you at the end of shift to ensure it does not get lost
Correct Answer: A Ensure it remains clean, and inspect it regularly
Explanation: You should ensure you check your PPE regularly for faults, and keep it clean and hygienic.
7. Many safety signs are likely to indicate areas where you must wear PPE. Which of the following signs is LEAST likely to indicate a situation requiring PPE? Give ONE answer
A
B
C
D
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: This sign indicates that water from this tap is not for drinking - there are no items of PPE usually associated with this.
8. What is best practice when wearing a safety helmet in cold weather? Give ONE answer
A Ensure it has a cold weather lining
B Fit it over the hood of a jumper
C Fit it snugly around a warm hat
D The helmet must not be adapted - so ensure you are wearing warm clothes
Correct Answer: A Ensure it has a cold weather lining
Explanation: Proprietary cold-weather linings can be obtained for safety helmets. Do not wear them over hats or hoods, as this will affect their efficacy.
9. If there is a risk of your helmet falling off, what should you do? Give ONE answer
A Attach it to your belt with a safety cord
B Ensure it is fitted tightly around your head
C Refit the helmet - there should be no risk of it falling, provided it has been properly fitted.
D Wear it with a chin strap
Correct Answer: D Wear it with a chin strap
Explanation: A properly fitted helmet may still fall off. Where this is a risk, you should wear it with a chin strap.
10. Which of the following shows a correctly worn helmet? Give ONE answer
A
B
C
D
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Helmets must be worn squarely on the head, facing forward.
11. What is a good way of confirming that your helmet has been properly fitted? Give ONE answer
A It does not shift when gently knocked
B It sits snugly on your head
C It stays in place when you bow your head to the floor
D There is room to insert one finger between your head and the helmet
Correct Answer: B It sits snugly on your head
Explanation: A properly fitted helmet will sit snugly on your head.
12. What is a good way of keeping track of your helmet? Give ONE answer
A Add an identifying sticker
B Keep an eye on it - but do not adapt it in any way
C Mark it with paint
D Take it home after shift so it does not get lost among other helmets
Correct Answer: B Keep an eye on it - but do not adapt it in any way
Explanation: No unauthorised adaptations should be made to helmets. Even cosmetic changes can reduce their ability to protect you.
13. When tiling a roof, your helmet falls to the ground. What is the correct course of action? Give ONE answer
A Assess it for damage, and replace it if it is cracked
B Assess it for damage, and replace it if it is marked
C Replace the helmet
D Safely descend to retrieve the helmet and continue working
Correct Answer: C Replace the helmet
Explanation: Falls from height can weaken the strength of a helmet, even if it is not obviously marked or cracked. A helmet that has fallen from height should always be replaced.
14. What are TWO safety features that all footwear on site must have? Give TWO answers
A A minimum of 12 lace eyelets
B Flexibility so it is easy to repeatedly kneel
C High grade ankle support
D Protection against puncture injuries
E Protective toe-caps
Correct Answer: D Protection against puncture injuries, E Protective toe-caps
Explanation: Toe caps and puncture protection are minimum requirements for safety footwear.
15. You are working on a motorway during daylight hours. What class of high-visibility clothing is required? Give ONE answer
A Class 1 must be worn on or near motorways
B Class 2 may be worn in daylight hours
C Class 3 must be worn on or near motorways
D The class required will depend upon the hazard the work is creating
Correct Answer: C Class 3 must be worn on or near motorways
Explanation: Class 3 is the highest class of high-visibility PPE, and must be worn on motorways regardless of the time of day.
16. Which of the following is NEVER an example of work-specific body protection? Give ONE answer
A Fire retardant overalls
B Lightweight clothing
C Overalls
D These are all examples of body protection
Correct Answer: D These are all examples of body protection
Explanation: These are all examples of items you can wear to protect your body. Lightweight clothing will protect you from overheating in hot weather.
17. Which of the following images shows ear plugs CORRECTLY fitted? Give ONE answer
A
B
C
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: These ear plugs are fitted correctly - deep into the ear canal.
18. Which skin condition affects up to 1 in 10 people working with concrete, mortar, and cement? Give ONE answer
A Dermatitis
B Eczema
C Inflammation
D Tender rashes
Correct Answer: A Dermatitis
Explanation: Dermatitis is common among people working with concrete, mortar, and cement.
