CSCS Demolition Mock Test

This is a free CSCS Demolition Mock Test for operative specialists. If you would like to do further revision, you can take a full 50 question CSCS mock test.

CSCS Demolition Test


You need to answer at least 33 out of 39 questions correctly to pass the Demolition Specialist Activities Test. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!

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CSCS Demolition Test Questions and Answers (Printer-Friendly)

List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. Who is able to carry out demolition work? Give ONE answer
A Any worker on-site with the correct training
B Anyone required to do demolition as part of a job
C ONLY the Health and Safety Executive
D ONLY trained contractors
Correct Answer: D ONLY trained contractors
Explanation: The law requires that demolition be carried out only by trained contractors.
2. What scale does structural demolition have to be on to fall under this law? Give ONE answer
A Demolition can be on ANY scale
B Structures containing hazardous materials
C Structures made predominantly of concrete
D Structures two storeys or higher
Correct Answer: A Demolition can be on ANY scale
Explanation: Work does not have to be on a large scale to qualify as 'demolition'.
3. Who must be appointed to supervise a demolition project? Give ONE answer
A A competent person
B A demolition specialist
C A legal representative
D A medic
Correct Answer: A A competent person
Explanation: Demolition must be supervised by a competent person.
4. Which plan will cover the health and safety measures in place for a demolition job? Give ONE answer
A Construction phase plan
B Demolition plan
C Health and safety plan
D Legal plan
Correct Answer: A Construction phase plan
Explanation: The construction phase plan covers the health and safety measures in place for a demolition job.
5. In which building are you MORE likely to find lead-based paint? Give ONE answer
A New building
B Old building
Correct Answer: B Old building
Explanation: Older buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint.
6. What hazard is created if soft strip materials and wood are allowed to build up during demolition? Give ONE answer
A Asphyxiation hazard
B Dermatitis hazard
C Fire hazard
D Hazardous materials
Correct Answer: C Fire hazard
Explanation: Demolition can result in the build-up of combustible materials, which become a fire hazard.
7. Why is exposure to lead-based paint dangerous? Give ONE answer
A Lead can become poisonous if it reaches high levels in your bloodstream
B Lead can cause your throat to constrict
C Lead can create painful ulcers when in contact with the skin
D Lead-based paints are not dangerous
Correct Answer: A Lead can become poisonous if it reaches high levels in your bloodstream
Explanation: Exposure to lead-based paints can increase the amount of lead in your bloodstream to harmful levels.
8. You are about to begin demolition cutting of a slurry tank. What must you obtain first? Give ONE answer
A A hot-works permit and/or a gas-free certificate
B Health and safety clearance from the HSE
C Permission from the local council
D Written acknowledgement from the site manager
Correct Answer: A A hot-works permit and/or a gas-free certificate
Explanation: You must obtain either a hot-works permit and/or a gas-free certificate.
9. It looks like working at height MAY be necessary to complete a job. What should be your first consideration? Give ONE answer
A Can working at height be avoided?
B Do you have a permit to install safety measures?
C Does your construction site have the appropriate insurance?
D What safety measures can be put in place?
Correct Answer: A Can working at height be avoided?
Explanation: If possible, working at height should be avoided entirely.
10. Safety measures are put in place to avoid which TWO dangers associated with working at height? Give TWO answers
A Damage to buildings
B Legal liability
C People falling
D Tools and equipment falling
Correct Answer: C People falling, D Tools and equipment falling
Explanation: Safety measures help prevent people and materials or equipment falling when work at height is being conducted.
11. What toxic substance might you find under asbestos cladding? Give ONE answer
A Damp cement
B Lead-based paint
C Legionella bacteria
D Silica dust
Correct Answer: B Lead-based paint
Explanation: Lead-based paint may be present under lead cladding.
12. You are demolishing an internal brick wall. How should you proceed? Give ONE answer
A Work horizontally in even courses starting from the top of the wall
B Work in even courses horizontally starting from the bottom of the wall
C Work in even courses vertically, starting from the left hand side
D Work in pairs, with one starting from the left hand side and the other from the right
Correct Answer: A Work horizontally in even courses starting from the top of the wall
