Below are some practice NVQ Level 2 Painting and Decorating questions and answers.
Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace
1.4 State why and when health and safety control equipment, identified by the principles of protection, should be used relating to types, purpose and limitations of each type, the work situation, occupational use and the general work environment, with collective protective measures, personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE), local exhaust ventilation (LEV).
Staff collect their PPE hard hat gloves, boots and high-vis clothing from the store, and everyone has to wear them to prevent accidents. There are also safety measures such as handrails for protection where necessary. Signage indicating areas you are not allowed in will be clearly visible. All staff should be aware of safety measures and if not, new staff on the site should be informed of safety measures at toolbox talks.
Purpose and limitations – To ensure everyone is aware of the health and safety requirements on site, and that risks or potential hazards are limited where possible. Any hazards should be identified to all on-site. New staff should be shown the risk assessments before joining site work. Increasing knowledge will also increase the chance of reducing injuries. The key limitations are people not reading the information available or following instructions. If you follow the building regulations, they will explain the safe collective measures.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of:
- Steel toe boots – Protect feet from stubbing toes and falling objects.
- Hi-visibility jacket – To be seen clearly.
- Ear defenders – To protect hearing.
- Hardhat – To protect the head from falling objects or banging your head.
- Goggles – Essential to protect the eyes.
- Gloves – To protect the hands or ensure finger injury reduction.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – Dust masks self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Staff need to know the limitations and use of each piece of apparatus. The right equipment will stop lungs from breathing in harmful dust, toxic fumes or gases. Training is essential to use RPE correctly. All PPE must be maintained.
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) – LEV is an engineering control system to reduce dust, mist, fume, vapour or gas in the workplace. LEV can suck and blow depending on what is required of the equipment. It assists by extracting harmful toxic gases from the environment. LEV relies on power and will not work if there is a power cut.
1.5 State how the health and safety control equipment relevant to the work should be used following the given instructions
Workers must be trained in using all equipment and maintaining their own PPE. New workers to the site should be inducted and have toolbox talks. If unsure how to use anything, the site foreman should be asked.
If there was a changed circumstance or incident in the workplace, this should be reported to the supervisor.
Complying with environmental requirements is achieved by following the company policies and toolbox talk instructions to dispose of waste and reduce dust and other pollutants. Staff should also switch off lights and equipment when not in use. Staff are asked to not play the radio loudly as this can be distracting and can also stop people from hearing if there is an incident.
1.6 State which types of health, safety and welfare legislation, notices and warning signs are relevant to the occupational area and associated equipment
Warning signs are there to support the mandatory wearing of helmet goggles and safety boots. Some sites require high-visibility garments. Other signs that can be seen include when scaffolds are not in use or indicate moving vehicles or cranes are in use. Hazard signs include an electric cable to avoid trips and fall hazards. There are also notices to visitors, who usually have to sign in at the main office before site entry.
1.7 State why health, safety and welfare legislation, notices and warning signs are relevant to the occupational area
To ensure workers, visitors and site personnel are kept safe and their health and safety needs are met. Sites should, where possible, include toilets and clean eating areas.
1.8 State how to comply with control measures that have been identified by risk assessments and safe systems of work
Complying with control measures that have been identified by the risk assessments and safe systems of work is required to reduce injury to employees and the risk of being sued by the employer. Risk assessments should be available and easily accessed by all involved. They should be discussed with all staff on site.
2.2 List typical hazards associated with the work environment and occupational area in relation to resources, substances, asbestos, equipment, obstructions, storage, services and work activities
Resources: materials too heavy to lift and lifting equipment not available can cause back injury.
Cuts to hands if gloves are not worn whilst cutting or lifting difficult materials. Scaffold unsafe causing falls. Equipment poorly maintained. The canteen is not available or dirty.
Work activities: Not using correct lifting technique or equipment. An untidy workplace also leads to trips and falls. Bits can also go in the eye when cutting with a saw or tools. Injury to hands from cutting materials. Stubbing toes on stored materials.
Substances: Dust from the site or sawdust from wood cutting. Asbestos can be found in older buildings. Working next to a diesel engine can make your eyes water.
Equipment: Noise from the circular saw or hammer drills, routers etc can cause ear and brain problems.