19. You are issued safety glasses as PPE to work with a disc cutter. Do you proceed? Give ONE answer
A No: high-impact protection will impede your ability to perform this task
B No: low-impact protection is not sufficient for this task
C Yes: high-impact protection is sufficient for this task
D Yes: low-impact protection is sufficient for this task
Correct Answer: B No: low-impact protection is not sufficient for this task
Explanation: Do not proceed. Safety glasses only offer low-impact protection, and this is not sufficient when using a disc cutter.
20. When dealing with chemicals, the gloves you wear must be: Give ONE answer
A Impervious
B Thick
C Tightly sealed around the wrist
D Waterproof
Correct Answer: A Impervious
Explanation: Gloves worn when using chemicals should not allow the chemical to pas through the glove. This is known as being "impervious".
21. What is the benefit of using solvents/spirits to clean your hands? Give ONE answer
A It protects your skin against further build-up of toxic substances
B There is no benefit: this strips protective oils from your skin
C They are readily available on-site
D You can remove hazardous substances that cannot be cleaned using normal soaps
Correct Answer: B There is no benefit: this strips protective oils from your skin
Explanation: You should never clean your hands using spirits or solvents. Stripping away protective oils leaves you vulnerable to skin damage.
22. When should you be particularly careful about protection against sun damage in summer? Give ONE answer
A Around midday, when the sun is strongest
B At the end of the day, when your cumulative exposure is highest
C In early summer, when your body has not yet adjusted to sun exposure
D In the morning, when the sun is strongest
Correct Answer: A Around midday, when the sun is strongest
Explanation: The sun is most intense for a few hours around midday. You must be particularly attentive to sun protection during this time.
23. Besides applying sun cream, what is ONE good way to protect yourself against sun damage? Give ONE answer
A Douse exposed skin with cold water to promote cooling
B Ensure clothing is always double-layered to eliminate UV exposure
C Expose more skin to help with temperature regulation
D Inspect your skin regularly for signs of damage or changes
Correct Answer: D Inspect your skin regularly for signs of damage or changes
Explanation: Inspecting your skin for changes or damage will help protect you against the effects of sun exposure.
24. Your colleague has fallen from a building, and is suspended from their safety harness. Rescue is slow to arrive. What is ONE major health risk they may face? Give ONE answer
A Pulmonary arrest
B Suspension syncope
C Vascular distress
D Vertigo
Correct Answer: B Suspension syncope
Explanation: Also known as "suspension trauma," suspension syncope is a major risk to those whose fall has been arrested.
25. What is ONE major risk to workers who fall into water? Give ONE answer
A They are at greater risk of cold water shock
B They are not prioritised by emergency services
C Trained coastguards are rarely available
D Work clothing, boots, and tool belts will drag them under
Correct Answer: D Work clothing, boots, and tool belts will drag them under
Explanation: The key risk is that heavy duty clothing, boots, and equipment will drag a body down.
26. When issuing you with respiratory protective equipment (RPE), what should your employer do? Give ONE answer
A Arrange a face-fit test
B Check that one finger can be inserted between your face and the RPE
C Pick the correct size of RPE
D Test its filtering effectiveness using a pungent scent
Correct Answer: A Arrange a face-fit test
Explanation: You should receive a face-fit test to ensure that the RPE is properly fitted.
27. All masks should have: Give ONE answer
A A CE mark, and/or a British Standard number
B A minimum of two adjustable straps
C A sticker identifying who is using it
D A suitable modification for hot weather
Correct Answer: A A CE mark, and/or a British Standard number
Explanation: All masks on site should have a CE mark, and/or a British Standard number, to verify their quality.
28. When can disposable dust masks from DIY stores be used as respiratory protective equipment (RPE)? Give ONE answer
A If multiple masks are worn at once
B If no better PPE is available
C If sweeping up light wood dust
D Under no circumstances should they be used as PPE
Correct Answer: D Under no circumstances should they be used as PPE
Explanation: These masks do not meet the required RPE standards. They should not be used as RPE.
29. Which filter grading offers the highest protection? Give ONE answer
A FFP1
B FFP2
C FFP3
D FFP4
Correct Answer: C FFP3
Explanation: FFP3 provides the highest grade of filter protection.
30. What is ONE thing you can do to help ensure your respiratory protective equipment (RPE) works effectively? Give ONE answer
A Buff the edges of the mask that will be in contact with your face
B Exfoliate your face before shift
C Moisturise the area around your mouth and nose
D Shave any facial hair clean before the start of shift
Correct Answer: D Shave any facial hair clean before the start of shift
Explanation: The effectiveness of your RPE may be affected by facial hair.