Explanation: Internal walls should be demolished in even courses, working horizontally, and starting from the top.
13. For how long are hot-work permits and gas-free certificates usually valid? Give ONE answer
A For one 8 hour shift after being acquired
B For one month after being acquired
C For one week after being acquired
D For the duration of the job
Correct Answer: A For one 8 hour shift after being acquired
Explanation: Usually, hot-works permits and gas-free certificates are valid only for an 8 hour shift.
14. You need to hot-cut a coated steel pipe. What job-specific health hazard should you be aware of here? Give ONE answer
A You may be exposed to lead-based paint
B You may develop dermatitis
C You may develop fatigue
D You may inhale silica dust
Correct Answer: A You may be exposed to lead-based paint
Explanation: Coating on steelwork may have lead-based paint underneath.
15. You were exposed to lead-based paint whilst hot-cutting during a shift. What should you do before breaking for lunch? Give ONE answer
A Make sure you are properly hydrated
B Take a blood test
C Wash your hands and face
D Wash your hands with spirits
Correct Answer: C Wash your hands and face
Explanation: You must always wash your face and hands after exposure to lead. Drinking, eating, or smoking with lead traces on your hand can transfer the lead to your body.
16. A building constructed in 1960 is due to be demolished. What hazard does this date suggest? Give ONE answer
A Certain permits will NOT need to be acquired
B The building is protected under UK law
C The building may contain asbestos
D The building may use materials which contain silica dust
Correct Answer: C The building may contain asbestos
Explanation: Older buildings may contain asbestos.
17. What MUST be done with any asbestos found in a building set to be demolished? Give ONE answer
A It must be destroyed
B It must be pointed out to all on-site staff
C It must be recorded and reported
D It must be removed or encapsulated
Correct Answer: D It must be removed or encapsulated
Explanation: Any asbestos must be removed where possible. If this is not possible, it must be safely encapsulated.
18. During which process might you identify the presence of Legionella bacteria? Give ONE answer
A Asbestos survey
B COSHH assessment
C Environmental assessment
D Health surveillance
Correct Answer: B COSHH assessment
Explanation: The COSHH assessment will cover any harmful or toxic substances that may be created or present during a project.
19. What is a mobile plant decal? Give ONE answer
A A safety device
B A tax document
C A warning light
D An information sticker
Correct Answer: D An information sticker
Explanation: Information stickers on mobile plant are also known as decals.
20. You come across what looks like asbestos in a ceiling tile whilst carrying out demolition. What MUST you do? Give ONE answer
A Add clear signage
B Inform a supervisor
C Record it in the incident book
D Stop work and inform a supervisor
Correct Answer: D Stop work and inform a supervisor
Explanation: You must stop work immediately and inform a supervisor if you suspect you have found asbestos.
21. Which of the following is a health risk created by using a breaker? Give ONE answer
A Dermatitis
B HAVS
C Muscle fatigue
D Tetanus
Correct Answer: B HAVS
Explanation: The use of vibrating equipment like breakers puts you at risk of developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
22. What must you be aware of when using disposable respiratory protective equipment (RPE)? Give ONE answer
A It does not provide adequate protection
B It is often poorly manufactured
C It is unlikely to fit properly
D Its efficacy will deteriorate over time
Correct Answer: D Its efficacy will deteriorate over time
Explanation: Disposable RPE must be replaced where necessary, because it becomes less effective over time.
23. Your colleague's beard means their RPE is not fitting properly on their face. What should happen? Give ONE answer
A They should be given a full-face mask
B They should be removed from the job
C They should proceed with it fitted as well as possible
D They should remove their facial hair
Correct Answer: A They should be given a full-face mask
Explanation: Employees with facial hair that impedes their RPE may be given a full-face mask.
24. What is the minimum rating that disposable half-mask respirators must have? Give ONE answer
A FFP1
B FFP2
C FFP3
D FFP4
Correct Answer: C FFP3
Explanation: Disposable half-mask respirators must have a minimum rating of FFP3.
25. When you are carrying out work in a toxic atmosphere, which TWO of the following will provide necessary protection? Give TWO answers
A Compressed airline breathing apparatus
B Full mask respirator
C Half-mask respirator
D Self-contained breathing apparatus
Correct Answer: A Compressed airline breathing apparatus, D Self-contained breathing apparatus
Explanation: You will need breathing apparatus when working in a toxic atmosphere or an atmosphere with low oxygen levels.
