HS&E Operatives practice question: Pollution and spillages (5 of 7)
A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
An excavation has filled with muddy rainwater. Your gang needs to pump it out, and the nearest place is a stream next to the site.
What should happen to the water?
Choose one answer.
AA. Pump it into the nearest surface water drain
BB. Pump it at night when nobody will notice
CC. Treat it first, for example by letting the silt settle
DD. Pump it straight into the stream, as it is only rainwater
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C
A. Wrong: Wrong. Surface water drains go straight to rivers and streams, so it is the same as pumping into the stream.
B. Wrong: Wrong. Pollution is an offence whenever it happens.
C. Right: Right. NetRegs says silty water must not be pumped into the water environment without treatment. Contain it and let the silt settle out first.
D. Wrong: Wrong. The silt in muddy water harms fish and plants in the stream.
Explanation
Never pump muddy water straight into a river, stream or surface water drain. It must be treated first, for example in a settlement tank.