HS&E Operatives practice question: COSHH and hazardous substances (3 of 7)
B. Occupational health 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.
Your employer needs to control the risk from a harmful substance used on site.
Put these controls in order, starting with the one to consider first.
Put these 4 steps in order.
AA. Use a safer substance or a safer way of working
BB. Control it at the source, for example with extraction
CC. Give workers personal protective equipment
DD. Stop using the substance at all
Show the answer and explanation
Correct order: D, A, B, C
D. Stop using the substance at all First. If the substance is not used, no one can be exposed to it. HSE says always consider this first.
A. Use a safer substance or a safer way of working Second. If it can't be removed, change the substance or the process so it is less harmful.
B. Control it at the source, for example with extraction Third. Stopping the substance getting into the air at the source is more effective than dealing with it afterwards.
C. Give workers personal protective equipment Last. HSE calls PPE the final control option. It is less reliable than other controls and only protects the person wearing it.
Explanation
Remove the substance if you can, then make it safer, then control it at the source. PPE such as masks and gloves comes last, used alongside the other controls.