Special Site Hazards

Why may a confined space be dangerous to work in?

There may not be sufficient working space

Air in the space may be unbreathable due to poisonous gas

Temperature and poor ventilation may affect the worker

All of the hazards mentioned

What must be considered first when planning to carry out work in a confined space?

Has the job been priced properly

Have the correct tools been arranged

Has sufficient manpower been allocated

Can the work be done from the outside

When working in a confined space, such as a sewer, what danger may occur?

Getting wet through

Boredom

Not enough time for the job to be done

Build up of harmful gases

To determine the safety of the atmosphere in an excavation, which of the following is essential?

Sniffing the atmosphere after entry

Using a gas detector

Only entering for a short period to enable a quick escape

Looking for toxic gases

Before entering an excavation to start work, it must first be:

Inspected by a competent person

Covered over and left overnight

Filled with water then drained

Inspected by the HSE

What is the purpose of using a 'permit to work' system?

To ensure the job is carried out by the quickest method

To help ensure a safe system of work

To ensure that the client will pay for the work

To enable tools and equipment to be properly checked before the commencement of work

Why may young people be more at risk on site?

There is no specific legislation applying to them

They are usually left to work alone to gain experiene

There is no requirement to provide PPE to young people

They are inexperienced and may not recognise danger

You have to enter a manhole in which you know there are toxic gases. You have all the PPE but there does not appear to be a rescue plan in place. What should you do?

Just get on and do the job, it will probably be alright

Plan to carry out the job in short bursts

Do not enter the manhole until a rescue plan and rescue equipment are in place

Ask your mate to stand-by at the top of the manhole with a length of rope

You have to enter a manhole in which you know there are toxic gases. You have not been provided with any Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). What should you do?

Tell your supervisor that you will need RPE, and if necessary, training in confined space working

Sniff the atmosphere in the manhole to see if you can smell harmful gases

Look into the manhole to see if you can see any harmful gases

Just get on with the job, and accept the risks

While digging a trench, you uncover a length of yellow marker tape at a depth of about 150mm. What does the presence of the marker tape mean?

The area has a high water-table and precautions must be taken to prevent an in-rush of water

There is a buried electrical cable and further excavation must be carried out with care

There is contaminated soil below the level of the marker tape and all excavation must stop

The excavation has reached a depth where the sides must now be supported

A Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T.) and a 'Genny' (generator) can be used successfully to located underground cables by whom:

Anyone

A competent person after training

Any electricity company employee

The site foreman

When exposing underground power cables, which method of excavation should you use?

A 360 degree excavator with rubber tyres

A pickaxe

Hand digging

A kango hammer

When do special precautions need to be taken when working near overhead electric power lines?

Only if cranes etc. Are being used

Only if someone could touch a line with their bare hands

Only if plant has to pass under the lines

Whenever work areas will be near or beneath the lines

When working alone:

Make sure someone responsible knows where you are

You can do away with protective equipment

Don't bother anyone if you have a problem, always sort it out yourself

Wear headphones, it will make the day go quickly

You have to walk across a site several times a day, but have to dodge a lot of site traffic. The first thing you should do is:

Have word with the drivers

Walk around the edges of the site to keep out of the way

Tell your supervisor about the danger

Jump on the back of a vehicle if you can, its safer than walking

A mobile plant operator can let you ride in the machine:

If you have a long way to go

If it is raining

If it is designed to carry passengers

At any time

Special Site Hazards

More Quizzes