Obstructions: Obstructions can cause falls and trips.
Services: When removing materials on site or drilling walls, there could be gas or electric piping. When digging out for foundations, there are electrical and gas services that are hazards.
2.3 List the current Health and Safety Executive top ten safety risks
- Falling off ladders
- Falling off scaffolding
- Asphyxiation
- Crushed by excavation
- Crushed by entrapment
- Hit by plant
- Lifting operations
- Plant turnover
- Falling through internal voids
- Falling through fragile roofs
2.4 List the current Health and Safety Executive top five health risks
- Exposure to silica
- Exposure to excessive noise
- Exposure to excessive vibration
- Manual handling
- Exposure to asbestos
2.5 State how changing circumstances within the workplace could cause hazards
Changing circumstances within the workplace can cause hazards due to employees on-site not being aware of changes and potential risks. Employers not being aware of changes means no change to risk assessment, or they could fail to inform employees. Hazards may change as work progresses and staff should be updated regularly, as should risk assessments.
2.6 State the methods used for reporting changed circumstances, hazards and incidents in the workplace.
Methods used for reporting changed circumstances, hazards and incidents in the workplace are updated risk assessments, toolbox talks, and site meetings.
3.6 State the organisational policies and procedures for health, safety and welfare in relation to dealing with accidents and emergencies associated with the work and environment, methods of receiving or sourcing information, reporting, stopping work, evacuation, fire risks and safe exit procedures, consultation and feedback
The organisational policies and procedures for health, safety and welfare concerning dealing with emergencies are to stop work and contact the site foreman immediately, Everyone has a responsibility to report any accidents or near misses. If the fire alarm starts or lights go out, making it dangerous to work, everyone must stop immediately, evacuating the site leaving tools and going to the nearest fire escape
All staff should be aware of fire risks and follow precautions to always reduce risks. Be aware of fire exits and plans for each building in case of fire.
A site feedback book should be available to record any incidents. The site manager should always be aware of any incidents. Both site foreman and employees are responsible for ensuring they are aware of site safety procedures.
3.7 State the appropriate types of fire extinguishers relevant to the work
Different types of fire extinguishers are used in the workplace:
- CO2 for electrical fires.
- Water for wood and cloth.
- Foam for use on fuel fires.
Water extinguishers have a red band and are for wood, paper, textile, and solid materials fires.
Blue band extinguishers are for electrical fires and varnishes, flammable liquids. They use dry powder foam.
Black carbon dioxide extinguishers are also used on electrical fires.
3.8 State how and when different types of fire extinguishers are used under the legislation and official guidance.
Extinguishers are used by releasing the pin if it has a pin. If it does not, then there must be other things to set it off, so just point it at the fire and press on the handle. Make sure not to endanger yourself or your colleagues. Always assess the fire and ensure you feel you can extinguish it safely. If you cannot, then evacuate and call the fire brigade immediately. Only trained people should use extinguishers.
4.2 State how personal behaviour demonstrates responsibility for general workplace health, safety and welfare, concerning: recognising when to stop work in the face of serious and imminent danger to self and/or others, contributing to discussions and providing feedback, reporting changed circumstances and incidents in the workplace, complying with the environmental requirements of the workplace
Stop work as soon as you see any sign of fire or concern, and raise an alarm. You must run away from the fire very fast. If the fire alarm constantly rings, go to the nearest fire exit.
Complete toolbox talks with site employees or attendees if requested, and if unclear about fire procedures use this opportunity to ask questions.
4.3 Give examples of how the behaviour and actions of individuals could affect others within the workplace
An employee’s behaviour on site could affect others. Power tools must be used correctly, safety regulations should be followed, and staff must be aware of risk assessments and requirements. There is no fooling around in the workplace.
5.2 State how security arrangements are implemented concerning the workplace, the general public, site personnel and resources
Security arrangements should be in the workplace are critical.
The general public should not have access to a site that is unsafe, they would not have PPE, know the risks or be aware of safety requirements. Any site personnel should arrive on site and report to the site manager. If they are unknown or visiting personnel, they should give their registration for their vehicles and give their name via an arrival sign-in. They must also be made aware to sign off-site as they leave.
Power tools should be stored in a secure container on site.