26. How often should mobile plant checks be conducted? Give ONE answer
A Daily
B Monthly
C Once at the beginning of the project
D Weekly
Correct Answer: A Daily
Explanation: Mobile plant must be checked daily.
27. You are about to start work in a low oxygen environment, and are equipped with a full-face respirator. Can you proceed? Give ONE answer
A No
B Yes
Correct Answer: A No
Explanation: Respirators are not adequate for environments with low levels of oxygen.
28. When will a plant be quarantined? Give ONE answer
A When it has come into contact with hazardous substances
B When it has passed its daily checks
C When it is broken
D When it needs refuelling
Correct Answer: C When it is broken
Explanation: A quarantined plant is defective - it is isolated so that nobody attempts to use it.
29. How often should equipment used for lifting people, and lifting accessories, be thoroughly examined? Give ONE answer
A Before every shift
B Ever 12 months
C Every 6 months
D Every week
Correct Answer: C Every 6 months
Explanation: Thorough examinations must be carried out every 6 months on equipment used for lifting people, and lifting accessories.
30. What kind of RPE must you wear when cutting coated steelwork? Give ONE answer
A Air-fed respirator or helmet
B Face mask with FFP2 rating
C Full mask respirator
D No special RPE is required
Correct Answer: A Air-fed respirator or helmet
Explanation: Cutting coated steelwork will require that you wear an air-fed respirator or helmet.
31. You see a machine operating during the day with tail lights, headlights, and obstruction lamps on. Is this correct? Give ONE answer
A No
B Yes
Correct Answer: B Yes
Explanation: All machines in operation should have these lights on, even during daylight hours.
32. What is an SWL? Give ONE answer
A The safe working length of a shift in confined spaces
B The safe working load of lifting equipment and accessories
C The safety at work liaison
D The signaller when lifting
Correct Answer: B The safe working load of lifting equipment and accessories
Explanation: The SWL indicates the safe working load of a lifting accessory of piece of equipment, also known as its 'rated capacity'.
33. You are operating plant next to a demolition site where materials may fall from above. What should be installed for your safety? Give ONE answer
A FOPS
B Floodlights
C Netting
D ROPS
Correct Answer: A FOPS
Explanation: Falling object protective structures (FOPS) should be fitted on machines in areas where there may be falling materials.
34. What must all lifting accessories and lifting equipment be marked with? Give ONE answer
A The material they are made of
B Their SWL
C Their WLT
D Their designated area for use
Correct Answer: B Their SWL
Explanation: All equipment and accessories for lifting must be marked with their safe working load.
35. Who is permitted to enter an area in which a lifting operation is taking place? Give ONE answer
A Anyone who is clearly visible to the operator
B Anyone who receives permission from the signaller
C Only the signaller
D Only those involved in the operation
Correct Answer: D Only those involved in the operation
Explanation: Only those involved in an operation should enter the lifting area.
36. You are operating a machine on uneven ground where there is a risk of it tipping over. What should be in place? Give ONE answer
A Emergency plan
B FOPS
C ROPS
D Traffic circulation restrictions
Correct Answer: C ROPS
Explanation: Roll-over protective structures should be in place where a machine is at risk of rolling over.
37. Your colleague is working inside a chemical storage tank and may be having a medical emergency. What should you do FIRST? Give ONE answer
A Assess the situation
B Call the emergency services
C Go in to assess their condition
D Go in to remove them from the tank
Correct Answer: A Assess the situation
Explanation: Your first step in any emergency should be to assess the situation. Going into the tank may put you at risk.
38. An outside event has caused you to develop claustrophobia, and you are assigned to work in a confined space at work. How should you proceed? Give ONE answer
A Do the work as assigned - you are physically capable of doing the task
B Inform your supervisor - you may be putting yourself and others at risk if you proceed.
C Proceed with the appropriate medication
D Proceed, but ensure you are well-hydrated
Correct Answer: B Inform your supervisor - you may be putting yourself and others at risk if you proceed.
Explanation: Nobody should work in confined spaces if they are not adequately trained, competent, and fit for the task. You should inform your supervisor, as you may put yourself or others at risk.
39. Which extinguisher must NEVER be used in a confined space? Give ONE answer
A Carbon dioxide
B Foam
C Powder
D Water
Correct Answer: A Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Carbon dioxide extinguishers (black) will displace oxygen from the air, which creates an asphyxiation risk.